Shri Saibaba Sansthan,Shirdi                                                                         Shri Saileela Main Page

SWAMI SAMARTHA IN SAI CHARITRA

A well-known saint, named Anandnath, had predicted for Sai that He would perform miraculous deeds.

This famous Anandnath had established a math in Yeola. He came to Shirdi once, along with some of the dwellers of Shirdi (who had gone to Yeola, for Anandnath’s darshan. They were Madhavrao Balwant Deshpande, Nandram Shivram Marwadi and Bhagchand Marwadi. It is said that Anandnath Maharaj unexpectedly and forcibly joined them on their bullock cart, going to Shirdi. This Anandnath originally hailed from South Konkan district, and belonged to the Kudaldeshkar Gowda brahmin sect. He had lived for a fairly long time in Mumbai also).

Anandnath, who was the disciple of the great saint of Akkalkot, when he saw Sai, exclaimed : “This is indeed a Diamond, a Real Diamond.

Though to-day He is lying on the garbage heap (i.e. neglected), it is not just a flint but a Diamond.” These were the words of Anandnath when Baba was a youngster.

“Mark my words carefully. Later on you will recall them.” After prophesying thus, he returned to Yeola.....

Swami Samartha of Akkalkot was the chosen deity of Bhai (Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar), who worshipped his portrait regularly with devotion.

He thought of going to Akkalkot to have the darshan of the padukas and to offer worship to them with his heart and soul.

He got ready to start from Mumbai the next day. But that decision remained unfulfilled and instead he left for Shirdi.

One day before his departure he saw a vision. Akkalkot Swami commanded him : “At present Shirdi is my abode. You go there.”

Obeying the command with reverence, Bhai left Mumbai. He lived in Shirdi for six months and was at peace and happy.

Bhai was full of devotion. So, to commemorate the vision he installed the Swami’s padukas  under the neem tree.

In Shake 1834 (AD 1912), in the bright half of the month of Shravan, on an auspicious day, the padukas  were installed under the neem tree with the singing of bhajans and with great devotion.