Sai Experiences of SHRI RAMCHANDRA VAMAN PATANKAR AND GAVE DARSHAN AS AKKALKOT MAHARAJ
Shri Ramchandra Vaman Patankar, a retired Head Clerk, Police Department, Alibaug, Colaba District, a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj came to Shirdi in 1910 to take darshan of Shri Sai Baba to get His Blessings as his monthly earnings of Rs. 30/- as Clerk in Customs office was not sufficient to meet his monthly family expenses. He used to visit Balakrishna Buva's Mutt, Ram Maruthi Road, Dadar to take darshan of Shri Akkalkot Swamiji's photo there. He used to attend Shri Das Ganu Maharaj's Kirthan and Pravachanam of Baba's Leelas.
Even after hearing these speeches, he did not believe Baba and he thought that Baba was a Muslim. His friend Shri Ganshyam Gupta a railway employee who started to Shirdi requested Patankar to accompany him to Shirdi for Baba's darshan. Patankar told his friend that he won't pay any dakshina to Baba and even if he wants to pay, he won't pay more than Re. I/-. With this determination, he came to Shirdi with his friend.
At that time there was only one hotel in Shirdi for meals. While taking food, Patankar found some worms in meals and in dal and started shouting, whether he came there to eat these worms. His friend has warned him about this matter. Afterwards they both went to Baba's darshan in His place. On seeing Patankar, Baba got enraged and drove him away. On hearing Baba's words he decided to go away from Shirdi even without Baba's permission. But the devotees there requested him that Baba would be calmed down soon and he may take darshan again. Again they both went to Baba for darshan.
On seeing Patankar Baba told in his own way "People are coming here to eat worms". On hearing this vital words from Baba both Patankar and his friend were amazed and Patankar fell at Baba's feet and realized Baba as a great saint.
After Baba's Snanam was over, Baba gave darshan to Patankar as Akkalkot Swamiji, same as the photo in Balakrishna Buva's Mutt. He realized that Baba and Akkalkot Swamiji are not different and his doubt was completely cleared and gave Re. 1/- as dakshina. After receiving this, Baba again asked for Re. 1/-Which he gladly paid. Baba gave them permission to return home. After his return, he got a job which fetched more salary and was happy throughout his life.
Surrender to Shri Sai Completely!
Source: Ambrosia in Shirdi by Ramalingasami
