Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 41
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By crossing these lines, one by one, you would remember you’re past life. Tell me
whatever you remember”. On crossing the first line, he remembered that he belonged
to the Bhilla community (Hill tribe). On crossing the second line, he attained knowledge.
On crossing third line he remembered to be a fisherman. On crossing the fourth line, he
said, “I belong to Matang community. I am standing in front of you”. After crossing the
fifth line, he said, “I am Somaddatta belonging to Vaisya community (merchantile
caste)”. After crossing the sixth line, he said, “I am Govind belonging to Kshatriya
community (Military caste)”. After crossing the seventh line he said “I am a Brahmin
well versed in Vedas”.
Sriguru then sprinkled spellbound sacred ashes on him. Instantly the Matanga
turned into a Brahmin and his external appearance, became bright and luminous.
Sriguru told him “Hold a debate with these two Brahmins on the Vedas”. Then the
Matanga turned Brahmin, offered his salutation to Sriguru, and taking his blessings,
started reciting the Vedas. Seeing this great wonder, the two arrogant Brahmins
became dumb founded. They panicked and started getting chest-pains. They prostrated
at the feet of Sriguru and begged for his forgiveness for the false pride and arrogance,
which they had exhibited.
Sriguru told them with compassion, “Both of you have slandered the holy Vedas
and the Brahmin community. You have harassed them and committed sins. Hence you
will have to endure the fruits of your sinful acts. Both of you will become Brahma-
Rakshas80, in next birth and wander along the bank of river Ganga (Ganges). After
twelve years a pious Brahmin will arrive and release you from this fate and you shall
become Brahmins again”.
The Matanga now felt that he has really become a Brahmin by the grace of
Sriguru. He prayed “Bhagwan, I was a Brahmin in my previous life. Then why was I
born in this very low class now? ”. Then Sriguru told him as to how a person born
in a Superior class, gets reborn in inferior class. Sriguru also explained the
various types of births a person gets depending on committing the various
types of sins. Further Sriguru said, “In your previous birth you were a
Brahmin. However, you had dishonoured your parents and your Guru. Through
out the life you had dishonoured them. This is the reason why you took birth in
this low class in this life. Now for a month after taking bath in the Sangam74,
indulge in Namsmaran81, and then in your next life you will be born as a
Brahmin”.
Then the Matanga said “Maharaj, by your blessings I have attained purity as well
as divine knowledge. I have started reciting the ‘Holy Vedas’ too. Hence I pray to you to
absorb me in the Brahmin community. After attaining purity by your kind grace, how
can I re-absorb myself in an inferior class now? ”. Then Sriguru replied, “In this life, you
will continue to live in the same community, where you took birth. If I absorb you in
Brahmin community, then that community will slander you. Vishwamitra performed
penance for a long time but he was born in Kshatriya community. Hence sage Vasistha
did not recognise Vishwamitra as a Brahmarshi 84 , till Vishwamitra got his body burnt by
84 Brahmarshi: Brahmarshi (from the Sanskrit words Brahma and Rishi) is the highest of the Rishis, the Hindu sages - one
who has understood the meaning of Brahman. The title of Brahmarshi was a status defined and recognized in the sacred
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust