Man faces a number of difficulties during his life either small or big, which makes him unhappy. During his incarnation Sri Swamiji has saved numerous people from their difficulties. He awakened full confidence in devotees and directed them on the path of devotion. Out of several such miraculous works of Sri Swamiji some known cases have been stated here.

Nathoba Treasurer

There was a gentleman in Akkalkot named Nathoba. He was a treasurer. He was a great devotee of Sri Swami Samarth. He would remain absorbed in Naamsmaran, ‘Darshan’ and worship of Sri Swamiji. At the same time, he would honestly carry out his job as a treasurer. Once a wicked person stole two thousand rupees from the treasury and then complained to the King of Akkalkot that there is shortage of money in the treasury.

The King and the Prime Minister, Dadoba Bhosle, investigated the case and confirmed the shortage in the treasury. Nathoba was arrested. He was crying continuously and trying to convince everybody saying “I have never taken even a single pie from the treasury, then how can there be a shortage of rupees two thousand? ”. In an afflicted tone Nathoba started calling upon Sri Swamiji for help. Sri Swamiji who is always kind to his devotees heard his distress call. Next morning when the King and the Prime Minister came to Sri Swamiji for ‘Darshan’, Sri Swamiji spoke very angrily to the King “What type of mean and dishonest person are you? Is this the way of counting money in the treasury? Are you not harassing some poor man? You will have to repay heavily for your wrong act”. Hearing these angry words of Sri Swamiji, the King and the Prime Minister, became nervous and very worried and they prayed for forgiveness.

After returning to the palace the King and the Prime Minister recounted the money in the treasury. There was absolutely no shortage. Both started repenting. Nathoba was immediately released from custody. The King and the Prime Minister requested Nathoba to forgive them for the wrong decision and requested him to attend his old duties in the treasury. Nathoba realised that this is the miraculous play of Sri Swamiji. He decided not to serve anybody in future, except Sri Swamiji. Therefore, he resigned from his job and continued rendering service to Sri Swamiji till the end of his life.

Scarcity of Water

During a particular year in the then State of Akkalkot, there was severe scarcity of water. There was water shortage everywhere. People started performing religious ceremonials like Parjanyasookta ^[1] and Shivabhishek ^[2]. Sri Swamiji, who was wandering at the time, reached village Jehur. There is a temple of a jagrut daivat ^[3], Lord Kashi-Vishweshwar ^[4]. Sri Swamiji went and sat in the same temple. Ceremonial ablution of Lord Shiva was in progress. People who were present in the temple started asking, “Maharaj, when will it rain? ”. In this temple the idol of Shivalinga and Lord Ganesh were present. Swamiji asked these idols “Why does it not rain? Do you need grams? ”. Sri Swamiji had grams in his hand; he threw those at the idols and sat in the Dharmshala ^[5]. In about half an hour, the sky started getting filled with clouds, wind started blowing fast, and within no time, there was downpour of torrential rain. Within surroundings of sixty miles it was raining continuously for three days. This solved the problem of water and the difficulties faced by the people of the village. All the people of the village worshipped Sri Swamiji.

Missing buffaloes

Ganapatrao Hukir lived in a village called Borman, near Akkalkot. He possessed a number of cows and buffaloes. One day, three of his buffaloes were missing. He searched everywhere but in vain. He resolved mentally that if he gets back his missing buffaloes, he would offer one buffalo in the service of Sri Swamiji. The very next day a man came and told him that outside the village some buffaloes are crying loudly. Go there and check up. Ganapatrao went to the old building outside the village and found his missing buffaloes. He offered two lamp stands worth the price of one buffalo to Sri Swamiji.

Inscription

In South of India, there are two villages known as Shivakanchi and Vishnukanchi. The Vaishnavas ^[6] had received these two villages as gift from the then government. Once the Government ordered the Vaishnavas to produce the necessary gift document, failing which, both the villages would be confiscated. Since there was no gift document with the Vaishnavs, the Government confiscated both the villages. Vaishnavas were seized by great anxiety. During those days Sri Swami Samarth who was wandering in south of India came to Shivakanchi village.

All the Vaishnavas went and sought shelter under Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji was overcome by compassion. He asked them to call the concerned Government officers. When the officers came there, Sri Swamiji spoke “Do you want to kill us all, on empty stomach, by confiscating both the villages? ”. The officers said, “If we get any proof, the villages will be returned to them”. Then Sri Swamiji replied, “You will find a stone in that river flowing in front. Everything is written on that stone”. The Officers went there and removed the stone from the river. There was an inscription on the stone. All the details like the year, when the villages were gifted, the month, the day, the name of the person who had gifted, the reason for giving the gift etc. were inscribed on that stone. The officers released those villages. The Vaishnavas were so much pleased with this miracle that they all worshipped Sri Swamiji with full devotion and they offered Naivaidya.

Pandu Goldsmith

In village Maindargi, there was a goldsmith named Pandu. He had lot of debts, so he was very worried. Once a rich man gave him gold prepare ornaments but he swallowed up that gold, and prepared ornaments using silver with a coating of gold and gave them to the rich man. Thus he saved himself from the heavy debt. However, within a few days his secret was divulged and he was exposed. The rich man filed a suit against him in the court. The court ordered caning his as punishment. Now Pandu became very nervous. Nevertheless, he was a devotee of Sri Swamiji. With full repentance, he started calling upon Sri Swamiji for help, promising not to make any such commitment in future.

Considering pandu as a most faithful devotee, Sri Swamiji got filled with compassion and decided to lift him out of the adversity. Sri Swamiji took bath in the morning. Giving up his bath, he called for a dolly (Palanquin), sat in it, and started off. At about 3:00 pm. he reached Maindargi village and then went straight to the office of the Tahsildar ^[7]. The Tahsildar got up, welcomed Sri Swamiji, and then offered his own seat to Sri Swamiji. At that time Pandu was standing there. Sri Swamiji called Pandu with affection and made him sit nearby.

The Tahsildar was rather surprised seeing the sympathetic feelings showered on Pandu by Sri Swamiji. He started preparing for the hospitality of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji asked Pandu to extend help to the Tahsildar in this preparation. Sri Swamiji kept Pandu busy in the service of self. Seeing the extent of compassion showered on Pandu by Sri Swamiji, the Tahsildar released him from custody and set him free. It is always true, that the Lord, who is always kind to the devotees, comes running for help in times of their serious difficulties.

Stopped From going To the Royal Court

One day in Akkalkot the royal court was held to celebrate the festival of Rangapanchami ^[8]. At that time Chintopant Tol was the Prime Minister of the then State of Akkalkot. He wanted to go to the royal court but Sri Swamiji was personally present in his house at that time. Then how would he go to the royal court?

A messenger came to summon him but Sri Swamiji stopped him from going to the royal court. The messenger came for the second time and even for the third time, but Sri Swamiji did not allow him to go to the royal court. Chintopant Tol was rather confused and totally worried. Then Sri Swamiji angrily spoke “What would you do, if your throat is cut? ”. Chintopant realised that something serious would take place in the royal court that day. He quietly remained at home without going to the court and did not worry even though he knew that the king would get very upset by his absence.

Later on it was learnt that there was a quarrel between the Chieftains. In that quarrel, Chieftain Baste went running to kill Chieftain Ganapatrao Khandagale. People mediated between them and stopped them. The King deported Chieftain Baste from the State. If Chintopant were to be present in the royal court at that time, he would have got involved in this serious complication. Hence Sri Swamiji who is always kind to the devotees had stopped him from going to the royal court.

Vitthalrao

In the then Hyderabad State, there was a tahsildar by name Vitthalrao. Because of some bad deeds his service was terminated. He was worried that he would be imprisoned. So he hurriedly went to Akkalkot to take ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swami Samarth. No sooner he stood there with folded hands Sri Swamiji angrily spoke to him “Smilingly you work, but afterwards run away in a crying mood. Were you so much intoxicated with the power of your job? You wanted to enjoy with the ladies and the money of other people. Do you consider me your father’s servant? ”.

Vitthalrao prostrated with repentance at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji, started rolling, and prayed earnestly “Maharaj, kindly forgive me. From today onwards, I will not commit such sins. Kindly save me. There is nobody else than you, in this world who can save me”. Seeing the genuine repentance of Vitthalrao Sri Swamiji said, “Go away now, I have forgiven you for your sins, Henceforth act and behave properly and carefully”. The Govt then declared him as ‘not guilty’ and he was made permanent in the post of Tahsildar.

Worm-eaten Grams

The well-known Bhausaheb of Baroda in Gujarath State, came to Akkalkot to take Sri Swami Samarth’s ‘Darshan’ . With great devotion he offered his humble salutation to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji gave him seven worm-eaten grams and said, “Go to your village and execute big work”. Bhausaheb was very pleased by this blessing. After coming back to Baroda he got a big contract for execution. The seven people, who maintained hatred towards him, died of cholera. Then Bhausaheb remembered about the seven worm-eaten grams given by Sri Swamiji and thus started experiencing the kind grace of Sri Swamiji.

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