Shri Swami Samarth once went to the palace of Malojiraje Bhonsale. The king was informed about Swamiji’s arrival and he hurriedly received the Swamiji. Swamiji and the king were sitting on the swing facing the pooja room. The priest was preparing sandalwood paste needed for the pooja and was rubbing the sandalwood on the stone. A mouse came in and was eating the ghee kept nearby which was supposed to be used for the lamps. The priest was angry seeing this and threw the sandalwood piece at the mouse killing it. The priest was happy that he found target and brought the mouse out of the pooja room holding it by the tail to dispose it.
Malojiraje’s Last Days
Swamiji saw this and asked for the mouse and took it in his hand and made it pass through the rings of the swing, few times. Swamiji then kept the mouse on his palm and asked the mouse to go. Mouse was alive and it jumped and ran away. The people in the palace were stunned seeing this act of Swamiji and understood the power of this great saint. Swamiji was kind to all living creatures and human beings. Malojiraje was a highly devoted follower of Swamiji and considered Swamiji as the God himself. When he fell ill and when he knew that death was approaching, he wanted to meet Swamiji.
The king was constantly thinking about Swamiji and was asking his assistants to arrange for a meeting with Swamiji. Swamiji did not come to the palace for almost a fortnight. But just before the king’s death, Swamiji enetered the palace and stood in front of the king. The king passed away with his eyes fixed on Swami Samarth. Swamiji never liked dishonesty and hypocrisy. Swamiji used to make mockery of people who were dishonest. Swamiji sometimes punished people who were not honest. At the same time Swamiji used to appreciate people who were sincere and even rewarded it.
Always Welcome
Swamiji never had problems to meet or visit someone. He used to visit any place or house as he pleased and he did not bother about the time or climate. Once he went to the house of a Brahmin called Ganpatrao Joshi early in the morning. Ganpatrao was very happy and excited to see Swamiji at his house. Swamiji was given a bath and was dressed up in yellow silk cloth. Ganpatrao performed his worship in the traditional way with the sandal paste, kum kum and other materials and offered him food and kept his head on Swamiji’s feet. Ganpatrao suddenly thought that Swamiji may give away the yellow cloth which he had given. Swamiji read his thoughts and gave the cloth back and walked away without any clothes on and refused to come back.
