The term *Iccha Bhojan* has a very special meaning, and it does not refer to eating food according to one’s desire. In an Iccha Bhojan test, food itself is unimportant. What matters is how divine forces create unexpected situations to test a seeker’s faith, purity, confidence, surrender, and inner integrity. These tests never happen to ordinary devotees; they occur only for spiritually advanced seekers or those who have reached the Guru-state. Iccha Bhojan is one of the most difficult and profound spiritual tests.
Lord Dattatreya’s Guruhood is eternal. He guides all beings — divine and human — and this uninterrupted flow of grace is what we call *Gurucharitra*. The events of Gurucharitra are not copied exactly in every era, but the power and presence of the Guru remain active forever. A true Guru never tests material knowledge; he tests purity of heart, purity of conduct, purity of intention, and sincerity in devotion.
A divine form appears according to one’s inner state. A Sadguru works as the living representative of Lord Dattatreya. To see Dattatreya in one’s Guru is natural for an evolved disciple.
This incident took place at Devgaon, at the residence of my Guru, Vyankatnath Maharaj (15th Nath). During an annual celebration, about 150 disciples had gathered. Suddenly, three wandering monks arrived and asked loudly: “Does Bankatlal Maharaj live here?” When everyone replied yes, they said, “Call him here!”
Maharaj immediately came down, folded his hands respectfully, and asked, “What is your command?” They said, “We have heard that you can give Iccha Bhojan. We want Iccha Bhojan from you. Will you give it?” Maharaj replied without hesitation, “Tell me your wish. Whatever it is, I will provide it.”
The monks declared: “We want a goat.”
Everyone was shocked. Such a request had never been heard in that holy Nath residence. Maharaj calmly asked them to come to the backside of the house. Household members objected strongly, but the monks followed him.
The family locked the back door from inside to prevent disturbance. Maharaj ensured the door remained closed so no one could interfere. Bowing to the monks, Maharaj said: “Your command will be followed exactly.”
They instructed him to arrange for a goat kid, a cutting knife, a large vessel, water, and firewood. Everything was brought. An aluminium vessel filled with water was placed on a fire and covered.
A small goat kid was brought. The monks ordered that it be slaughtered in one stroke. Maharaj took Vīrāsana, bowed to all three, held the goat’s mouth, remembered his Guru, and with one decisive stroke separated the head from the body. Disciples watched in shock from the rooftop.
Following instructions, the meat was cleaned, chopped, and placed into the boiling water. After this, Maharaj and the three monks sat silently watching the vessel. After some time, a divine fragrance arose from the pot — the unmistakable scent of Satyanarayan Prasad.
The disciples tried to enter, but an unseen barrier prevented them. When the lid was removed, the entire pot was filled with Satyanarayan Prasad, not meat. Maharaj and the three monks ate the sacred Prasad together. After finishing, one monk poured water into the vessel, cleaned it, and drank the water as well.
Then Maharaj bowed and touched their feet. In the next instant, all three monks disappeared.
At that moment, the bones and skin in the corner reassembled themselves, and the little goat kid jumped up alive and ran away bleating “baa baa.”
Those who control the five elements can take any form, appear anywhere, and disappear anywhere. Such beings are not bound by physical laws. This entire event happened in the 20th century, showing that:
“Gurucharitra is a living, unbroken stream.”
Lord Dattatreya Himself tested the 15th Nath — Vyankatnath Maharaj — through this Iccha Bhojan event. It revealed the depth of the Guru’s spiritual authority, the divine connection between Guru and disciple, and the nature of true spiritual power. The disciples present that day understood the greatness of their Guru, and future generations received a lesson in the realities of spirituality. Their faith increased manyfold.