Introduction

Shri Swami Dattagiri or Swami Dattavadhut as He is known to His devotees is a Himalayan Yogi. He started engaging in severe austerities and penance right from His teenage years. During His penance and Himalayan travels, He had many experiences through which He acquired divine knowledge. He has traversed the length and breadth of the country on foot, circumambulated the Krishna, Narmada and Tungabhadra rivers and gained many divine experiences.

 

All along His travels, His presence and guidance has benefited millions. He was advised by Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot in one of His visitations to write books and religious texts (pothis) so that all those who read them can partake from the fountain of divine knowledge and lead their lives full of spirituality.

Birth and ‘Death’

Shri Swami Dattavadhut was born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra on 24th September 1953.

 

However, within one and half month, due to some illness, He was declared dead. When the body was about to be taken away for the final rites, a Sadhu appeared and He brought Shri Swamiji back to life again.

 

After bringing Shri Swamiji back to life that Sadhu simply vanished. None of the 100-150 people who had gathered there had any clue about the Sadhu. Shri Swamiji’s father wanted to pay his obeisance to the Sadhu and offer Him something, but He was nowhere to be seen. During those days, i.e. in 1953, there was not a single house in the vicinity of Shri Swamiji’s home. There was a small temple situated about half a kilometre away where they tried to find the great Sadhu, but to no avail.

Divine Events

Even before the birth of Shri Swamiji, many holy people used to visit their house. When Shri Swamiji was about two years old, a holy man came visiting. That man had a earthen pot with him. He used to take out different types of eatables from this pot and give them to Shri Swamiji’s siblings to eat. At night, before going to sleep, he used to press the pot to convert it into a pillow and keep it under his head and go to sleep.

 

This holy man told Shri Swamiji’s father, “Your son is a very great yogi from the Himalayas. He has taken birth with the sole purpose of uplifting the world. He will quietly work towards alleviating the sufferings of people and go away from the world without attracting attention. He will become famous only 25-30 years after He has gone.”

 

Since the age of 2 years, Shri Swamiji has been chanting Digambara Digambara incessantly and since then His devotion to Lord Dattatreya has continued till date.

Arrival of the idol of Lord Dattatreya

When Shri Swamiji was about 5-6 years old, a holy man had come to their place and had given Shri Swamiji a silver idol of Lord Dattatreya and told Him to meditate and chant the Lord’s name daily for two hours. This holy man told the people who had gathered –

 

“This boy is a very holy person who will resolve peoples’ problems and alleviate their sufferings”, and then addressed Shri Swamiji,” you will resolve peoples’ issues by giving holy ash, soil, leaves of plants or by just giving your blessings.” Since then for the last 60 years or so, Shri Swamiji has only worked towards the upliftment of mankind.

 

At the age of 12, Shri Swamiji left His house and performed penance and austerities at various places from the Himalayas to the Nilgiri range, from Mount Abu Girnar to Neelanchal mountains. Due to this, the Gods and Goddesses were very happy with Him. He kept His shakti at various places so that people will be benefited. He met and had darshan of many evolved persons (Mahayogis) and received knowledge from them.

 

During His journey, Shri Swamiji provided solutions to anyone who came to Him with their problems. People would line up for His darshan from early morning till late in the night.

 

During this period, Shri Swamiji used to pray to God in this way

After many days of such prayers, on one night, Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot appeared before Him and said:

 

You start writing religious texts (pothis) and books which will contain a lot of power. By reading such pothis, people will be able to fulfil their desires and also be free from their sufferings. These books will also provide spiritual knowledge to people.

 

Today, in more than a million households, the religious texts and books authored by Swamiji are being read regularly.

 

Om Vanita Om has briefly documented Shri Swamiji’s work in three different books – Ishwarbhaktiche Anubhav (Experiences due to devotion towards God), Siddhayogyachya Sahavasaat Part 1 and 2 (In the company of a Siddhayogi, in two parts). These books contain brief descriptions of divine experiences that the devotees have received after reading Shri Swamiji’s books.

 

After meeting and listening to thousands of people who have been reading Shri Swamiji’s books, a few important experiences have been selected for publishing in the above books. Apart from this we keep hearing about many such divine experiences which could not be included in the books.

 

Wish you all the best and pray that you also benefit from the priceless books written by Shri Swamiji !