Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj (Marathi: श्री स्वामी समर्थ महाराज) also known as Swami of Akkalkot[1][4] was an Indian-Marathi saint (spiritual master) of the Dattatreya Tradition. He is a known spiritual figure in various Indian states including Karnataka and Maharashtra.[5] He lived during the nineteenth century from 1858 to1878.

Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj
II श्री स्वामी समर्थ महाराज II
TitleShri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot
Personal
Born
Nrusimha Bhan [2]

Resting placeAkkalkot, Solapur district, India (present-day Maharashtra, India)
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
Religious career
Based inAkkalkot, Maharashtra, India
Disciples
  • Balappa Maharaj, Cholappa Maharaj, Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj of Alandi, Anandnath Maharaj of Vengurla, Swamisut Maharaj of Mumbai, Shankar Maharaj of Pune, Ramanand Beedkar Maharaj of Pune [3]
Influenced
  • Shankar Maharaj [3]
Quotation

Do not have fear, I shall always be with you
भिऊ नकोस, मी तुझ्या पाठीशी आहे[1]

Shri Swami Samarth traveled all across the Indian subcontinent and eventually set his abode at Akkalkot, a village in present-day Maharashtra. He is thought to have arrived at Akkalkot on a Wednesday, during either September or October in 1856. He resided at Akkalkot for close to 22 years.

His parentage and origins remain obscure. According to legend, once when a disciple asked Swami a question about his birth, Swami responded that he had originated from a banyan tree (vata-vriksha in Marathi). On another occasion, Swami had said that his earlier name was Nrusimha Bhan.

Shri Swami Samartha Maharaj[6] left his mortal coil in 1878, but his legacy continues to inspire and guide people around the world. His teachings and spiritual powers continue to be taught and followed by his followers, and his ashram in Akkalkot remains a place of pilgrimage for many devotees.

Legend edit

Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj is considered to be the fourth (third in physical form) incarnation of Dattatreya, the Lord Almighty. He is also believed to be a reincarnation of Narasimha Saraswati,[7][8] another earlier spiritual master of the Dattatreya sect.

Life edit

According to Shri Swami Samarth himself, he had originally appeared in the Kardali forests near Srisailam, a Hindu holy town in present-day Andhra Pradesh.Swami Samarth was from Andhra Pradesh later he migrated to different places. He might have moved through Tibet and Nepal during his travels across the Himalayas and its adjacent regions. He is also believed to have visited various Indian regions such as Puri, Varanasi (also Kashi), Haridwar, Girnar, Kathiawar and Rameswaram. He might have also briefly lived at Mangalvedha, a town near Pandharpur in present-day Solapur district, Maharashtra. He finally settled at Akkalkot.[9][8]

Shri Swami Samarth is also believed to have visited Maniknagar, Karnataka to meet Manik Prabhu, an Indian saint and mystic considered to be another incarnation of Dattatreya.[10] According to the Shree Manik Prabhu Charitra (biography), Swami resided at Maniknagar for around six months. During this period, Manik Prabhu and Swami Samarth often sat under a cluster fig tree (Audumbar in Marathi) and had conversations on profound spirituality. It is claimed that Swami Samarth regarded Manik Prabhu as a brother.[11]

Shri Swami Samarth probably arrived at Akkalkot in 1856 on receiving an invitation from Chintopant Tol and then stayed on the outskirts of the town for about 22 years. He lived at the residence of his disciple Cholappa, where his shrine is presently located.

A common mantra commemorating Shri Swami Samarth is read as “Aum Abhayadata Shree Swamisamarthaya Namaha”. His biography known as Shree Guruleelamrut was authored by Sant Wamanbhau Maharaj.

 
Shri Swami Samarth temple near Sarasbaug, Pune

See also edit

Sources edit

  • The Supreme Master (Swami Samartha's Comprehensive Biography).
  • Shri Dattatreya Dnyankosh by Dr. P. N. Joshi (Shri Dattateya Dnyankosh Prakashan, Pune, 2000).
  • "Shri Swami Samarth Nityakram aani Upasana"(in Marathi) by Dr. N.S. Kunte (Shri Vatvruksh Swami Samarth Maharaj Devsthan, Akkalkot, 2000).
  • Datta-Sampradyacha Itihas (History of Datta Sampradaya) by Dr. R. C. Dhere (Padmagnadha Prakashan, Pune).
  • Shri GuruCharitra (Sri Gurucharitra) (new, abbreviated version)
  • Shri Akkalkotniwasi Swami Maharaj yanche Charitra by G. V. Mulekar
  • Shri Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Charitra by R. S. Sahasrabuddhe.
  • "Pesum Deivam" - Akkalkot Maharaj Arulaatchi - Tamil Version by"Swamy Suthan" Dr.J.S.Sayikumar +91 86085 06816

Additional publications edit

  • Hanumante, Mukund M. (1999, 2000). A Glimpse of Divinity: Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot, ISBN 978-0-9669943-0-8
  • Kulkarni, Shriram A. (2001). Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot: Ashttotarshat Namavali: Vicharmanthan Sar (Marathi)
  • Kulkarni, Shriram A. (2000). Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot: Bhagwat Chaitanyache Shalaka Darshan(Marathi)
  • Oza, Kaushik (2007). Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot: Bhagwat Chaitanyache Shalaka Darshan (Gujrati)
  • Patil,Rajgouda (2012) Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot: Bhagwat Chaitanyada Kshana Darshan (Kannada)
  • Patil,Rajgouda (2017) "Amrutada Anjali": Shri Swami Samarth Maharajar sanketi vakyagal vivrane (Kannada)
  • Patil,Rajgouda (2021) "Sakh Nirantar": Shri Swami Samarth Maharajar, Akkalkot (Kannada)
  • Kulkarni, Shriram A. "Amrutachi Wonzali" (Marathi)
  • Joshi, Vasant G. (2006). Sulabh Shri Dnyaneshwari(Marathi) (Financial Sponsorship)
  • Kulkarni, Shriram A. (2007). Sarth Shrimat Gurucharitra: Sulabh Marathi Bhavarthasaha(Financial Sponsorship)
  • Shri Gurucharitra, 14th Chapter in English & Marathi, 2009.
  • Swami Tava Charanam Sharanam, Audio CD of Melodious Divine Songs, 2009.
  • Hanumante, Mukund M. (2010). Eternal Friend: Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot
  • Ekkirala Bharadwaja
  • Kaliyugi Shri Swami Samarth Charitra Tatva Rahasya (Marathi Granth)
  • A short biography of Akkalkot Niwasi Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj by Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "About Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj". Swami Samarth Swadhyay, USA. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  2. ^ Dr. Narendra Sadashiv Kunte (March 2000). नित्यक्रम आणि उपासना [Nityakram aani Upasana] (in Marathi).
  3. ^ a b "Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj - Profile". Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Shree Swami Samarth of Akkalkot". ShreeSwami.org. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  5. ^ "श्री स्वामी समर्थ महाराज यांच्या पादुकांची पालखी" [Śrī Swāmī samarth mahārāj yān̄cyā pādukān̄cī pālkhī]. Lokmat (in Marathi). Nashik. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  6. ^ पवनीकर, श्रीकांत (30 March 2023). "श्री क्षेत्र अक्कलकोट संपूर्ण माहिती 2023 | Akkalkot A to Z Information". bhramangatha.in (in Marathi). Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  7. ^ Karandikar, N. S. (2008). Sri Swami Samarth. Sterling Publishers. p. 22. ISBN 9788120734456.
  8. ^ a b "Shree Swami Samarth".
  9. ^ Hanumante, Mukund M. (1999). A Glimpse of Divinity: Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot. Kenner, USA: Akkalkot Swami Samarth Foundation ISBN 978-0-9669943-0-8
  10. ^ "Shri Manik Prabhu Maharaj – Shri Manik Prabhu Samsthan". Archived from the original on 15 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Shri Manik Prabhu Maharaj".