Swami Samarth

Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj (Marathi: श्री स्वामी समर्थ) also known as Swami of Akkalkot , 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 on April 30, 1878 as per the Gregorian calendar and on Chaitra Suddha Trayodasi, Shaka 1800 as per the Hindu Calendar. His teachings continue to be followed by millions of people in Maharashtra, and his ashram in Akkalkot remains a popular place of pilgrimage.

Origin and legend

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, 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. 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.

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 Swami Samarth is read as "Aum Abhayadata Shree Swamisamarthaya Namaha". His first biography was written by Sakharam Balkrishna Sarnaik (Chambalikar) named as Shripadbhushan in 1871 followed by Sant Wamanbhau Maharaj's Shree Guruleelamrut written in 1872.