Shri Swami Samartha
Shri Swami Samartha Maharaj
Shri Swami Smaratha comes from the age-old guru tradition of the
Dattatreya sampradaya. Also a different form of famous Nath
Sampradaya. The main chanting mantra of this tradition is :
गुरुर्ब्रम्हा गुरुर्विष्णु गुरुर्देवो महेश्वराः | गुरुः
साक्षात्परब्रम्ह तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ||
Shri Swami Samartha is believed to be the incarnation of Shri
Narasimha Saraswati, who in turn is the believed incarnation of Shri
Shripad Shrivallabha. Although not much is known about Shri Shripad
Shrivallabha, the life story of Shri Narasimha Saraswati is well
documented.
The biography of Shrimad Nrusimha Saraswati in "Shree Gurucharitra",
gives us the details of his work in guiding the devotees and the
various miracles he performed to help the devotees. He stayed at
Ganagapur (Karnataka State, Southern India) for a long time and then
gave his "Nirguna Padukas" to his disciples and devotees, before
leaving for the Kardali forests to perform Tapas [penance].
Early Life of Swami Maharaj
The early life of Swami Samarth like that of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba is
shrouded with mystery. For that matter, even Shri Shirdi Sai Baba's
advent and early life has not been established. Yet it does not
really matter for those who have faith in Him and continue to
experience his benevolence in different ways.
Shri Narasimha Saraswati, about four centuries before the advent of
Swami Samarth is believed to be the earlier incarnation of Shri
Dattatreya. The 'Guru Charitra' one of the most famous books gives
lot of information about Him. As per the most popular belief, Shri
Narasimha Swami, after helping and spiritually uplifting a large
number of people over a few decades, went away to the Himalayas for
penance and went into Samadhi. In the Samadhi state He remained for
about three hundred years. With the passage of time a huge anthill
grew over him and he was lost to the outside world. One day
accidentally a woodcutter’s axe fell on the bushes grown around the
ant hill. He was shocked to find blood stains on the blade of the
axe. He cleared the anthill and Lo, he found a Yogi in meditation.
The Yogi slowly opened his eyes and consoled the dumbfounded
woodcutter saying that it was the Divine Will for Him to re-appear
in the world to resume His mission.
This Yogi, in his new role came to be known as Swami Samarth.
Prior to his settlement at Akkalkot, Swami Samarth seems to have
visited far and wide. While moving in the Himalayan region he
visited places like Puri, Benaras, Hardwar, Girnar, Kathiawad and
Rameswaram in the South. He also stayed at Mangalvedha, a town near
Pandharpur in Solapur district Maharashtra, which had been inhabited
earlier by famous saints like Domojipant and Chokhamela. He came to
Akkalkot in 1856 where he continued his physical existence for 22
years.
He came to Akkalkot on the invitation of one Chintopant Tol and
stayed at a place on the outskirts of the town.
His Disciples
Here he enlightened many disciples, such as Shree Dev Mamledar,
Shree Balappa Maharaj, Shree Cholappa Maharaj, Shree Nrusimha
Saraswati Maharaj of Alandi, Shree Ramanand Beedkar Maharaj of Pune
etc.
Japa and Namasmaran
Following japa / namasmaran (repitition/chanting) is done:
॥अवधूतचिंतन श्री गुरुदेव दत्त॥ (Avadhootachintan Shri Gurudeva
Datta)
॥श्री स्वामी समर्थ, जय जय स्वामी समर्थ॥ (Shri Swami Samartha, Jai
Jai Swami Samartha)
Mahasamaadhi
Shree Swami Samarth one day suddenly announced that the time had
come for him to go out of his physical existence. By Hindu calendar
it was Chaitra Vadya Trayodashi of Hindu year 1800, i.e. April 30,
1878 AD, Tuesday at 4 PM. At this time he seated himself in
Padmasana (Lotus Posture) and uttered his last words - "no one
should weep I shall always be present at all places and I shall
respond to every call of the devotees." The great sage adopted
MahaSamadhi [the last conscious communion with God] under his
favourite Banyan tree.
The divine game (leela) of Shree Swami Samarth did not end with his
Maha Samadhi (shedding his mortal coil). His devotees continue to
experience the miracles of his visible and invisible help even till
today.
His assurance
"Fear not , I am always with you!!" (Marathi: भिऊ नकोस मी तुझ्या
पाठीशी आहे ).
He says, "Surrender your ego and offer your unconditional love and I
will fill you with immortal bliss"..
Devotee Beliefs
It is believed by his devotees that Shri Narasimha Saraswati
performed rigorous tapasya [penance] on the Shree Shail mountain in
the Kardali forests for nearly 150 years. After this he took an
extensive pilgrimage, covering even places, now known as Jawa,
Sumatra, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia etc., relieved many
people from their miseries, and guided them on the spiritual path.
Finally, he came to the ranges of Himalayas where he enlightened
many devotees. Later he sat under a Deodar tree for tapasya
[penance]. This Tapasya [penance] in the Himalayas lasted for nearly
250 years, but a woodcutter unknowingly axed the anthill enveloping
the body of Shrimad Nrusimha Saraswati. This resulted in the break
in Tapasya [penance] and Shrimad Nrusimha Saraswati then left for an
extensive travel throughout the Indian sub-continent guiding the
devotees. During this travel, he became popular by various names at
various places. Thus at one place he was known as Chanchal Bharati
and at another place he would be called Digambar Swami. As he
travelled and stayed at various places, he became the Guru
(preceptor) of many great souls like Shree Ramakrishna Paramahansa,
Shree Sai Baba of Shirdi, Shree Shankar Maharaj, Shree Gajajan
Maharaj of Shegaon etc. Finally he settled down at
Akkalkot(Maharashtra State) and stayed there for 24 years from 1854
A.D. to 1878 A.D. and thus came to be known as the Akkalkot Niwasi
Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj (the great sage of Akkalkot).
Devotees believe that he is an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya the
name of this spiritual master, popularly called Swami Samarth. He is
revered as the teacher of all spiritual teachers (gurunam guruh)
i.e. guru of gurus. He is a direct incarnation of Supreme
Consciousness or Para-brahma. Shri Swami Samarth has adorned a human
garment merely to grant benedictions and blessings on all who come
in contact with him. He is measureless compassion and limitless
ananda (bliss). He radiates unalloyed love and his heart melts at
the faintest trace of unconditional devotion for God. Shri Swami
Samartha can instantly grant incessant supreme divine joy on
whomever he chooses. Devotees still experience his divine presence
and feel reassured because of his quote "I have not gone, I am still
present" (Hindi: हम गया नही, जींदा है).
Rajak Var-Pradanam (Blessing of Washerman)
One washerman (Rajak) has become the disciple of Shripadji. One day
this man saw the king moving in the boats with his army and women
and was quite depressed to see it. After Shripadji asked him, he
said that he wanted to have this kind of royal life. Shripadji
blessed him to become the king. Shripadji told him that he will meet
him at Vidura nagari in their next birth.
It is believed that the Bedar's sultan Allauddin II (1435-58AD)
might have been this king who met with Shri Narasimha Saraswati
(Second avatara of Shri Dattatreya or reincarnation of Shri Shripad
ShriVallabh).
Vallabhesh Brahmin Story
This story happened just after the avatar-samapti (end of avatara)
of Shri Shripadji. It seems this Vallabhesh brahmin was doing
business, and once he said that if he earns more than his usual
earnings, he will go to Kuravpur and feed 1000 Brahmins with the
additional profit money. Indeed that year he made some huge profit
and then decided to complete his vow. While he was approaching
Kuravpur, on his way he was met with few dacoits who accompanied him
in disguise to loot him. Later while travelling through, they
attacked, beheaded and killed him. Shri Shripadji suddenly appeared
from nowhere and killed all the dacoits. Only one was spared, who
begged to Shripadji for his own life. Shripadji spared him and asked
him to stick the head of Vallabhesh on his beheaded body and brought
him to life. Vallabhesh Brahmin later completed his vow and became a
full disciple of Shri Shripad ShriVallabh.
It is interesting to note that this Vallabhesh brahmin is considered
as the mula-purush (family originator) of the Hedgewar family. Dr.
K. B. Hedgewar who founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (the RSS)
is the 9th generation man from Vallabhesh.
Pithapuram पीठापूरम्
Swamy temple was constructed according to his guidelines as he told
in Sripadasrivallbha charitamrutam(life history) in Srikshetra
Pithapuram and is being maintained by Sripada Srivallbha
Mahasansthanam. Pithapuram is located on Hyderabad-Vishakhapattanam
railway line and is near to (about 10-12 km from) Samalkot junction.
Kuravpur कुरवपूर
The location may be checked on Wikimapia with search for Shripad
Shrivallabh (Sripad SriVallabha) devasthanam.
Shri Shripad Shrivallabha Dhyaana Sthaan at Kuravpur
Shripadji stayed here most of his life. It appears that this place
must have been quite well habitated. The story of Vallabhesh Brahmin
shows that the village must have been quite big enough to at least
accommodate about 1000 Brahmins. Now (as of 2006AD) the population
has reduced and there are lot many fields in between the temple and
the village. The village is at one end of the island and the temple
is at the other end. There are two, frequently used, routes to reach
Kuravapur. One is via Raichur in Karnataka state and another one is
via Makthal in Andhra Pradesh state. Either way one has to cross the
Krishna river in a small elliptical boat (Putti or Theppa) to reach
this island.
Via Raichur: Raichur is about 10 or 12 hours journey from Pune by
train. At Raichur one can hire a bus/rickshaw towards ATKUR (40 km).
At ATKUR one can hire a Putti to cross the Krishna river and reach
Kuravpur. There is also a KSRTC bus service from Raichur bus stand
to Atkur, which leaves for Atkur at 7:30 am, 10:30am, 1:30 pm,
4:00pm and 7:00pm. The 13:30PM bus ends at Atkur(village), the other
buses end at the bank of Krishna.
Via Makthal: Makthal (Mahaboobnagar district, Andhra Pradesh) is 68
KM from Mahaboobnagar bus station and 168 KM from Hyderabad, Andhra
Pradesh. Some buses from Hydrabad to Raichur, via Mahaboobnagar,
stop at Makthal. Mahaboobnagar is connected by rail route also. One
has to hire an auto or taxi (jeep) from Makthal to river bank(ask
for Panchdev Pahad or Vithal baba ashram). River bank is 17 KM from
Makthal. There are two locations on the river bank where Putti or
small boats can be hired. One is Panchdev Pahad and another one is
behind Vithal baba ashram (1KM from ashram). Number of boats near
Vithal baba ashram are less.
Kuravapur is very quiet. There is a cave where Shri Tembeswami used
to meditate.
Sripada Srivallbha Charitamrutam(life history of swamy) has come in
to print in Telugu language recently and translation to other
languages is under utmost consideration by Mahasansthanam at
Pithapuram. One can get his blessings easily by chanting as below
Digambara Digambara Sripadavallbha Digambara Digambara Digambara
Avadootha Chintana Digambara '