Datta Sampraday

Datta Upasana has been known since ancient times.  However, Narsinh Saraswati (1378-1458 AD) promoted it in the early part of 15th century. Datta Upasana became popular and grown into a cult form known as Datta Sampraday.  It's presence is mostly seen in Maharashtra and some parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. During Muslim regimes, Datta Sampraday flourished. It was taken as a unifying factor of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions as well as Hindus and Muslims too. Granths : 'Tripura Rahasya', 'Datta Prabodh' and 'Datta Mahatmya'. The 'Guru-Charitra'  brought out by Saraswati Gangadhar in 1535 is a very popular Granth even till date. Mother-tongue of Saraswati Gangadhar was Kannada but he composed 52 Adhyays with 7491 Ovis in Marathi. Besides praise of Dattatrey Avatar, the Guru Charitra highlights the works of Datta Sampraday founders Shripad Shrivallabh and Narsinh Saraswati. Teaching :  The Guru Charitra especially does not give space to the 'Vedant' and 'Kriya-Shunya' Bhakti.   Rather it advocates to make best use of material life (Aihik Jeevan) to attain Moksha under guidance of a Guru.  It impresses that our body is momentary (a-shashvat), therefore one should attain 'chitta-shuddhi' through 'good karmas' so long the body is healthy and strong.  'Paduka Poojan' is preferred over an idol  worship. Influence of Datta Upasana is seen on Nath Sampraday's adoption of 'Guru Parampara' and 'Yog Sadhana' to attain 'param-pad' and hailing Dattatrey as Avadhoot Yogi.  Mahanubhav Sampraday adopted and popularized 'Ek-Mukhi' and 'Chaturbhuj' Datta.  Varkari Sampraday too extolled Dattatrey Yogis.  Chaitanya Sampraday and Anand Sampraday idolised  Dattatrey as Guru.

Gurus: Shripad Shrivallabh (14 th century AD): Born at Pithur, he is held as Maha Purush and first Avatar of Dattatreya. Narsinh Saraswati (1378-1458) : Born at Lad Karanje in Vidarbha as Shaligam Dev Madhav Kale. Taken Sanyas. Prapogated Datta Upasana. Stayed at Amarapur (Narsobachi Wadi), Audumbar, Gangapur. There is reference in some Granthas about his meeting with the Muslim King of Bedar, Allauddin (Second).  Manik Prabhu (1817-1865) : Born at Ladvanti and then settled down at Humanapur (later known as Manikpur) in 1845. Popularised upasana through 'sangeet maifils'. His following was from Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Jains, Boudhs and Lingayats and his group was known as 'Sakalmat' Sampraday.  Vasudevanand Saraswati (1854-1914) : Born at Mangaon in Ratnagiri as Vasudev Ganesh Tembe. Known as great Datta upasak and prolific Granth-kar. Akkalkote Swami (Samadhi-1878 AD) : Little known is about his previous life. Came to  Akkolkote (Solapur) in 1857 and started propagating Datta Upasana. Among his disciples are Nrisimha Saraswati of Alandi, Balappa Maharaj, Shankar Mahaarj, Vishnubuva Brahmachari.

Places: Mahur : Has oldest Temple of Ek-Mukhi Datta, built in 1219 AD on a mountain by one Mahant Mukund Bharati. Mahur  is also a Shakti-Peeth of Goddess Renuka and also a major centre of Mahanubhav Sampraday. Pithapur : Birth place of Shripad Shrivallabh. Yatra on Datta Jayanti held. Lad Karanja : Birth place of Narsinh Saraswati.  Audumbar : Narsinh Saraswati had stayed there. Now his Padukas are kept.  Narsinh Wadi (Narsobachi Wadi) : Narsinh Saraswati had stayed there. Considered Jagrit Sthan. Ganagapur : Narsinh Saraswati had stayed there & performed Anushthans on the confluence of Bhima and Amarja rivers. Considered Jagrit Sthan. Nasik : Known for popular Ek-Mukhi Datta Temple. Considered as Prati-Ganagapur. Akkalkote : Akkalkote Swami's Mutt. Now his Padukas are kept in the temple. Chaul : Known for Popular Datta Temple.  Maniknagar : Manik Prabhu Had stayed there.

Granths/ Books:   'Guru-Charitra' , 'Tripura Rahasya', 'Datta Prabodh', 'Datta Mahatmya' etc Entire Book on C=Guru Charitra: