Shriji Maharaj descended upon this earth along with his choicest devotee, solely to liberate his followers from the clutches of maya and make them worthy of his divine bliss in Askhardham. However, during his short lifespan of 49 years, he touched many aspects of people’s lives – from nurturing their culture and spiritual needs to helping society by promoting moral values.

He was also there in times of need – during famines and droughts. But, he was also regularly working to improve the everyday lives of the people around him.  One such project Maharaj took on in 1861 was to clear Ramkund, Bhimkund and the lake in Kariyani. After the work was over, Maharaj performed Vishnu Yagnas and for many days thousands of Brahmins, sadhus and devotees were served with rich foods and gifts.

After one such event, Shriji Maharaj reached Umreth via Vartal and stayed at Jagnath Mahadev Mandir. Brahmins came for his darshan out of curiosity. On seeing Maharaj, they decided to test his divinity. They bowed down and asked, “We are followers of Shankaracharya. Jagadguru Shankaracharya made a buffalo recite the Vedas. If you can show a miracle like that, we will believe you to be God.” Maharaj replied, “Well, if you can bring a Brahmin who from birth is unable to speak and illiterate, I will make him recite the Vedas.”

The Brahmins went back to the village and brought with them an illiterate Brahmin named Harishankar who from birth was unable to speak. He sat in front of Maharaj and no sooner did Maharaj look at him, he began to recite the verses of the Vedas. He spoke as if he had always had the Vedas memorized. There was not even one mistake in pronunciation or rhythm. The Brahmins were astonished and convinced of Maharaj’s divine powers. No sooner had the word spread of Maharaj’s divine powers than Brahmins from all corners of Umreth came to see him and become his devotees. Due to the sheer numbers, Maharaj took a pot full of water and sprinkled it along the streets and houses of Brahmins. He said, “Those persons whose houses have been sprinkled with the holy water should consider themselves to have been offered initiation.”