Man possesses limited life and power. Nevertheless, he gets infatuated with wealth and youth and ultimately he becomes arrogant. Then he behaves with misconduct. He also commits injustice, adultery, and outrage. These are but the various forms of illusion.

Since eyes are covered by illusion, man cannot see God. He does not recognize his Guru and gets involved in misdeeds. The Sadguru is fully capable to lift the veil of illusion from the eyes of his devotees and acquaint them with absolute truth.

For the devotees possessed by illusion, Sadguru tries to put them on the right path, sometimes by lifting them from difficulties, sometimes by granting them boons and sometimes by surprising them by his miraculous works. Sri Swami Samarth, the incarnation of Lord Dattatrey, during his incarnation period has uplifted numerous lives that had gone astray, by his miraculous works. One can dispel illusion by surrendering oneself on to the Sadguru.

Kirtankar Ramkrishna Buwa

There was a Kirtankar ^[1], named Ramkrishna Bua Mate. He had thoroughly studied Vedanta. On the basis of his study he had developed an inordinate sense of self-importance and he was always trying to humiliate other learned people. On the pretext of the narrating the Vedanta in the presence of Sri Swamiji, he started slandering Sri Swamiji. He started saying, “Shankaracharya was such a great teacher of Advaita Philosophy, but to win over people to his side, he performed duties in conformity with the (four) castes and (four) stages of life”.

Sri Swamiji recognized the hypocrisy in Mate Buwa’s speech. Sri Swamiji said, “At that time. Where were you? Is it life’s objective to fill up one’s treasury with money in the false name of religion and indecent conduct? ”. Hearing these words of Sri Swamiji, Mate Buwa realized his fault and started repenting. When Mate Buwa sat down at the end of his ‘Kirtan’, he saw a virtuous learned man sitting near Sri Swamiji. The learned man reprimanded Mate Buwa sharply and said, “The Supreme Being, the eternal Swamiji has manifested himself in the form of Lord Dattatrey. All these Veda-Vedanta and all Shastras have originated from the Supreme Being. Therefore it is not graceful on your part to speak with arrogance, and with the diversity of sentiments in the presence of such a Puran Purushottam ^[2]”.

Hearing these words from the learned man, Mate Buwa started regretting his remarks. He surrendered to Sri Swamiji and prayed for forgiveness.

For such false exhibition of one’s learning, Sri Swamiji used to say, “Where are those genuine learned people? Those present now are all treacherous”. Seeing the power of Sri Swamiji, pride of Mate Buwa was shattered and he started rendering service to Sri Swamiji. Every year he came to Akkalkot and offered his ‘Kirtan’ service at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Once when he was narrating the ‘Kirtan’ he uttered “Who will deliver me from the bonds of this worldly ocean? ”. Sri Swamiji was seated on a throne right in front of him. He lowered down his right foot on the ground and Mate Buwa prostrated himself down and embraced the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and said “These lotus feet are fully capable of delivering me from the bonds of this worldly ocean”. When his pride was totally destroyed, Sri Swamiji showered his kind grace on Mate Buwa.

An Alchemist Ascetic

There was an ascetic who had acquired knowledge of alchemy ^[3]. On the basis of this knowledge, he enjoyed an easy life filled with pleasures. He was very arrogant. He had his own team of about 25-30 disciples and attendants. He would never go out to collect alms. Sweet and delicious dishes were being cooked on a daily basis. He was so arrogant that he would utter loathsome abuses and beat people up in anger.

Vamanbua Badodekar, who was absorbed in the contemplation of Brahma, had gone to Nasik. He had gone to the abode of Saint Gholap Swamy. Saint Gholap Swamy told Vamanbua, that there is an alchemist ascetic, but he has neither prudence nor asceticism. Vamanbua along with his associates went to the alchemist ascetic. The ascetic started boasting in the presence of Vamanbua and his companions “Everyday, I prepare 3 to 4 tolas ^[4] of gold from plants. I also prepare gold in a chillim ^[5]. The ascetics Gorakh-Machhindra had also acquired this secret knowledge. The incarnation of Lord Dattatrey is also meant to acquire this knowledge of alchemy. One who has the favour of God’s kind mercy should never beg for alms”.

He asked Vamanbua, the name of his Guru. Vamanbua said, “Sri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot is my Guru”. The associates of Vamanbua started continuous shouts in praise of Sri Swami Samarth. The alchemist ascetic who was obsessed by arrogance started uttering abuses and asked “Can your Guru, Sri Swami Samarth create gold? ”. Vamanbua replied, “If you can acquire the knowledge of alchemy by the kind favour of our Sadguru Sri Swami Samarth, then you will see gold everywhere. At least, once go to Akkalkot and experience this miracle”. The alchemist ascetic started growling with arrogance and said, “There is no necessity for me to go anywhere. If I witness this miracle here only then will I believe your words”. Vamanbua came and narrated Gholap Swamy about this incident. Then Gholap Swamy announced, “Sri Swami Samarth will certainly teach him a lesson”.

Next day, when Vamanbua and his associates went to Gholap Swamy they came to know that since that morning the alchemist ascetic was trying to create gold but the only thing that came out of his process was charcoal instead of Gold. They also came to know that the alchemist ascetic has felt very offended and intends to kill all the associates of Akkalkot who had come to visit him.

With this knowing Vamanbua and Gholap Swamy along with their associates started continuous shouts of victory in praise of Sri Swami Samarth and went out to visit the hypocritical alchemist ascetic. When the ascetic saw Vamanbua, Gholap Swamy and associates coming near him, he started uttering dirty abuses and throwing stones at them. It was almost certain that somebody would die. Vamanbua, Gholap Swamy, and their associates stood there and started chanting the name of Sri Swami Samarth continuously. The ascetic came near to hit them. However, the stone which he had lifted to throw and hit these people, fell on his head itself and he fell down unconscious.

When the ascetic regained consciousness, he went on uttering “Akkalkot Swamiji is a gentleman and a genuine man. Till I get his ‘Darshan’, I will not accept any food. Simply just by hearing the name and fame of Sri Swamiji, if a highly intoxicated person like me asks for repentance then would anything not happen by the ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji? ”. Next day the ascetic along with his attendants went to Akkalkot. When he reached there, Sri Swamiji was sitting in Khasbaug and playing with himself. The ascetic offered fruits to Sri Swamiji and prostrated before him. Sri Swamiji got up and started thundering “Hit a stone on my head. Have you not become neglectful of others in arrogance? You mean fellow, what are you looking for? You have become like a coal. Now die!. How would you judge an ascetic? Now hit that stone on your head itself. Open your eyes and look on your left side for the miracle of alchemy, “

So saying, Sri Swamiji started laughing uncontrollably. The alchemist ascetic started perspiring with shame. When he saw the tree on his left side, water was trickling down from the tree. Wherever the water trickled down, that place was shining like gold. Seeing this miracle, he got very frightened and started trembling. All his sense organs started becoming inert and he could get the realization of his inner soul, which is quite different from his physical body.

While praising Sri Swamiji, he started saying “There is greatness in the glory of this ‘Darshan’. It is really a blessing. Sri Swamiji is really a true Sadguru by whose Darshan, touch, and mercy, one gets realization of the inner soul. He is God. He is the inner spirit of everyone. He is the sole observer and the imperishable. I am really blessed to get ‘Darshan’ of such a Sadguru. The knowledge of alchemy, witchcraft, ignorance, and illusion are all senseless and full of pain. The supersoul in the heart can be identified with the Supreme Being, the Universe, and the Divine Essence. It represents eternal happiness. It is fully liberated, pure and beyond the reach of senses. Oh! Maharaj, you are only the Swami Dattaguru ^[6]. You are the Lord, the Omnipotent, and the Kind-hearted. I am fully satisfied. Oh! Swami Dattaguru, What are your orders for this servant? ”.

Swami Dattaguru spoke to him “Now go from here to our Mahurgad and pass your time silently there”. Then Sri Swamiji gave him red-ochre coloured cloth and deerskin as Prasad. After rendering service for few days the ascetic took the blessings of Sri Swamiji and went to Mahurgad. Sri Swamiji manifested himself at Mahurgad and gave ‘Darshan’ to the ascetic. The ascetic prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and washed the feet with his tears of joy. His life was changed. By the kind grace of Sri Swamiji, the ascetic attained everlasting happiness.

The ascetic himself informed this complete statement, in writing, to the Brahmanishta ^[7], Vamanbua.

Vishnubua Brahmachari

Maloji Raje, the King of the then State of Akkalkot, was a religious person. He would arrange for discourses on Vedanta. He was very fond of studying philosophical and religious books. He would invite learned people with due respect. In Mumbai there was a person named Vishnubua Brahmachari. He had defeated Christian priests in debates. The Rajesaheb wanted to know about Vedanta from the Brahmachari. So he called the Brahmachari, who came to the palace and delivered a lecture on Vedanta.

One day, the Brahmachari went for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. In the presence of Sri Swamiji he started exhibiting his theoretical knowledge and then gave a long narration of Vedanta. At the end, he put a question to Sri Swamiji “How do you accomplish the stage of Brahmatadakarata ^[8]? ”. Sri Swamiji did not say anything. So Brahmachari thought, “Sri Swamiji is crazy. He does not know anything. Still people have unduly exalted Sri Swamiji. I am really a learned man. How could Sri Swamiji understand whatever I have spoken about Vedanta? ”.

At night Brahmachari got a dream that thousands of scorpions have fallen on his body and one of the scorpions bit him. He got terrified and woke up screaming loudly in his dream. Nearby, there was a Parsi gentleman who woke him up from his deep sleep. When he woke up he was seized with fear and started thinking “whether it is true or not, I have condemned Sri Swamiji. Is this dream not the result of my condemnation? ”.

In the morning he came for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Again he narrated Vedanta in the presence of Sri Swamiji and put a question to Sri Swamiji “What is Brahmatadakarata? And what is the required means to accomplish it? ”. Sri Swamiji spoke “You stupid fellow, in your dream thousands of scorpions fell on your body. Out of them, when one scorpion bit you, you started screaming in the dream as you could not bear the pain and you are making a big show by talking about Vedanta? Do you think you would become a Yogi by making childish and hair-splitting narration about Vedanta? Get up and leave this place”. Brahmachari pulled a long face and returned to his place. He realized that Sri Swamiji is not crazy but a superhuman who can make others crazy.

Three Ascetics

Once, three ascetics belonging to Giri, Puri and Bharati sects, came to Akkalkot. After hearing the name of Sri Swamiji, they started asking, “Who is this Swamiji? From where did he come from? What is the spiritual stage of this Swamiji? Is he a Hans ^[9], or a Param Hans ^[10]? Even after being an ascetic he is seen either lying on a bed or rolling on a bed and pillow. Where is the punishment for him? Which scriptures represent and justify his path of behaviour? ”. Seeing the arrogance of these ascetics the people present there said, “You should personally meet Sri Swamiji and then get your doubts clarified”.

When those three ascetics went in front of Sri Swamiji, their tongue became very heavy and their speech was arrested. They were unable to talk in spite of their frantic efforts. They all got confounded. They could not bear the sight of Sri Swamiji’s Divine splendour. Repenting themselves, they prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji got softened with pity. Sri Swamiji put some holy ash on their tongues and the speech was restored.

Then they started singing in the praise of Sri Swamiji and started saying “Sri Swamiji, your miraculous works are even incomprehensible for the Vedas. Now we pray to you to kindly guide us as to which path should we follow for our welfare? How could we get liberated from the illusion and attain divine favours?”. Sri Swamiji spoke to them with open-heart “Keep full faith in the words of saints. Seek their shelter, sacrifice your ego and devote your time for singing, worshiping and continuous repetition of God’s name. Be happy with whatever you get. Do not harass any animal physically, mentally, or by speech. Maintain your cordial relations with me. Remember that God is the doer and he gets things done as well. Take shelter of devotion. When your worship to God gets accomplished, you will be fully satisfied.

Thus the pride of those three ascetics was totally destroyed. They remained in Akkalkot rendering devotional service to Sri Swamiji till their end.

Ramacharya

Once, when Sri Swami Samarth was in Khedmanoor Village, he put himself up in the temple of Goddess Yellamma. The headman of that village, Appasaheb Patil, was a devotee of Sri Swamiji. He performed Shodshopchar worship of Sri Swamiji and gave the water by which he had washed the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji to his family members. There was a learned man of Vaishnav ¹⁹⁰ sect named Ramacharya in this village as well. Seeing the honour offered to Sri Swamiji by Appasaheb Patil, Ramacharya started fretting and fuming with jealousy.

He started making critical remarks about Sri Swamiji. He would say “This ascetic is totally corrupted. He has no caste, no kith and kin nor any family. He sits wherever he likes and our headman Appasaheb Patil takes that water used in washing the feet of that ascetic Sri Swamiji”. Seetaramacharya advised Ramacharya “It is not good to talk anything about anybody without any prior investigation. So let us carry on some tests of Sri Swamiji”. Both these Vaishnav Brahmins decided that they will keep in mind the first half verses each from Rigveda, Bhagwadgita and Bhagwat along with their meaning and if Swami Maharaj tells us the second half of each verse along its meaning, then we will consider Sri Swamiji as incarnation of Lord Dattatrey.

Next morning Sri Swamiji got up. He had not even touched the Hukka ^[11]. By then, those Vaishnav Brahmins came over to test Sri Swamiji. Since they had come test Sri Swamiji, then how would they offer their salutations to him?. So without even offering their salutations, they started to test Sri Swamiji. However, to their disbelief, whatever verses came up in the minds of those Brahmins, Sri Swamiji started singing the same in a sweet and melodious tone. Hearing this, the Brahmins felt ashamed and prayed to Sri Swamiji to forgive their serious offence. Then they started singing in praise of Sri Swamiji and became his devotees.

Shankaracharya

Once, Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar Muth, who had undertaken a pilgrimage, came to Akkalkot. Maloji Raje, the King of the then State of Akkalkot, received him with due honour and made good arrangement for his stay. Then the king performed ‘Shodshopchar’ worship of Shankaracharya. The king offered food to all Brahmins who were present there. By that time, Sri Swamiji also arrived there to see the festival. A Brahmin prayed him to be seated in the row meant for Brahmins to take food. However, the other Brahmins who were sitting in that row started whispering amongst themselves, “This ascetic takes food anywhere. So arrange to serve him food separately and not in our row”.

All the Brahmins sitting there were inspired by this evil thought and suddenly there was a miracle. Worms were seen writhing in the plates filled with sumptuous food. The Brahmins sitting in the row were horrified to see those worms. The old Brahmin, who had offered a seat to Sri Swamiji in that row, said, “Lord Dattatrey himself has been insulted. Hence this has happened”. Then the Jagadguru ²¹ Shankaracharya ¹²³ realised his grave mistake. He offered his prayers to Sri Swamiji and said “Kindly forgive me for this serious offence. In fact you are the real Jagadguru. Because of the false arrogance due to authoritative power, I have committed a serious offence. Kindly show mercy on me and accept this seat reserved for me”.

Sri Swamiji started uttering abuses and said, “I am a corrupted ascetic and those three Shastries ^[12] who are sitting in the row along with you, have been born by Muslim youth. Ask these Shastries and their mothers. You are the great teacher of advaita philosophy and preceptor of the people. Then how did you allow those three Muslim-born Shastries in this row meant for Brahmins?. By shaving head, beard, and moustache do you think that a person becomes an ascetic? Please tell me, a person who studies the ‘scriptural sciences’ becomes corrupted or not? ”.

After listening to those words of Sri Swamiji, all those Shastri Brahmins lowered their heads in shame. They prostrated at the lotus feet of Shri Swamiji and prayed for forgiveness. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji forgave them. By this incident, Shankaracharya realised the supreme power of Sri Swamiji.

Keep your Greatness in Your Own House

King Maloji Raje of the then State of Akkalkot was a devotee of Sri Swamiji. Every Thursday the king would go for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Once he went for the ‘Darshan’ riding on an elephant. After seeing Sri Swamiji, he got down from the elephant, went ahead bare-footed and prostrated with his head resting on the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. However, the King received a powerful slap from Sri Swamiji, and his turban fell down. The King got terribly scared. With anger, Sri Swamiji started yelling at him “Keep your greatness in your own house. What is the necessity of that greatness here? I make many kings like you out of this game of chess”. The King realised his serious mistake. From that day onwards, whenever he would go for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, he would leave his horse and elephant far away from the view of Sri Swamiji and then walk barefooted.

Keep your Greatness in Your Own House

In Solapur, there was a Brahmin named Narayan Bhat. Occasionally under the pretext of taking Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, he would come to Akkalkot but he had no faith towards Sri Swamiji. Passing critical remarks against Sri Swamiji in the presence of people, he would say, “Who is this Swami? He eats anywhere and he sleeps anywhere. He doesn’t do any work. He does not follow any rules about untouchability. What type of ascetic is he? ”.

Once he went to Akkalkot. He went with others to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ and stood there watching as if watching some fun. Observing his bad intentions, Sri Swamiji said, “Go away screaming from here”. Without bothering for those words of Sri Swamiji, he returned home in an arrogant manner. After coming home, he learnt that there was theft in his house worth three to four thousand rupees (a huge amount during those days). He was shocked and he started thrashing his head. He repented very much. Finally he gave up his ego and engaged himself in the devotion of Sri Swamiji.

City Of Injustice

Dajeeba Bhosle was a trusted prime minister of the King of Akkalkot, Maloji Raje. He was very unjust and tyrannical. Because of his bad conduct he was driven out from the state by the then British Government. However, King Maloji Raje tried his best and stood bail for Dajeeba Bhosle and got him released. Sri Swamiji was very displeased with Maloji Raje, for getting him released and standing bail to a person like Dajeeba, who would always harass poor people. Due to this incident Sri Swamiji with a seemingly angry and red face was speaking with Narsimharao Bhosle in an angered tone “What type of mischief is this? Who has brought this cunning thief from custody? He has been released but again he will get arrested and taken away”. The King Maloji Raje got this message. Nevertheless, there was no adverse effect on him since he did not bother much about Sri Swamiji’s words.

After the return of Dajeeba in the state, injustice, and harassment started all over again. Dajeeba and his companions like Magistrate Barjoji Manikji and Srinivas Subedar started harassing people. Injustice spread in the city on a large scale. Severe punishment was being given for minor offences. People were openly disgraced in a disrespectful manner. Tax was increased. People complained to the British Government’s agent. There was a rumour that the state is getting dissolved. However, the King and his coterie of people did not pay attention to this rumour.

Once, Sri Swamiji was sitting on a low square seat of the palace. Magistrate Barjoji riding on a horse was entering the palace and Sri Swamiji yelled at him “If you come ahead, I will break your head. Vagabond. Thief. You burnt my children. You set them on fire? ”. When Barjoji out of fear, started backtracking, Sri Swamiji uttered a word “Dissolved”. There was a miracle! Within just a few days the then Akkalkot State, was dissolved by the British Government. Dajeeba was arrested. Barjoji and Subhedar Srinivas fled to the then Hyderbad State and a lawsuit was instituted against King Maloji Raje. Thus the arrogance of everyone was shattered.

One Should Not Imitate Anyone’s Style

Gopalbua Kelkar was a great devotee of Sri Swamiji. He built a Muth in Chiplun and installed the Padukas of Sri Swamiji. One day a saint came to the Muth. Gopalbua asked the saint “Maharaj, which place do you belong? From where did you come now? ”. The saint said, “What do I know? ”. Gopalbua was very impressed hearing those words and he started imitating his style.

Gopalbua had gone to a village to collect alms. Someone asked him there “Bua, where do you come from? ”. Gopalrao replied, “What do I know? ”. The inner-spirited Sri Swamiji read Gopalbua’s mind.

After a few days Gopalbua went to Akkalkot. When he took Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, he asked Gopalbua “Which place do you come from? ”. Gopalrao replied, “I am from Chiplun”. Again there was a question “well! Where is Chiplun? ”. Reply given “It is in Konkan”. Again there was a question “Where is Konkan? ”. Reply given “It is below the Ghat (Hill)”.

Sri Swamiji again questioned him “Where is the ghat? ”. Now there was a flash of lightening in Gopalbua’s mind, he understood that Sri Swamiji is putting these questions under the pretext of testing him. The blind imitation of the saint was costing him dear in the presence of Sri Swamiji. Then Gopalbua spoke “Maharaj, I do not know about Konkan”. Sri Swamiji started laughing very loudly. Gopalbua got very much ashamed and started repenting.

Kotikoop

Similar incident took place even in a holy place like Rameshwar. There, the temple priest was collecting tax from people for taking bath in the holy water of Kotikoop ^[13]. When Sri Swamiji went there to take bath, the temple priests stopped him. Then Sri Swamiji performed a miracle. Worms started appearing, writhing with pain, in the Kotikoop. Foul stench started coming from the water. People stopped going to the Kotikoop. As a result, the daily income of those temple priests stopped completely. Greediness and egoism is always followed by repentance. They all repented and prayed for Sri Swamiji’s forgiveness. Only then the holy water of Kotikoop got automatically purified.

Traditional Hypocrisy

Outside Akkalkot, there is a small temple of Sri Rama. In this temple, a gentleman Baba Sabnis would hold daily discussions on Vedanta. Sri Swamiji would also come and take a seat. Kashinath Mhaswade and Baba Phadnis, both Warkaris ^[14] also came for the discussions. However, those warkari people did not have any implicit faith towards Sri Swamiji.

One day Kashinath Mhaswade said, “Sri Swamiji has become crazy. People are becoming crazy after Sri Swamiji in vain. He has fallen from grace after becoming an ascetic. By the influence of Sri Swamiji, our Baba Sabnis is also reshuffling loose sheets of those religious books on Vedanta”. During the same time, a serpent bit one person sitting in that temple. Everyone became nervous. Kashinath Mhaswade brought the snake-bitten person to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji spoke “Even if I am crazy and fallen from grace, what does your father loose? You get readymade food to eat. Hence you get time to make fun of somebody. Is it not? I know all your hypocrisy, your rites and customs like applying an auspicious mark on the forehead, putting a garland on one’s neck, observing pollution caused by contact with the untouchables, are all humbug”.

The concerned people started perspiring with shame hearing Sri Swamiji’s blunt speech. They all prayed for his forgiveness. By the kind of mercy of Sri Swamiji, the person who was bitten by snake became perfectly well.

Deception By The Milkman

The festival of Gurupratipada ^[15] was being celebrated in the Muth of Sri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot. Arrangements were made to feed Brahmins with sumptuous meals. For the festival, milkman Malloo sold milk at twice the price, still it was found that water was added to the milk. After boiling the milk, it got completely spoilt. How can this word remain hidden from Sri Swamiji? Milkman Malloo had fifteen-twenty she-buffaloes. There was a miracle. Those she-buffaloes did not allow Malloo at all to milk them. Instead of milk, blood started oozing out from the udders of the buffaloes. The milkman became terrified seeing the blood. He tried all remedial treatments but in vain.

He became very frustrated and started repenting. He went weeping to Sri Swamiji, Prayed for forgiveness and swore that he would never cheat in the future. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji forgave the milkman with kind mercy and then his she-buffaloes started giving milk. Forgetting his ego, the milkman started rendering service by providing one seer of milk to the Muth daily for the ‘Prasad’.

Repentance Itself Is Atonement

Sri Swamiji had come to Solapur from Akkalkot. There, lakhs of people started pouring in to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. There was a merchant by name Chanbasappa. Seeing the pomp and prosperity of Sri Swamiji, he spoke to another merchant, Siddhappa Karanje, “Today, merchants, shopkeepers, children, women and men of Solapur have all gone to take ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji of Akkalkot. They are all foolish. Forgetting God Siddheshwar ^[16] of Solapur, people have gone crazy after an ascetic, Sri Swamiji”.

Siddappa was a devotee. He spoke “Why should we commit sin by censuring God, Guru and the saints? Let us go and witness the Divine Power of Sri Swamiji”. Therefore, Chanbasappa and Siddappa both went for the ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji. There was a miracle. Chanbasappa witnessed Goddess Parvati along with God Siddheshwar Kailasnath seated in the place of Sri Swamiji himself and glaring with splendour. He became nervous, started trembling with fear and prayed for the kind forgiveness. Then Sri Swamiji advised, “You have already repented. Repentance itself is atonement. Sin gets washed away and the mind gets purified”. The kind-hearted Sri Swamiji put down his pride and gave him a sense of oneness.

Brahmin Paid Heavily For His Ego

A woman Shivubai, from the then Hyderabad State, along with her son, had come to Akkalkot to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Her son had become blind, after the thread ceremony. She prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and prayed for the restoration of eyesight of her son. Sri Swamiji said, “Five giants are coming to test me. At that time, your son will get his eyesight restored”.

In the meantime, five stout Vaishnav Brahmins, puffed with pride, came there to test Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji spoke to Shivubai’s kid “Ganesh, come here, just speak out sentence by sentence stored in these Brahmin’s mind along with the correct answer”. Sri Swamiji took out his garland and gave it to Ganesh to wear it. He then moved a marigold flower on both eyes of Ganesh. Instantly the boy started talking as his eyesight was restored. He refuted all the doubts stored in the minds of those Brahmins.

All the Vaishnav Brahmins became ashamed and prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji then spoke to their religious instructor, “Because I eat food given by anybody, you slandered me and tried to test me. But your mother committed adultery with several Muslims. You were born to a Muslim father by name Imambaksh”. Hearing these words the religious instructor Brahmin was embarrassed. He repented and prayed to Sri Swamiji for cleansing his sin. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji became merciful towards him and said “Now go and take bath in the river Ganga (Ganges) and follow Bhagwat Dharma ^[17]”.

The pride emanating from wealth, youth and knowledge always brings an impediment in the path of religious and spiritual progress. Therefore a Guru always destroys the pride of his devotee. When the human body itself is unreal, then what is the use of that pride? The well known saint Meerabai has said-

“Dhana-Jobanaka Garab na keejai !
Jhootha Panchranga Chola re!”