Name – Sant Narasimha Saraswati

Born -Narahari 1378 CE Karanja Lad, Bahmani Sultanate (present-day Maharashtra, India)

Parents –  Madhava (father), Ambabhavani (mother)

Religion – Hinduism

Philosophy – Advaita, Shri Gurucharitra tradition

Disappeared – 28 January 1459 (aged 80–81)
Disappeared in Kardali Vana near Srisailam, Vijayanagara Kingdom (present-day Andhra Pradesh, India)

Status – Nijanandagamana

Shri Narasimha Saraswati – Second Incarnation of Lord Dattatreya

Shri Narasimha Saraswati (1378–1459), born as Shaligramadeva/Narahari Kale, was a revered saint and spiritual master, regarded as the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, following Sripada Srivallabha. He was born in Karanja (Lad-Karanja), Washim district, Maharashtra into a Deshastha Brahmin family.

From birth, Narahari was a divine child, speaking only the sacred syllable “Om”, and began reciting the Vedas after his upanayana (thread ceremony), astonishing scholars and Brahmins. At age 7, he left for Kashi on foot, took Sanyasa under Shri Krishna Saraswati, and was renamed Narasimha Saraswati.

Throughout his life, he traveled extensively to holy sites and ultimately settled in Ganagapur (Karnataka), where he guided countless devotees and upheld Sanatan Dharma during Kali Yuga. He also met the then Bahmani Sultan of Bidar.

In 1459, after fulfilling his divine mission, he took Nijananda Samadhi in the sacred Kardali forest near Srisailam, promising to return after 300 years.

Chronology –

Key Events in the Life of Shri Narasimha Saraswati (As per Shri GuruCharitra)

The life of Shri Narasimha Saraswati, the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, is detailed in the sacred text Shri GuruCharitra, with key events aligned to lunar and stellar calendars.

• Sha. 1300 (1378 CE): Birth Karanja, Washim district, Vidarbha region, Maharashtra
• Sha. 1307 (1385 CE): Upanayan
• Sha. 1308 (1386 CE): Left home
• Sha. 1310 (1388 CE): Took Sanyas
• Sha. 1338 (1416 CE): Arrived back home at Karanja
• Sha. 1340 (1418 CE): Travelled along the banks of the river Gautami
• Sha. 1342 (1420 CE): Stayed at Parali-Vaijanath, Beed district, Maharashtra
• Sha. 1343 (1421 CE): Stayed at Audumbar (near Bhilavadi), Sangli district, Maharashtra
• Sha. 1344-1356 (1422-1434 CE): Stayed at Narasoba Wadi (Narasimhapur), Kolhapur district, Maharashtra
• Sha. 1357-1380 (1435-1458 CE): Stayed for 23 years at Ganagapur, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka
• Sha. 1380 (28 January 1459 CE): Nijanandagamana in Kardali Vana at Srisailam, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh
  

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  Teachings –  Shri Narasimha Saraswati, revered as the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, emphasized that Brahmin life must strictly follow Vedic scriptures. He taught that adhering to daily rituals, spiritual discipline, and scriptural duties leads to happiness, spiritual growth, and moksha (liberation). Shri Guru insisted that his disciples maintain strict Brahminical routines as outlined in ancient texts.

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  Biography – The life and teachings of Shri Narasimha Saraswati are extensively documented in the sacred text Shri GuruCharitra, authored by Saraswati Gangadhar. This revered scripture offers detailed insights into the divine journey of the second incarnation of Lord Dattatreya.

Saraswati’s birthplace is located in Karanja Lad. While the original house structure has changed over time, preserved sections have been converted into a temple, honoring his legacy and attracting devotees.