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Shripad Shri Vallabha - 1st
Purna Avatar 1320-1352 |
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Shripad Shri Vallabha is the first Purna Avatar (incarnation) of the Shri Dattatreya
in the Kali-Yuga (Iron Age or darkest age). Shripad Shri Vallabha was born in 1320
to Sri Appalaraja and Sumathi Sarma in Pitaapuram (Andhra Pradesh, India) on the
day of Bhadrapada Sudha Chavithi (Ganesh Chaturdi). |
Shripad Shri Vallabha - Lord Dattatreya incarnation 1st Purna Avatar |
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Shripad's Birth |
Aappalaraja and Sumati Sarma were devotees of Shri Dattaatreya. They had two sons
and three daughters. Their first son was lame and the other one was blind. Once
Appalaraja Sarma family was preparing for the Shraaddha (a yearly ceremony to pay
homage to the departed souls) and many Brahmins were invited as guests for the event.
Around noon, a Bhikshuk came for Bhiksha. Though custom prevents it but Veda says
the one who comes for food at any eating time is none other than Vishnu
himself, before feeding the invited Brahmins, Sumati offered food to the Bhikshuk, considering
him as Lord Vishnu to whom the whole annual ceremony was being offered.
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Shripad Shri Vallabha - Birth Story |
Her faith touched the Lord's heart and He at once granted her a vision of this true
form. His glorious form had three heads, clad in a tiger's skin and his body besmeared
with Vibhuti (sacred ash). The Lord said, "Mother, I am pleased with your devotion.
Even before you fed the Brahmin guests, you have given me food with the full faith
that this is the Lord in the guise. Now, ask me for anything you wish and it shall
be granted". The sight blessed her eyes and now her ears were sanctified by His
sweet words. "Lord", she said, "Lord! You addressed me as mother, please let your
word be turned into reality" Lord replied Tathastu (so be it) and blessed her by
saying that she will have a son who will be a Guru to all. Lord also told her that
I will live with you for 16 years and then go to another place for remaining 17
years. God disappeared after giving her blessing.
Sumathi told her husband of the Divine vision the Lord had bestowed on her and of
his granting her wish for a divine son. The couple became joyous and within a year
they had a son. Sumathi had given a birth to one who is indeed birth-less. They
named baby boy as 'Shripaada'. Shripaada had all the signs, Divine features and
celestial radiance.
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Childhood and Sanyasa |
Shripaada never took formal education. As per the tradition, he was invested with
the sacred thread. Normally, after the sacred thread ceremony a boy has to be trained
by a Guru for 8 years before he can memorize the Vedas (external repositories of
Spiritual Wisdom) completely. But this boy, Sripaad, started imparting Shripaada
Vedic knowledge to this pupil right from the moment of his upanyana (sacred thread
ceremony). It was all a purely Divine miracle.
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Lord Dattatreya's First Purna Avatar - Shripad Shri Vallabha |
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When he reached the age of 16, his parents thought of getting him married. However,
he said "All women in this world are like my mother” and that he is married to only one woman "Vairagya-stree" (Dispassion-Woman), “My mission is to give initiation
and guidance to sadhus (holy men)" and he should be called "Shriya-Vallabh".
Thus the name "Shripada ShriVallabha". Speaking thus he sought permission from his parents
to become a Sannyasi (monk) and to leave the house.
Mother asked Sripada if he left his parents, who will look after them in their old
age? (Their first son was lame and the other one was blind.) Sripaad realized their
situation. He called his blind and lame brothers, his heart, melting with compassion
at the sight of the tears in his parents, Sripaad touched his brothers and made
them whole in a moment. This miracle dispelled the veil of delusion that bound them
in Samsara. Then the Lord granted them the vision of His real Divine form.
With their permission, He renounced all worldly ties and left their home for Kashi-pilgrimage.
Sripada trekked to several Holy places like Dwaraka, Mathura, and Badrinath. Sripada
bless several spiritual seekers during this travel. After the pilgrimage, Sripaad
went to Gokarna Mahabaleshwar in South. After spending 3 years at Mahabaleshwar
he went to Shri Shaila mountain. Having blessed several seekers, Lord went to Kurvapur
and settled there. Shripadji stayed here most of his life and performed several
miracles at this place. All his miracles were compiled into a book named Sreepada
Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam. These stories were compiled by Sripada’s devotee Shankar
Bhat.
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Story behind Sreepada Charitaamrutam (divine biography) |
Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam is a 53 chapter book that was originally written
in Sanskrit by Sripada’s contemporary Kannada Devotee Shankar Bhat. This book records
various episodes on the life of SriPada and author’s various encounters & miracles
witnessed by him and by those whom he came in contact with. Later on Shankar Bhat
translated this book in Telagu language.
He also mentioned in the original manuscript that this Charitra will remain secret
for 32 generations and will be brought to light (widely published) by the 33rd generation
of Sreepada Sreevallabha”
Accordingly, In November 2001, 53 Chapters Charitra on the Life of SripadaVallabha
was brought out by his pious devotee named Malladi Govinda Deekshitulu who belonged
to the Lineage of Maternal Grandfather of Sripada SriVallabha. The original manuscript
of the book was preserved as a secret for 32 Generations of Sripada's maternal side
before Publishing it in November 2001 after receiving a message from the Divine
to disclose it.
As suggested in the original manuscript, Deekshitulu made a good copy of the manuscript
and offered the original script to Krishna River near Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh)
after Parayana (devotional reading). In the preface of this widely published Charitaamrutam,
Deekshitulu writes: “Every word written in this book is absolutely true. There is
no exaggeration or unnecessary description anywhere in this book. The author of
this book Shankar Bhat was not a Pandit or a scholar, but had deep devotion towards
Shripada. Looking at his devotion Shripada did a divine grace on him and had this
Charitra written by him. Anyone who does parayan of this book will get all desires
fulfilled”
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Sreepada Charitaamrutam (divine biography) |
Every chapter vividly describes about Sree Sreepada Sreevallabha and his miracles.
This great book is really a divine elixir. The Charitra is all about Sreepada's
life, His Leelas (miracles), His greatness, His highly elevated preaching.
At present, Telugu , Marathi and English are available at Shripada Shrivallabha
Mahasansthan Pitaapuram. Kannada translation by name 'Sripada srivallbhara divya
charithamrutha' is also available.
Shri GuruCharithra written by Shri Saraswati Gangadhar in Marathi around 1450 AD
has 5 chapters about Sreepada Sreevallabha. This was later translated in Telugu
by Brahmasri Pannala VenkatadriBattu Sarma in Pitaapuram.
“Digambara Digambara Shripad Shrivallabh Digambara"
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Shripad Shri Vallabha Charan Paduka in Gold
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Shripad Shri Vallabha Charan Paduka in Silver |
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