The great Sage of Akkalkot -  Akkalkot  Swami Samarththa Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swami Samarththa Maharaj!

Chapter – 12

One day Maharaj was sitting under the shade of the tree, two persons arrived and introduced as Vishnubhuva Bhramachari who was brought from Bombay by King of Akkalkot, and was given lectures on spirituality for some time in the village, he heard about Maharaj from the King of Akkalkot, so he came to have a debate on Vedanta, Swamiji was laughed by the questions about Bhramam of Vishnubhuva Bhramachari.  At that moment there were two guys arrived and explained the pathetic situation in the village, there was not enough rain in the village and the farmers are struggling without water in their field, there was not enough water for drinking purpose, cows and animals were dying without water, they revealed their anxiety about the scarcity of the rain that may lead to many more hazardous problems.  They explained that they had done everything to please the village deity, they have performed fire sacrifices, ablutions to Lord Mahesha and conducted elaborate worship, observed austerities and fasting, the two guys said “ Maharaj, you are our father and mother, if you become angry at us who will protect us. Kindly shower your mercy,”  Vishnubhuva Bhramachari was watching the conversation between Maharaj and the villagers, and said “ He is not a real saint.  He is fooling the ignorant people,”  The person who arrived with Vishnubhuva Bhramachari made him understand that though they had not experienced any miracle, people of the villagers have great respect for Maharaj, but Vishnubhuva Bhramachari haughtily replied “ No one has experienced his miracle, everyone has a good opinion about him, that’s all.”    Maharaj got really angry at the abusive comments of Vishnubhuva Bhramachari, ordered him to follow to the shrine of Kashi Vishweshwar.  On that night Vishnubhuva had a nightmare, in that several scorpions were crawling on his body and hurting him so badly.  Suddenly he got up from the sleep and detailed to his friend  who told him that it was the result of the abusive comment passed on Swamiji, but Vishnubhuva was not willing to accept, he said “ Don’t tell about the nightmare to anyone, tomorrow I will teach a lesson to that Swamiji.” Next day he approached Swamiji with the same question of Vedanta, Swamiji replied “ You did not learn anything after seeing thousands of scorpions crawling on your body  in your dream.”  Vishnubhuva felt ashamed of his arrogance, he realized the divinity of Maharaj who is Sarvajjyani and an incarnation of Lord Parameshwara, and he fell at the feet of Swamiji begged for forgiveness.  Maharaj explained knowledge earned from books and practical knowledge is different, therefore practical knowledge makes a man perfect, humility and kindness are essential qualities for learning knowledge.