Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj

A Short Biography of Shree Swami Samarth 43
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charity, carried out charitable acts, sacrificial works, offered prayers, religious
observances but Datta’s health didn’t improve at all. As a result, Datta became totally
disappointed and lost all hopes of recovery. He spoke to his parents “Everything will
take place as preordained by my fate. I wanted to give you happiness in your old age,
but I myself will not be there in this world. Probably this may be the wish of God”. Then
he spoke to his wife “You have taken enough pains for me. Unfortunately my health
condition has gone beyond one’s efforts. After my departure from this world, my
parents will look after you, as their daughter. In case you wish to return to your
parents’ home, you can do so”.
The chaste and dutiful wife of Datta had not given up her hopes, so she stopped
her husband during his speech and said, “Please don’t sprinkle salt on my wounds. It is
my misfortune that your condition has gone to this worst position. This must have been
certainly written in my fate. However, I shall certainly follow you wherever you go. By
the kind grace of Lord Dattatreya even now you will be saved from this calamity”. Then
she spoke to her father-in-law as well as mother-in-law “I have come to know that,
Lord Dattatreya himself is personally present at Ganagapur in the form of Lord
Narasinha Saraswati. If you permit me I shall take my husband to Ganagapur to take
blessings from Lord Narasinha Saraswati”.
Both her father-in law-and mother-in-law gave her the permission. After taking
permission, she started for Ganagapur with her husband, laying him on a small bed.
About two to four people also accompanied her in the journey. On the way, the health
condition of her husband started worsening. Eventually with great difficulty she reached
Ganagapur. There she enquired about Sriguru. She came to know that Sriguru was
present at the ‘Sangam’. Therefore, she proceeded with her people towards the
Sangam, but on the way itself her husband expired. She was struck with grief and
started crying loudly. All the people around her also started crying. A number of people
gathered there and tried to convince her. In the meantime, an accomplished ascetic
with matted hair arrived at the scene. He spoke to her “Cool down. Do not waste your
energy in this futile grief. You might cry to any extent but your husband would not
become alive. In this world nobody is immortal. Death accompanies along with the
birth. Hence do not grieve”.
Then that lady asked the Yogi “What shall I do next? Please show me the way”.
The accomplished Yogi explained to her the rightful duty of a virtuous wife. He further
said “After the death of one’s husband the concerned lady has to either burn herself on
the funeral pyre of her husband or bear the pain of widowhood. You may select either
of these duties as you prefer ”. She replied, “Because of my young age and good looks,
it would become extremely difficult for me to observe widowhood. So I would prefer to
burn myself on my husbands funeral pyre”. To this, the Yogi advised her, “Before
burning yourself on your husbands funeral pyre (Observance of the ritual of ‘Sati’), go
to ‘Sangam’ and take the blessings of Sriguru. Take this sacred ash and apply it on your
husband’s body. Also take these four Rudrakshas41. From these four wear two
‘Rudrakshas around your neck and use the remaining two to plug both the ears of your
husband”.
measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional
systems to medicine involving surgery.
Copyright © 2006 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust