Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 193
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Balappa Maharaj
Balappa was one of the most favourite devotees of Sri Swami Samarth. He had a
long association with Sri Swamiji and was one of his most faithful attendants.
Balappa was a Yajurvedi Brahmin. He came from Haveri village, Dharwad District in
Karnatak State and belonged to a rich family with a money-lending business. It was a
very flourishing house and fully prosperous with all comforts available. But Balappa was
detached from all this prosperity and became restless to meet a Guru. One day, he
suddenly abandoned his home and went in search of a Guru. First he went to Murgoad
and took blessings from the renowned Chidambarswami, who was the incarnation of
Lord Shiva. From there, he went to Ganagapur, Karnatak.
He initiated the performance of religious ceremonies at Ganagapur. Early at dawn, he
would bathe at the Sangam and worship until midday. He would then collect cooked
food given as alms and eat. He continued such severe worship for two months and
rendered service to Nrusimha Saraswati, the incarnation of Lord Dattatrey. He then had
a visionary insight in his dream where a Brahmin told him to go to Akkalkot. When he
woke up he found a small letter under his pillow stating not to rush.
Because of his deep asceticism and rigorous devout austerity, there was an
awakening of likeness in the heart of Balappa regarding all living beings, including man,
animals, insects, worms etc. One day he found a poisonous scorpion under his dhotee,
but he opted not to kill it. On the same day, Sri Swamiji made a Divine appearance in
his dreams. Next day, when he went to collect alms, he received Puranpoli 286 from every
house he visited. He regarded this incident as an auspicious sign and immediately
started his journey to visit Sri Swamiji. After walking for some distance he felt
heaviness in his legs, but he kept chanting the Divine name of Sri Swami Samarth and
the heaviness in his legs disappeared such that he could walk comfortably and complete
his journey.
Sri Swamiji was in Khasbaug, when Balappa reached Akkalkot. Balappa offered a
little sugar candy to Sri Swamiji and took his blessings. Balappa realised that the
lustrous Divine figure that had visited him in his dream was none other than Sri
Swamiji. He prostrated and embraced the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji too was
delighted to see this deserving disciple and embraced a nearby tree, hopping and
skipping out of joy. Balappa started to stay in the Muralidhar temple. Sri Swamiji would
sometimes stay at the palace during those days. Balappa went to the palace to visit Sri
Swamiji for his blessings and very soon became an attendant of Sri Swamiji.
Initially, Sundarabai delegated him the task of cleaning the smoking pipe and
apparatus. He completed that task sincerely. Eventually, he was slowly delegated more
286 Puranpoli: A sweet stuffed pancake generally prepared on important ceremonies and festivals.
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust