November 2026

Svāgatam

Aum Mahā Gaṇapataye Namaha

Greetings on Chitra Nakshatra.

Everything that comes to manifestation faces a transformation; and so does this offering called Charanamrth – the monthly journal for devotees of Lord Datta.

While every month's day of chitra star is special to devotees of Sripada Vallabha, this month is extra special, for it marks the anniversary of Sripada Vallabha Bhaktha Samaj

On the dawn following Guru Dwadashi (the 12th day of Krishna Aswayuja, the day when Sripada Vallabha chose to conceal His physical presence on the gross plane), the star being Chitra - Sripada Vallabha granted darshan in His effulgent form, eyes oozing with compassion and love... with orange robes like flames, on the banks of a River - the Master of the cosmos asked to commence "Sripada Vallabha Bhaktha Samaj" and pronounced the Name Himself.

Since then, in the name of Sripada Vallabha Bhaktha Samaj selfless deeds have been done sporadically and without publicity, in Datta kshetras like Ganagapur and Kuruvapur. Afterall, Datta is most pleased with selflessness. As He Himself has said, repeatedly in Charithamrth, suggesting His arrival as a result of selflessness.

'akarma' ~ as the Text mentions, when a noble deed is done with the sole intention of offering good unto others (beyond the self), without any expectations. Where there is selflessness, Dattatreya energy flourishes!

On this day of Chitra star – let us take a silent resolve in trying to be selfless. One deed of selflessness.... one prayer of selflessness... whatever we can.. let us try,,, let us cultivate... Yeah, it ought to be inborn; yet, may this Samaj be a platform reminding devotees to be compassionate, kind unto all... selfless.

We are all on a journey unto Him... Let’s make the journey worthwhile as we follow the golden teachings from His Charithra... let's kearn to love.. to forgive... to give and be selfless... …

We are here to heal, not hurt; To rejoice.. not judge…

Digambara Digambara Sripada Vallabha Digambara

Digambara Digambara Sripada Vallabha Digambara

Kshetra Kuruvapura

The island called Kuruvapur, or Kurungadda in local terms; on the banks of River Krishna, nestled in Nature's lap.... The scenic beauty and the landscape is awe inspiring and so are the sunsets.. Soemthing ethereal about the place. While Nature offers so much to the sight; far inspiring is the food offered to the soul, that feels satiated beyond the best... Such is the endless grandeur of Kuruvapur which can be sung at length with no end to it...

The energy of the place is live and highly uplifting. One cannot help but vibrate at such a frequency, feeling uniquely light and at still...

There are unseen entities, souls of great merit and eveolved ones residing there unseen to the physical eye. Naturally the place is charged when the energy of the Master of the Cosmos condensed in a human form, dwelt there once. While long ago, could be a term in human terms, it is His eternal presence... He Himself Being the Lord of Time and beyond Time...

Even the birds and beasts there, cannot be, but sensitive to it.

Here, the Adi Guru Avathar, in the form of Sripada Vallabha, is alive and ever present. As per the words stated by Him, as recorded in the Charithamrtham, Sripada is ever present at Kurungadda. He remains visible to the inner eye.

History, as per records and accounts of locals (While the actual facts may still be inaccessible to the mortal world...).

The earliest account states thus -
The King of Bidar (the character in Guru Charithra), after his encounter with Sri Guru Barasimha Saraswathi (after he being blessed and revived of a memory from his previous life time where he was Ravidas, the washerman), remains in a longing for Sri Guru (especially after Sri Guru (physically) set off to kadalivana). In loving remembrance and deep devotion, on recalling memories from his das as Ravidas, visits Kuruvapur to spend his remaining days in earnest contemplation of Sri Guru.

On recalling the place, and remembering the stone on which sripada Vallabha used to sit, He fondly and deeply worshipped and announced the same to those who came in contact with him. Deciding to build a shrine there, he spent his day working towards it, but left the world before he could complete.

Records state that a few decades later, someone from the family of the kings ruling the regions (between Bidar and Indore) roughly, came back to revive the shrine which was nestled in the island, through time.

Nevertheless, it is also stated that even those years, the place was being visited by sages and saints; and noble souls worshipping Sripada Vallabha through the years...

Known records attribute the queen of Indore to be the one, who got the walls built around the sacred place where the stone was being worshipped. With time, Sri Vasudevanand Saraswathi (Tembe Swami) visited and remained in penance for long time. Then it became more popular amongst the devotees.

The Sacred Tree

The Banyan tree is ancient, as anyone can grasp at first glance. But it takes faith and patience, to sit in calm by its shade and imbibe the Divine energy radiating right there. More than all, love! Yes, as there is a sentence in chapter 4 of Charithamrth where Sripada says that He is bound only by True Love and can be attained only by love; at this very place one can feel the vibrations of Divine love. A loving call from the heart certainly hears the response, manifold.

It is popularly believed that it was here that Sripada Swami sat, most of the nights and days. It was here that He did His yoga nidra. It was here that He held His dharbar. Blessed is the tree and so are the many souls remembering His presence by the shade of the tree.

Now stands a statue made of marble, enshrined right by the shade of the tree. It is said to be consecrated by an ardent devotee, Sri Keshav Maharaj, who left his lot behind and spent an unbroken period of over eighteen years at Kuruvapur itself, out of pure love and devotion. It is said that he was the one who got the building called 'anna-chathra' built and the one beside it (now remains unoccupied and unused); and also was instrumental in consecrating the Shiva Linga above Tembe Swami's cave. Time might have consumed the devotee's body back to Nature, but his love stands tall, withstanding time itself.

He walked on the waters of River Krishna, to hold Dharbar at Panchadeva Pahad. This is a known fact. As mentioned in Charithamrtham, Swami Himself has said, that His 'dharbar' could be here or there. It depended on what He willed for that day, So, to understand, His 'dharbar' happened at both places. And 'dharbar' meant the gathering of devotees. Sripada Vallabha guided them on the path. Those who submitted their woes, returned having found their solace.

Panchadeva Pahad

While it is said that Swami performed the pancha maha yagna, related to Nature at Panchadeva Pahad, it is also to be understood, that He did this to make His men aware - of the subtle functionings in and around us. He purified the 5 sheaths a human system is made up of. He removed the impuruties within us.

It is also stated that the name 'panchadeva pahad' came about, marking the presence of prominent five forms of Deities there. They also say, that the five primordial forces governing the creation, are those depicted as pancha deva on a small hill (pahad)

(Note: The material provided here are based on collective findings and little research. To produce the actual facts is beyond human intellect. And we may never be able to accurately say that this is what that happened. Yet, we have tried our best to procure from authentic resources and reproduced as it is. There are a few elderly men who have spent long halts at Kuruvapur during the early 60's and 70's. Certain anecdotes reproduced here are as they narrated, having heard first hand from Sri Keshav Maharaj, and Sri Sripada Bhat (the then cheif preist).

His dharbar was not just a physical happening. It continues to this day on a subtle plane. To earn our place in His dharbar, is on us... to conduct ourselves.. Let's observe our thought, word and deed. Let's abide by the sacred Text....

Let's rest in contemplation, trying to reach the Kuruvapur with the help of our consciousness. This zone accessed through through the mental zone is what is referred to as the Golden Pithikapura.

A Reminder from the Charithāmṛtham

To experience the glory of Kuruvapur, one can as well travel with one's consciousness. Recall from chapter 4, how a German named John was summoned to His dharbar at Kuruvapur? Swami says, "This golden Divine palace cannot be seen by others".

From Charithamrutham:

When the matter related to consciousness is developed in the seeker, he becomes a resident of Golden Pithikapuram, which is purely constructed with consciousness. Those devotees who constantly remember Me can know about it from experience. Irrespective of the great distances they reside, they become residents of Golden Pithikapuram. I am always easily accessible to them. — Śrīpāda Śrīvallabha .

Some Facts/ Often Asked Questions

Are the descendants of Shankar Bhat engaged in worship presently?
NO. There is no trace of Shankar Bhat's family.

Does the main sanctum sanctorum hold the Padukka of Swami?
It is popularly believed that the Divine stone in which Lord Sripada sat has been worshipped for centuries. With time, (probably due to the strength of devotion of the worshippers), the stone's front corner has mild impressions, which exactly appear like the impressions of human foot with fingers. It is this Divine stone that receives regular worship at Kuruvapur main temple. After the abhisheka, one may not be able ot have the darshan of the stone, as it would be covered by the 'kavasa alankara'.

Are the footprints of Swami visible on the rocks in River Krishna?
It is to be understood that Sripada's play are ever active and alive, to this day. The sports details in charithamrtham are not something from the past. They continue to this day. That said, the priciest treasure are always deep down the sea. Likewise, all that remains is subtle and less-revealed. They exist but not proclaimed loudly.

And that which is shown to the public, carries some impressions. But no records from the past state that to be the exact place where Swami did His surya namaskar. To witness them, one must be ready to open the eyes of the heart. As Kururvapur is full of hidden treasure and to understand what is stated here, please contemplate and silence the voice of the mind.

Thus, it is not for the physcial body to witness these or physical eyes to catch a glimpse. It is for the inner heart to reach....

A Name from His Sahasranāma

Thought for the Month

Can we rake care to be kind?

Our actions have the power to grant an experience to another; better our actions, pleasant is the outcome; and if our words or deeds turn bitter, they cause pain to another.

Can we, for HIS sake, pause... vow to be kinder in our words, thoughts and deeds?

To be kind is intrinsic; practising kindness is a virtueand reserved for the fortunate. So let our actions decide, if we choose to be blessed or otherwise...