Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 173
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groan. Except Sundarabai none was allowed to go near him. He had already given up
food. As per Sundarabai’s request Sri Swamiji took two spoons of rice-gruel.
She further requested him “Maharaj, when would you become alright? ”. Sri
Swamiji spoke slowly “Now, how could I become alright? Time has come for me to
depart from this world on my final journey”.
Topmost allopathic and ayurvedic doctors were called in but Sri Swamiji would
not take any medicine. If someone tried to force medicine in his mouth Sri Swamiji
would spit it out immediately. His illness started increasing. Once Sundarabai enquired,
“When would you become alright and get up? ”. Sri Swamiji said, “I would get up alright
when the mountains speak”. When Sripad Bhat asked the same question then Sri
Swamiji said, “I would get up when Pandharpur gets burnt up”.
His disciples and devotees realized that Sri Swamiji is departing for his final
journey and making them orphan. They all prayed “Maharaj, what should we do now? ”.
Sri Swamiji told Shripad Bhat “Keep yourself busy in digging up at the root of the
Vatvriksha”. Then Sri Swamiji told Ganapat rao “You remain in the temple”. Then he
instructed Balappa “You remain under Audumbar tree and then he instructed everybody
“You follow your ancestors”. Then Sri Swamiji repeated one verse from Bhagvad-Gita-
“Ananyas Chintaye mam, Ye janah paryupasate!
Tesham nityabhiyuktanam, Yoga-kshemam vahamyaham! !”.
(BhagvadGita shloka 9/22)
{But those who always worship Me,
with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form,
to them, I carry what they lack and I preserve what they have. }
Sri Swamiji was fully conscious till he completely abandoned his material body
and departed on his final journey. On Chaitra Krishna Trayodashi day of Hindu year
1800 (Year 1878 as per English calendar) Sri Swamiji ate some rice-gruel. Then he was
laid on a bed. All the devotees were totally depressed due to anxiety. Though time for
the final journey came near Sri Swamiji’s face still reflected divine splendour and
seemed as lustrous as usual. There was the same delight on his face and his vision was
the same as before. Devotee-servant Sripad Bhat seated Sri Swamiji by extending his
physical support. Sri Swamiji sat in lotus position and got himself absorbed in supreme
self. None of the devotees came to know about this.
Devotees and disciples started bewailing. It appeared as though children had
lost their mother and calves had lost their mother-cow. It appeared as though mother
Guru had turned away his face from his devotees. Who can describe the devotee’s pain
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust