• On Navaratri, this is the eight in a series of nine articles on Women Sants, of Marathi-speaking areas, between the 13-17 centuries. This is a brief feature on the life of Akkaswami, a prominent figure among the Ramdasi, or Samarth Sampraday.

To read article 1 on Mahdambha , To read article 2 on Muktabai , To read about Janabai , To read article 4 on Soyrabai , To read article 5 on Kanhopatra , To read article 6 on Bahinbai , To read article on Venna Swami

Sant Akkaswami was a prominent figure among the Ramdasi, or Samarth Sampraday, who resided in Maharashtra during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Her birth name was Chimana, and she was known as Chimanabai. She was the daughter of Rudrajipant Deshpande of Karad, born in circa 1635.

Rudrajipant was a devotee of Samarth Ramdas. Chimanabai became a widow at a young age. However, she received an anugraha, or sacred message, from Ramdas Swami. She was among the earliest female initiates of the Ramdasi sampraday.

The Sampradayik records indicate that Chimanabai resided predominantly at Sajjangad throughout her life. In Marathi, "Akka" signifies an elder sister. Consistent with her attributes, Chimnabai became known as akka, and subsequently as Akkaswami.

From approximately the age of 12 (circa 1645 AD) until her death at around 86 years (circa 1721), she lived at Sajjangad for over seven decades, except for occasions when she climbed down for the preparations of Ram Navami and subsequently Das Navami. During these seven decades, she served as the chief swami at Sajjangad for nearly forty years.

Following Samarth Ramdas's demise, she oversaw all matters at Sajjangad, including political correspondence. She observed the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, Rajaram Maharaj, Tararani Saheb, and likely the return of Shahu Maharaj from Delhi. She was a witness to the most pivotal period of the Maratha state.

Setumadhav Pagdi records that Sajjangad was captured by the Mughals in June 1700, and it is likely the only fort of the Maratha State that Aurangzeb personally visited.

Prior to the Mughal conquest of Sajjangad, the murtis of Shri Ram and Hanuman were relocated to Waghapur Sada (currently in Satara District), and the Samadhi temple of Samarth Ramdas was concealed with stones and sand. It was only after Aurangzeb's death in 1707 that the Marathas recaptured Sajjangad, reinstating the murtis of Shri Ram and Hanuman, and resuming the regular puja of Ramdas's samadhi.

The entire transition occurred under the leadership of Akkaswami. The records indicate that Ram Navami and Das Navami were observed at Waghpur Sada during this period.

The renowned prayer to Guru Ramdas is attributed to Akkaswami. It reads:

रामदास गुरु माझे आई । मजला ठाव द्यावा पाई । ।

चारी अक्षरे वदतां । चारी मुक्ती येती हाता ।।

चारी मुक्तीसी सारुनी परता । स्वरूपीं केली आम्हा स्थिरता ।।

ऎस्या बोधे रामचि केलें । आका त्याचे चेरणी लोळें।।

Which translates:

Ramdas Guru is my mother; kindly grant me a place at your feet.

By uttering these four syllables (Raa, ma, daa, sa), one can achieve four forms of liberation or muktis

Furthermore, transcending mukti, it firms us in our true being

Having realised this, we have become Ram, akka prostrates herself at his feet.

Akkaswami passed away circa 1721, and a Tulsi Vrindan was constructed in her honour. Akkaswami is highly esteemed even in contemporary times in Samarth Sampraday. The limited sources on Akkaswami's life illustrate her exceptional managerial and leadership abilities, as well as her unwavering dedication to her Guru, Ramdas, and the deity, Shri Ram.

Unlike several other female sants of Maharashtra, there is a paucity of literature and resources regarding Akkaswami. Her life and contributions require a detailed study to understand the transitional period of the Maratha state. Examining Akkaswami’s life is crucial for understanding the role and status of women in seventeenth-century Maharashtra.

Let us pay our homage to Akkaswami with the following words:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

To that Devi who in all beings is abiding in the form of kindness,

Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.

Author is Associate Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The opinions expressed in this series are personal. 

References

1. Chidgopkar, Alaka. Madhyayugin Marathi Sant Kaviyatrinchi Kavyadhara. Pune: Snehvadhan Prakashan, 2023.

2. Dev, S. S. eds. “Ramdasi Samshodhan”, vol. 1 & 2. Dhule: Samarth Vagdevata Mandir. 

3. Pagadi, Setumadhav. Maharashtra aani Marathe: Maharashtrachya Tesajwi Itihasacha Sankshipt Vedh. Pune: Prakrut Prakashan, 2023.

4. Sant, Pramod. Sajjangadchya Akkaswami – 299 Vya Punyatithinimitta (1). Sajjangad Masik. October – November 2020. (From the private collection)

5. Sant, Pramod. Sajjangadchya Akkaswami – 3OO Vya Punyatithinimitta (2). Sajjangad Masik. October – November 2021. (From the private collection)

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