Manik Prabhu


Manik Prabhu Maharaj was an Indian Hindu saint, philosopher, poet, mystic and guru. He is also regarded as an incarnation of Dattatreya by the people of Datta Sampraday. Prabhu's philosophy, the "Sakalamata Siddhanta" basically rests on the principles of Advaita Vedanta as propagated by Adi Sankara. Shri Prabhu strongly advocated the essential oneness of all religions. Prabhu's Muslim Devotees revered him as an incarnation of Mehboob Subhani whereas his Lingayat devotees saw him as a form of Basavanna. Shri Prabhu composed numerous Bhajans and Padas in various languages such as Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit. Shri Prabhu was also associated with the First war of Indian Independence in 1857. Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, Shri Bramhachaitanya of Gondavale and many other contemporary saints are believed to have visited Maniknagar to interact with Prabhu on matters of deep spiritual wisdom. All biographers refer to Shri Prabhu as a saint of great spirituality and mysticism. Shri Prabhu's teachings basically lay stress on the path of Bhakti. Alongside, he moralizes in the most remarkable manner on the 'Vedantic Truths' concerning the 'spiritual unity' of beings. Manik Nagar is the place where he took Sanjeevani Samadhi. Shri Prabhu's Samadhi at Maniknagar is the nucleus of Manik Nagar and acts as the spiritual center of the activities of Shri Manik Prabhu Samsthan.

Birth and Early life

Manik Prabhu was born to Manohar Naik and Baya Devi, a Deshastha Rigvedi Bramhin couple, on 22 December 1817 in his grandmother's native Ladwanti near Basavakalyan. It is said that his parents, who celebrated Rama Navmi every year, had a divine vision of Lord Dattatreya on the Ram Navami of 1817 before Prabhu's birth. It is believed that Dattatreya assured Manohar and Baya that he himself would take birth as their child on Datta Jayanti. Prabhu had an elder brother called Dadasaheb, a younger brother called Tatya Saheb and a sister called Chimanabai. Prabhu lost his father at an early age and thus grew up under the guardianship of his maternal uncle Shri Balwantrao Apparao Kulkarni, who was employed with the Nawab of Basavakalyan.
While at Kalyan, he started collecting a group of his friends and roaming the hills and dales in the vicinity of the town. Young Manik behaved in such a carefree manner that the members of his family were concerned. He used to roam in the forests for days at a stretch and not return home, which led to the people of Kalyan calling him 'Veda Bhau' or 'Mad Child'. He never went to school and did not receive any formal education despite attempts by his family members. His childhood friends claimed that he performed many miracles in the jungles while they were playing together. On one occasion, his friend Govinda did not turn up for play. When he reached Govinda's house, he saw that Govinda had died due to snake bite and all his family members were mourning. Prabhu is believed to have miraculously brought Govinda back to life by his devotees. On another occasion, he is said to have given Darshan to Kalambhat in the divine form of Lord Shiva. From early in his childhood, Prabhu's fame as an 'Avatari Purusha' quickly spread in the erstwhile Hyderabad state and beyond. His devotees have documented many such stories in which Prabhu solved the problems of his devotees, fulfilled people's wishes and
helped common people in distress. He stayed with Bhalachandra Dikshit of Hallikhed for a few months to learn some Vedic rites and rituals.
As he grew older, his uncle tried to formally educate him, thinking that education would make him a breadwinner for the family, but in vain. On a hot summer afternoon, when Prabhu was taking a royal siesta on his uncle's bed, he got a strong reprimand from his uncle. This was reason enough for Prabhu to renounce all worldly ties and leave his hometown for his chosen mission. He composed his first Pada or Bhajan 'प्रभूविण कोण कुणाचा वाली' after leaving home.

Travel and Pilgrimage

After leaving home, Prabhu stayed and performed penance at Amrutkund - a holy place in the jungles near Manthal for six months. Devotees believe that Bhagawan Dattatreya, disguised as a 'Bairagi' once visited Prabhu at Amritkund and gave him 'Danda', 'Deeksha' and 'Jholi', mandating his future journey as a wandering Yogi and an itinerant messenger of Truth. From here, he started travelling and visiting places of religious importance in the region. According to a legend, he once arrived at Chalakapur, a small village near Bidar during his wanderings. The Sun had already set and he had no place to stay at night. On the outskirts of the village, he saw a temple dedicated to Hanuman. The people of this village did not visit this temple after nightfall due to the fear of dacoits, thieves and wild animals. Prabhu arrived at this temple and planned to stay there for the night. He packed his clothes and other belongings in a cloth and safely deposited them on Shri Hanuman's Moorthi before sleeping in a corner of the temple. Next morning, the Poojari arrived and was enraged to see that a young person had kept his belongings on the holy idol's shoulders. He woke Shri Prabhu up and asked him why he had done so. Prabhu said "He who takes care of the whole world can easily take care of my belongings in this desolate place, therefore i kept it with the lord". The Poojari's anger knew no bounds and he started beating Shri Prabhu with a stick. It is believed that blood started oozing out of the Hanuman idol when the Poojari beat Prabhu. Seeing wounds appearing on Hanuman's idol, the poojari thought that Prabhu is none other than Hanuman in Human form and begged for his forgiveness. Prabhu forgave him and asked him never to be harsh with devotees. He stayed at Chalakapur for a few months and people started flocking to him for his Darshan. He arrived at Mailar near Bidar after leaving Chalakapur. It his here that he met Devi Venkamma or Madhumati Shyamala, his desiple, for the first time. Prabhu stayed at Mailar for a few months and like Chalakapur, thousands of people started gathering to take a glimpse of Shri Prabhu. After leaving Mailar, Prabhu proceeded to Bhalki. Prabhu is said to have performed penance in the jungles near Bhalki. Some accounts suggest that Prabhu taught Devi Venkamma 'Samadhi' & 'Yoga' in the jungles of Bhalki. He then visited Chitguppa where he is said to have given darshan to his devotees in the divine form of Lord Basaveshwara.
Prabhu sent all his followers and shishyas to Kalyan and then set out for his spiritual journey across the country. Prabhu travelled on foot as a wandering Yogi across the length and breadth of the country covering all places of religious importance such as Varanasi, Haridwar, Mathura, Badri, Puri, Dwarka, Girnar, Tirupati and Rameshwaram. Some of his Muslim Devotees believe that he visited the Shrine of Mehboob Subhani at Baghdad during his travels in North India. Prabhu also visited Pandharpur, Tuljapur, Ganagapur, Kolhapur and other major temples of the Deccan region. According to Ganesh Raghunath Kulkarni, The River Chandrabhaga was flooded When he visited Pandharpur. Prabhu's devotees believe that Panduranga himself came in the form of a boatman and took Prabhu to the other side of the river and then disappeared. When he visited the Vitthala Temple, he had worn dirty and torn clothes. The Pundits thought that he was a beggar and denied him entry to the Temple. When he tried to forcefully enter the temple, the pundits beat him. It is believed that a Floral garland came from Panduranga's idol and fell on Shri Prabhu. The Pundits realised that Prabhu was some divine being and beg him for forgiveness. Prabhu took Lord Vitthala's Darshan and stayed at Pandharpur for many days. while describing his Pandharpur visit, Prabhu himself says in an abhanga - 'कडकडोनि माणिकदास विट्ठलासी भेटले'. During his countrywide travel, he composed numerous bhajans in praise of various deities in Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit. These Bhajans and Abhangas are compiled in a book called Padyamala. Prabhu also visited the Gottamgotti forest, Ketaki Sangam and Nyalkal among other places when he came back to his native land. The Devotees of Bidar invited Prabhu to visit Bidar. On the way to Bidar, it is said that a yogi came in the form of a snake and lead Prabhu to Jharani Narasimha cave near Bidar. Prabhu's ancestors had performed penance at Jharani Narasimha. People of the Bidar region started to flock to Jharni for Prabhu's Darshan.
Devotees of Bidar invited Prabhu to visit their homes. Prabhu assured everyone that he would visit their house at 12 noon the following day. According to Ganesh Raghunath Kulkarni, Prabhu is believed to have visited every devotee's home at the same time in a miraculous example of multilocation. According to the same account, When some Muslim residents of Bidar tried to test him and gave him Meat and wine for lunch, Prabhu is believed to have converted them into fruits and milk. Prabhu's devotees ascribe many such miracles to him.

Maniknagar

Establishment of Maniknagar

After completing his spiritual journey across the country, Prabhu finally decided to settle on the banks of the rivulets Viraja and Guruganga in the year 1845 which later came to be known as Maniknagar. He was on his way back to Kalyan when his Palkhi or Palanquin stuck in the jungle near Humnabad. Prabhu liked the place and decided to make it his permanent abode and also a center for the propagation of his philosophy of SAKALAMATA SIDDHANTA. Prabhu stayed in a simple hut and ate only the 'Madhukari Bhiksha' which his shishyas would bring from the nearby villages. Usually, he dressed in very simple clothes and occasionally he even dressed in royal attire. Manik Prabhu established the GAADI of Lord Dattatreya in the very hut where he used to reside. This Gaadi is a symbol of 'Nirguna Bramha'. The unique thing about it was that he did not place any idol or spiritual icon on the GAADI and instead decided to keep it empty. The idea behind it was that his devotees could visualise the PARABRAMHA, in whatever form they liked and worship him accordingly. Initially When Prabhu made Maniknagar his abode, only his shishyas and some Bramhacharis stayed in small huts. But later on, Prabhu allowed people from all walks of life to stay at Maniknagar and the population started increasing steadily. Prabhu's Mother Baya Devi and his Brothers Tatya Saheb and Dada Saheb too came and settled in Maniknagar with their family.

Prabhu Darbar

The name and fame of Manik Prabhu spread quickly like a wildfire and people of all religions, sects and communities started flocking to Maniknagar.
Prabhu used to hold a gathering everyday called DARBAR where thousands of people visited him and sought his blessings. Prabhu guided his devotees in spiritual matters and even helped them overcome their material difficulties. Prabhu gave Khairaat or alms to the needy and the poor. Hundreds of Vedic Scholars, Fakeers, Jangams and other mendicants came to Maniknagar to receive blessings and Khairaat from Prabhu. It is said that leading Musicians and artists of the time came to Maniknagar to perform 'Seva' in Prabhu's Darbar. He was equally revered by all communities while his Muslim followers thought him to be an incarnation of Mehboob Subhani, his Lingayat devotees would worship him as Lord Basaveshwara and his Sikh followers saw him as in the form of Guru Nanak.
It is said that the fifth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Afzaluddaula sent his courtier Yashwantrao Arab to seek Shri Prabhu's blessings. Prabhu declined the Jagir or Lands offered by the king and said that "The whole earth belongs to my lord, Datta Prabhu". He sent Prasad to the Nizam Afzaluddaula. Some Devotees believe that the Nizam's son Mehboob Ali was named by Shri Manik Prabhu.
Prabhu conducted a Mahayajna called Sarvatomukha at Maniknagar. Leading Scholars of the time are said to have attended this yajna and sought Shri Prabhu's blessings. Prabhu celebrated Datta Jaynti Utsav every year at Maniknagar in a grand manner.
Stories of his miracles and eyewitness accounts, which bear testimony to the manner in which he brought succor to the distressed and the sorrowing, to the afflicted and the wronged, who, ardently and with deep faith and devotion sought his spiritual intervention are available. He never claimed credit for any such incident and always said that it is 'Datta Prabhu's Leela'. He is also believed to have given Darshan to a devotee in the Divine form of Goddess Tulaja Bhavani and accepted the devotee's offerings. Many of such stories are compiled in the official biography of Shri Manik Prabhu by Ganesh Raghunath Kulkarni.

Visits of Spiritual personalities

Shri Swami Samarth is also believed to have visited Prabhu before settling at Akkalkot. According to Shri Manik Prabhu Charitra, Swami Maharaj stayed at Maniknagar for Six long months. Shri Manik Prabhu and Shri Swami Samarth used to sit under the holy Audumbar tree and interact on matters of deep spiritual wisdom. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Shri Swami Samarth used to regard Shri Manik Prabhu as his brother.
According to Shri Achyut Yashwant Dhond, Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi visited Prabhu as a young Fakeer. According to the tale, Prabhu was sitting in his Darbar when Sai Baba arrived. Sai asked Prabhu to fill his Lota. Prabhu instructed Tatya Saheb, his brother who was sitting beside him, to fill the lota. Tatya was busy in some academic discussions on Vedanta and tried to fill the lota while speaking to someone else. Even after putting hundreds of coins, the lota would not fill. Tatya was astonished and gave the Lota to Prabhu. Prabhu put 5 Khariks and some flowers in it. The Lota filled immediately. Sai Baba took the dates and flowers and said that this was enough for him. He poured back the coins which were many times more than the original coins put in the Lota by Tatya Saheb.
Shri Bramha Chaitanya of Gondavale also visited Prabhu at Maniknagar. The Shankaracharya of Sringeri at the time, Jagadguru Ugra Narasimha Bharati Swamiji paid a visit to Maniknagar during Prabhu's time. Prabhu welcomed the Shankaracharya with due honours and the Shankaracharya appreciated Prabhu's noble work.

Prabhu and the revolt of 1857

According to Ganesh Raghunath Kulkarni, Nanasaheb Peshwa of Bithur sent a letter to Prabhu seeking his blessings, guidance and support in 1857. A person called Rangrao carried Nanasaheb's letter to Prabhu. Prabhu gave Prasad and some money to Rangrao for the National movement. Prabhu reportedly said to Rangrao "Tell Nanasaheb that he has my support and blessings. There is a lot of time for the fulfillment of the goal, but don't stop the efforts. Datta Prabhu will definitely bless you all". Prabhu gave 'Yoga Dandas' or Divine Sticks to his followers and said that "these sticks will protect you from the dangers of the war". After the uprising, Prabhu took all the Yoga Dandas back and they are stored in a room at Maniknagar even today.

Sanjivani Mahasamadhi

In 1865, Prabhu felt that it was time for him to take Mahasamadhi. Both of his brothers - Dadasaheb and Tatyasaheb and his mother Baya Devi had passed away before Prabhu's Mahasamadhi. Devi Venkamma too attained Samadhi a couple of years before Shri Prabhu. Prabhu decided that Mokshada Ekadashi, Tuesday 29 November 1865 would be the ideal date for Mahasamadhi. He instructed his close aides to construct a walled pit in his hut but under total secrecy. His plan was known only to 4 or 5 of his close Shishyas. The annual Datta Jayanti Utsav had already begun. On the night of Dashami, Prabhu distributed Khairaat to Fakeers and the poor as coincidentally it was the day of Gyarahvi Shareef.
On the early morning of Ekadashi, Prabhu retired to his hut and took Sanyasa Deeksha according to the scriptures under total secrecy. He called both of his nephews, Manohar and Martand to the hut and accepted their Pooja. Prabhu gave the 'Mantra Deeksha' and Kharik Prasad to his elder nephew Manohar Prabhu and appointed him as the successor to his holy Peetha. Then he sat in the pit of the Samadhi and asked his aides to close the pit from all sides. Prabhu attained Sanjivani Samadhi, a state of meditative blissful consciousness. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Prabhu left his physical body by the yogic way of Samadhi on the evening of Ekadashi around 5 PM. Prabhu's devotees believe that he is sitting in the Sanjeevan Samadhi and answering their prayers even to this day. Other examples of Saints who took Sanjeevan Samadhi are Sant Dnyaneshwar of Alandi and Shri Raghavendra Swami of Mantralaya. The news of Prabhu's Samadhi was broken to the public on the day of Datta Jayanti after the Mahapooja and Jayanti Celebrations.

Guru Prampara

Maniknagar is the only Datta-Peetha where a Guru-Parampara exists for the spiritual guidance of the devotees. Shri Prabhu's mission was ably carried forward by his successors who contributed in their own ways in spreading the message of Shri Prabhu and enriching and enhancing the glory of the institution established by him.
The Sampradaya is called SAKALAMATA as it involves and assimilates all sects and creeds. It is not at all antagonistic to them but only means to supplement them. Shri Prabhu was considered to be a 'Raja Yogi' by his followers. This Sampradaya has three types of Upasanas. The first is 'Adhyatmic Upasana', in which Chaitanya Dev is the main Deity. The Second is 'Adhidaivik Upasana' in which Manik Prabhu is worshiped as the fourth incarnation of lord Dattatreya. The third is 'Adhibhautik Upasana' in which Manik Prabhu is worshiped in the Sadguru roopa. The philosophy of this tradition is that there is no resistance to any kind of religious faiths in the world. All faiths are believed to give the ultimate godliness to its followers. This tradition was started by Shri Manik Prabhu of Maniknagar. There is no distinction made on the basis of caste, creed, religion or gender. The Sampradaya is firmly based on Adi Sankara's Adwaita Philosophy.

Datta Jayanti

Manik Prabhu is a saint in Datta Sampradaya who was born on Datta Jayanti. Prabhu's birth anniversary is celebrated in Manik nagar as an annual 7-day Mahotsava called Datta Jayanti mahotsava. It is a religious and cultural extravaganza in which hundreds of vedic Pundits, Musicians, Folk artists along with lakhs of devotees assemble in Maniknagar to pay their tributes to the Samadhi of Manik Prabhu.