The Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita is a devotional scripture dedicated to Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot (d. 1878), one of the most revered avadhutas and avatars of the Dattatreya tradition. For over two decades, Swami Samarth graced Akkalkot with his presence, where he became an inspiration and guide for countless spiritual aspirants. Shri Swami Samarth is revered as an incarnation of Shri Narasimha Saraswati (both Swami Samarth and Narasimha Saraswati are known to be incarnations of Lord Dattatreya) and as a perfect avadhuta–boundless, fearless, unpredictable and totally unexplainable.
The Lilamrita is a devotional work focused on Swami Samarth’s life, his acts of compassion in the lives of his devotees, and the sublime spiritual guidance that he freely offered to all in his both subtle and physical form. The book serves as a compilation of the divine lilas (miracles) orchestrated by Shri Swami Samarth; the stories surrounding these miracles were preserved and passed down by his devotees and disciples.
Like other books about the lives of avadhutas, the Lilamrita offers readers a living guidance—read devotionally it is widely regarded as a source of inspiration and inner support for sincere seekers. Similarly, it is understood among devotees that Swami Samarth’s presence continues to bless seekers even today. Though he shed his mortal body at the end of the 19th century, his presence and miracles continue to be experienced by devotees in Akkalkot and around the world.
The story of how the book itself was composed—originally in Tamil by Smt. Mathangi Balaji, and later rendered in English by Jack Barratt—also attests to the fact that Swami is still very much active and working through his devotees for the eternal cause of dharma in the world. This story is included at the beginning of the work.
The Lilamrita is organized into over two hundred short chapters that present the lilas of Shri Swami Samarth in detail. These chapters are divided into nine major sections, each reflecting one of the divine aspects of Swami Samarth: Digambara, Avadhuta, Dayakara, Smartrugami, Karunamurti, Bhaktapriya, Yogeshwara, Parabrahma, and Paripurna.
It was four o’clock in the evening. The fateful moment was drawing closer! Shri Swami asked an attendant to bring a pillow for him to sit on. A nearby doctor checked his pulse and confirmed that he was no more. The sound of crying split the sky. All were crying and beating their chests and heads. The world was dark! ‘Maharaj… Swami… Dattatreya… Mother… Father… have you left us?’ they shouted. The merciful Shri Swami opened his eyes after listening to everyone’s prayers. Everyone regained a sense of hope. He gestured to everyone to be quiet with his hands. As everyone watched in amazement at what was about to happen, Shri Swami Maharaj uttered a shloka—the twenty-second shloka of the ninth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:
ananyaash chintayanto maam ye janaah paryupaasate
teshaam nityaabhiyuktaanaam yoga-kshemam
vahaamyaham
Reciting the shloka, ‘To one who meditates only on himself, I will fulfil all his needs,’ he blessed everyone with his abhayahasta and closed his eyes again. What a wonder! Everyone was confused and started crying again. Can any bhakta enjoy such a love like this! The devotees shouted.
janma karma cha me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktvaa deham punar janma naiti maam eti so ’rjuna
According to the Bhagavad Gita, those devotees who realise the innate purpose of incarnations like Shri Swami Samarth become united with him after they leave their body.
The news that Shri Swami Samarth had ended his incarnation spread like wildfire. People gathered together like an ocean folding in on itself. Cries echoed throughout Akkalkot. Within an hour, a wooden palanquin was prepared with decorations. Along with Vedic chants, the pandits anointed Shri Swami. Adorned with expensive clothes and ornaments, everyone sang the last aarti loudly. Everyone felt as if Goddess Saraswati herself was singing. Accompanied by an army of elephants, drumming, bhajans, firecrackers and the sprinkling of perfumes, the body of Shri Swami Samarth was respectfully carried on a palanquin and placed in a tomb in a pit near Cholappa’s house. Again the aarti was performed and the pit was closed. Even though it was midnight when all the rituals were over, the tejas on Shri Swami’s face never waned.
Akhilandakoti Brahmandanayaka Rajadhiraja Yogiraja
Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj Ki Jai
Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj Ki Jai
The chant spread all over the world. Shri Swami Samarth’s consciousness spread out across this universe. There is no doubt that Shri Swami Samarth—Bhaktavatsala, has shed his illusory gross physical body, but he remains indelibly present within us all forever.
– – – – – – – – – – Jaya Jaya Shri Swami Samarth! – – – – – – – – –
Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita by Smt. Mathangi Balaji and Jack H. Barratt (English edition, 2024). Published by Eternal Stream Publications and available on Amazon as e-book and paperback for worldwide audience here.
Also published by Giri Trading Agency Private Limited and available as an e-book and hardback for Indian audience in English here and Tamil here.
For deeper practice, consider a parayana—a fixed schedule of continuous reading until the entire Lilamrita is finished, usually for a period of seven to fourteen days. Specific instructions for parayanas of various lengths are included in the back matter of the Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth Lilamrita.