Shri Swami Samarth was a giant who walked this earth during the nineteenth century. He took the avatar at a time when people were more innocent and believed in words of saints. Since then this world has seen so many crooks in the guise of saints, that the present generation is unable to understand or know who is true and who is not. The easiest way out is to totally disbelieve all the saints and sages of this country. Maybe if Shri Swami Samarth takes his birth again people will really know who is a true saint for he had all the qualities of one.
His Presence Still Felt
Even if he is not present in the physical form today Shri Swami Samarth still lives through his devotees and teachings. Shri Swami Samarth was rooted in scriptures and did not propagate any new idea or thought. He had simple lessons for the ordinary people to follow. The great philosophy found in the Upanishads and Vedas was given to the people in simple and small capsules. When this was coupled with life changing miracles, his followers increased, by the day. His famous quote in Marathi was “Bhiu nako me tuhya pathishi ahe”. This meant “I am present. I have not gone.” So his devotees still feel his presence.
Shri Swami Samarth taught his followers to see God in all sentient and insentient things. This is the loftiest spiritual thought one can have. Once this is attained the ego in us is squashed and our love is all encompassing. He insisted that the Vedas be read and repeated many times. The mind he said was an important tool for self realisation. He goaded his disciples to keep the body and mind clean. To keep the mind clean, is not to entertain any negative thoughts that will agitate the mind. He believed that all religions indicated the same goal; sometimes the paths were different.
Practise More Important Than Knowledge
Working without expectation of any rewards was and is the mantra for life. Lord Krishna gave this life changing advice to Arjuna . Even today this statement is considered very important and is the oft quoted line from the Bhagavad Geeta . There are so many philosophical thoughts given out in the Bhagavad Geeta but this is highlighted because this paves way for the mind to reach a peaceful state. The lift off to godhood from such a state is easy. But Shri Swami Samarth did insist that constant practise alone was the key to success. Bookish knowledge was of no use at all.
To tread the path of spirituality was more dangerous than to tread the path of materialism. Dangerous in the sense that the powers and the adulation one receives is unbelievable. It is very easy for the spiritual seeker to get into this rut and be stuck there. In spiritual progress this block is definite. Shri Swami Samarth warned his devotees not to show miracles using the spiritual powers. He told them to move on and have single pointed attention on God.
