Shri Krishna Saraswati Swami
From Spiritual Note
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| Shrikrishna Saraswati | |
 Shrikrishna Saraswati Maharaj | |
| Date of Birth: | 1836 AD |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 1900 AD |
| Place: | Kolhapur, Magarastra, India |
A pious brahmin named Appa Bhat Joshi lived in Nandani Village, Kolhapur District. His wife’s name was Annapurna. Appa was a great devotee of Shri Narasimha Saraswati - the second avatar (incarnation) of Lord Dattatreya (the holy trinity - Lord Brahma, the creator; Lord Vishnu, the preserver; Lord Shiva, the redeemer - in one form). He was very satisfied with his life and decided to go to Nrusinhawadi Dattakshetra, to render devotional service. One day Dattaguru, himself appeared in his dream as a Brahmin and blessed him saying, I will myself take birth in this world through your wife, Annapurna.
During the year Sunday, February 7, 1836, Srikrishna took birth in Nandani village. The astrologer prepared the horoscope and said, This child will become a great saint. He will remain a bachelor and lead people on the spiritual path.
During his childhood, Srikrishna was very mischievous and often disappointed his mother with his childish pranks. To make him wise a thread ceremony was conducted, but they still did not see any improvement in his nature. One day Srikrishna went alone to a place called Maugasuli to visit and take blessings of the family deity, Khandoba. At Maugasuli he vowed not to intake any food until he gets the actual ‘Darshan’ of Lord Khandoba in indisputable real form. Impressed with the true devotion of this little boy, Lord Khandoba manifested Himself in front of Srikrishna. Lord Khandoba placed His bountiful hands on the head of Srikrishna and said, You are none other than a part of me. Lord Dattatrey Himself has incarnated as Sri Swami Samarth in Akkalkot, so go and take the ‘Darshan’ of Shri Swami Samarth.
Shrikrishna traveled on foot towards Akkalkot where Shri Swami Samarth - the third known incarnation of Lord Dattatreya - was staying. Days before Shrikrishna's arrival at Akkalkot, Shri Swami Samarth had been restless. He was constantly heard excitedly muttering, "Krishna's coming, Krishna's coming". As Shrikrishna approached the boundary of Akkalkot, Shri Swami Samarth speedily came out of his math (ashram or abode of a holy sage), his disciples and devotees followed suit. As soon as Shri Swami Samarth saw Shrikrishna, he held his hand and rushed him to a nearby forest so fast, that those who were following them, could not locate them. There, Shri Swami Samarth initiated Srikrishna and blessed him. Srikrishna went into absolute trance continuously for seven days after initiation. Shri Swami Samarth then awakened him from this trance and instructed him to go to Kolhapur and settle there. During his stay with Shri Swami Samarth, he gave Srikrishna a ‘prasad’ of the sweetmeat prepared from ‘Choorma’.
Shri Swami Samarth renamed Shrikrishna as Shrikrishna Saraswati Swami.
A Brahmin suffering from leprosy was rendering devotional service to Lord Dattatrey at the holy place of Ganagapur. He had a visionary intuition and therefore came to Akkalkot to take blessings from Shri Swami Samarth. Shri Swami Samarth then ordered him saying, You must accompany Srikrishna to Kolhapur and render service to Srikrishna. Your mental wish will be fulfilled then The leper Brahmin thus accompanied Srikrishna to Kolhapur and stayed there to render service to him. Srikrishna later liberated him from the disease of leprosy.
Srikrishna Sarswati Maharaj, just like Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj carried out miraculous plays, which appeared like mischievous childish pranks with demoniac possession. Since Srikrishna Saraswati Maharaj resided in Kumbhar Lane, he was later known as Kumbhar Swami.
A Brahmin had vowed that he would make an offering to Shri Swami Samarth if he got a son in his family. When the Brahmin got a son, he could not go to Akkalkot in time for offering Pedhas to Shri Swami Samarth. By that time he reached Akkalkot Shri Swami Samarth had taken his Samadhi. The Brahmin repented upon hearing this, but Shri Swami Samarth Himself appeared in his dream and said, I am present at Kolhapur in the form of Lord Hanuman and staying at Kumbhar Lane in the name of Srikrishna Saraswati. You can complete your vow of offering by visiting him. The Brahmin was very much pleased and went to Kolhapur. He took the ‘Darshan’ of Srikrishna Swami and offered the Pedhas. The Brahmin was confused as to why Sri Swamiji had mentioned that he would be present at Kolhapur in the form of Lord Hanuman. Understanding his mental dilemma, Srikrishna Saraswati turned his back and showed his tail.
Kumbhar Swami took Samadhi in the year 1900. His Temple shrine is located at Gangavesh, Kolhapur.
[edit] References
- Shri-datta-swami.net: A very good website dedicated to Shrikrishna Saraswati Maharaj.
- Complete biography of Shrikrishna Saraswati Maharaj on Shreeswami.org.
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