At Mangalvedha, Swamiji used to stay in the farm land of Patvardhan and whenever he entered the village Swamiji used to go and sit in a dirty place in the village. People used to call Swamiji, Digambar Bua and some other people in the village used to call him Ved Bua. Swamiji, sitting in this place used to perform many miracles for the fun of it and people offered their devotion to this great soul. It was when Swamiji was becoming popular in the village; He left the Mangalvedha and appeared in another nearby village, Mohol and it was during the year 1854-55 he came to Solapur.
Akkalkotniwasi
At Solapur, there was a person called Chintopant Appa Tol who became a devotee of Swamiji. Chintopant was a Mamlatdar of the British government and he was also a pensioner. Chintopant Appa Tol was appointed in Akkalkot state and it was because of the invitation from him, Swamiji came to Akkalkot in the year 1856. Swamiji later made Akkalkot his abode till his Mahasamadhi. Since Swamiji made Akkalkot his place of stay, He was also known as Sri Akkalkot Swami or Akkalkotniwasi Sri Swami Samarth.
At Akkalkot, there was a person by name Appasaheb Mane Sri Vishwsrao, also known as Appasaheb Mane. He was the chieftain of the state of Akkalkot and was a strong devotee of Swamiji. This man fell sick, due to Typhoid and it was a quite a serious attack of the disease. The health condition of Appasaheb Mane was deteriorating and he did not have the physical strength to go and meet Swamiji. Swamiji, one day came in person to meet him and when he reached the place Appasaheb was lying unconscious. Swamiji moved his foot three times over the body of Appasaheb and he woke up and recovered his health with three days.
Neem Leaves
There was an old Vaishnav Brahmin who was suffering from acute stomach pain. He came to Akkalkot and started rendering his services to Swamiji. Swamiji was silent for an initial few days but was angry one day and asked him why he was wasting his time by coming to Swamiji like an ascetic. The Brahmin prayed to Swamiji and asked him for his blessings. Swamiji was soft by then and told him to go and eat the leaves of a particular neem tree with elephant dung. Next day the Brahmin cam e and told that the leaves are very bitter and for this Swamiji told him to eat leaves of one particular branch. To the surprise of the Brahmin the leaves were very sweet and his stomach ache vanished completely. This Brahmin later because a strong devotee of Swamiji.
