The Great Sage of Akkalkot
।। भिऊ नकोस मी तुझ्या पाठीशी आहे ।।
Shree Swami Samartha comes from the age-old guru tradition of the Dattatreya sampradaya. He is also called Sri Akkalkot Swami Samarth or great sage of Akkalkot.
The early life of Swami Maharaj is as: In 1149, Chhele Village, Punjab – Lord Dattatreya took avatar as Shree Swami Samarth. He took an extensive pilgrimage, covering even places, now known as Jawa, Sumatra, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia etc., relieved many people from their miseries, and guided them on the spiritual path. In 1378, Pithapurm, Andra Pradesh – Incarnated in new form as Shree Shripad Shrivallabha and worked for around 150 years to destroy blind beliefs, superstitions, difficulties, losses, miseries and obstacles of mankind. In 1528, Karanja, Vidarbh-Maharashtra – Incarnated as Shree Narasimha Saraswati and worked for around 100 years. During this time, he consecrated and established holy places like Audumbar, Nrusihwadi and Gangapur. Later in 1678, he ended this incarnation and re-incarnated as Shree Swami Samarth. He left his ‘Nirgun Padukas’ to his disciples before leaving for the Kardali forests to perform Tapas [penance]. In 1856, Akkalkot – Prior to his settlement at Akkalkot, Swami Samarth seems to have visited far and wide. While moving in the Himalayan region he visited places like Puri, Benaras, Hardwar, Girnar, Kathiawad and Rameswaram in the South. He also stayed at Mangalvedha, a town near Pandharpur in Solapur district Maharashtra, which had been inhabited earlier by famous saints like Domojipant and Chokhamela. He came to Akkalkot in 1856 where he continued his physical existence for 22 years.
Swami Samarth’s most famous assurance to devotees: “Bhiu Nakos, Mi Tujhya Pathishi Ahe” (Fear not, I am behind you). This promise of divine protection remains the cornerstone of devotion to Swami Samarth.
The function of the Sadguru is to give a push to all human beings towards spiritual evolution. For them, religion or nationality never matter — they believe in treating all human beings equally and cherishing love for all animals.
Swami Samarth represents the continuous Dattatreya tradition spanning centuries — from his first avatar in 1149 through incarnations as Shripad Shrivallabha and Narasimha Saraswati, to his final manifestation at Akkalkot.
Before departing, Swami Samarth left his Nirgun Padukas (formless footprints) to his disciples — teaching that the guru’s presence transcends physical form and continues to guide devotees across all time.
Experience the teachings of Shree Swami Samarth through our regular Upasana sessions and community gatherings.
