Great Gurus of India - SHRI AKKALKOT MAHARAJ

SHRI AKKALKOT MAHARAJ

In Bhilwadi Village (Sangli, Maharashtra), located on river Krishna, there is a temple of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. Sriguru passed four months of Chaturmas under an Audumber tree on the western bank of this river.

There was an old Brahmin who stayed in Kolhapur, Maharashtra and was well versed in the Vedas and the Shastras. A son was born to him at this old age, but his son was a dullard by birth. Both the parents were so distressed with the undeveloped mental state of their son that they died out of shock. The boy became an orphan and started wandering from place to place. The Brahmins in the village performed his thread ceremony, so that he would be able to maintain himself by collecting alms. They also thought this might infuse some common sense and understanding in him.

Unfortunately, there was no change in the boy’s condition. There was no improvement in his dullness. Everyone censured and despised him wherever he went. He was so much ashamed that he left the village and wandered about until he finally reached Bhilwadi village where the temple of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is located. He entered the temple, sat in front of the Goddess and prayed continuously for three days without any food and water. Out of repentance he cut his tongue, offered it to the Goddess and said “Mother, if you do not give me your ’Darshan’ and liberate me from this pain, I shall cut my head as an offering at your feet”. At night, the Goddess appeared in his dream and said “Wake up. One has to endure the sins of one’s past birth. I cannot change the fate of a person. Only a Sadguru can do it. You will find such a Guru on the other side of the river under an Audumber tree. Please go to him”.

The Brahmin boy went to the other side of the river and saw Sriguru seated under an Audumber tree, absorbed in deep meditation. He prostrated himself at the feet of Sriguru. Sriguru opened his eyes and looked at him. But because his tongue was severed, the boy could not speak. He showed his open mouth to Sriguru and then started crying loudly. The ever-compassionate Sriguru moved his hand on the boy’s back and lo! The boy’s tongue was restored miraculously. The boy while crying prayed to Sriguru “Bless me with intelligence and knowledge”. The compassionate Sriguru blessed the boy again and there was a second miracle. The boy was endowed with intelligence and knowledge. He started uttering the ’Vedas’. When people came to know about this miracle, they glorified Sriguru with joy.

Once, a photographer named Phadke wanted to photograph Swami Samarth and came to Akkalkot. Phadke was asked by Swami Samarth to come at five that evening. He came at five as promised but Swami Samarth, instead of sitting for the photograph gave his Hukka to him to hold and continued smoking till seven o’clock when it was quite dark. Then Swami asked Phadke to take a photo. Phadke told him it was too dark and photo could not come well without light. Swami Samarth laughed and asked him to still go ahead and take the picture. Surprisingly the photo came out beautiful.

One devotee asked Maharaj, who will give them protection after him?” Swami Samartha gave him a pair of his sandals (Sabots) to worship. He added “in future I will be staying at Shirdi in district Ahmednagar,India”.

Another devotee, decided to go to Akkalkot and worship the divine ‘Sabots’ (sandals) of Swami Samartha. But Swami Samarth appeared in his dream and told him “now I am staying at Shirdi, go there and worship me”.

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Teachings of Swami Samartha:

• God exists in every seen and unseen thing in the world.
• Conduct while following spiritualhould is pure.
• Scriptures composed by seers should be read.
• Try to gain knowledge from every spiritual master you come across.
• The knowledge gained by reading will not lead to self-realisation unless it is actually practiced.
• The spiritual powers gained should not be misused for showing miracles.
• Maintain the purity of mind like the sanctity of external body.
• One should earn livelihood through sincere efforts.
• Serve with devotion to the spiritual master.
• The final goal of all the religious faiths is the same.

Born: Unknown (his parentage, name, native place, etc., remain obscure to this day)

Left the body abode: (April–May) in 1878, the thirteenth day of the dark-half of the lunar month .

Birth Place: First appeared at Akkalkot on a Wednesday around the September–October period in the year 1856 AD near Khandoba Mandir.

Known as: The fifteenth century Incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, namely Shrimad Narasimha Saraswati.

Known for: ‘Antaryami’ means,he had the capacity to read the minds of the people coming to him and also was able to know about their past and future. He gave teachings of “karma Yoga”.

Quote: ” Fear not, I am always with you”. He says, “Surrender your ego and offer your unconditional love and I will fill you with immortal bliss”.

Guru: A learned ascetic Shree Krishna Saraswati Swami.

Website: www.swamisamarth.com

Ashram: Solapur district,Akkalkot Village in Maharashtra.