Shree Amalanand Alias Shree Laxman Ramchandra Phadke at Pen (Raigad Dist.)
Shri Laxman Ramchandra Phadke alias the Saint, Shree Amalanand belonged to village Pen in Raigad Dist. The longing for attaining a sadguru (preceptor) made Shri Phadke to go the Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj at Pune, during the year 1949 Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj was staying in Dhumal Bldg. At that time Shri Godse and Shri Bharati Shastri also accompanied Shri Phadke. Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj reproved Shri Bharati Shastri in strong words regarding his hypocrisy. By seeing the terrific angry face of Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj , the devotees present there ran away from there.
Next day, Shri Phadke and Shri Godse, evading Shri Bharat Shastri, went again to Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj for his blessings. Shree Baba Maharaj treated both of them with affection. From that day onwards, Shri Phadke used to go very often to Shree Baba Maharaj for his blessings. Once Shri Phadke sent Pedhas (sweetmeat) through Shri Vasant Godse, to Shree Baba Maharaj. Shree Baba Maharaj understood the pure devotion of Shri Phadke and accepted the Pedhas (sweet meat). Shree Baba Maharaj said to Shri Godse “After distributing pedhas keep one pedha in the dish (plate) for Laxmanrao Phadke.”
All this took place in Dhumal Building in Pune. Simultaneously, in Mumbai, Shri Laxmanrao Phadke got a strong urge to go the Shree Akkalkot Swami Math(Temple) at Dadar in Mumbai and hence he went to the Math. The priest of the Math Shri Mama, gave one pedha to shri Laxmanrao(Phadke) and said “I do not understand as to why I got this urgent inspiration to give this pedha to you”.
As desired by Shree Baba Maharaj the pedha kept in the plate at Pune for Shri Laxmanrao(Phadke) was given to Shri Laxmanrao at Dadar,Mumbai in Shree Akkalkot Swami Math. This was beyond ones imagination but it had taken place. Shri Laxmanrao(Phadke) saw this as a miracle and felt very much blessed by Shree Baba Maharaj.
Shri Laxmanrao had desired for spiritual initiation(Anugraha) from Shree Baba Maharaj but it did not materialise. Shree Baba Maharaj gave him blessings, stating that he would soon meet his sadguru. After this, Shri Laxmanrao had gone to Ganagapur, along with Shri Ambiye Joshi and Prahlad Joshi. There they got the blessings from Shree Vishweshwaraiya Maharaj alias Shree Amma. Shree Amma, recognised Shri Laxmanrao and said you will meet your Guru in Mumbai. Shree Vithalrao Joshi (Shree Maharaj) will bless you with spiritual initiation(anugraha).
In Mumbai, Shri Dhavale was running a Publication House in Samarth Sadan. Shri Laxmanrao Phadke used to go there regularly looking for good religious books regarding his research work. One of these days when he was sitting in editors section, Shree Maharaj came there asking for Shri Laxmanrao. Shree Maharaj introduced himself to Shri Laxmanrao, by telling his name and place and also stated the reason for his coming there.
Shree Maharaj stated ” I have come here to bless you with initiation in Nath Sampradaya(Nath Sect)”. Saying this Shree Maharaj placed the photo, taken together with Shree Vishweshwaraiya Swami alias Amma, Shri Laxmanrao, Shri Ambiye and Shri Prarhlad Joshi, on the head of Shri Laxmanrao. By the mere touch of Shree Maharaj, shri Laxmanrao lost his consciousness. For three hours he was in a trance and continuously enjoying the bliss. Shree Maharaj brought him back to consciousness. After this incident, he used to go to Shree Maharaj very often. Shree Maharaj used to clear his doubts about divine truth and metaphysics. After some time when Shri Laxmanrao went to Pawas to take the blessings from shree Swami Swaroopanand. He was convinced by Shree Swami Swaroopanand, that he had been rightly initiated by Shree Maharaj and then Shree Laxmanrao Phadke came to be known as Shree Swami Amalanand.