Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 152
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Janabai
In Mangalvedha, solapur District, Maharashtra, there was a woman named
Janabai. Right from her childhood she had developed a habit to visit Pandharpur. On
every Ekadeshi 243 day and return the next day.
Once during the Ashadh 244 month while was she was on her pilgrimage to
Pandharpur torrential rain started pouring. Heavy winds started blowing and there was
thunder and lightning all around. It became extremely difficult for her to proceed
further. Janabai got completely drenched in rain and started shivering with cold. Under
this extreme circumstance, she hid her child in her bosom, put the bundle of clothes on
her head, and started walking ahead chanting the name of Lord Vitthal. Finally due to
fear of lightening and thunder she took shelter under a tree.
On the other side of the same street, under a tree, Sri Swamiji was
seated and laughing. Janabai offered her obeisance and prayed to him
“Maharaj till now I had never missed my pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Today I
am facing this calamity. What shall I do? ”. Sri Swamiji replied, “Janabai, do
you think that Lord Vitthal is present only at Pandharpur?. Is he not present at
places other than Pandharpur?. Perceive Lord Vitthal in your own heart. Lord
Vitthal is permanently present in your self”. Saying so, Sri Swamiji stood up in
the posture of Lord Vitthal, placing both hands on his loins and Janabai got the
Darshan of Lord Vitthal. Her earnest desire was fulfilled.
Then Janabai spoke “Maharaj, you are Lord Vitthal himself. You have
highly favoured a female slave like me by bestowing your ‘Darshan’. Even if I
prepare shoes from my skin and put on your feet, I will not get freed from this
obligation.”
Soordas
In Dwaraka Sri Swami Samarth bestowed eyesight to the blind saint Soordas.
Then Sri Swami Samarth manifested himself in the form of Lord Krishna and granted
Darshan as a tutelary deity / Ishta devata to Soordas.
Maharudrarao Deshpande
In Ambejogai, Beed District, Maharashtra, Jagirdar Maharudrarao Deshpande
became a great devotee of Sri Swamiji. Once when he went to the holy place
Pandharpur he got the Darshan of Sri Swamiji in the place of Lord Vitthal. He
worshipped Sri Swamiji with full devotion and then returned home in a dazed condition.
243
Ekadashi: The eleventh day of a fortnight. Hindus treat Ekadashi as a very holy day and fast on that day. Considered very
auspicious.
244 Ashad: The fourth month of the Hindu year and the month June\July, as per English Calendar
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust