Once Chintopant Tol was reciting the Vishnu Sahasranaamam and was offering the holy basil leaves to Vishnu Panchayatan. There was one particular practice he followed. Each time when Sri Swami Samarth came there during worship time, Chintopant Tol would first worship Swamiji. Then he would offer leaves of holy basil to Swamiji, sit at his lotus feet and do the recitation.
In the same way, one day, Sri Swami came there and as always, Chintopant Tol first worshipped him and addressed a strong desire in his prayer that whenever he would worship Sri Swami, his lotus feet should always be there close to him. Sri Swami Samarth was very pleased and happy with the Chintopant Tol’s devotional spirit. A glow of celestial light was seen around the face of Sri Swamiji. This glow and aura of Swami brought tears into the eyes of Chintopant. He prayed to Swami to have his footprints installed on the wooden seat, permanently. Swamiji was standing on the wooden seat in Lord Vithoba’s posture. Swamiji instantly said ‘As you wish’, got up and went away.
To Chintopant’s astonishment, he saw the footprints of Sri Swamiji inscribed on the same wooden seat on which Swamiji was seated some time back. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of Chintopant. He was truly overjoyed. Till today that wooden seat has been kept safely and preserved at Akkalkot at the Muth of Joshi Buwa at Akkalkot. Visitors visit the Muth to see Swamiji’s footprints even today.
All the miraculous works of Sri Swami Samarth are by nature philanthropic and in the interest of people. During his lifetime, a number of miracles have been performed by Sri Swamiji. At times the miracles have been in the favor of devotees and at other times the miracles were solely for mental pleasure.
