Swami Samarth

Swami Samarth (also known as Akkalkot Swami)^[3][4] of Akkalkot, was an Indian Guru of the Dattatreya tradition (sampradaya), widely respected in indian states of Maharashtra^[5] as well as in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with Shripad Shri Vallabha and Narasimha Saraswati. His existence in physical form is dated to the nineteenth century AD.

Sri Swami Samarth traveled all over the country and eventually set his abode at Akkalkot village in Maharashtra, India. Maharaj first appeared at Akkalkot on a Wednesday around the September–October period in the year 1856 AD near Khandoba Mandir. He stayed in Akkalkot for close to twenty-two years. His parentage & native place details remain obscure to this day. Once, when a devotee posed him a question about his life, Sri Swami Samarth indicated that he originated from the Banyan tree (Vata-Vriksha). On another occasion Swami Samarth said that his name was Nrusimha Bhan and that he was from Kardalivan near Srisailam.

Legend

Sri Swami Samarth is considered as the fourth incarnation of Sri Dattatreya. The popular and accepted belief is that he is the reincarnation of Sri Narasimha Saraswati.^[6][7].

Background

A painting depicting Shri Swami Samarth and Shri Manik Prabhu's meeting under the holy Audumbar tree at Maniknagar.

Swami Samarth himself preached that he came from the Kardali Forest. While moving in the Himalayan region has been known to have visited China, Tibet and Nepal. He has also traveled to places such as Puri, Banaras (Kashi), Haridwar, Girnar, Kathiawad and Rameswaram and stayed at Mangalvedha, a town near Pandharpur in Solapur district, Maharashtra, before settling down in Akkalkot.^[8][7]

Shri Swami Samarth is also believed to have visited Shri Manik Prabhu, a Datta Avatari saint at Manik Nagar before settling at Akkalkot.^[9]. According to Shri Manik Prabhu Charitra, Swami Maharaj stayed at Maniknagar for Six long months. Shri Manik Prabhu and Shri Swami Samarth used to sit under the holy Audumbar tree and interact on matters of deep spiritual wisdom. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Shri Swami Samarth used to regard Shri Manik Prabhu as his brother^[10].

Swami Samarth came to Akkalkot in 1856 on the invitation of Chintopant Tol and stayed on the outskirts of the town for 22 years. He lived mainly at the residence of his disciple Cholappa, where his shrine is now located.

The Mantra of Sri Swami Samarth is “Om Abhayadata Shree Swamisamarthaya Namaha” while his biography is the “Sri Guruleelamrut”, authored by Sant Vamanbhau Maharaj.

Iconography

Swāmi Samarth Mahāraj

The description of Sri Swami Samarth's appearance has been based on the vivid descriptions given by close devotees. Though he was seen at an advanced age, his skin was not wrinkled and he had a fair and pinkish complexion. He was said to be very tall, with long hand extending down to his knees. He had long feet and a protruding belly, broad shoulders, big ears with thin and long ear-lobes which shook with the slightest movement of his body.

He adorned a sacred mark (thilakam) on his forehead. He always wore a codpiece (kaupina). He had a fine set of teeth and a big and deep navel. He always wore a tulasi-rosary (which is very different from rudraksha) and a crystal (sphatika). He had ear-rings inset with gems.

Teachings

Swami Samarth Temple, Dindori school, Near Saras Bag Pune

Following are some of the points based on statements made by Sri Swami Samartha on different occasions

• Once having met a supreme master, the seeker should continuously meditate upon his Master, serve him with devotion and pay utmost attention to His spiritual advice, as if every word coming from His lips were a Mantra.
• Have firm belief that it is God alone exists in every seen and unseen thing in this universe.
• Earn your livelihood through sincere efforts.
• Whenever you come across an able guide on the spiritual path, try to gain as much knowledge and advice from him as possible. No master will share the knowledge on his own, as no farm will yield crops on its own.
• While following spiritual practice, if you gain spiritual powers then do not fall prey to the lure of using them to show miracles.
• Conduct of the people treading the spiritual path should be pure and righteous.
• Since the final goal of all religious faiths and sects preaching Divine knowledge is one and the same, all sects and faiths are feathers of the same bird.
• Vedic scriptures composed by seers should be read and repeated.
• Try to purify your mind too as you try to maintain external sanctity of the body.
• Do actions without expecting any rewards.
• Bookish knowledge alone will not lead you to self-realization. Try to put the acquired knowledge into practice.
• All disciples should have a firm belief and devotion.

See also

• Dindori
• Akkalkot

Notes

References

• 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 Swami Sudan - J.S.Saikumar +919994700917

External links

• Shri Swami Samarth Tarak Mantra in Marathi

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