Shri Nimbargi Maharaj
The Spiritual Bhagirath of the Sampradaya
Janma (Birth)
April 9, 1789Solapur (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
Shri Narayanrao Bhausaheb—popularly known as Shri 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 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 Shri Gurudev. Hence, Shri Nimbargi Maharaj has been regarded as the originator of this Sampradaya.
The Divine Call
Shri Narayanrao belonged to a Virasaiva family of Nimbargi. When he was a youth of 25, a severe scolding from his father regarding his participation in Holi revelry sparked a burning remorse. He left for Pandharpur, praying ardently to Lord Vitthal for three days.
Lord Vitthal appeared in his dream, assuring him: "Child, don't worry! Go to Siddhagiri. You will find your Master to guide you."
True to the divine assurance, at Siddhagiri near Kolhapur, outside the temple of Shri Kadasiddhesvara, he saw a Yogi emerging from a cave. Greatly attracted by the lustrous figure, Narayanrao rushed towards the Yogi and fell at his feet. The Yogi—Muppinmuni Maharaj—took him inside, blessed him with the Divine Nama, and advised him to meditate regularly.
Though he initially faltered in his practice due to worldly life, the Yogi visited him at his home in Nimbargi to remind him of his duty. The Yogi returned his Gurudakshina, advising him to use his resources for both Prapancha (worldly life) and Paramartha (spiritual life), declaring, "Nothing is impossible to the Grace of God."
36 Years of Sadhana
This incident brought a revolutionary change. He adopted the occupation of a shepherd, which allowed him solitude. While other boys tended to his flock, he spent days in soulful meditation under a tree.
For 36 years, he progressed stage by stage, guided solely by the Atman residing in his heart. He visualized, conversed with, and ultimately merged into the infinity of the Atman, reaching the pinnacle of spiritual elevation.
His Eternal Message
"We must dedicate our worldly life to the Self and should ever be engaged in His meditation. Everything is controlled by the Self. Nothing ever happens without His will."
"It does not matter even if we will not have a full-fledged vision of the Atman. As stated by a Muslim saint, 'Even a glimpse of the Spiritual Atom (Spiriton) by a disciple is enough for his salvation after death.'"
"Hence, we should have the vision of the Atman in this very life, by extracting Him from the body. We shall then be free from any further rebirth."
The next 28 years were spent imparting spiritual instructions and conducting discourses on the Dasabodha. He never initiated a person unless he found them truly deserving.
Shri Nimbargi Maharaj belongs to the galaxy of the greatest men who lived quietly. In the words of Shri Gurudev:
"He was like a Bakula tree, whose flowers, though in a corner, would send their fragrance throughout the length and breadth of Karnataka."