In Bhilwadi Village (Sangli, Maharashtra), located on river Krishna, there is a temple of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. Sriguru passed four months of Chaturmas^[1] under an Audumber^[2] tree on the western bank of this river.

There was an old Brahmin who stayed in Kolhapur, Maharashtra and was well versed in the Vedas and the Shastras. A son was born to him at this old age, but his son was a dullard by birth. Both the parents were so distressed with the undeveloped mental state of their son that they died out of shock. The boy became an orphan and started wandering from place to place. The Brahmins in the village performed his thread ceremony, so that he would be able to maintain himself by collecting alms. They also thought this might infuse some common sense and understanding in him.

Unfortunately, there was no change in the boy’s condition. There was no improvement in his dullness. Everyone censured and despised him wherever he went. He was so much ashamed that he left the village and wandered about until he finally reached Bhilwadi village where the temple of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is located. He entered the temple, sat in front of the Goddess and prayed continuously for three days without any food and water. Out of repentance he cut his tongue, offered it to the Goddess and said “Mother, if you do not give me your ’Darshan’ and liberate me from this pain, I shall cut my head as an offering at your feet”. At night, the Goddess appeared in his dream and said “Wake up. One has to endure the sins of one’s past birth. I cannot change the fate of a person. Only a Sadguru^[3] can do it. You will find such a Guru on the other side of the river under an Audumber tree. Please go to him”.

The Brahmin boy went to the other side of the river and saw Sriguru seated under an Audumber tree, absorbed in deep meditation. He prostrated himself at the feet of Sriguru. Sriguru opened his eyes and looked at him. But because his tongue was severed, the boy could not speak. He showed his open mouth to Sriguru and then started crying loudly. The ever-compassionate Sriguru moved his hand on the boy’s back and lo! The boy’s tongue was restored miraculously. The boy while crying prayed to Sriguru “Bless me with intelligence and knowledge”. The compassionate Sriguru blessed the boy again and there was a second miracle. The boy was endowed with intelligence and knowledge. He started uttering the ’Vedas’. When people came to know about this miracle, they glorified Sriguru with joy.