Swami Samarth

Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj
श्री स्वामी समर्थ महाराज

Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj
Born Nrusih-Bhaan[1]
Died Akkalkot, Solapur District, Maharashtra
Nationality Indian
Notable disciple(s)
Shree Balappa Maharaj,
Shree Cholappa Maharaj,
Shree Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj of Alandi,
Shree Ramanand Beedkar Maharaj of Pune[2]
Quotation "Don't Fear, I am always with you" (Marathi: भिऊ नकोस मी तुझ्या पाठीशी आहे)[3]
Swāmi Samarth Mahāraj

Swāmi Samarth Mahāraj more commonly Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj (also known as Akkalkot Swāmi Mahāraj) of Akkalkot (left the physical body in 1878). He was also lovingly referred to as Swami Samartha or Akkalkot Maharaj by his devotees.[3][4] was a Bharatiya (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 in the nineteenth century AD.

Shri 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 Shri Swami Samarth indicated that he is the origin of the Banyan tree (Vata- Vriksha). On another occasion Swami said that his name was Nrusimha Bhan and that he was from Kardalivan near Srisailam .

Biography

Swami himself said that he came from the Kardali forest. He repeatedly visited places like Puri, Banaras (Kashi), Haridwar, Girnar, Kathiawad and Rameswaram as well as China, Tibet and Nepal and stayed at Mangalvedha, a town near Pandharpur in Solapur district before settling down in Akkalkot.[6] He came to Akkalkot in 1856 on the invitation of Chintopant Tol and stayed on the outskirts of the town for 22 years. He stayed at Ganagapura, Karnataka for a long time where he delivered the Nirguna Padukas to his disciples and devotees before leaving for the Kardali forest.

Swami's appearance

The description of Shri 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. He was very tall and his hands were long, extending up to his knees. His belly was protruding and he had broad shoulders. His complexion was fair and pinkish. He had big ears with thin and long ear-lobes which shook with the slightest movement of his body. He had long feet. 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

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

Tradition

Death

In the month of Chaitra (April–May) in 1878, the thirteenth day of the dark-half of the lunar month,.The Swami Maharaj lived mainly at the residence of his disciple Cholappa, where his shrine are now located.

As such Swami can not undergo death like ordinary people. It is believed that, he is in existence before beginning of the universe and will exist after destruction of the universe. Swami can not disappear suddenly in front of people and he perform a rite known as Samadhi, which has death like effect but not an actual death. Swami is for perpetuity.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Dr. Narendra Sadashiv Kunte (March 2000). नित्यक्रम आणि उपासना [Nityakram aani Upasana] (in Marathi). Akkalkot, Maharashtra, India: Shri Vatvruksh Swami Samarth Maharaj Devsthan.
  2. 1 2
  3. 1 2 "About Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj". Swami Samarth Swadhyay, USA. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.shreeswami.org/
  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. ↑ 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

References

Additional publications
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