Swami Samartha ā 19th c. DattÄtreya-avatar
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Swami Samartha (died 1878 CE) ā considered an avatar of DattÄtreya ā was a wandering ascetic who lived in Akkalkot, Solapur. He spoke little; his presence was said to instantly dispel devotees' worries. His lineage of disciples (MahÄrÄj paramparÄ) continues ā GajÄnan MahÄrÄj of ÅegÄon, Saibaba of Shirdi (per some traditions), and many others trace spiritual inheritance to him. His VÄį¹avį¹kį¹£a Mandir at Akkalkot (the banyan-tree shrine where he sat) receives ~10 lakh pilgrims annually. His core teaching: "Bhiu Nakos, MÄ« Tujhya PÄį¹hishi Ähe" ("Don't be afraid, I am with you").
ÅrÄ« Swami Samartha MahÄrÄj KÄ« Jai
Every tradition in India ā textual, oral, tribal, regional, syncretic ā deserves first-person recognition. This entry honours Hindu on its own terms.
