Shri Swami Samarth is an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya and is the teacher of all spiritual teachers or guru of all gurus. Swamiji was the direct incarnation of the Supreme Consiousness or the Para-Brahma. Devotees believed that Swamiji has taken the human form only to grant benedictions and blessings on all who came in contact with him, physically or spiritually. Swamiji is immense kindness and infinite ecstasy and happiness. Swamiji spread out limitless love and He used to show sympathy to all who had unconditional devotion for God. Swamiji gives relentless supreme heavenly joy on the devotees he chose.
Joy without Physical Presence
Swamiji’s devotees can expeince the same joy even without his physical presence. The devotees believe Swamiji’s quote, “I have not gone, I am still present”. Swamiji was known as Chanchal Bharati is some places and Digambar Swami in other places. Swamiji was Guruto many of the other great sages like Shree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Shree Saibaba of Shirdi, Shree Shankar Maharaj, Shree Gajajan Maharaj of Shegaon and many more. Swamiji settled in Akkalkot in the year 1854 AD and stayed there till 1878 AD and people used to address him as Akkalkot Niwasi Shree Samarth Maharaj.
In Akkalkot Swamiji had many disciples like Shree Dev Mamledar, Shree Balappa Maharaj, Shree Cholappa Maharaj, Shree Ramanand Beedkar Maharaj of Pune, Shree Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj of Alandi etc. After 600 years of incarnation Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on April 30, 1878. His last communion with God happened under his favourite Banyan tree in Akkalkot ashram. But before leaving his physical body Swamiji had taught many things to the devotees and left behind a host of disciples who became famous later on. For the disciples of Swamiji he may have gone physically but he still remains in this world helping his devotees whenever they are in trouble.
Spirituality through Disciples
Swamiji spread spirituality through his disciples and there are lots of details about the disciples in the biography. The ashram of Swamiji is still there in Akkalkot and it is located near Solapur. Solapur is around 5 hours away from Pune by road and around 8 to 9 hours from Mumbai. One can reach the ashram by road or rail. The main temple is situated under the Banyan where Swamiji used to sit and address the devotees. The ashram has a dharamshala for stay and there are some small hotels also around. The ashram offer free meals to everyone in the afternoon every day. One can visit the Cholappa Matt and get the bleassings of Swamiji and this Mutt is situated a little away from the temple.
