Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 213
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years. Nobody could ever equal Shree Maharaj in qualities like simplicity, discipline,
punctuality, generosity and tender-heartedness. He maintained intimate and
affectionate relations with everyone, young or old. If anyone faced difficulties, Shree
Maharaj was always eager to support and help them through their difficulties. But, if
necessary he would not cease from rebuking someone with harsh words for their
mistakes. Although, after such incidents he would talk to the person normally with good
feelings as if nothing had happened.
If Shree Maharaj were ever pleased with any good qualities of his devotees, he
would praise and then encourage those devotees to take meals with him. He would try
to eradicate the difficulties of his attendants. He paid special attention and made sure
the pets, such as parrots and dogs that lived at the Samadhi place were fed properly
and on time. He was a true saint.
Shree Maharaj at times had such good legal advice for people visiting the
samadhi mandir that even the prominent of lawyers would be surprised. He had an
extra-ordinary wisdom. He always provided perfect guidance with regards to medical
treatment or professional difficulties. During the construction of the samadhi mandir, he
even explained the right from wrong on construction topics to the engineers at the site.
When the palanquins were taken in procession around the temple during the
festive ceremonies at the samadhi mandir, Shree Maharaj would compose devotional
songs and narrate them in an inspiring way. He was a very speedy composer of
devotional poems. Even at the time of Kirtans (devotional singing), such devotional
songs would trickle out spontaneously from his lips. He composed thousands of such
devotional songs and sang them too. Unfortunately and by our misfortune very few of
these compositions are available in writing. He was also an expert ‘tabla’ (Musical
instruments) and drum player. He acted in dramas and was an artist too. In Pomendi
(Ratnagiri) he created idols of Lord Ganesh, which portrayed his talent in art and
painting. He also gave the right advice to artists as well as artisans.
Shree Maharaj was very well conversant with agriculture and farming. He had
himself ploughed and cultivated the land. His knowledge regarding new and old systems
of cultivating land, fertility of soil, fertilizers, seeds etc. was far superior to any
experienced farmer. He directed the building of a good cattle shed and personally
ensured that the shed was always neat, clean and the cattle were healthy and strong.
He never liked the idea of selling old cattle to the butcher. He considered it as an
ungrateful act on part of humanity to sell old cattle to a butcher after utilizing their
services all through their life.
He had infinite faith towards Brahmins who were well versed in and followed the
path of Vedas (Holiest Hindu Scriptures). He always said, “I treat Brahmins as my God”
and believed with due reverence that “As Brahmins have protected the Vedas for
thousands of years by undergoing great difficulties, we have to be highly grateful
towards them”. Hence to render due honour to the Brahmins, Shree Maharaj arranged a
number of religious ceremonies and invited learned Brahmins from distant places. He
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust