Shri Swami Samarth was a great, miraculous Hindu godman who lived in Akkalkot village in Maharashtra, India, for about 22 years. Akkalkot became very famous after his stay there.

Shri Swami Samarth is believed to be the third complete incarnation (Purnaavatara) of Lord Dattatreya and had miraculous powers like healing the ill people, exorcising, knowing the future and the past, etc. There is no definite information available about the past of Shri Swami Samartha, but his devotees were able to collect some information regarding him.

The Story of Swami Samarth:

Birth of Shri Swami Samarth:

The ground broke into two pieces, and an 8-year-old child came out of it. Once Swami got his Janma Kundali made by Mr. Nanaji Bapuji Rekhi. From that, it is evident that Swami Samartha was born on Thursday on Sanwatsar 1071 Chaitra Shudhda Dwitiya. He was born in a village in Chheli, which is 12 km away from Hastinapur.

Travel:

South India has a forest (Kardalivanam) near Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Yogis used to meditate there. In that forest, Swami was also meditating for many years. Ants built a big colony around him, but he was unaware of it. Once, a woodcutter broke that colony accidentally. This made a wound on the lap of Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj, which was visible after a few years also. From there, Maharaj went to Kashi. Then he went to Devalgram and established his footprints (Paduka) there. Then he went to Mogalai and established a Math there. He was famous there as “Chanchalbharathi Maharaj.”  Afterward, he went to Rameshwaram, Udupi, and Pandharpur. Then, he came to Mangalwedha, where he became famous. Devotees believe his age was about 400-500 years. He then went to Solapur.

Miracles of Swami Samarth:

Shri Swami Samarth first came to Akkalkot in 1856. His life is full of miracles. Every day, he used to do some miracles, so it was not possible to document all those, but his devotees documented some.

During his stay in Akkalkot, he helped thousands of people by healing uncured illnesses, solving their financial problems, and advising them on the right things.

1. Once a Muslim person wanted to test Swami. So, he gave him a chilum (an earthen smoking tobacco pipe) and asked him to smoke. He smoked it, usually as he did. When the person saw the smoke from the pipe, he realized Swami was not ordinary.

2. Once he filled an empty well in the Mangalvedha region with water in a moment.

3. Before the 1857 mutiny, he knew it would happen and its outcome.

4. When Vasudev Balwant Phadke, the Father of the Indian Armed Rebellion, came to him for the blessing to revolt against the British, he told him that that was not the correct time to fight. A few months later, Vasudev was arrested and tortured by British soldiers.

How did Swami Samarth Die?

On April 30, 1878, he took Samadhi under a Banyan tree in Akkalkot, but his devotees believe he is not dead.

There are many abbeys of Shri Swami Samarth in different parts of Maharashtra and India.

Swami Samarth Mantra:

“Aum Abhayadata Shree Swamisamarthaya Namaha”

Disciples of Swami Samarth:

1. Sri Beedkar Maharaj.

2. Sri Tat Maharaj.

3. Sri Mayurananda Saraswati.

4. Sri Jambhekar Maharaj.

5. Sri Shankar Maharaj.

6. Sri Srikrishna Saraswati – Kolhapur.

7. Sri Anandnath Maharaj.

8. Sri Balappa Maharaj.

9. Sri Choplappa Maharaj – Alandi.

10. Sri Deomamledar.

11. Sri Waman Buva Bramhachari.

12. Sri Gave Swami – Mohol.

13. Gajanan Maharaj.

14. Sai Baba.

Actual Photos of Swami Samarth:

Image Source: www.thekundaliniyoga.org