Shri Swami Samarth appearance in public has two versions. In one of the version Swamiji is said to have appeared quite puzzlingly and strangely as an eight year old boy and in the other version Swamiji is said to have appeared as Shri Narasimha Saraswati after being in the Samadhi state for three centuries. There is no mention of his birth and early childhood in either of the versions. In the first version Shri Narasimha Saraswati left Kadali forest and went to the Badri forest for penance. Badri forest is the place where highly advances sages go for meditation and penance.
Different Physical Appearance
He spent many years there and went into a state of Samadhi and in the due course his body was covered anthills. After sometime people almost forgot about Shri Narasimha Saraswati and he stayed there undisturbed in deep penance. His deep penance happened for three centuries and one day a woodcutter accidentally hit the anthill will the axe and there was wound on his thigh and blood started coming out. Shri Narasimha Saraswati pardoned the woodcutter and came out from the penance as Shri Swami Samarth. He was totally different from Shri Narasimha Saraswati and was tall and huge with long hands reaching well below his knees.
Since there was major difference in physical appearance of Shri Narasimha Saraswati and Shri Swami Samarth some people refused to accept this story. There was also a huge difference between the characters of the two saints. Shri Narasimha Saraswati was a calm and peaceful person whereas Swamiji was playful like a child. The second version of the appearanceof Swamiji says that he first appeared in a village called Chelikheda near Hastinapur on the seconf day of Chaitra month as a eight year old boy in 1149 AD. This is version followed by Shri Nana Rekhi who wrote Swamiji’s horoscope. Swamiji had approved this horoscope of his.
Day of Manifestation
Chaitra 2 is celebrated as the “Prakatdin”, which is the day of manifestation. This is celebrated in the Swamisut Mutt in a large scale in the ashram which is located in Chembur, Mumbai. It is quite difficult for a common man to decide the right version. There were many people who asked Swamiji himself directly about his birth and childhood and for each one Swamiji had different stories. One thing is sure, Swamiji after his emergence and interaction with people have won the heart of devotees and his powers and strength are still there for them, even today.
