Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj (Marathi: श्री स्वामी समर्थ also known as Swami of Akkalkot[4] was an Indian Hindu spiritual master of the Dattatreya Tradition. He lived during the nineteenth century and is a known spiritual figure in various Indian states including Karnataka and Maharashtra. Swami Samarth traveled all across the Indian subcontinent and eventually set his abode at Akkalkot, a village in present-day Solapur District in 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.
Swami Samartha took a samadhi in 1878. His teachings continue to be followed by millions of people in Maharashtra, and his ashram in Akkalkot remains a popular place of pilgrimage.[5]
Origin and legend
Swami Samarth Math in Maharashtra.
Swami Samarth's parentage and origins remain obscure. According to a 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.
He 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,[6][7] another earlier spiritual master of the Dattatreya sect.
Life
According to 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.[8][7]
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.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11]
A common mantra commemorating Swami Samarth is read as "Aum Abhayadata Shree Swamisamarthaya Namaha". His first biography was written by Sakharam Balkrishna Sarnaik (Chambalikar) named as Shripadbhushan[12] in 1871 followed by Sant Wamanbhau Maharaj's Shree Guruleelamrut written in 1872.
Shri Vatvriksha Swami Maharaj Temple
40 km from Solapur, on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Akkalkot is the most sacred pilgrimage site of Shri Swami Samarth. The land of Akkalkot has been sanctified by the stay of the Swami. The Swami who came to Akkalkot from Solapur stayed there till the end. For 22 years, the Swami's residence was under the shade of the Banyan tree. Today, the Shri Vatvriksha Swami Maharaj Temple stands at that holy place. Under the holy Banyan tree, the Nigun Paduka of Shri, Shivling, the Sangamvari Mangalmurti of Shri Swami and the memory of the Swami have made this temple area a Swami.
Kakad Aarti is performed at 5 am in the Shri Vatvriksha Swami Maharaj Temple. From Kakad Aarti until Vastra Lankar Puja, the Paduka and Shivling in the temple can be seen. After that, however, a mask is put on it. The confluence of the auspicious idols of Sri Swami with Sri Gurudev Dattatreya, Sri Sripad Vallabh, Sri Narsimha Saraswati and Shivlinga. The enchanting sight of Sri Swami's happy face is a feast for the eyes. Devotees can perform puja, abhishek, and laghurudra from 7:30 to 9:30 in the morning. Naivedya aarti is performed at 11:30 in the morning. Aarti, dhuparati, and shejarati are performed at 7:45 in the evening. The temple is closed for devotees at 10:00 in the night. [3] The temple is decorated with a silver-embroidered vakhara and behind the vakhara is a small golden idol of Swami.
A palanquin is taken out every Thursday. Swami Maharaj's death anniversary is celebrated on a large scale from Chaitra Vadya Shashti to Chaitra Vadya Chaturdashi. Other festivals like Datta Jayanti and Gurudwara are also celebrated here with great enthusiasm in the presence of thousands of devotees.[4]
The idols of Ganesha, Maruti and Nagadevata are seen in the Shri Vatvriksha Swami Maharaj temple premises. In the area opposite the temple, there is a peaceful image of Swami, 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, made of 40,000 Panchamukhi Rudraksha beads. To the east of the temple is the Jyotiba Mandap, a pavilion for devotees of Swami. In the Jyotiba Mandap under the banyan tree, chanting of the holy name, bhajan, worship and reading of scriptures are done throughout the day.
The Supreme Master (Swami Samartha's Comprehensive Biography).
'Shreepadbhushan' by Sakharam Balkrishna Sarnaik (Chambalikar), first biography of Swami Samarth published on 19 May 1871 (Shalivahan Shaka 1973, Prajapatinam Samvatsar, Vaishakhi Amavasya).[13]
Shri Dattatreya Dnyankosh by Dr. P. N. Joshi (Shri Dattateya Dnyankosh Prakashan, Pune, 2000).
↑ Hanumante, Mukund M. (1999). A Glimpse of Divinity: Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot. Kenner, USA: Akkalkot Swami Samarth Foundation ISBN978-0-9669943-0-8
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