In Beed city of Marathawada, Maharashtra, a Gurjar Brahmin named Narayandas lived. One day a pilgrim told him that there is a Yogeshwar Siddhapurush [1] in Akkalkot. Narayandas expressed disbelief and said, “In this Kali Yuga 112 where is that fully accomplished and divine ascetic? All ascetics and saints move around showing wonderful works just as a means of their livelihood”.
His was pregnant. Her delivery time was due but she was very restless due to pain since the child had got stuck up in the womb. Hence the delivery of the child was in question. Now Narayandas became very nervous. He had a strong feeling that this might have come up because of the critical comments he had passed on regards Sri Swami Samarth. As repentance he slapped his own face.
In the meantime Sri Swami Samarth himself appeared as an ascetic in his house. Narayandas prayed to Sri Swami to save his wife from the difficult situation. Then Sri Swami said “Go to Akkalkot, perform Rudrabhishek [2] and offer sumptuous meals to the Brahmins”. Narayandas accepted the proposal and his wife delivered a son safely.
One always remembers God in one’s difficulties but one forgets God in happiness. Narayandas got immediate relief from his extremely difficult situation. Now how would he remember about his promise? He failed to keep up his promise given to Sri Swami. His son became five months old. When his wife raised the topic of going to Akkalkot for the fulfilment of the promise, he started uttering abuses. He became crazy. He started tearing his clothes and started rolling on a heap of rubbish. Finally his mother and wife caught hold of him and brought him to Sri Swami Samarth, at Akkalkot.
Sri Swami slapped Narayandas and asked him “Have you become so rude and intoxicated? You need more slaps? ”. Narayandas with his mother and wife stayed in Akkalkot for four months and rendered devotional service at the lotus feet of Sri Swami Samarth. Then Narayandas became normal. He performed ‘Rudrabhishek’ and offered sumptuous meals to Brahmins as well as money in charity. He spent one thousand rupees. Thereafter he returned home happily along with his family.
[1] Yogeshwar Siddhapurush: A cccomplished and divine ascetic of the greatest order.
[2] Rudrabhishek: A ceremonial ablution of Lord Shiva