The title “Anant Koti Brahmandanayak” (The Infinite Lord of Countless Universes) is bestowed upon Shri Akkalkot Swami, whose presence transcends time and space, touching every soul. That he had a deep connection with Baba Maharaj, then, should come as no surprise. Yet, the journey of how and when this bond manifested is worth recounting.

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The relationship between Baba Maharaj and Swami was one of deep closeness, to the extent that Swami himself seemed to be manifest in Baba Maharaj’s very being. There are many cherished stories that illustrate this divine connection.  

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Baba’s first visit to Akkalkot led him to the Vadacha Temple, where he took residence in the small ovari (veranda). It was there, in the sacred presence of Swami, that Baba Maharaj delivered what was perhaps his first-ever discourse. This was only one of the first recorded moments, but his connection with Swami continued to reveal itself in various ways thereafter.

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Years later, at the D.L. Vaidya Road temple in Dadar, Baba Maharaj’s discourses continued. On one such occasion, a devotee, gazing at a portrait of Swami, remarked, "How fierce Swami's expression appears!" Baba immediately corrected him, exclaiming, "Fierce? What are you saying? Look again—his gaze overflows with boundless compassion!" From that day on, the devotee could see nothing but Swami’s infinite grace in that very same image.

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In 1955, Baba Maharaj arrived at Machnur for the first time. The path he followed was not arbitrary; it was guided by Swami. He arrived in a small temple of Goddess Bhavani near the banks of the Chandrabhaga River—built in the era of Aurangzeb—with a mere two-foot-tall entrance. Within this humble four-by-four-foot temple, Swami himself had once resided for several years. The people of Machnur believe that Swami himself established this Bhavani Mata temple, and it was Swami’s divine command that led Baba Maharaj to settle there. Even devotees from Akkalkot attested to this celestial directive.​ In fact, close to Goddess Bhavani's temple is the famous Shri Siddheshwar temple, where, even today, the stone padukas installed by Swami are available for darshan. 

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Years later, in 1971, during Chaturmas, while Baba Maharaj was unwell in Machnur, a devotee from Akkalkot had a sudden thought: “Could Baba Maharaj be an incarnation of Swami?” At that very moment, Baba Maharaj, who was pacing, suddenly stopped. He placed his hands on his waist in Swami’s characteristic stance, and declared, "Why doubt? See for yourself—I am Swami!" In that instant, the devotee had a vision of Swami within Baba Maharaj, dispelling all uncertainty.

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This divine interplay continued to manifest. In the Gurudev Kuti at Machnur, where an old Tulsi Vrindavan (potted tulsi) once stood, a disciple experienced an extraordinary vision. In deep meditation, he first saw Swami seated against the Vrindavan. As he moved forward to bow in respect, the vision transformed—now it was Baba Maharaj sitting there. The two forms alternated before his eyes, revealing their oneness.  

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Baba Maharaj himself acknowledged this connection in many ways. When he traveled outside Machnur, he often entrusted his disciple, Madhav Swami, with the care of the temple. Once, before departing for Mumbai on one such occasion, Baba Maharaj instructed him, "Madhava, take good care of the temple. If you ever face any difficulty, just tell Swami."

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A few days later, one evening at sunset, Madhav Swami finished his duties and prepared to bathe in the river. A certain villager, who usually visited the temple at that hour, was absent that day. Madhav Swami wished to return quickly for evening prayers and lighting the lamps, but he was delayed. Suddenly, he recalled Baba Maharaj's words and went to the shrine in Gurudev Kutir. Facing Swami’s photograph, he humbly said, “Swami, please watch over the temple while I go bathe.” With that, he left for the river.  

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Hurrying back, he entered the temple and, as he was about to light the lamps, he noticed an elderly man seated on the stone platform of the Kutir. Thinking he would inquire after lighting the lamps, he stepped inside. But when he returned moments later, the old man had vanished. He searched the entire temple but found no trace of him. Shortly after, a villager arrived. Madhav Swami asked him about the elderly visitor, but he had seen no one. Shrugging off the mystery, he continued with his routine.  

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A few days later, Baba Maharaj returned to Machnur with some disciples. One evening, as they all sat together, Baba Maharaj suddenly remarked, “Our Madhava delegates work to Swami.” Perplexed, Madhav Swami asked, “Me? I told Swami [to do work]?” Baba smiled, “Swami told me in Mumbai—‘Madhav left me to guard the temple while he went to bathe!’” At that moment, Madhav Swami realized the truth—the elderly figure he had seen was none other than the Infinite Lord of Countless Universes, Shri Akkalkot Swami Himself!

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Another occasion that illuminates the depth of the divine connection with Saint Baba and Swami Samarth was on the final day of the completion of Baba Maharaj's Sadhana Sanhita. An extraordinary event unfolded, one that seemed like the climax of a grand play or a cinematic moment. Upon the wall hung a garlanded photograph of Akkalkot Swami, beneath which Saint Baba sat in deep contemplation. As he completed the last ovi (verse), something divine occurred—the garland adorning Swami’s image slipped gently from the frame and came to rest around Saint Baba’s neck, as if placed there by an unseen divine hand. Overcome by this sacred blessing, Baba was moved to tears.