Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 161
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Revolutionary Vasudeo Balwant Phadke
Vasudeo Balwant Phadke is considered as the first revolutionary of India who
held the banner aloft of the armed revolution against the sovereignty of the British
Empire in India. He had girded up his loins 251 to destroy British slavery and free India
from the clutches of the British Empire. To achieve success in this work he came to
Akkalkot for the kind blessings of Sri Swamiji. However, the supreme spirit Sri Swamiji
showed indifference in this proposed work since he already knew the result of this
struggle. Vasudeo Balawant had to return disappointed.
The Meaning of Panchdashi
In Akkalkot, learned men like Ram Joshi Ganapatrao and Gopal Joshi held
discussions to decipher and understand the contends of Panchdashi book. Panchdashi
book is part of the Vedant literature. One day, none of them could understand the
meaning of a shloka 252 from the book. Hence they went to Sri Swamiji for clarification.
When they were in the process of having Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ and before they
even quoted anything Sri Swamiji pronounced the shloka and narrated its meaning to
the surprise of all. Everyone was stunned and greatly pleased.
Third Marriage of Sohoni
Ganesh Hari Sohoni remarried after his first wife died. Unfortunately his second
wife too passed away. He thought that if Sri Swamiji would give him permission, he
could marry for the third time. However, Sri Swamiji did not permit him and resumed
his smoking adding live coal to his pipe. He indicated to Sohoni that his third marriage
would be futile.
Later on Sohoni secured a job in the then state of Baroda. While in Baroda,
Sohoni developed a strong desire to get married. Finally he found a nice girl and got
married. This was his third marriage. Eight days after his wedding his wife fell down
while climbing the staircase and broke her waist. She was given the best of medical
treatment but in vain. She became a handicap. Sohoni had to carry her on a low stool
on his back while moving around. The impressive wedding ceremony came to an end
but the smoking pipe remained empty!
There are several such occasions wherein Sri Swamiji, by his
omnipresence and omniscience either had showered kind grace on the
devotees or given indications of the future happenings to them.
251 Girded up his loins: i.e. Vowed.
252 Shloka: Sanskrit verse
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust