Shri Nimbargi Maharaj
A Brief Life Sketch
Janma (Birth)
1790Solapur (Raised at Devar Nimbargi, Karnataka)Shake 1712
Anugrah (Initiation)
c. 1809–1814At Siddhagiri by Yogi Muppinmuni of the Kadasiddha lineage
Niryaan (Samadhi)
March 29, 1885Chaitra Sh 12Shake 1807
Sri Narayanrao Bhausaheb-popularly known as Sri Nimbargi Maharaj, can very well be regarded as a Spiritual Bhagirath. Just as King Bhagirath had, by his intense penance brought down the Heavenly Ganga, to the parched earth and enabled it to bloom with fresh verdure, our Spiritual Bhagirath also had, by his intense meditation, brought up the Spiritual Ganga, that had gone underground for centuries in this part and enabled the pining hearts to enjoy her blissful ambrosia. This holy Divine Stream, originated and issued from his heart, gradually gained momentum and expanse from his great disciples and aspired to reach the ocean of humanity through Sri Gurudev. Hence Sri Nimbargi Maharaj has been regarded as the originator of this Sampradaya.
Muppinmuni | Kadhsiddha
Sri Narayanrao belonged to a Virasaiva family of Nimbargi, a village in the Indi Taluka of Karnatak. When he was a youth of 25, once he was severely scolded by his father, for taking active part in the Holi revelry. In a fit of burning remorse and shame, he repaired to Pandharpur and ardently prayed the Lord for three days, to pardon him for his folly and guide him by the right path. On the third day, the Lord Vithal appeared in his dream and assured him : “ Child, don't worry ! Go to Siddhagiri. You will find your Master to guide you.” This assurance restored his balance and he returned home in a normal mood. A few days afterwards, he went to Siddha-giri, near Kolhapur, on a pilgrimage. It was the place of his family God - Sri Kadasiddheśvara. After finishing the worship of Siddheśvara, he began to search his Guru. He had just come out of the Temple, when he saw a Yogi, emerging out of a cave nearby and beckoning Narayan to approach him. Greatly attracted by the lustrous figure, Narayan literally rushed towards the Yogi and fell at his feet. The Yogi gently raised him and took him inside his cave There he blessed him with the Divine Nāma, and advised him to meditate on it regularly. “ If you do this sincerely ” he said “your fame would spread in all quarters.” Fully satisfied with this blessing of the Yogi, Narayan returned home.
But soon he was absorbed in his family life and did not attend to meditation properly, for about six years. Realising this negligence on the part of his chosen disciple, the Yogi one day came to the house of Narayan. Greatly surprised by the sudden arrival of his Guru, Narayan respectfully welcomed him and worshipped him He paid Rs. 2/. as Gurudakṣaṇā to the Guru, who graciously returned them back and advised him to use one for the Prapancha and the second for hi Paramārtha. He solemnly promised his Guru that he would attend to meditation without fail, in future. Overwhelmed with emotion he lay prostrate at the feet of his Master. And before he could rise and express his humble gratitude to him, the Yogi suddenly left him.
This incident brought about a revolutionary change in the outlook of Narayan. He made a firm resolve to meditate regularly with one-pointed devotion. He gave up his pro-fession of dyeing and adopted the occupation of a shepherd as that was very helpful for his meditation. He daily used to take his flock along with the flocks of other boys, request them to look after his flock and spend the whole day in soulful meditation under the shade of a tree nearby. Thus did proceed his continuous Sādhana, day after day, month after month, and year after year, without the help and guidance of anybody. He received guidance and inspiration from the Ātman resid-ing in his heart, for his spiritual progress. He thus went on progressing from stage to stage for well-nigh 36 years. He visualised the Ātman, conversed with the Ātman, played with the Ātman and ultimately merged in the Infinity of the Ātman, and enjoyed the ecstatic Bliss. He thus reached the pinnacle of spiritual elevation.
The external life of Sri Narayanrao Maharaj was quite uneventful. But his inner spiritual life must have been replete with thrilling incidents. But as it was a sealed book, none could know its grandeur. Sri Maharaj never revealed it to anybody. A few experiences only that casually slipped from his reluctant lips and picked up by his most beloved disciple Sri Bhausaheb Maharaj, have become known to us. We are told that Sri Maharaj Visualised the full form of the Ātman from tip to toe, he had the vision of Pancavadana - the Lord with five faces,as weil as of Brahma, Viṣṇu,and Śiva, one above the other. He had also experienced the vision of the Infinite - of Nirbayalu. He had heard and visualised supersensuous Divine Nāmas and hence he was supposed to have brought the Nāma from Heaven.
After attaining the highest spiritual goal, he lead the blessed life of a Jivanmukta - a Liberated Saint. He entrusted the management of the household affairs to his son and devoted his entire life exclusively to Paramārtha. He carried on his Sādhana, blessed the deserving aspirants, and gave discourses on Dāsbodha. This went on for 28 years. After leading fsuch a perfectly fruitful, blissful life, Sri Maharaj attained Samādhi at the ripe age of 95, in 1885, leaving behind him a few valuable songs and Vacanās for the benefit of the aspirants, as well as a great Sampradāya of Rational Mystics for spiritual welfare of humanity. Sri Maharaj thus belonged to the galaxy of the greatest of men, who lived and passed away unknown and whose thou-ghts later on, found expression in the second rate heroes who became known to the world.
" He was, " in the words of Sri Gurudev, " like a Bakula tree, whose flowers, though in a corner, would send their fragrance throughout the length and breadth of Karnatak. "
Book Ref: Shri Nimbargi Maharaj: A Brief Life Sketch
Author: M. S. Deshpande | Publisher: ACPR