The Divine Birth of Sripada Srivallabha – A Sacred Chronicle in Brief
The origins of Sripada Srivallabha, the first recognized incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in the Kali Yuga, trace back to the sacred lineage of scholars from the village of Malayadri in the Palnadu region of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. His maternal grandfather, Malladi Bapanna Avadhanulu, a learned Brahmin of the Haritasa gotra, and his wife Rajamamba, belonged to a family steeped in Vedic wisdom. Her brother, Malladi Sridhara Avadhanulu, was also a respected Vedic scholar.
During a sacred pilgrimage, Bapanna and Sridhara traveled to Ainavilli in the Godavari region and conducted a powerful yagna. At the moment of Poornahuti—the final offering—a miraculous event stunned all: Lord Ganapati manifested physically, accepted the offering with his trunk, and declared before the assembly that he would take birth as Sripada Srivallabha on Ganesh Chaturthi.
Following this divine proclamation, Bapanna Avadhanulu settled in Pithapuram, a holy town destined to witness the divine incarnation. He had a son, Venkavadhanulu, and a daughter, Sumathi, who, due to the royal indications in her horoscope and her noble demeanor, was affectionately called Sumathi Maharani.
In due course, a devout and scholarly Brahmin named Gandikota Appala Laxminarasimha Raja Sharma came seeking Vedic tutelage from Baapanarya. A worshipper of Kalagnisamana Dattatreya, he maintained an idol of the Lord and often received divine guidance through spiritual visions.
One day, while Baapanarya was worshipping at the Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple, he received a celestial command from Lord Shiva instructing him to marry Sumathi to Appala Raja Sharma. Honoring the divine will, the wedding was solemnized.
Sumathi and Appala Raja Sharma were later blessed with two sons—Sridhara Sharma, born blind, and Rama Raja Sharma, born physically handicapped. Though outwardly unfortunate, their births were part of a divine play.
Then came the turning point.
During a shraddha ritual, while Sumathi was preparing food for the Brahmins, a radiant sage appeared, requesting alms. Bound by tradition, food was not to be served before the Brahmins were fed, yet, moved by the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God), she served him. Pleased, the sage addressed her as “Amma”, and when asked for a boon, he blessed her with the promise: “I shall be born as your son.” He then disappeared.
Soon after, Sumathi began experiencing nightly visions of the Trimurtis—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—along with divine beings and yogis. When she revealed this to her father, he recognized them as unmistakable signs of a great incarnation to come.
Seeking clarity, Appala Raja Sharma prayed to Lord Datta during his daily worship. In response, he witnessed a radiant child emerge from the idol of Kalagnisamana Datta and merge into his own body—revealing unmistakably that Lord Dattatreya Himself would be born through him.
At last, on an auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi day—under Chitta nakshatra, Simha Lagna, and Tula Rasi—a divine child was born. From birth, his form radiated spiritual brilliance. Sacred symbols adorned his feet, and an aura of supreme peace surrounded him. He was named Sripada (Divine Feet), and also called Sreevallabha, signifying his supreme love and divine charm.
Thus, the Lord took human form, fulfilling ancient prophecies and heralding a new era of spiritual awakening in the age of darkness.
Divine Birth & Early Life
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Sreepada Sreevallabha is considered an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya and is identified with Lord Krishna.
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Born omniscient and omnipotent, he never required formal education.
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Mastered the Vedas and Shastras by the age of seven.
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After his Upanayanam (thread ceremony), he began lecturing on spiritual texts.
Revelation of Divine Purpose
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At age 16, when his parents planned his marriage, he revealed:
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Their past lives:
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Father Appala Raja Sharma was Vishnu Datta.
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Mother Sumathi was Susheela.
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Lord Datta had granted them a boon to be born as his parents.
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He then left home with their blessings to fulfill his divine mission.
Spiritual Travels & Miracles
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Traveled to Badari, Kedara, and Mount Sanjeevani.
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At Sphatika Parvatha (Crystal Mountain):
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Drank pure water that halted his aging, remaining forever youthful at 16.
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Major Pilgrimages & Teachings
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Stayed in Gokarna Kshetra for 3 years.
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Traveled to Srisaila, then to the Surya Mandal and Sapta Rishi Mandal.
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Taught Divya Gnana Yoga to the saints.
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Finally settled at Kuruvapuram on the banks of River Krishna, where he held a spiritual court (Darbar).
Weekly Schedule of Teachings at Kuruvapur
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Monday: Discourses on Epics (Itihasas).
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Tuesday: Teachings of the Upanishads.
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Wednesday: Explanation of the Vedas and their meanings.
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Thursday: Discourse on Guru Tattva; Durbar at Kurumgedda or Panchadeva Pahaad.
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Friday:
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Teachings on Srividya.
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Distribution of turmeric rhizomes.
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Saturday: Explained Shiva worship.
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Sunday: Taught Yoga Vidya.
Divine Hospitality & Compassion
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Organized feasts during Darbars; personally served devotees.
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Declared: "My treasury is always full. There is no dearth of either food or money."
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Sweet dish was compulsory in Thursday feasts.
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Lived on minimal food — just a handful of grains — and said:
“If your stomachs are full, mine is too.”
Teachings & Legacy
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Urged followers to read and do Parayana (recitation) of Datta Purana, promising divine grace.
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Devotees experienced boundless love, greater than that of a thousand mothers.
Mahasamadhi & Eternal Presence
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Took Mahasamadhi by walking into River Krishna on Ashweeja Bahula Dwadashi (Guru Dwadashi, 1350 A.D.) under Mrigashira Nakshatra.
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Though physically gone, he remains in his invisible form at Kuruvapuram, continuing to:
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Bless,
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Protect,
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And guide devotees who worship him with faith.
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Final Reflections