Under the Care of Goddess Annapurna

In the 38th chapter of the *Gurucharitra*, it is described that when devotees brought money as an offering to Shri Guru, he refused the wealth and instead instructed them to perform Samaaradhana, a communal meal arranged daily at Gangapur. Shri Guru had many disciples and followers, and every day hundreds ate in this Samaaradhana. One day, a very poor and weak Brahmin arrived. He carried a small bundle containing rice, lentils, flour, and basic cooking items. His heartfelt desire was to personally feed Shri Guru. He bowed fully before Shri Guru and humbly requested permission, but the other Brahmins said, “Today there is already a Samaaradhana. Come, eat with us.” So the poor Brahmin ate with everyone. Day after day, the same thing happened. He slept every night with the small bundle under his pillow, waiting for the day he would be allowed to feed Shri Guru. Many months passed. Other Brahmins began to mock him, saying his offering would never be accepted.

One day, Shri Guru heard this mockery. He called the poor Brahmin and said, “Today, YOU will perform the Samaaradhana.” Overwhelmed with joy, the Brahmin immediately began cooking with the little ghee, vegetables, and grains he had. He had enough food for only *three people*, but he had absolute faith that Shri Guru would take care of everything. Meanwhile, disciples grew anxious: “This Brahmin has food for only three persons. How will hundreds of us eat today? We may have to go home hungry.” But Shri Guru told them firmly: “Do not go home. Today, everyone will eat here.” The poor Brahmin had no doubt — only faith. This pure devotion is what brings divine grace, just as Krishna saved Draupadi when Durvasa arrived during the Pandavas’ exile.

When it was time to serve, Shri Guru said, “Bring your cooked food here. Cover it with this cloth.” He sprinkled water from his sacred kamandalu over the covered vessel and instructed, “Do not remove this cloth. As more food is required, simply reach beneath the cloth and serve.” Disciples laid out rows of leaf plates, and everyone sat for the meal. Under the cloth, countless varieties of food appeared, though the Brahmin had prepared only a tiny amount. Ghee replenished itself endlessly. Rice, vegetables, sweets — all appeared in abundance. Everyone in the village ate to their heart’s content — all castes, all communities, every hungry person. A public announcement was made: *“Anyone hungry, come and eat!”* After everyone had eaten, Shri Guru told the Brahmin, “Now you also eat.” When he finally uncovered the vessel, he saw that exactly the same amount of food remained as when he began. Shri Guru then instructed, “Take this leftover food and release it into the river, so even aquatic beings may be fed.” People were speechless. They said, “Surely Shri Guru must have invoked Goddess Annapurna herself.”

At the Samadhi Mandir of Digoḷe Maharaj, food ceremonies blessed by the Nath presence are extraordinary. Once, disciples of Digoḷe Maharaj came from Yavatmal to the Nath Shakti Peeth and said, “Our Guru appeared in a dream and instructed us: Go to Narendra Nath Maharaj and request him to perform the Maha-Rudra Havan on Mahashivaratri.” They added, “Our Guru always said the deities visibly appear in the Havan fire. We do not know how this happens, but he instructed us to come here.”

The organizers at the Peeth told Narendra Nath Maharaj, “This year far more people have come than expected. We have cooked only enough food for 14–15 thousand people, but people from all nearby villages are coming. Please ensure that everyone receives prasada.” Before the event began, they brought a large pot of Gopal-kala to Maharaj. A public announcement was made: “Only those who take Gopal-kala will receive the meal later.” But when the pot was only half empty, they realized the kala needed to feed everyone — and it seemed insufficient.

Yet all 17–18 thousand people ate fully, including the kala. After the distribution ended, the organizers checked the cooking area. Every pot — every single pot — was full of fresh food, as if newly prepared. Overwhelmed, they asked Maharaj what should be done with the abundance of prasada. Maharaj replied, “Distribute it to all the surrounding villages.” They filled tractors with pots and went from village to village. When they returned, the pots were still full, unchanged. Finally, Maharaj instructed, “Offer all remaining food to the nearby river.” The next morning, the river appeared crystal clear — no trace of oil or food anywhere. All felt strongly that Annapurna Devi herself had fed everyone through the Nath presence during the sacred Havan.