Stomach Ailment Vanishes
In the *13th chapter of Guru Charitra*, it is described that a Brahmin suffering from unbearable stomach pain rolled on the ground in agony. The human body is made of the *Annamaya Kosha* (food sheath); food sustains life, yet here food itself had become his enemy. In despair he thought, “Rather than suffering like this, it is better to end my life in the Ganga.”
At that moment, Shri Guru saw him. Seeing his deep sorrow and helplessness, Shri Guru asked why he was thinking of giving up his life, reminding him that suicide is a great sin, and instead instructed him to take the medicine that would be given. Hearing these compassionate words, the Brahmin calmed down. Shri Guru told Sayandev that the Brahmin had a stomach ailment and was contemplating death out of pain. He said, “We will give him medicine. Sayandev, take him home and feed him sweets. As soon as he eats them, he will be cured.” Sayandev, terrified because he knew the Brahmin’s condition, hesitated, fearing responsibility if the man died. But Shri Guru reassured him, saying that vada, anarsa, and milk sweets were the Brahmin’s medicine and that he would be cured as soon as he ate them.
Sayandev invited Shri Guru home for alms. Siddha, the narrator, explains that he was present at that moment. Sayandev and his wife Jakhai prepared the meal. After Guru worship, the Brahmin drank the holy water from Shri Guru’s feet. Then everyone ate. By Shri Guru’s grace, the suffering Brahmin also ate heartily and was completely cured.
A similar event occurred at Devgaon Rangari at the home of Vyankatanath Maharaj. Five or six people from Chandrapur brought a family member with severe stomach pain. Doctors, vaidyas, astrologers, tantrics — all had failed. His condition worsened daily, and everyone believed he would not survive. Feeling hopeless, the family decided that instead of watching him die elsewhere, they would bring him to Devgaon and leave his final destiny in the presence of their Guru.
Maharaj asked why they had arrived suddenly and how the patient was. They replied that they had come to his feet seeking peace for him. Then the man’s wife broke down and said that everyone had declared he had no time left. Maharaj listened patiently and said, “Tomorrow morning I will give him medicine. Give it to him and he will recover.”
That night, Maharaj soaked two finely crushed chapatis in milk and a little buttermilk and kept the mixture covered. By morning the patient had become even weaker with severe diarrhea and appeared almost lifeless. Maharaj said, “Give him the entire medicine. He will be healed.” The wife cried in fear, saying he had never eaten such food and that giving it would kill him instantly. Maharaj calmly repeated, “This is the medicine. Give it to him,” and walked away.
Trusting the Guru’s words, they fed the patient the full mixture. As soon as he finished, he became motionless and fainted, appearing dead. Everyone cried, believing he had passed away. Five to six long hours passed. Suddenly the man awoke and said, “I am hungry. Please give me food. My pain is gone completely.” His stomach trouble had vanished.
Later, they apologized to Maharaj, worshipped him, and surrendered fully at his feet. The “medicine” was not medicine at all — it was ordinary food that most people would discard. But the Guru’s power transformed its properties and made it act as a cure.
Just like in *Guru Charitra*, the incident at Devgaon revealed the same truth: the Guru has mastery over the five elements, the human body, and the inner nature of all substances. He can transform the qualities of any object and make it act exactly as needed. Such power belongs only to Bhagwan Dattatreya and the true Sadguru.