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Shri Akkalkot Niwasi Maharaj (the great Sage of Akkalkot), also known as Swami Samarth (Samarth – One Who Has The Power), is considered the third incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Though Swami traveled far and wide, He finally settled in this place called ‘Akkalkot’ (situated in the Solapur district of Maharashtra state of India). He resided there for twenty-two years, where he also chose to leave his body in 1878. Swami Samarth arrived at Akkalkot in 1856 upon receiving an invitation from Chintopant Tol and then stayed on the outskirts of the town. He usually lived at the residence of his disciple, Cholappa, where his shrine is presently located. Like Shirdi Sai Baba and Gajanan Maharaj, Swami’s origin remains obscure. One time a disciple asked Swami a question about his birth:
‘Then the brahmin asked Shri Swami Samarth, ‘Who are you?’ Swami replied, ‘I am a Yajurvedi brahmin. My name is Narasimhaban. My ancestor is the banyan tree. My native city is Dattanagar.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 60-61)
Yajurveda is one of the four Vedas and one of the scriptures of Hinduism. It is a compilation of formulas for ritual offerings. Swami also said that he was from the clan of Rishi Kashyap and that his moon sign is Meena (Pisces).
Swami Samarth’s devotees consider him to be the same person as Sri Narasimha Saraswathi Maharaj.
The beginning of Swami Samarth’s incarnation is shrouded in mystery.
Shri Narasimha Saraswathi (1378-1459), known as an earlier incarnation of Dattatreya, helped and spiritually uplifted many people over a few decades. He then went away to the Himalayas for penance and went into Samadhi. Legend has it that he remained in Samadhi for about three hundred years, during which time a giant anthill grew over him, and he disappeared to the outside world*:
‘His devotees claim that he remained in samadhi there for 300 years.
In the meantime, it is said that a huge anthill was formed around Shri Narasimha Saraswati’s body, and nobody knew what happened to him afterwards. Years later, a woodcutter’s axe accidentally fell on the anthill. The woodcutter was shocked to see blood stains on the axe. What a miracle! A yogi was doing penance in that makeshift cave. The yogi woke up from his trance, slowly opened his eyes and looked at the woodcutter who was trembling with fear. The yogi started talking to him gently with love: ‘Child! Don’t be sad about what happened! The time has come for me to reappear in this world and begin my work. This is God’s will.’
It was not Shri Narasimha Saraswati’s form who came out of the anthill, but rather another avatar, Shri Swami Samarth! Many devotees of Shri Swami Samarth later noticed that he still had a scar on his thigh from an axe injury. We know from many scriptures that even today many yogis are practising penance in remote caves in the Himalayas, where they remain in samadhi over the ages with their groups of disciples. After coming out of the anthill, Shri Swami Samarth also started his tour from 1758 to various parts of the Himalayas. After this, he continued his journey southwards to many other locations in India.
Another version of Swami Samarth’s first appearance in this world comes from one of his most prominent disciples, Swami Sut Maharaj, who says that Shri Swami Samarth first appeared as an eight-year-old boy in a village called Chelikeda in North India. This was said to have happened in the year 1149. There, Shri Swami revealed himself as an eight-year-old boy who split the earth to play marble with a child named Vijay Singh. As this event took place on the full moon day of the Chaitra month, this day is celebrated as Shri Swami Samarth’s prakat din, or manifestation day every year. When doubt arose as to the veracity of this event, which obviously took place many, many years ago, Shri Swami Samarth himself proved it to be totally true.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 48-49)
Swami Maharaj was a Superhuman with a lustre that was divine and brilliant. He was graced with long arms extending down to his knees. Such a lustre of divine brilliance emitted from his body that no one could look at Him directly. He had a fair complexion, a long straight nose, curved eyebrows, long ears, broad chest, thighs like a banana tree, and lotus-like feet. He had a sandal mark on his forehead and his arms. He usually would wear a loincloth. Sometimes Sri Swami would remove and throw away the loincloth and go naked (digambar). Sometimes he would wear an ear cap; at other times he would wear a red-ochre costume. Sri Swami would always look very graceful. The nature of Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj was simple and straightforward. He was like a child. He was very generous, very kind to the devotees, and always showered love towards his devotees. He would treat everyone equally without any difference.
Swami Maharaj would sometimes sleep on a bed; at times on stone, sometimes there would be the insignia of royalty with elephants and horses, but sometimes He would sit on a heap of rubbish. He would sometimes take a bath several times a day, but at other times He would not take a bath for eight days. Sometimes He stayed in a Palace, but sometimes on the verandah of a temple. He would sometimes sleep on a cot and sometimes in a pit. In all locations and under all circumstances, He was absorbed in Himself. Sri Swami was temperate in speech and occasionally adopted silence. At other times, He could be very outspoken and shower abuses. Whether a person was rich, honourable, or even a woman, Sri Swami would speak directly and clearly, and expose them openly if necessary. His speech would be either indicative or symbolic.
Maloji Raje Bhosle, the king of the Akkalkot regime at that time, was initially a devotee of Sri Narasimha Saraswati and usually went to Ganagapur to attend celebrations. Once, he received a visionary insight where Sri Narasimha Saraswathi (Sriguru) told him, ‘I have already moved to reside in Akkalkot. Then why are you coming to Ganagapur?‘ From that day onwards, King Maloji Raje started rendering his devotional service to Sri Swami Samarth at Akkalkot. Like this, there have been innumerable occasions where Sriguru appeared to his devotees in visions and dreams, asking them to go to Swami Samarth, for he had moved to Akkalkot, and they could pay their respects in person there.
Once, the priest at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu was collecting money from pilgrims who wanted to take a bath in the holy waters of the Koti Koop Tirth:
‘The Miracle Performed at Kodi Tirtha
There is a tirtha called Kodi Tirtha in the Rameswaram Temple. Bathing in this tirtha is very auspicious, so many devotees come to bathe there every day. The pujaris there were also very greedy like the pujari in Narayana Sarovar. Devotees who come there were not allowed to bathe if they did not pay. One day Shri Swami Samarth went there to take a bath and they asked him to pay like everyone else. To this Shri Swami said, ‘I am a sadhu, will I have money? God-given water should be available to all.’ Shri Swami advised in a pleading tone that there should be no difference between those who have money and those who do not. The priests did not let him in because of their arrogance. Shri Swami angrily said, ‘For whatever virtue everyone is bathing here, the virtue will no longer be here,’ and then he left.
The priests did not care about what he was saying. However, after Swami left, the tirtha became full of worms and started to stink. Even after they performed many abhishekams and pujas, there was no change. The priests went to Shringeri and met Shri Shankaracharya to narrate what had happened. Shankaracharya learned in meditation that this had happened because they had insulted a sadhu. Shankaracharya also realised that the visitor was not an ordinary sadhu but a mahapurusha and an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. He told the priests to go to apologise immediately and sent them away. On reaching the town, they wandered in search of Shri Swami Samarth. They couldn’t find him anywhere and eventually found the Rameswaram Jyotilinga itself manifested in the form of Shri Swami. Shri Swami looked at them and asked, ‘Was the trip to Shringeri good? Have you seen Shankaracharya?’ Upon hearing this, they prostrated themselves before him and asked for his forgiveness.
Shri Swami, the epitome of mercy, forgave them and gave them some advice: ‘You are noble priests who have to wipe away the sorrows of the devotees. You should fulfil your duties with devotion and diligence without collecting money from anyone.’ With his perfect blessings, the tirtha regained its sanctity.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 72-73)
During his extensive travels, Swami became popular by various names at various places. Thus, in one place, he was known as Chanchal Bharati, and at another location, he would be called Digambar Swami before finally settling at Akkalkot. Swami Samarth was a powerful Master who created powerful disciples like Shankar Maharaj, Gajanan Maharaj, Junglee Maharaj, etc. He treated Muslims, Christians, and Parsees alike. He always bestowed his kindness on the poor, needy, and people at the lowest rung of society.
After serving the poor, curing the sick, and helping the spiritual seekers over a few decades, Swami Samarth suddenly announced that the time had come for him to leave his physical existence. By the Hindu calendar, his departure happened at Chaitra Suddha trayodasi, Shaka 1800, i.e. 1878 AD, Tuesday at 4 p.m. At that time, he seated himself in Padmasana (Lotus Posture) and uttered his last words – ‘No one should weep, I shall always be present at all places, and I shall respond to every call of the devotees.’ Tradition holds that when he took Samadhi, his soul split in two – one part merged with the banyan tree, which is now worshipped as his Samadhi, the other merged with Sai Baba of Shirdi. The fame of Sai Baba grew far and wide right after the merger. Maharaj’s famous words are printed on the back of many taxis in Mumbai – ‘Bheevu nakkos, mi thujhya paatheeshi aahe’ – ‘Fear not. I am always with you.’
HIS PROMISE BEFORE DEPARTURE TO CONTINUE AS SHIRDI SAI
Just before he had left his gross body, one devotee named Keshav Nayak, emotionally charged, asked, ‘Maharaj, since you are going, who will give us protection?’ Swami Samarth gave him a pair of his sandals to worship and told him, ‘In the future, I will be staying at Shirdi in district Ahmednagar.‘
Another devotee, Krishna Ali Bagkar, decided to go to Akkalkot and worship the padukas (sandals) of Swami Samarth. After that, he got a dream appearance of Swami Samarth, who told him, ‘Now I am staying at Shirdi, go there and worship me.’ Bagkar went to Shirdi, where he stayed for six months. Later, when he wanted to take leave of Shri Sai and go to Akkalkot again, Shri Sai told him, ‘What is there in Akkalkot? The Maharaj of Akkalkot is staying right here.’ Bagkar then realised no difference existed between Swami Samarth and Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, as he recalled his earlier dream. The divine game (Leela) of Swami Samarth did not end with his Maha Samadhi (shedding his mortal coil). His devotees continue to experience the miracles of his visible and invisible help even today.
*Mukund Hanumante, in his Swami Samarth biography book ‘A Glimpse of Divinity’, states that there is no direct, credible evidence for the woodcutter story. Instead, he supports and provides evidence that Sri Swami Samarth manifested himself as a young lad of eight years old around 1137 AD and carried out his divine mission silently until his appearance in Akkalkot, Maharashtra in the mid-nineteenth century. Whichever version is correct, the origin of the life of this great Dattatreya Avatar is mysterious.
Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj had ordered his youngest and dearest disciple, Shree Ramanand Beedkar Maharaj of Pune, to propagate the Swaroop Sampradaya. Swaroop Sampradaya is a religious sect wherein the aspirant concentrates on viewing the ‘Atman’ or the soul. The Swaroop Sampradaya is a very ancient tradition with Lord Shiva as the first Guru. Lord Shiva first initiated Goddess Parvati into Swaroop Sampradaya, and later this tradition continued in history with the initiation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Sages Vasishtha, Shukdeo, etc. This tradition further continued with Masters such as Sri Govindpad, Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Vidyaranyaswami, Sri Krishna Saraswati, and Srimat Nrusimha Saraswati up to Sri Swami Samarth, the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya.
Words of Wisdom by Swami Samarth
Swami Samarth performed innumerable miracles during his lifetime, many of which were narrated by his disciples. These miracles had one purpose: to instill faith in skeptical minds, to restore wavering faith, and to proclaim the existence of divine power beyond the comprehension of our human senses and mind. Through miracles, He saved many devotees, relieved their sufferings, and conferred His grace, while the ultimate purpose was to reinforce their devotion and faith in Divine powers, taking them on the path to God.
Here are a few examples taken from Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, a comprehensive collection of Shri Swami’s lilas and miracles:
SAVING A DEVOTEE FROM DEATH
‘BABASAHEB JADHAV AND SHRI SWAMI SAMARTH
Government officer Babasaheb Jadhav had no children. When he asked Shri Swami Samarth permission for his second marriage after the death of his wife, Shri Swami did not grant him it. He surrendered his property to Shri Swami and took refuge with Shri Swami Samarth wearing just a loincloth.
One time Shri Swami Samarth was at a fuel store near Sarkarwada.xl It was twelve noon and Shri Swami said to Babasaheb, ‘Kumbhar (the nickname Maharaj gave him), a chit has come in your name.’ Babasaheb was very afraid after hearing Shri Swami’s words. After this, he saw a very aggressive looking being. Babasaheb held Shri Swami’s feet tightly and said, ‘Maharaj, my only desire is to render service to you to the extent that my mind is satisfied. Don’t send me away now.’ Shri Swami Samarth took pity on him and sent back the chit. Then there was a big bull standing in front of them. ‘Go over to that bull,’ he said. The bull immediately fell dead and Babasaheb’s life was spared.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 277-278)
OMNISCIENCE
‘DESTRUCTION OF VISHNUBUWA BRAHMACHARI’S EGO
Vishnubuwa Brahmachari from Bombay was a great scholar, skilled in harikatha and pravachan. He did not believe in idol worship. …
After much effort, Vishnubuwa reached Akkalkot Palace along with three Parsis and delivered many discourses. One day he gave a long discourse in the presence of Shri Swami Samarth. Finally, he asked Shri Swami, ‘How is union with brahman possible?’ Shri Swami remained silent. Buwa thought that Shri Swami was ignorant and had gotten famous by making some magic; he also thought himself to be a greater scholar than Shri Swami. After the discourse was over, Buwa went back to the place where he was staying in Akkalkot with his Parsi friends. That night while sleeping, he dreamed of a thousand scorpions stinging him. ‘I’m dead! I’m dead!’ he exclaimed. His Parsi friends, who were sleeping near him, woke him up and enquired about what had happened. Buwa came to his senses and realised that this was the result of mistaking Shri Swami for being an ignorant man.
The next morning, Buwa went with his Parsi friends again to Shri Swami Maharaj for a Vedanta discourse. Again he asked Shri Swami, ‘How is it possible to unite with brahman? By what means or effort make it possible?’ This time Maharaj shouted, ‘You fool! You talk about Vedanta, but you cry out in fear because a scorpion has stung you in your dream! You are only wise in words. Is it so easy to become united with brahman? What kind of yogi have you become by talking about Vedanta? Educated fool! You have become a spiritual speaker. Go back the way you came!’ Buwa was deeply humiliated. When he reached his home, Buwa realised that Shri Swami Maharaj was a mahapurusha and an avatar.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 121-122)
BLESSING A FARMER DEVOTEE
Swami would daily travel from Ganagapur to the confluence of Bhima- Amarja rivers for a bath. While he was going back and forth from the Sangam, a farmer whose field was on the way would always offer his prostrations at the lotus feet of Maharaj. Since the farmer would offer his salutation twice daily on his way to the Sangam and back, his devotional feelings towards Swami started taking deeper roots. Several months passed, and the farmer fully realised that his life conditions had started improving in all respects due to his intense devotion towards Swami Samarth. One day, while Swami was going to the Sangam, the farmer saluted him as usual. Swami asked, ‘What do you want?’ The farmer said, ‘I have sowed millet seeds in my field. I kindly pray to you to step in my field and bless the land and crop with the touch of your lotus feet.’ Swami stepped in that field, after which the crops grew abundantly and were likely to be ready for harvesting within a few days.
One day Swami told him, ‘I am going to the Sangam to take a bath. By the time I return, have this crop harvested completely.’ Since the farmer had total devotion towards Swami, he started harvesting the crop. No sooner had he started cutting the crop; his wife and children began to cry. Even the people of that village started advising him against doing so, but there was no use. By the time Swami returned from the Sangam, the farmer had cut the crop entirely and cleaned the field. When Swami returned and saw the empty field, he said, ‘Oh! I had told you jokingly, but you really have cut down the entire crop.’ So saying Maharaj went away. Within a few days after this incident, there was torrential rain in the village. The ripe crops in all the other fields of the village were completely ruined, and to the surprise of the villagers, this farmer’s field began to sprout all over. This time, by the blessings of Maharaj, the farmer harvested ten times more crop than usual. He was elated and even donated enough corn to the Brahmins and brought back plenty of the remaining corn. Everybody in that village honored the faith and devotion of the farmer.
MIRACULOUS HEALING
‘SAKU FROM JUNAR
Saku, a woman from Junar near Pune, was suffering from leprosy. The effect of the disease was increasing day by day, and she was in agony as no other treatment methods had worked. One day a sadhu named Charandas came to her for bhiksha. When she told him about her situation, he said, ‘Mother, there is a powerful sadhu named Swami Samarth in Akkalkot. Seeing him will cure your illness. Without wasting time, leave immediately to see him.’
Saku took her daughter and went to Akkalkot. On that day, Shri Swami was sitting in the Khandoba Temple. Saku was standing with folded hands after receiving the darshan of Shri Swami. ‘Saku! You have experienced a mountain of hardship. It is good that you have come here as Charandas said. Rub this white stone and apply it all over your body.’ Shri Swami blessed her. She used to take bhiksha and eat while rendering service to Shri Swami. After receiving the darshan of Shri Swami, she was given the tirtha prasad. She rubbed a white stone and applied it all over her body. After a month, her body had turned golden. The disease was completely cured. Then she received permission from Shri Swami and went back to her native town.
There was no better saviour than Shri Swami Samarth for relieving the sufferings of the poor. That is why everyone praised him as the Mother of All Orphans.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, p. 378)
APPEARANCE OF A DEPARTED PERSON
Swami Samarth had a peculiar habit of bringing people who had been dead for a long time back to life to get some work done. He was once walking along the river bank. He asked a person who was coming near to him, ‘Why are you walking here? Go home quickly. Your child is alone at home, crying. I told your father to look after the child.’ The man was perplexed and couldn’t understand Swami’s words. His father had died a long time ago. In any case, he rushed back home and was baffled to see his father attending to the baby. He couldn’t believe his eyes. His father handed over the baby, blessed him, and left the house.
NO PHOTOGRAPH WITHOUT PERMISSION
‘SCIENCE FALLS SHORT
It was during this period that the art of photography was newly introduced. The British were photographing nobles and royalty to popularise this art among the masses and for their own documentation. They were determined to capture the photograph of Shri Swami Samarth, who performed many miracles and became famous as a mahapurusha among the people. So a talented photographer from abroad had come with the idea of taking Shri Swami’s picture
Upon reaching Akkalkot, the photographer conveyed his wish to Shri Swami’s devotees. They said that he could not take photographs without Shri Swami’s prior permission. However, the photographer, who had a great ego and tremendous confidence in his skills, thought that he could take a picture without Shri Swami or anyone else noticing. Does the camera know the difference between big and small personalities? Does science lie? He boldly took the photo thinking that Shri Swami wouldn’t know anything. Then he made it bigger and proudly showed it to Shri Swami.
Shri Swami told him to show it to his devotees. One person saw it and said it was Shri Rama, another person said it was Vishnu, a third person said it was Bhavani, and a fourth person said it was Khandoba. In the picture, all saw their family deity.
The photographer taunted everyone by saying that they couldn’t even recognise their guru properly. He gave the photograph to Shri Swami Samarth himself and asked him to look at it. When Shri Swami held the picture and looked at it, he asked, ‘Do I look like this?’ Shri Swami started laughing profusely. What a miracle! In that photo, there was a picture of a monkey instead of Shri Swami Samarth. Seeing this, the photographer bowed his head in shame. He understood that science would always fall short before the power of God.
He fell at the feet of Shri Swami Samarth, prostrated himself and asked for Shri Swami’s forgiveness. He prayed for Shri Swami’s permission to take photographs. At once, Shri Swami, the Personification of Mercy, gave him permission with a smile. The photo turned out to be a very characteristic and wonderful photo. Through this photograph, the fame of Shri Swami Samarth spread further, and many photographers flocked to Akkalkot. If the film they took was well captured, then their fame started multiplying. Here in detail are the experiences of a photographer named Patke who once came to take such photographs.
Time to Take a Photo
A photographer named Patke had come to Akkalkot with the intention of taking photographs. He prayed to Shri Swami for permission to take a photograph. Shri Swami agreed with a smile and told him to come at five o’clock in the evening. Patke arrived before five o’clock and waited for the right moment. The clock eventually struck six o’clock and Shri Swami called Patke and asked him to prepare the hookah. Finally, at seven o’clock, Shri Swami gave Patke permission to take photographs. However, the darkness of night had already fallen. Patke was very sad and said, ‘Swami, I can’t take photos in the dark.’
Maharaj laughed loudly and asked Patke to develop the film of the camera. Patke didn’t understand why he had to develop the photograph when he didn’t take any photos. However, Shri Swami Maharaj’s words were not disobeyed, and he developed the film. Aha! What a miracle! It featured a photograph of Shri Swami Maharaj smoking a hookah. Patke was speechless.
Various such miracles have happened to many of the photographers who came to Akkalkot.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 230-231)
REMOVAL OF A STOMACH ULCER IN A DREAM
‘GOVINDA RAO TOL
Chindhopant Tol’s son, Govinda Rao Pant Tol, was suffering from stomach pain. He was working at a place called Naldurg. Due to severe stomach pain, he took leave from work and returned to his home in Akkalkot. He decided to go to Ganagapur and render service to Lord Dattatreya there. Chindhopant asked his son, ‘Why should you go to Ganagapur when Dattatreya’s avatar Shri Swami Samarth is here. Shri Swami will fix your problems.’ He sent his son to Shri Swami Samarth along with someone else for darshan. At that time, Shri Swami was in Appasaheb Mane’s house. Govinda Rao received the darshan of Shri Swami and received his pada tirtha prasad. The one who had accompanied Govinda Rao told Shri Swami, ‘He is eager to go to Ganagapur. Please give him permission.’ To which Shri Swami said, ‘Don’t go. Stay here.’ Govinda Rao did not have complete devotion to Shri Swami, so he defied Shri Swami’s words and went to Ganagapur. He stayed there for two and a half years and performed service. Then one day he had a dream in which he was instructed to ‘Go to Akkalkot.’ However, he remained in Ganagapur regardless. His health was deteriorating day by day and he was constantly suffering from fever.
Meanwhile at Akkalkot, Shri Swami Samarth was sitting near the school that was located within the palace complex. Then Chindhopant went to see Shri Swami. Tol was about to leave after darshan. At that time, Shri Swami took a black slate from a boy there and gave it to Tol. It read, ‘If Govinda Rao comes here, he will get better.’ Two pictures of horses were pasted on the black slate. Shri Swami took the black slate and said, ‘The eyes have come out.’ Understanding Shri Swami’s words, Chindhopant sent a horse to bring Govinda Rao to Akkalkot.
After reaching Akkalkot, Govinda Rao stayed close to Shri Swami for nine to ten years. During this time, the effects of his illness were gradually diminishing. He would experience more pain on days like Amavasya and Purnima. One such day when he was suffering so much pain that he could not eat anything, Shri Swami came to Govinda Rao’s house. Shri Swami asked, ‘How is the goldsmith?’ When Shri Swami asked this question, Govinda Rao started talking incoherently as if possessed by a demon. Govinda Rao approached Shri Swami swinging his arms and said, ‘Why should a sadhu stay in one place? Should a sadhu stay in a temple or a monastery?’ Saying this, he rudely tried to kick Shri Swami with his foot but was stopped by his attendants. Seeing that Govinda Rao was caught in the grip of demonic possession, Shri Swami went out of the house without saying a word and sat under the fig tree there. The demon also tried to follow him out. He sat down near Shri Swami Maharaj and asked, ‘Why should a sadhu stay in a town?’ The assembled people trembled with great fear and thought that Shri Swami should somehow bring this under control. Shri Swami then said loudly, ‘Tie him with iron chains.’ Shri Swami repeated the same line three times. Govinda Rao could not bear the pain and said, ‘Maharaj, I am dying. Please release me.’ He begged Shri Swami: ‘Maharaj, I have disrespected you. Please forgive me. Please ask Ganapat Rao to refund my money. I will leave.’
Ganapat Rao Tol, who was watching this, prayed to Shri Swami, ‘I am ready to give the money if you say. Please heal Govinda Rao.’ To which Shri Swami said, ‘Don’t give even a penny! I will drive him away with my padukas.’ Then Ganapat remained silent. At that time, a Muslim servant came to see Shri Swami Maharaj. He said to Shri Swami, ‘Shouldn’t this demon be released! It is suffering a lot.’ To which Shri Swami replied with sarcasm, ‘You are the one with the big beard! Take off its chain from its feet.’ The Muslim servant kept silent. Later Ramabai came to receive the darshan of Shri Swami. Shri Swami Maharaj asked her to remove Govinda Rao’s chains. His legs and arms were freed as soon as her hand touched the chains. Everyone who witnessed this miracle was amazed. For two or three days, Govinda Rao was in agony, and then he slowly recovered. However, by this time there was little influence of the demon left. ‘After you pass fifty-five years of age, that demon will completely leave you,’ said Shri Swami Maharaj.
When Govinda Rao Tol was fifty-five years old, one day at dawn, Shri Swami appeared in his dream, picked up a large lump from his stomach and threw it out, saying, ‘Now you will be well.’ When Govinda Rao woke up, he was very happy and surprised to see that his stomach was flat. Doctors had earlier told him that the disease was very dangerous and could only be cured by surgery. But when Shri Swami Samarth is present as the Lord of Medicine, would there be any need for the ordinary methods of doctors?’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 193-196)
WARNING OF ADVERSE CONDITIONS
‘VAMANBUWA’S JOURNEY TO GANAGAPUR
It was the year 1874 in the month of Bhadrapada. Vamanbuwa visited holy places like Girnar, Dwarka, and Sudhamapuri, before finally arriving at Baroda. He then went to Akkalkot with the intention of receiving the darshan of Shri Swami Maharaj and offering him the gifts he had received at each of the holy places. When Vamanbuwa made many offerings like gopi sandalwood, Shri Swami Maharaj asked him, ‘Where is the battasa that looks like a medal?’ Upon hearing this, Vamanbuwa became very happy considering the omniscience of Shri Swami. Vamanbuwa had left the sweet in a tin can in Baroda and forgot about it. Vamanbuwa asked Shri Swami to forgive him. Then Shri Swami said, ‘Give them to the dogs.’ Vamanbuwa, not understanding the meaning of Shri Swami’s statement, asked Shri Swami what he should do, and Shri Swami pointed his fingers towards his devotees. Vamanbuwa understood that Shri Swami was ordering him to perform annadaan.
Food distribution was eventually organised for around two hundred and fifty people. After more than half of the people had eaten, Shri Swami Maharaj was presented with a plate of food upon which all the ingredients had been served. At that time, Sundarabai was serving some food to Shri Swami. When Shri Swami told Vamanbuwa, ‘Give chapati during Dussehra,’ he understood that he was not allowed to go back to the village until after Dussehra.
One day Buwa came to Sundarabai and said, ‘I will go to Ganagapur and return back.’ Sundarabai asked him, ‘You have already gone many times, what is there to do now?’ Shri Swami Samarth added, ‘You will drown in water and earth.’ Unable to properly understand Shri Swami’s statement, Vamanbuwa left for Ganagapur the next morning. This is a good example of how karma can work to override the guru’s words.
In the month of Bhadrapada, there is a large amount of rainfall in the areas surrounding Ganagapur. Vamanbuwa travelled by train until Udur, and then he walked six miles. After this, he passed through two or three terrible mires. While walking like this, Vamanbuwa got stuck in a mud that was like a deep stream and he kept sinking. His body was completely covered in mud, and he was buried up to his neck. No matter how hard he tried to get out, he was still unable to prevent himself from sinking. Then from behind him came a Muslim on a horse carriage. When the carriage also got stuck in the mud, the Muslim looked at Buwa and asked, ‘Why didn’t you tell me that there was quicksand here?’ Buwa was struggling to even answer him. Vamanbuwa was thinking that Shri Swami had given so much advice, yet he had foolishly ignored it all and was now trapped. However, he realised that he had no other destiny but to leave Shri Swami Samarth at that moment, and so he prayed to Shri Swami fervently.
Then Vamanbuwa felt as if someone was grabbing his body and pulling him out. Two hours later, he regained consciousness and woke up to find himself lying outside the quicksand. The Muslim horseman was also slowly bringing out his carriage. Buwa cleaned his body and continued towards Ganagapur. He suffered from physical pain for two days. After reciting the Shri Guru Charitra and feeding the brahmins, he went to bathe in the Sangam. Whilst he was in the Sangam, his feet slipped and he began drowning in the water. As he did not know how to swim, he floundered and inadvertently swallowed a lot of water. Some people who were there at that time rescued him and left him on the shore. It took Vamanbuwa two hours to regain his full consciousness. He stayed there only for one day more and reached Akkalkot the following day.
That day Shri Swami was sitting in Samarth Deshmukh’s house. Vamanbuwa prostrated at Shri Swami’s feet and stood near him. Maharaj asked him, ‘So you have come back alive after drowning in mud and water?’ Buwa was very surprised and said solemnly, ‘Swami, with your blessings.’ From then on, Buwa decided not to go to any kshetra without Shri Swami’s explicit permission and blessings. On Vijayadashami, Vamanbuwa prepared delicious naivedyam and served it to Shri Swami Samarth. In the evening, a lavish program was arranged and Shri Swami participated in the event with the King and went with everyone to receive the darshan of the shami tree.xxxvii After this, Shri Swami went back to the palace. Some days after his arrival, Vamanbuwa received Shri Swami’s permission and left for Baroda.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 261-263)
MULTIPLYING FOOD
‘RAVAJI PATIL
Rampur is a village between Solapur and Akkalkot. In Rampur lived Ravaji Patil, a great devotee of Shri Swami Samarth, and his cousin, Vidhabai. Shri Swami used to go to Rampur. One time he went there and stayed for sixteen days. Along with Shri Swami were Cholappa, Ganpat Rao, and Rambhau Dashivale. Ravaji was once praying to give alms to forty brahmins. He decided to fulfil that prayer during Shri Swami’s stay here. Vidhabai had cooked food for forty people. Hearing that Shri Swami was staying at Rampur, thousands thronged there to receive Shri Swami’s darshan.
After Vidhabai finished cooking the food, she anointed Shri Swami with shodashopachara puja and served the food on a plate. Shri Swami, the wire puller that he was, would not come to eat the food. Time went on, and the crowd never stopped flowing into Rampur. Shri Swami ordered Ravaji to feed all the attendees as usual. Ravaji agreed without replying to Shri Swami’s words. However, worry was beginning to grip his mind. ‘Swami, only enough food for forty people has been prepared,’ he said solemnly to Shri Swami.
Shri Swami ordered the vessels in which chapati, rice and other food items were kept to be brought to him. Inside them, he buried idols of various Goddesses, Khandoba, and shaligram. Shri Swami asked both Ravaji and Vidhabai to pray to Goddess Annapurna. He placed the food baskets on Vidhabai’s head and told her to go around the tulsi plant three times. He kept the food utensils with him and told them to take the food and serve it. He told the waiters not to look at the dish again after taking the food.
Ravaji Patil and Mahadev Bhatt started serving the food as per Shri Swami’s instructions. Four hundred people dined in the first round. Everyone was surprised to see that the food did not go down. Everyone praised Shri Swami. Taking no notice of it, Shri Swami gave an order and said, ‘Serve everyone first!’ All who came left with their stomachs full. It continued like this until nightfall. Ravaji Patil came to Shri Swami and said worriedly, ‘Swami, you haven’t eaten yet!’ Maharaj replied, ‘My father and grandfather have not come yet. I will eat as soon as they come.’ Who can understand the words of Shri Swami? After some time, some government employees from Solapur visited Shri Swami and also had food.
It was eleven o’clock at night by the time Shri Swami Samarth, the Embodiment of Mercy, took his food. Even after so many people ate, there was still food left over. The next day, the servants ate the leftover food as prasad. A meal cooked for forty people was fed to four thousand. Ravaji Patil and Vidhabai received the blessing of feeding four thousand people. If we ask for one thing, then Shri Swami Samarth graces us by giving many things in abundance.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 228-229)
GOLDEN SPICE-BOX
‘Golden box
One day when Shri Swami Samarth was walking in the palace, he saw a royal servant holding a box containing spices like cloves and cardamom. Maharaj grabbed it from him and, knowing that there was a large well in the ground nearby, said to the King, ‘Shall I put this in that well?’ The King stood solemnly with folded hands and said, ‘This golden box is yours. You can do whatever you want with it.’ Shri Swami threw it into the well. All the people gathered there were very sad to see this, but the King was not worried at all. He knew very well that every action of Shri Swami Samarth had a precise reason behind it.
Shri Swami stayed in the palace that night, and then the next morning he was sitting and playing like a child in the court. He told the King that he wanted a bucket and a rope to send down the well. When the bucket came back up and was taken out, the gold box was found in it. Upon opening it, the spices like cardamom and cloves were found to be dry with no traces of water. All the people that were gathered there stood amazed. Why did Shri Swami perform this lila? Did anyone there have doubts about Shri Swami? Can we find meaning in an avadhuta’s actions?’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 124-125)
RESTORING A DRY WELL
‘MANIFESTING WATER FROM A DRY WELL
A brahmin named Babaji Bhatt lived in Mangalveda. Shri Swami always visited his house and would sometimes stay there from fifteen days to a month. On one scorching hot day, Shri Swami Samarth entered Babaji Bhatt’s house and asked for water to quench his thirst. His wife, who was at home, was very happy to see Shri Swami in her house and went to fetch water for him. The water in their house was very dirty and turbid. ‘Damn!’ she thought. Thinking it would be bad to give such turbid water to Shri Swami, she ran to ask for water from the neighbour’s house. It turned out that the well in her house was also dry. Shri Swami Samarth laughed loudly in his characteristic style and said, ‘Mother! Why are you going so far? You have cool, sweet water right in your home well! Why are you running to find another well?’ ‘Swami, the water in our house well dries up during the summer. I will go out and fetch water,’ she said solemnly. ‘Is that so?’ said Shri Swami. Saying this, Shri Swami also went to the well with her. Whilst there, Shri Swami urinated in that well. What a surprise! After this, the water from that well gushed like the Ganges. Did the Mother Ganga rush to quench the thirst of her Lord? Neighbours came to witness this miracle. Babaji Bhatt, who had gone out, upon hearing of this event, came running back. The well water was very sweet and pure. After this event, there was never again a shortage of water in their house. Describing the glories of Shri Swami Samarth! Does anyone have the right words for it!’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, p. 81)
TURNING A SNAKE INTO GOLD
‘THE GOLDEN SNAKE
Basappa Theli, an oil merchant in Mangalveda, was constantly looking for Shri Swami. Even though Shri Swami was always found resting in inhospitable dirty places, the tejas of his face spoke many truths to Basappa. As Basappa pondered who this person might be and if he may, in fact, be a great saint, Shri Swami asked, ‘What if I am?’ Basappa realised that Shri Swami was a mahapurusha and became extremely devoted to him. Basappa would follow Shri Swami wherever he went.
Basappa was very poor and supporting his family was his biggest challenge. His wife was the main earner and managed the family responsibilities. Her husband’s irresponsible wandering after an apparently mad sadhu made her very angry. Years passed like this.
One day Shri Swami Samarth was walking in a dense forest and Basappa was also following him. Suddenly, snakes came towards them in swarms. Basappa trembled in fear and hid behind Shri Swami Samarth like a frightened child. Shri Swami was unperturbed. ‘Basappa, don’t be afraid! Take as many snakes as you want and put them in your bag and go home,’ Shri Swami said. Although Basappa was afraid, not wanting to violate Swami’s words, he took a snake that was more than two feet long and put it in his bag. ‘Keep what’s in your bag and lead a happy life with your family. Now go home,’ ordered Shri Swami Samarth.
Trembling in fear, Basappa reached home. When he felt the bag he noticed that it had become heavy. Looking inside he saw that instead of a snake there was a gold bar! Through this lila we can clearly understand what great gifts Shri Swami is willing to give if we are ready to believe his words. What other proof than this event is needed to show that no matter how big the dangers are that we face—even a snake like in Basappa’s case—if we get the grace of the guru, everything will disappear in an instant? Basappa kept the gold and happily spent the rest of his days thinking of Shri Swami Samarth.
All the people who mocked Shri Swami Samarth began to realise his prowess. Many became his devotees and his fame began to spread.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, p. 79-80)
FULFILLING DESIRES
One time a Brahmin vowed to offer milk-sweets to the Swami if he would be blessed with children. But, over time, he forgot all about the vow, even though his wish was fulfilled. By the time he again remembered it, Swami had already left his earthly abode. The Brahmin was very sore, and his one strong desire had been to feed milk-sweets to the Swami with his own hands! But how could he fulfill it now? One night, Swami appeared in his dream and told him that he was living in Kolhapur in the Kumbhar Galli (street) in the form of Sri Krishna Saraswathi and that he could fulfill his vow there. As instructed in the dream, the Brahmin visited Sri Krishna Saraswathi, and after proper worship, was able to feed the sweets to the saint with his own hands!
OMNIPRESENCE
‘I WANT SANDALS!
In this chapter, we can see in detail the wonderful event that took place when Shri Swami Samarth was leaving Mangalveda for Pandharpur. Brothers Pandharinath and Eknath had bought the agricultural land of a farmer named Karmarkar and then started farming.
Shri Swami was walking to Pandharpur when he passed by their farmland at about one or two o’clock in the afternoon. The sun was scorching. No one can walk without wearing sandals in that heat. Then Shri Swami said to Pandharinath, ‘Give me your sandals.’ When Pandarinath saw Shri Swami, without a second thought he took off his sandals and gave them to him.
Shri Swami walked quickly wearing Pandharinath’s sandals and disappeared from their view. Neither of them knew where Shri Swami had gone. Eknath told his brother, ‘He looks like a madman. I don’t know where he went. You gave him your sandals! What would your uncle say if he came and asked?’ Eknath was shouting with anger and Pandharinath was worried.
After a few minutes, Shri Swami Samarth came back and said to Pandharinath, ‘Here are your sandals. Keep them for yourself. Won’t your uncle be angry now?’ After saying that, he walked away barefoot and disappeared in an instant. Both of them thought that this madman had been hiding somewhere nearby and had heard them talking, and thus he was behaving like this. Seeing the appearance of the all-knowing Shri Swami, the small intellect of these two came to that conclusion.
Pandharinath put on his sandals and went to work. Some people who were returning from Solapur passed by after half an hour. They were talking about their experience of seeing Shri Swami that same day. Hearing this, both of them couldn’t believe their surprise. How could an ordinary person go so far so quickly! Both realised that he must indeed be a mahapurusha.
We have heard that Shri Dattatreya always manifests himself in such unique forms in order to show the limitations and ignorance in the thinking of the people of the time. This incident was performed by Shri Swami Samarth to illustrate this point.
This was the last lila performed at Mangalveda. After this he never came back to Mangalveda. Mangalveda soil has so much virtue in it; it had been enjoying Shri Swami’s feet continuously upon it for twelve years!’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 93-94)
SPIRITUAL BLESSING
‘MUSLIM WALI
Shri Swami Samarth stayed in a forest called Patvardhan near Mangalveda. A Muslim man would always come to the forest to receive the darshan of Shri Swami. That Muslim was extremely poor and would have to beg for food to fulfil his hunger. When we came to see Shri Swami, he would prepare a chillum for him as Shri Swami occasionally liked to smoke.
One time the Muslim went to the forest to receive the darshan of Shri Swami, and Shri Swami was very pleased with his service. Shri Swami touched the Muslim’s head with his benevolent hands and he immediately went into a state of trance. What a blessed soul he was!
Shri Swami Samarth, who was happy with the Muslim’s small services, took the Muslim to a higher level. The Muslim later became an Islamic saint—a wali. He wandered from place to place, appearing like a madman, but he was actually in the state of an avadhuta.
This Muslim later travelled to places like Pandharpur and Satara, and eventually he settled permanently on the banks of the Krishna River. Everyone in the town recognised him because of his strange appearance. He preferred solitude and would often throw stones at everyone. If he did so, then no one would come near him. However, when he did threw stones, he would throw them in such a way that no one would get hurt. Those who were accidentally hit with stones would think that they were very blessed. They believed that all their wishes would be fulfilled. No one is equal to Shri Swami Samarth in being so happy with even our small acts of kindness, for which he bestows great boons! Swami wasn’t just a great saint himself—he made others into saints!’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, p. 82-83)
ALL-KNOWING
‘Thakurdasbuwa
Thakurdasbuwa, a servant from Mumbai, had been an ardent devotee of Shri Dattatreya from his childhood. He used to visit places like Ganagapur, Narasobawadi, etc., and he was very fond of singing hymns about Swami. However, as fate would have it, he was afflicted with a skin disease called white leprosy. As his complexion changed, so did his whole appearance. For two years he tried various medical procedures, but there was no improvement. It caused him so much pain that he could not even converse freely with anyone. Because of all of this he decided to take his wife and spend the rest of his life in Kashi.
Before leaving for Kashi, he thought that he would visit Ganagapur and receive the darshan of the padukas of Shri Narasimha Saraswati. Buwa had procured the highest grade of musk perfume to apply to those padukas. In the excitement of his darshan, he forgot to offer the musk to the padukas. After offering alms to the brahmins in the temple and singing wonderful hymns, he made arrangements to leave for Kashi the next day. When he was sleeping at night, he heard a voice saying, ‘Go to Akkalkot. If you receive the darshan of Shri Swami Samarth there, you will be cured.’ When he woke up in the morning, he remembered the dream. He completed his daily rituals and then travelled to Akkalkot.
Buwa reached Akkalkot on the third day. When he arrived there and enquired about the whereabouts of Shri Swami Maharaj, he came to know that Shri Swami was in the house of a prostitute who had come from another town. Without any hesitation he ran and prostrated at the feet of Shri Swami Samarth. When Shri Swami saw Buwa, he immediately asked, ‘Where is my musk?’ Thakurdas remembered the musk he had bought to apply to the padukas of Shri Narasimha Saraswati. He immediately took it and offered it to Shri Swami. Shri Swami accepted it happily and distributed it to all the children there.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, p. 112-113)
KNOWING PAST LIVES
‘Protecting Deer from Predators
One day, Shri Swami Samarth was resting under a mango tree when a little deer came running to him, trembling with fear. The deer was being chased by some hunters. Swami Samarth embraced the deer with love and affection. The poachers then appeared and began to threaten Swami with guns and told him to release the deer to them. Shri Swami had empathy towards the deer and said nothing. When the enraged hunters tried to shoot Swami with their guns, they did not work. They were all stunned to see this. Moreover, they all found themselves to be immobilised and unable to move from where they stood. Only then did they realise that this man was no ordinary man. All of the hunters apologised for their behaviour. Swami forgave them all and blessed them not to harm the animals anymore.
Blessing a Deer Family
After the above event, a deer couple came looking for their fawns. On seeing them, Shri Swami Samarth was very happy. He said to the deer: ‘You were born in Ganagapur in your previous birth and lived as a very pious brahmin. But you have taken this birth because you insulted the saints.’ He touched the deer’s head. Due to its previous birth blessings, the deer instantly developed the ability to speak. He bowed down at Shri Swami’s feet and said, ‘Swami, when I was born as a brahmin, I was blessed to serve you. I took seven births because of persecuting the sannyasis. First as a brahmin full of ailments, and after that I was born as a bull and suffered. Thirdly, I was born as a shudra in the city of Vaidhurya and endured poverty with my wife. Fourth, I was born a musician and faced many sorrows in life. During my stay in Kashi, I committed sins due to my rampant sexual desire. So I was born as a donkey in my next birth. The sixth birth was as a goldsmith. Even though I stole the gold then, my wife generously gave wealth to the sannyasis, so in my next birth I was blessed to be born as a deer and visit you.’ After saying this, the lost fawn returned to its parents. They were overjoyed to be reunited as a family. Shri Swami Samarth blessed them and sent them off saying that in their next birth, they would be born as human beings and they would have his darshan in the south.’ (Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita, pp. 54-55)
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