Shri Balappa Maharaj
Shri Balappa Maharaj
Balappa Maharaj hailed from Bijapur Distric of Karnataka. He was a Brahmin landlord, money lender and jeweler, and was the richest person in his locality. At the age of 30 he turned to spiritual life and left for Ganagapur in search of a Sadguru. On his way he met one Chidambar Dixit at Murgad. Dixit was a realised soul that deemed to be an incarnation of Shiva. It is said that Swami Smartha was present at one of the Yajna conduced by Dixit. Dixit, later served Swamiji during Prasad Bhojan. After staying with Dixit for 3 days, Balappa went to Ganagapur and started Tapasya at the Padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswati. He maintained himself by begging aims from door to door.
Darshan
After spending a fortnight there, he was directed in a dream to go
to Akkalkot, but did not go there. Two months later, he again got
the command that it was time for him to proceed to Akkalkot on foot
and as he set out, there were many auspicious omens.
When Balappa arrived at Akkalkot and had his first glimpse of Sri
Swami Smarth, he recalled the vision he had in Ganagapur; the form
of Swamiji in Digambar posture. It was an ecstatic experience. He
ran and prostrated at the feet of Sri Swamiji Smarth, clasping His
feet tightly. Swamiji also seemed happy, seeing Balappa. Balappa had
now found his Sadguru and surrendered body, mind, and soul in loving
dedication to Him.
Swamiji then stayed in the palace for 8 days. As Balappa could not
go in, he started doing Tapasya Balappa could not go in, he started
doing Tapasya outside. One day he had the opportunity of having the
Darshan of Maharaj and offered some dates to the Swami, who
distributed them to all present, excepting Balappa! Balappa felt
disappointed, until he learnt that Swamiji never gave Prasad to one
whom he wanted to retain, close to HIm. He was very happy at knowing
this and started serving the Swami earnestly. He never spared
himself and no work was too lowly or beneath his dignity. He knew he
had the rare and most unique privelege of being near and serving the
Supreme Lord himself.
Once while plucking flowers for worship, Balappa got hurt by a thorn
and his finger was swollen. It became very painful and he prayed to
Swamiji for relief. The Swami asked him to apply cow urine to the
finer and Balappa felt immediate relief. One day Balappa had severe
fever and the suspicion was that he had been poisoned. With the
Swami's grace he recovered and was completely well.
All valuable articles offered to Sri Swami Smarth, were passed on to
Balappa for safe custody. He also acted as the store keeper and it
was his responsibility to supply whatever was asked for by the
Swami, immediately. There could be no delay or default in his work,
as he would be upbraided severely by the Swami.
Sunderabai, who was the main attendant, became jealous of Balappa
and disliked him, but Balappa cared for none but the Swami and his
duty. In spite of his devotion to Maharaj, Balappa used to perform
daily puja to his family deity. Sri Swami would taunt him "Balappa
is knitting rought blankets", to indicated that when one has found a
sadguru, no other sadhana is required except dedicated service to
Him. Sadguru is the physcical manifestation of all deities - His
grace is the sunshine for us to bask in; what necessity is there for
blankets, when sunshine and warmth are there?
Swamiji once asked Balappa to fetch water from the house of a shudra
(untouchable). Balappa had already finished his bath and was
hesitant to do this, but Sri Swami Smarth insisted and he had to
obey. All are equal in the eyes of God - Swamiji wanted Balappa to
realize this.
Balappa found it difficult to concentrate during meditation. He told
Swamiji about this. Maharaj patted him on his back - Lo! Just this
pat was enough to put him in a transcendental state. For quiet some
time he remained in this blissful state. Later Swami Samarth blessed
him with a rosary of tuisi beads and asked him to use it during japa.
Thereafter, Balappa's dhyana (meditation) practice progressed very
fast. Balappa never left Akkalkot in spite of Swamiji's visits and
stay at nearby villages. He stuck to his duties of Akkalkot with the
same love, sincerity, care and dedication, as if the Swami was
there. Balappa always got first preference in worshipping Swami
Smarth. The Swami presented a gold ring to Balappa, with His name
inscribed on it. Maharaj said "You have to keep the spiritual torch
burning. I am blessing you." Balappa fell at the Swami's feet,
shedding tears of gratitude. He asked Balappa to start a serperate
Muth under the audumbar tree and gave him a saffron coloured flag.
He also gifted His padukas and Kaupin (cod-piece) to Balappa. This
Muth is known as Balappa Muth.
Before setting up the Muth, Balappa travelled all over India and
spread the message of Sri Swami Smarth Akkalkot Maharaj and held
aloft the banner of Datta Sampradaya. He revived religious and
spiritual faith among the the people, at all the places he visited.
After his travels, he returned to Akkalkot and set up the Balappa
Muth. The padukas, danda (stick) kamandalu (water-pot) rosary, given
by Swami Samarth to him, are enshrined there.
Balappa Muth
On Swami Samarth's Mahaniryan, Balappa Maharaj broke down and felt
as if life has ebbed out of him too. He decided to fast unto death
and sat down at Swamiji's samadhi in sorrow and despair.
On the third day of his fast, Swami Samarth gave him His darshan and
talked to him and comforted him. The grief that had filled his heart
cleared. He realized now that Swamijij was Nirakar - beyond all
form. Balappa Maharaj now fixed his mind on the padukas of Swami
Smarth - they were the representation of Swamiji for him. He used to
offer elaborate worship to them daily. Even when he was ill, Balappa
Maharaj never missed the worship and offering of abhiseh to the
Padukas. As Balappa Maharaj was advancing in age and his health was
declining, he sent for Gangadhar, who was at Bilaspur and chose him
as his successor. After making all the arrangements, Balappa Maharaj
attained Samadhi in 1910.
During his lifetime, Balappa Maharaj travellled all over what are
now the states of Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Bengal, Karnataka and Maharashtra. For 32 years after the
departure of Sri Swami Samarth, he carried out his Master's mission
with the selfless dedication.
Disciple and Successors
After Balappa Maharaj, Gangadhar Maharaj kept up the high traditions
of the Muth.