Shri Swami Samarth was a great spiritual leader who lived in the 19th century. Swamiji stayed and settled in Akkalkot in Maharashtra, India before travelling all over the country. Swamiji used to give darshan to thousands of devotees everyday. There were many who visited Swamiji to receive blessings. Among the devotees there were many who sought his help for material benefits and the minority were true seekers. Many of the seekers were given the Padukas (Sandals) and were asked to install and worship them. This is the reason why there are lots of Mutts seen even today in Maharashtra. Mutts are like temples and people visit these mutts on a daily basis.
Deity and Saint
The deities in temples are divine and godly and held in admiration and awe and feared by the devotees. There is a small barrier between the deity and the devotee. The deity is in the form of an idol or picture and the common man sees and worships this. Unless the devotees reach the highest spiritual level there is no direct communications in the case of temples. The common man worships the deity and goes back having the satisfaction that his duty is done towards the God. But in the case of a saint he was a human being before Samadhi and had personal contact with the devotees. This creates a bond with the devotee and the saint. The saint is always approachable and the fact that the Gurulook after the devotee is strong here.
Shri Swami Samarth’s ashram was and is visited by the devotees in large numbers. Even a devotee who has not seen Swamiji develops a strong bond with the Swamiji. Those who have seen the Swamiji has a better bonding with him and even though Swamiji was short tempered his anger was considered as a boon by the devotees. There are many events which have happened during the time of Swamiji and even after his Mahasamadhi. There are many documented and published works based on these events and are available to buy.
Great Physical Appearance
Shri Swami Samarth was a towering personality in physical appearance and his sharp eyes had the capacity and sharpness to see through you. Swamiji had a pleasing smile and there was a mix of kindness and humour in it. Swamiji had broad shoulders and the long hands reached below the knees. Swamiji had a broad face and had straight nose and large forehead. Swamiji’s body had the enthusiasm and energy of a young man even in his last stages.
