Sriguru, in his previous incarnation as Sripad Srivallabh had granted a boon to a washer-man that “In your next life, you will become a Muslim Badshah^[1] and enjoy all the royal happiness and at that time, I shall come and give “Darshan” to you and remind you about your previous life”.

As a result of this boon, the washer-man took birth in the Muslim family of Vaidur Nagar^[2]. In due course, he became the Badshah of Bidar¹⁰⁴. He was very tolerant towards Hindus. He never harmed any temples, holy places and Muths belonging to the Hindu community, on the contrary he always helped them by giving donations. He honoured Hindu saints and ascetics. Because of this nature of the Badshah, the Moulvis^[3] would become very jealous and start instigating the Badshah to oppress the Hindus. However, the Badshah never agreed for the same.

One day, suddenly an abscess formed on the Badshah’s thigh and it started giving shooting pain. Hakims^[4] and Vaidya^[5] called from far away places tried to treat the condition, but there were no results. Even the method of Tantra-Mantra^[6] was utilised for the treatment but there was no use. Tying talisman to treat it bore no fruits as well. When all these methods failed, Badshah invited all the Brahmins and then they said, “This is the result of the sins committed in your past life. Only an ascetic can solve your problem”. When Badshah enquired about the ascetic, the Brahmins said “There is only one ascetic of the highest order and he is Narasinha Saraswati , staying at Ganagapur at present”.

The Badshah immediately started for Ganagapur to have a ‘Darshan ’of Sriguru. He was accompanied by elephants, horses, and the army. When he reached Ganagapur, he came to know that Sriguru is at the Sangam (confluence of Bhima and Amarja rivers). Immediately he went to the Sangam. He saw Sriguru sitting under a Peepal tree on the riverbank. No sooner the King saw Sriguru; he jumped down from his palanquin and started running bare foot towards Sriguru. On reaching Sriguru’s abode, he prostrated at his lotus feet. Seeing the Badshah, Sriguru said “Oh! Washer-man, where were you? You have become a Badshah and today I see you at this place? ”. No sooner he heard the words of Sriguru; the Badshah remembered his past life, which made him very happy. Then the Badshah said, “Maharaj, by your kind grace, I have enjoyed all the royal happiness. I have seen enough of it, no more needed! Now I am tired of this life and hence I wish to remain here and render devotional service at your lotus feet. Because of this abscess on my thigh, I had the opportunity to get your ‘Darshan’ and blessings”.

Sriguru asked, “Where is your abscess? Show me”. Badshah showed that thigh. However, there was neither any abscess nor the pain. The King became extremely happy and then started praying to Sriguru “Oh! Kind Gururaj^[7], by your kind grace, I have enjoyed all the royal pleasures, majesty, and grandeur. There was no lack of happiness. At least once kindly grace me with your presence in my palace and see the royal pleasures, majesty and grandeur
favoured to me by you. I also again pray for your kind blessings”.

Then Sriguru said, “Cows are being slaughtered in your kingdom. Only if you stop this, will I come to your palace”. The Badshah immediately gave an order to stop Cow slaughtering. The soldiers hurried back to the kingdom to make necessary arrangement to welcome Sriguru. When Sriguru started his journey to the kingdom in a palanquin, the Badshah started going on foot, but Sriguru ordered him to ride a horse.

The town was decorated beautifully to welcome Sriguru. The Hindu community were very happy by the very thought of being able to get Sriguru’s ‘Darshan’ and the Muslim community were very eager to find out about this Hindu ascetic in whose service their King has gone crazy. Sriguru was welcomed in the town with great pomp. Badshah welcomed Sriguru in his palace with great honour. He was personally fanning Sriguru. He offered his humble prayers to Sriguru. As per his prayer, Sriguru accepted some fruits. Then Sriguru got Badshah seated near him and said, “As desired by you, I have seen your majesty and grandeur. Are you not happy enjoying all these royal pleasures? ”.

With folded hands the Badshah replied, “By your kind grace I have enjoyed all the royal pleasures. Now I want to render my devotional services at your lotus feet”. Then Sriguru said “If you really desire so, then appoint your heir apparent to your throne and then come to Kadalivan^[8] at the Srishail Parvat^[9], where you can have my ‘Darshan’.