In the vibrant land of Karnataka, there lived a man named Chintamani Bhat. A revered Brahmin, he was an authority on ten scriptures (Dasha-Granthi) and was often seen officiating at religious rituals, his presence a beacon of spiritual guidance.
However, Chintamani was plagued by a terrible affliction—a relentless illness. Each time he ate, a searing pain would rip through his stomach, so intense that it would often render him unconscious. Despite consulting the best physicians and traveling to distant places in search of a cure, no remedy could alleviate his suffering. Reduced to surviving on a single glass of milk each day, Chintamani's life had become a daily battle against agony.
One fateful day, a glimmer of hope arrived in the form of a casual conversation with an acquaintance. He learned about Shri Maharaj, a holy man whose fame as a miracle worker had spread far and wide. Desperate and clinging to the sliver of hope, Chintamani embarked on a long and arduous journey to Gondavle, his heart heavy with anticipation.
After days of travel, he reached Gondavle around two in the afternoon. The temple was abuzz with activity. That day, an abundant offering had been made to Shri Ramachandra, resulting in a delay in serving lunch to the devotees. Shri Maharaj, ever the compassionate overseer, was personally ensuring that everyone had a place.
With a heart full of reverence and desperation, Chintamani approached Shri Maharaj and introduced himself. Shri Maharaj, radiating kindness, invited him to sit beside him for lunch. However, Chintamani hesitated. "Food is like poison to me," he confessed, detailing his mysterious ailment and his long quest for relief.
Shri Maharaj listened intently and then spoke with gentle authority, "Any food offered to Shri Ramachandra becomes prasad, remnants from His divine plate. Such prasad is imbued with spiritual potency. Trust in this divine power, and eat without fear."
Torn between hope and fear, Chintamani watched as devotees around him enjoyed the blessed food. Encouraged by Shri Maharaj's assurance and driven by his faith in Shri Ramachandra, he decided to surrender to the divine will. With a heart pounding in trepidation, he ate to his heart's content—a luxury he hadn't experienced in years.
After the meal, he braced himself for the familiar, excruciating pain. Minutes passed, then hours, but the pain never came. Astonished and overwhelmed with gratitude, Chintamani realized that he had been miraculously cured. From that day forward, he never experienced the dreaded stomach pains again, living the rest of his life in peace and health.
