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'I am Datta. I am the unitary consciousness principle that underlies the billions and trillions of universes. I am Digambara - the directions are my clothes (i.e., I fill every space imaginable). Wherever people fully engage their thoughts, speech, and actions in full praise of me as 'Digambara! Sreepaada Vallabha Digambara! Narasimha Saraswati Digambara! ', there I am always present in my subtle form.'
According to the Holy Scripture, Shri Guru Charitra, which contains the biographies of Lord Dattatreya and His first two incarnations, Narasimha Saraswati is the second Datta Avatar (incarnation) in the Kali Yuga and the reincarnation of Sripada Srivallabha.
In Chapter 9, we find:
‘In the Kali Yuga [Dark Age, the last of four ages], the doubts, whether God is there or not, will be many. Datta Prabhu [God Dattatreya] manifested to destroy the ego of Kali Yuga Hiranya Kasyapas and protect devotees like Prahlada. The specialty of the Narasimha Avatar was to prove the presence of God. The Datta Avatars Sripada Vallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswathi have come with two main purposes of destroying the ego of people ridiculing God, and protecting devotees like eyelids to the eye.‘
Sri Narasimha Saraswati had an extreme clarity of purpose right from His birth. His only speech in his early childhood was the word AUM, which led his parents to worry if their child was dumb. However, after His holy thread ceremony at the age of seven, he spoke, recited, and gave lectures on the Vedas. Soon after, He asked His parents for permission to leave home and lead a life of renunciation.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati’s purpose was similar to that of Lord Dattatreya himself.
His mission was to restore Sanatana Dharma among men and show them how to liberate them from the cycle of births and death. He also brought forth a renaissance of the classic Brahmin virtues and disciplines prescribed by Adi Shankaracharya (An Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta), to whose lineage He belonged.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati propagated that the principles and disciplines described in the scriptures were strictly followed to attain moksha (liberation).
The Brahmins are the spiritual custodians of the community and society. According to Him, in the Kali Yuga, Brahmins have digressed their discipline and spiritual heritage. Narasimha Saraswati was a Saint and Avatar whose influence significantly impacted society in an age where the Hindu culture had lost touch with their core values.
Because of Sri Narasimha Saraswati’s stay in Ganagapur, it has become a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people daily. People of all origins and faith sought His advice, healing, and blessings. He never made any distinction regarding caste, creed, or status of people who came to him. He cared for all men, women, poor or rich.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati was instructing the disciplines necessary for keeping the spiritual flame shining brightly in the homes and the hearts of the people. After soothing their minds, he used to start giving spiritual instruction to put them on the Godward path, to help them evolve spiritually so that they would be relieved forever from the afflictions of birth and death.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati is considered the second Avatar of Dattatreya and the rebirth of Sri Sripada Srivallabha.
In the holy book Sripada Srivallabha Charitamrutam, the hagiography of the first Dattatreya incarnation, it is said that Sripada Srivallabha once saved a poor but pious woman named Ambika from committing suicide. Later He gave her the boon that He would take birth as her son in her next life.
He was born in the year 1378 A.D. in Karanjapur (in the state of Maharashtra, India), on Pushya Suddha Vidiya as per Hindu Calendar, which usually comes in January/February as per the Gregorian calendar. His parents were Madhav Sharma and Amba-Bhavani with the surname Kale. Importantly, his mother had performed the ‘shani pradosh’ ritual in her past life, which had been advised by Sripada Srivallabha. Astrologers assured Madhava Sharma (his father) that their child was indeed a divine incarnation. They also prophesied that he would renounce all worldly ties and that he would uplift the fallen souls. He was named Narahari at birth and later became known as Narasimha Saraswati. The name signified that he was the dispeller of the sins and miseries of human beings.
Instead of crying after birth, the infant uttered the eternal sound ‘Aum’ at birth. His mother could not breastfeed him when he was an infant, but with just a gentle pat by the baby on her breast, the milk started flowing. The child Narahari grew up to be a handsome boy of five, but he could not speak, and the parents were very much worried about it. One day, the boy conveyed to them through gestures that he wished to be invested with the sacred thread. When His holy thread ceremony (Upanayan) was performed, Narahari was able to recite all the Vedas and immediately give lectures on them. The parents were overjoyed, but their joy did not last.
After the ceremony, He asked for permission to leave His parental home and live as a renunciate to fulfill His life purpose. His mother was initially against His wish. However, Narahari then laid His hand on her forehead, giving her the vision of His true stature as Dattatreya and made her remember their past life together, in which she made a promise not to restrict His spiritual endeavour. He then again told His mother that He was not meant to go through the common stage of a householder but straight to a life of renunciation.
Before he left his parental home at the early age of eight, He gave a boon to his mother that she would beget three sons and a daughter and that He would stay until her next son was born. After his mother got more children, He covered His head with a piece of cloth, put on wooden sandals, covered His body with the ochre robe, and wore a codpiece. Taking a staff in His hand, He set out from His home in joy to fulfill His mission, which was to revive faith and uplift the people morally and spiritually. The young Narahari eventually arrived in Kashi, where He became a disciple of Sri Krishna Saraswati in the lineage of Sri Adi Shankara and received the name Sri Narasimha Saraswati. He formally took the vow of lifelong celibacy. Thus, he became a full-fledged renunciate who has transcended the opposites of joy and sorrow, and the limitations of a self-centered will.
During his lifetime, He traveled extensively in the area of the Krishna and Bhima rivers spreading His teachings. The most significant places He stayed were Karanja, Narsobachiwadi, and Oudumber. He finally settled in Ganagapur, which is now in the state of Karnataka, where he stayed the last 20-24 years of his life. He had seven disciples: Baala, Krishna, Upendra, Janajyotim Sadaananda, Madhava, and Siddha. All have the title ‘Saraswati’ suffixed to their names.
One day, He announced his departure from this world, and his disciples were plunged in grief. When the Master got ready for His departure, the natives of the village rushed to him and begged him not to deprive them of His Divine presence, but to stay on. The Lord said, ‘Do not feel sad that way. How can I bear to be away from my devotees? I only seem to leave for Srisailam only to the grosser vision of the physical, but I will ever abide at Gangapur in my real state as the Spirit or the real Self. I will seek my noon alms in this village and accept your loving devotional services. My living presence will be experienced by anyone who bathes in the Sangam (confluence of holy rivers), worships the Holy peepal tree, and takes darshan (vision) of my “padukas” (sacred footwear) here.‘
A float was prepared on the banana leaves and was adorned with flowers. This float was placed in the river, and Shri Narasimha Saraswati sat on it. All the disciples offered worship, although their hearts were weighed down by grief. Shri Narasimha Saraswati cheered them up and told them he was going to Kadali-vana (grove of banana trees) near Srisailam (one of the twelve ‘Jyotir Linga’ is located there). Upon reaching there, as a mark of his safe arrival, clusters of flowers would come back floating against the current. Soon after, as per the Master’s promise, clusters of flowers came to them drifting on the river against the current!
Tradition holds that Sri Narasimha Saraswati took samadhi in 1459 for 300 years to reappear as Swami Samarth, also known as Sri Swami of Akkalkot or Akkalkot Maharaj Swami.
‘The Master can be seen even today by the virtuous and the devout. Only the unrighteous cannot experience His living presence. Taking His daily dip at the holy Sangam, He ever abides there. In fact, He has been blessing devotees with His divine acts (leelas) on countless occasions. The aspirations of those who worship Him there with true love will be fulfilled. Indeed, the Lord is ever-present with those who incessantly adore Him. The miraculous experiences of such will ever remain hidden in their hearts. He is the granter of prayers!’
Shri Narasimha Saraswati comes from the tradition of Shringeri Mutt. Jagatguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya also comes from this same tradition.
The Guru-lineage is as follows:
Shankar – Vishnu – Bramha – Vasishtha – Parashar – Vyas – Shuka – Gaudpadacharya – Govindacharya – Shankaracharya – Vishwarupacharya – Nityabodhghanacharya – Dnyanaghanacharya – Dnyanamottamacharya – Dnyanagiri – Simhagiri – Ishwartirtha – Narasimhatirtha – Vidyatirtha – Vidyaranya – Vidyatirthasaraswati – Malayanandasaraswati – Devatirtha Saraswati – Yadavendra Saraswati – Krishna Saraswati -Narasimha Saraswati.
Shri Narasimha Saraswati had several disciples, described in the Shri Guru Charitra book.
The first and most favourite one was Shri Madhav Saraswati from Prayag. He also had Bal-Saraswati, Krishna Saraswati, Upendra Saraswati, Sadananda Saraswati, Dnyanajyoti Saraswati, and Siddha Saraswati as his six other disciples.
Siddha Saraswati stayed with Shri Narasimha Saraswati at all times and is possibly the original writer of Sanskrit GuruCharitra, which must have been later translated to Marathi by Shri Saraswati Gangadhar.
It appears that this Madhava Saraswati’s tradition is more popular in Maharashtra. The final disciple tradition is Shri Narasimha Saraswati – Madhavendra Saraswati – Amritendra Saraswati (Amritananda) -Gaganendra Saraswati – Madhavendra Saraswati (Madhav Saraswati). After Madhav Saraswati the tradition splits into two branches:
– Eknath – Shrikrishna – Bramhadas.
– Vitthal Saraswati – Ambika Saraswati – Amrit
Before leaving home at a very young age of eight, Narasimha Sarawati told His mother Ambika why He would choose a life of renunciation. The following quote summarizes very well the purpose of human life according to His teachings:
‘Life is like a bubble. Death might knock at any time and snatch us away. Every moment of human life is precious and is the God-gifted opportunity for man to regenerate himself spiritually and speed up to the blessed state of self-realisation. In the earlier Yugas, man’s life was long. The life stages prescribed by the Shastras (precepts, a book of rules or manual) were all right then. However, in the Kali Yuga, men have only a short span of life and do not have the earlier Yugas’s longevity. If one goes through life slowly, without pursuing higher purposes of life, and if life is cut short, isn’t this birth futile?
One should cultivate Vairagya (dispassion) towards worldly pleasures from the early stages of life. One should not fritter away one’s energies in human foibles. The world is illusory. If one doesn’t use discrimination and does not cultivate Vairagya, one would sink into the mire of samsara and will let the precious life go to waste. One should set one’s mind on life’s goal and strive to achieve it from the early stages of life, because who knows when he will be snatched away by death. Losing one’s life without the realization of God is the greatest tragedy for a human.‘
Guru Charitra:
Except through the Guru, there is no other way to God. In our short fleeting span of human life, we should attempt to realise God through devotion. Use Buddhi (intellect) and Viveka (discrimination) to purify your minds. Never think of hurting others in thought, word, or deed. Consider yourself blessed if you secure the grace of a Guru. Strive to realise God, who is present in your own heart.
The practice for devotees of all the Masters of the Dattatreya Tradition is that, by connecting to their consciousness rather than their form, there will be no distance or separation between the Master and the devotee.
Sripada Srivallabha explains in His Charitamrutam about Naama Smarana, which is the remembrance of His Holy name:
I am Datta. I am the unitary consciousness principle that underlies the billions and trillions of universes. I am Digambara – the directions are my clothes (i.e., I fill every space imaginable). Wherever people fully engage their thoughts, speech, and actions in full praise of me as ‘Digambara! Sreepaada Vallabha Digambara! Narasimha Saraswati Digambara!’, there I am always present in my subtle form.
Worship of the Guru
Chapter 16 of Guru Charitra explains the ‘Fruits of Devotion towards the Guru.’
One should have implicit faith in the Guru. The Guru is the treasure house and abode of all knowledge and wisdom, even superior to God. The student must ungrudgingly, selflessly, dedicatedly, and lovingly serve the Guru, whatever be the hardships of Seva (service). There is nothing comparable to the service rendered to the Guru. Only if the Guru is pleased, the Gods will be pleased. If the Guru is not pleased, even all the Gods cannot help him a wee bit. Therefore, Guru Bhakti and Guru Seva are the foundation of spiritual sadhana (practices), and winning of Guru’s grace alone is the fruit of all sadhana.
GREATNESS OF GURU BHAKTI IN SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
SELECTED VERSES FROM THE GURU CHARITRA
‘It is not necessary for the disciples to be always in the physical presence of the Guru. Constant chanting of the Guru’s Upadesa (words of wisdom), of the Guru-Mantra and worshipping of the Guru’s form in the shrine of one’s own heart, is the real Guru Sannidhan, which is living close to the Guru.‘
Reading Guru Charitra
‘Further, let me also tell you about the supreme merit one will earn by listening to or reading my Charitra (Guru Charitra). It will be the panacea for all ills. In the Kali age, it will be like the Kalpalatika, the ever wish-fulfilling celestial creeper. It will be like Chintamani, “the celestial diamond,” bestower of all prosperity.’
Singing Bhajans (songs of devotion)
'Remember also how fond of music I am. Therefore, during Devatarchana time (during the time of worship), you should invariably also do Bhajan. There is nothing like Bhajan to bind Me down in your homes and hearts. In whichever house My name is chanted, there is no scope for poverty or diseases to come anywhere near there. Poverty and disease all quickly take flight from there. The residents of the house will be blessed with longevity; that house will be ever prosperous, happy, and joyous with healthy, joyous, and playing children and will never be in want of anything.'
Instructions for Pilgrims in Guru Charitra
Before finally leaving his devotees at Ganagapur, Narsimha Saraswati gave the following instructions:
‘All pilgrims to Ganagapur should first take their dip in the holy waters of the Bhima-Amaraja Sangam (the holy confluence). If they bathe in all the Ashta Tirthas (eight holy waters), the merit will be even far more and manifold.
The Aswatha Tree, which is near the Sangam, is as holy as the Kalpavriksha (the wish-fulfilling tree) itself. They should make Pradakshina (circumambulation) around the Aswatha Tree.
They should offer worship to the Nirguna Padukas (the holy footwear) at the Math. All three prayer times of the day, they should do Arati (a Hindu ceremony in which lights with wicks soaked in ghee are lit and offered up to the deity) to the Padukas. Whoever gives worship to the Chintamani Ganapati idol there will earn fulfillment of all his desires.
I will be residing in the house of every devotee, ever serving them and showering all grace on them. I will be like Kamadhenu (the celestial cow, which provides her owner everything that he desires) in the front yard, Kalpavriksha in the backyard, and Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), Saraswati (goddess of knowledge), and Parvati (goddess of power) residing inside the house. With mere remembrance of me, I respond to everyone.‘
The Masters of the Dattatreya Tradition incarnate with only one purpose, which is taking people to liberation, freedom from the cycle of reincarnation; thus, every word and action is significant, and the aim is fulfillment. When they perform miracles, it is to attract people’s attention.
In the Guru Charitra, we learn about the many miracles of Narasimha Saraswati, which are done by him with great compassion to strengthen the faith of people.
He brought dead people back to life, cured leprosy, infertility, and even a barren cow would give milk again after his command. He mastered the elements and the weather.
Omnipresence: Once, sometime before the festival of Diwali, Sri Narasimha Saraswati was asked by devotees from at least seven different villages to stay in their house as a guest of honour, to which he agreed. It was much to the surprise of people in the Math where He remained during the celebration when they later heard gratitude from the devotees coming to Ganagapur, who gratefully thanked Sri Guru for His visit in their villages during Diwali.
Omnipotence: The ability to bring back people from death.
In the Guru Charitra, we can read several leelas about Guru Nath bringing dead people back to life. In Chapter 30-32, a young widow’s husband is resurrected. In Chapter 21, a dead child is brought back to life.
Miracles described in the Guru Charitra:
There are plenty of miracles described in the book. We have chosen to mention just a few of them.
Chapter 18 – A Poor Brahmin Finds a Treasure.
Shri Guru used to go to Amarpur for alms. In Amarpur lived a Brahmin with deep knowledge of the Vedas. He had a devoted wife. There was a sem creeper (creeper variety of beans) at his door. When he could not get sufficient corn, he would live on the boiled sems. He adored Shri Guru with devotion. One day, he invited Shri Guru for alms. After taking the alms, Shri Guru blessed him, saying that his poverty was wiped off. While leaving the premises, Shri Guru cut the root of the sem creeper. Seeing this, the Brahmins’ wife cried bitterly, saying, ‘Our means of livelihood are lost.’ The Brahmin tried to console her, saying, ‘there must be some good intention of Shri Guru in cutting the root of the sem. It is our good fortune that Shri Guru came to us for alms. Do not blame Shri Guru, who blessed us. He will protect us.’ Then the Brahmin took away the leaves of the creeper from the courtyard, and while digging to take off the root of the creeper, he found a vessel full of coins. He told this to his wife, who was very pleased and now repented for blaming Shri Guru. Both then went to Shri Guru, worshipped him with devotion, and reported what had occurred. Shri Guru said, ‘Do not tell this to anybody; otherwise, the wealth will be destroyed. You shall live happily with your sons and grandsons.‘
Chapter 38 – Four Thousand Fed with Food for Three only
Someone did Samaradhna (feeding of Brahmins) every day, and Shri Guru was invited with his disciples. Once a poor Brahmin named Bhaskar of Kashyap Gotra came there. He also wished to do Samaradhna and offer alms to Shri Guru, but due to his poverty, he was anxious about how this could be achieved. He had gathered some flour and rice, which he kept in the math. Other Brahmins ridiculed him, saying, ‘How can you do Samaradhna? Out of whatever rice you have, you cannot give even one particle to each Brahmin.’
Seeing his devotion, Shri Guru asked Bhaskar one day to do Samaradhna. He was glad and even encouraged by Shri Guru’s words. He brought ghee and vegetables and prepared the food after his bath. All Brahmins thought that they would have to dine at their homes and have ordinary meals that day.
Shri Guru instructed Bhaskar to invite all the Brahmins for Samaradhna. Bhaskar said that the Brahmins played a joke with him. Therefore, it would be better if a disciple was sent. As instructed, the disciple invited Brahmins to come to Math for Samaradhna.
Shri Guru asked Bhaskar to bring the food prepared by him and cover it with a cloth. When this was done, Shri Guru sprinkled holy water from his bowl on the food and said, ‘Without removing the covering cloth, take out the articles in other pots and serve them to the Brahmins.‘
The Brahmins sat for dinner. Food was served to thousands, and yet much food was still there. After the Brahmins had taken food, they were requested to send invitations to their wives and children for dinner. After them, all others in Ganagapur were invited for dinner with families. Then Shri Guru asked Bhaskar to dine. After his dinner, it was found that all the food originally prepared was still there. Shri Guru asked Bhaskar to throw the food in the river so that the creatures in the water would also be satisfied.
This was a great miracle. The food sufficient only for three people was provided to over 4000 people. Several such incidents have occurred in the life of Shri Guru.
We should leave all doer-ship at the feet of the Master. However little one offers with a pure intention and selflessness can benefit thousands by the Grace of the Guru.
Chapter 40 – Leper Brahmin Cured
Once a Brahmin ‘Narhari’ came to Shri Guru at Ganagapur and, bowing to him, said, ‘My life is futile. I studied Yajurveda, but as I am suffering from leprosy, all people despise me. I have visited several holy places, but the disease is there, kindly bless me.’
Shri Guru gave him a dry log of Audumbar (Indian Fig tree) and said, ‘Go to the Sangam [river confluence] and plant it on the bank of Bhima in the east. After your bath, worship Ashwattha (the sacred Fig) at the Sangam. Again, bathe and give water to this log thrice a day. When it sprouts green foliage, your sins will be wiped off, and you will be free from leprosy.‘ As instructed by Shri Guru, Narhari planted the log on the bank of Bhima and began to water it thrice. Some people said to him, ‘Are you mad? How can a dry log bear green foliage?’ However, Narhari continued his watering of the log devotedly. He also observed a fast for seven days.
His disciples informed Shri Guru regarding the devoted service of Narhari to the log. Shri Guru said, ‘One gets the fruits as per one’s devotion and faith. Such is the greatness of devotion to the Guru. One who has implicit faith in the words of Guru’s gets the fruit.‘
Shri Guru went to the Sangam to see the leper Brahmin. He was pleased to see his devotion. The Brahmin was giving water to the log. Shri Guru sprinkled the holy water of his bowl on the log, and instantly green foliage sprouted. The leprosy of the Brahmin disappeared, and his body became healthy and bright. Narhari bowed to Shri Guru and began to pray Him.
He composed eight shlokas, which are even today being chanted at Ganagapur in the night, after daily Aarati. Shri Guru placed his hand on the head of Narhari and blessed him. He returned to the Math with Narhari. All persons wondered, seeing this miracle. Many did Samaradhna [feeding of Brahmins] as a result. Shri Guru named Narhari as ‘Yogeshwar’ and asked him to come with his family and live with him. Shri Guru also gave him ‘Vidya’ [Spiritual Knowledge].
Such is the greatness of the devotion of Guru. One who has implicit faith in the words of Guru’s gets such fruit.’
The following eight shlokas were composed by Narhari:
Saraswathi (Sriguru) Asthakam:
Indu koti teja keerna sindhu bhakta vatsalam
Nandanaatrisunu Datta mindiraaksha Sri Gurum
Gandha maalya akshataadi brunda deva vanditam
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Moha paasa andhakaara jaata doora bhaaskaram
Aayataaksha Paahi Sriyaa vallabhesa naayakam
Sevya bhakta brunda varada bhooyo bhooyo namaamyaham
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Chitta jaari varga shatka matta vaaranaamkusam
Satya saaara sobhitaatma Datta Sriyaa vallabham
Uttamaavataara bhoota kartru bhakta vatsalam
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Vyoma vaayu teja aapa bhoomi kartrumeeswaram
Kaama Krodha Moha Rahita Soma Soorya lochanam
Kaamitartha Daatru bhakta Kaama dhenu Sree Gurum
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Pundareeka aayataaksha kundalemdu tejasam
Chandadurita khandanaartha dhandadhaari Sree Gurum
Mamdaleeka mouli maartaanda bhaasitaananam
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Veda saastra stutya paada maadi moorti Sree Gurum,
Naada bindu kalaateeta kalpa paada sevyayam
Sevya bhakta brunda varada bhooyo bhooyo namaamyamaham
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Ashta yoga tatva nishtha tushta jnaana vaaridhim
Krishna venee teeravaasa pancha nadee sangamam
Kashta dainya doora bhakta tushta kaamya daayakam
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Naarasimha saraswathisa namamastha maukthikam
haarakruthya saaradena gangaadharaakhyaatmajam
dhaaraneeka deva deeksha gurumoorthi toshitam
Vandayaami Naarasimha Saraswateesa Paahimaam
Naarasimha saraswateesa ashtakam cha yah pathet
Ghora samsaara sindhu taaranaakhya saadhanam
Saara jnaana deergha aayuraarogyaadi sampadaam
Charu varga Kaamya laabha nityameva yah pathet
Chapter 48 – Parbati had Bumper Crops even in Scarcity
There lived a pious farmer named Parbati in Ganagapur. He used to bow to Shri Guru when He went to Sangam in the morning and again at midday when Shri Guru returned. His field was on the way to the Sangam. Once Shri Guru asked him, ‘Why do you take this trouble daily? What is your desire?’ Parbati said, ‘I wish that my field yields a good crop.’ Shri Guru, ‘What have you sown?’ Parbati said that jawar (sorghum) had been sown in his field. He further added, ‘It is due to your favor that this year the crop is good. I wish you should kindly come to my field and look at the crop by your sight which showers nectar.’ Shri Guru went to the field, looked at the crop, and said, ‘If you have faith in me, do as I bid you.’ Parbati said, ‘I shall obey you from the bottom of my heart.’ Shri Guru – ‘Till I return at midday, cut off this crop.‘ Saying so, Shri Guru went to the Sangam.
Parbati approached the Revenue Officer and asked him to permit him to reap the crop on the rent as per the previous year. The Officer said, ‘This year, the crop is excellent; hence the old rent will not suffice.’ Parbati said, ‘I shall pay double the rent. So please permit me.’ The Officer agreed and granted permission. Parbati took some men with him, went to the field, and harvested the crop. His wife and children tried to prohibit him, but he did not listen to them. The wife complained to the Officer: ‘The crop is good this year, but before harvest time, my husband is reaping the field on the advice of a Sanyasi and is depriving us of food. Kindly prohibit him from cutting the crop’. The Officer sent his men to ask Parbati why he was reaping the field before the harvest. Parbati said, ‘If the Officer doubts getting the rent, I shall pay the corn from reserve and keep my cattle at his door.’ Parbati harvested the entire crop. Seeing that Shri Guru was returning from the Sangam, he bowed to Him and reported that he had cut the crop as instructed. Shri Guru said, ‘You have reaped in vain!’ Parbati said, ‘I have read the crop as advised by you. I have full faith in you.’
Shri Guru, ‘You will have the fruit of your devotion.‘ The wife and children of Parbati cried that they had lost their food. Parbati consoled them by saying: ‘Shri Guru is Shri Shiva incarnate. With his blessing, we shall suffer no loss. He told us to do this due to some unforeseen reason.‘ In about a week, there was a severe cold, and all the crops in the country were lost. Then on Mul Nakshatra, there was heavy rain, which was also harmful to the crops; but Parbati’s field yielded a hundred times more good quality crops. All wondered to see this.
The wife and children of Parbati also rejoiced. They begged an apology from Parbati and repented for underestimating Shri Guru.
Unfailing devotion and unshakeable faith in the Guru will ensure that we receive according to our eligibility.
Shri Narasimha Saraswati spent most of his life in the Krishna-Bhima basin, which today comprises the tri-state region of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
The most significant places are:
– Karanja The birth place of Sri Narasimha Saraswati
– Narsobawadi and Audumbar, Sri Narasimha Saraswati’s sites of penance
– Ganagapur Sri Narasimha Saraswati’s abode for twenty-four years
Karanja
Karanja is the birthplace of Sri Narasimha Saraswati, which was identified by Shri Vasudevananda, also known as Tembe Swamy. It is a very ancient town. Sage Karanj had his hermitage here and hosted pilgrims and travelers. The town boasts of several temples, some more than 1,000 years old. Some of the more prominent ones are Shri Siddheshwar, Shri Chanreshwar, Shri Nageshwar, Shri Kamakshi Devi, Ekvira Devi, Yakshini Devi, those of Shri Ram (built by the famous Kannav Family of Karanja), Shri Vitthal, Shani Maharaj, Maruti, and Shri Dattatreya. The idol of Sri Datta Prabhu in the pose of Padmasana (the lotus posture) is not found anywhere else and is the only idol found here in India.
In 1934, the Gurumandir was built at the birthplace of Sri Narasimha Saraswati due to the untiring efforts of the renowned Shri Datta bhakta, Swami Brahmanand Saraswati. Swami Bramhanand Saraswati, a great disciple of Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati, has been instrumental in establishing Shri Gurumandir. The house where Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami was born is owned by the famous Ghude family. They acquired it from the descendants of the Kale family in which Shri Narasimha Saraswati was born. Since then, Karanja has become a major pilgrimage center for all followers of Shri Dattatreya.
Karanja is located in North-Central Maharashtra in Washim District. It is just thirty kilometers from the main Central Railway line from Mumbai to Howrah (via Nagpur). There are various modes of conveyance to reach Karanja. More information can be found at the following link.
Shri Datta Kshetra Nrusinhwadi
Shri Narasimha Saraswati lived here for twelve years.
Location: Tehsil Shirol, Dist. Kolhapur, near Mirza, at the confluence of Krishna and Panchaganga.
Manohar Paduka. Capital of Shri Datta Maharaj.
Sri Narasimha Saraswati lived in the place where Krishna-Panchganga confluence is today for twelve years.
There was a deserted forest here at that time, and the village of Amarpur (Aurwad) was on the banks of the river. Even today, there is the abode of Amareshwar and his family of sixty-four yoginis. The yoginis served Sri Narasimha Saraswati as long as he stayed there.
All in all, Amareshwar, Chaushat Yogini, Shukladi Ashtatirthe, Krishna-Panchganga confluence are some of the sacred places inhabited by Shri Guru, and it is still standing today.
There, Shri Swami Maharaj was meditating on a rock under a beautiful Audumbar tree. At two o’clock in the afternoon, they used to go to Amarpur, which is on the other side of the river, to beg and come back to that place to meditate.
In that place, Siddhaguru Siddha Sadhu Yogi saw a secluded place and performed penance. His Holiness Shri Narayan Swami Maharaj, Shri Gopalaswami Maharaj, Shri Mauniswami Maharaj, Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati Swami Maharaj lived in it. After some time, this place got the name Shri Nrusinhwadi.
Direction:
http://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/shree-kshetra-narasimha-wadi/
Shri Datta Kshetra Audumbar
Location: 6 km from Bhilawadi station. In the distance is on the banks of the river Krishna.
Audumbar, situated on the banks of river Krishna in Sangli district, is one of India’s major Datta areas. This area has special significance in Sri Datta Sampradaya.
Shri Narasimha Saraswati lived in this place for a short period of four months. The foolish son of Kolhapur attained enlightenment here with the blessings of the Swami. This story is mentioned in the 17th chapter of Guru Charitra.
At this place, Saint Janardan Swami, Shri Sant Eknath Maharaj, had a Datta Darshan. At this location, Swamiji glorified the Audumbar tree. ‘I will always abide in that tree, and the devotee who performs regular worship of that tree or Guru Charitra Parayan under that tree will get the fruit of his worship or Parayana a thousand times; my blessing will be on that devotee.‘
There is a village called Ankalkhop on Krishna’s Paltira, and there is a temple of Bhubaneswari Devi near Bhilawadi on Ailtira. As Bhubaneswari is a Shakti Peeth, the area is always crowded with ascetics. The dense thicket of trees on the banks of the Krishna automatically created a secluded Tapovan. In this natural Tapovan, Narasimha Saraswati spent four months in the dense cool shade of Audumbara and gave this place eternal sanctity.
Directions:
http://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/audumbar/
Shri Datta Kshetra Kumashi
Kumashi is a place where Narasimha Saraswathi (Datta Guru) showed his Viswarupa [supreme form of Vishnu] to one of his devotees. The forest where the great sage Valmiki did penance became a famous holy place. The fame and popularity of any holy place depend upon the great saints and sages who lived there and worked wonders there. There was once a great philosopher called Shri Trivikram Bharati, who performed penance at Kumasi. He was a great devotee of Shri Narahari and did the Puja with pure Soul in his heart. We know from the Gita that Lord Krishna showed his Vishwa Roopa to Arjuna on the battlefield. Similarly, Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya, showed Vishwa Roopa to the great sage Shri Trivikram Bharati in Kumashi. We come to know about this story from the 24th chapter of Guru Charitra. Lord Vishnu has shown Vishwa Roopa only twice from Dwapar Yuga to Kali Yuga. The first Vishwa Roop was shown to Arjuna, and the same Vishwa Roop was shown to Shri Trivikram Bharati Swamiji for the second time.
https://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/kumasi/
Shri Datta Kshetra Ganagapur
This place is a very important ‘Darshaneeya Kshetra’ connected to the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, Sri Narasimha Saraswati.
Ganagapur stands on the bank of the river Bhima in Afzalpur taluka in Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) district of the Northern part of Karnataka. The confluence of Bhima and Amaraja (Amruta: highly purified water with no impurities) rivers are considered extremely holy in this area. Whoever takes a bath in Sangam will be free from their sins of all current and past lives; their wishes will be fulfilled.
Shri Guru assured that he would forever abide at Ganagapur Sangam and go round the village for ‘Bhiksha’ at 12:00 noon. Asking ‘Bhiksha’ from the people at Ganagapur whatever Bhiksha he will get in that day was the food of Swamy.
The importance of this kshetra is explained by Shri Guru which can be seen in ‘Shri Gurucharitra’ (Life history of Lord Dattatreya). This Nirgun Math is adorned with the Nirguna Paduka’s which are very unique in nature and look. You never find any other ‘Nirguna Padukas’ all around the globe except in Ganagapur.
These Paduka’s are named Nirguna Padukas for few reasons, Nirguna means formless, without qualities or attributes, an epithet of God who is beyond three. These padukas look like a red or chocolate oval color and many people feel that they are made up of stone, but in reality, no one knows what is inside the padukas. Whether they are made of stone or wood, to date, no one has dared to test it.
There is a temple in Sangam in which the Shri Narasimha Saraswati performed the Anushthaan. The ‘Shila Padukas’ of Swami are there at Sangam which everyone can take Darshan from early morning 3:00 AM to 1:.30 PM.
Ganagapur is well connected by road and rail. There are many state-run buses from Gulbarga to Ganagapur. The town is on the railway route. Travellers need to get down at the Ganagapur Road railway station, which is on Gulbarga-Mumbai route. From there to Ganagapur is 22 kilometres (14 mi) by bus or auto-rickshaw. The nearest airport is at Kalaburgi located 52 kilometres from Ganagapur.The roads have been repaired and improved by the Government of Karnataka. Pilgrims also from Maharashtra State can come via Solapur and Akkalkot. Both these places have good connectivity to Ganagapur.
Read more:
https://www.ganagapura.com/about-ganagapur.html
http://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/shree-kshetra-ganagapur/
Direction:
http://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/shree-kshetra-ganagapur/
Information about Sree Datta Kshetras across India Narsobachi Wadi, Audumbar, Gangapur & Pithapuram, Guru Charitra, Dram beejam, and many more.
ShreeSwami.org is a website devoted to Shree Swami Samartha of Akkalkot. It also contains information on the incarnations of Lord Dattatreya and Avatars.
The official website of Shri Gurumandir Sansthan, Karanja.
Gurumandir Temple
Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple and Ashta theertas at Ganagapur / Ganagapura
Guru Charitra Parayan at Ganagapur:
Wikipedia
Sri Guru Narasimha Saraswathi Dashama Stotram
YouTube channel SriPada SriVallabha, Music composed and dedicated to Dattatreya and His incarnations
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