When Sri Swami Samarth was in Haridwar, an arrogant Brahmin came there and started asking Sri Swami “Who are you? Which place do you hail from? What is your good name? Where is your ashram [1]?”. Observing the evil-mindedness of the Brahmin Sri Swami spoke “First, let me know your acquaintance. In the past life you were a hunter. You had slaughtered a number of animals and fed yourself. You committed sins like drinking spirituous liquor, outrage on ladies. Since you had slayed the princess of Hastinapur, the soldiers of the king had cut your nose and broke your head. Later on ferocious animals swallowed your body-flesh. Since some good merit from past life was still in your favour, you got this life of a Brahmin. But due to wickedness you have slaughtered a cow yesterday night”.
Since all his sinful acts were exposed the Brahmin became nervous and started trembling. He prayed to Sri Swami for forgiveness. Then Sri Swami went to the Brahmin’s house where a cow was lying dead. The Brahmin prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swami and started crying. Sri Swami spoke “If you are really repenting for this act, then sprinkle this holy water available with me and awake that cow”. As per the orders of Sri Swami the Brahmin awakened the dead cow. Out of repentance there was a complete change in the Brahmin and renouncing everything he started worshipping Sri Swami with full devotion.
[1] Ashram: Hermitage. An Ashram (Pronounced ‘aashram’) in ancient India was a Hindu hermitage where sages lived in peace and tranquility amidst nature. Spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of Yoga, were regularly performed by the hermitage residents. Other sacrifices and penances, such as Yajnas were also performed.