The original surname of Reverend Vasudevanand Saraswati is Tembye. He was born on Shravan Krishna Panchami – 13-08-1854 at Mangaon a Village near Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg district His father Ganeshshastri was a great devotee of Lord Datta. He spent many days of his life in Ganagapur. From His childhood, He lived with his Grandfather. He took primary education of Sanskrit from him. At 8, He had the ritual of Upnayan. (Munj). He started regular morning Sandhya, evening Sandhya and the reading of Gurucharitra. The learned Vedmurthi Tatya bhatji Ukidave taught him the study of Vedas. In His or in his childhood, young age he used to wear the holy uniform (Dhoti) (Sovale) and cook rice for the offering and Vaishwadeva. (Worship of Fire)
He was an ideal example of code of behaviour. Performing religious rites, was His profession for a living. He had completed the study of religious rites Vedas and theology. But it was not his mission of life. In due course of time he accepted the Grahasthashrama (He Got Married) and followed its principles. Supernatural Power of Mantra, His pure, pious and holy behavior helped him to know Mantrasiddhi. (power of Mantras Chants). He guided people to lead a pious and religious life by making them free from dangers and sorrows of life.
According to the allegorical order / advice of Lord Dattaprabhu He first went to Narasobawadi. Reverend Nrusinha Saraswati appeared before him. Shri Govindswami of Narasobawadi asked Him to follow and observe a brass idol about Seven Fingers widths tall sitting in Siddhasan (posture) with two arms sign bestowal (Vara) and Protection Datta Upasana (Worship of Lord Datta) On the same day Shri Dattaprabhu bestowed upon him the Mantropadesh
(Advice in form of chants). Swamiji’s life was like a scented orchid cactus (Brahmakamal) spreading fragrance to all.
Lord Dattaprabhu communicated Him that He would reside in Mangaon for Seven years. So He left for Mangaon from Narsobawadi. On the way from Kagal he brought with Him a.
Reaching Mangaon He installed the idol in the Temple. His stay (Residence) in Mangaon made it a holy place. The festivals like Gurudwadashi,Shri Dattajayanti were being celebrated regularly. The river Nirmala was formerly called as Karli. Once Swamiji was returning to Mangaon from the beyond village,river Karli appeared before Shri Tembye Swami in form of a lady and urged him to change her name. Swamiji named her Nirmala. And it became famous all over.
The Trust has decided to build a Temple of Mother Nirmala on the banks of the river. Soon Swamiji’s wife was pregnant and the gods ordered Him to leave Mangaon at once with Panchayatan ( Five God’s Idols) a small round copper pot , one Dhoti, one Saree, They left Mangaon in shake 1811 i.e. 1889 AD. Then He never returned to Mangoan.
The couple came to Narasobawadi. Soon Mrs. Annapurnabai had delivery but unfortunately she delivered a dead baby. (Son) A blow that would separate them from worldly pleasure. Detached Swamiji became more detached. Lord Dattaprabhu ordered him to go to the North. They reached Gangakhed on the banks of Godavari. Mrs. Annapurnabai was suddenly taken ill. Swamiji served her and took care of her-but it was in vain. There was allegorical order (Drishtant) that they should leave the world on the fourth day. Swamiji with determination told him that He would not come as he had to renounce the world (to become ascetic). In Shake 1813, the great devoted virtuous wife of Swamiji, passed away. After the Mourning of 13 days, immediately Swamiji became ascetic on the fourteenth day.
He was not interested in worldly pleasures He carried out the responsibilities calmly with devotion. His earlier life was a preparation for his later life. With arduous meditation and Yogabhyas he became a saint.(ascetic)
Lord Dattaprabhu ordered him to go Ujjayini at reverend Narayananand Saraswati to become his follower. Reverend Two months for ascetics Nursinha Saraswati. Swamiji observed his first Chaturmas (Fourth Months) at Ujjaiyini. He followed twenty three Chaturmasas. During this period. He travelled from Himalaya to Rameshwar on foot. He would settle at a place only in Chaturmas (Regulation) period preaching and guiding people about Vedas, religions and other subjects. After meditation and a ritual, he would arrange holy talks on Puran. His style was excellent. He would convince people in a better way.
In shake 1835, Chairtra month, He reached Garudeshwar on the banks of Narmada. He told pople that He would not be able to go anywhere. In 1836, Vaishakh His health was badly affected. He became weaker and weaker. On the Ashadh Shuddha as described in Geeta the ending of life a ascetic in a seated situation, by obstructing breath with long Pranavochchar, Swamiji ended his life. He was mingled with Dattabrahma. This beloved, virtuous son of India, born on the banks of river Nirmala in Maharashtra, grew two manhood on the banks of river Krishna in Nrusinhawadi and rested for ever on the banks of river Narmda in Gujrat.
It is true that Swamiji led a virtuous and pious life. It was an ideal example for people. but Swamiji will always be remembered for his Sanskrit and Marathi literature. His holy books like ‘Dattapuran’ , Dattamahatmya, Dwisahastri are important and useful to all devotees and researchers. We are very lucky that reverend Gulavani Maharaj compiled swamiji’s literature and published in twelve volumes in the centenary year of Swamiji’s birth the trust named after Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati has under taken republishing the work of Swamiji’s Holy books in many languages.
Swamiji’s work is similar to Adyashankarcharya. So He can he respectfully called as ‘Adyashankarya’ of the Twentieth Century. The souce of Swamiji’s literature is Shri (co-ordinate) Shankaracharya’s “Adwait Vedant” He has tried to blend Adwait vedant with Shri Datta Sampradaya (Denomination). His interpretation on Dwisahastri book (A Book of two thousand verses on Gurucharitra.) reminds Shri Adyashankaracharya’s interpretation on Brahmasutra. Shri Shankarcharya and Shri Swamiji thought ascetics, they did not accept ‘Karmasanyas’ But set an ideal example of love and service (welfare) before society. Both the Yatis (Ascetics) are looked upon respectfully for their co-ordination of ‘Moksha’ and ‘Karma’ in Indian society.
The Galaxy of prime disciples of Swamiji contains P.P.Gulwani Maharaj, Shri Rangavdhut of Nareshwar, P.P.Nrusinha Saraswati Dixitswami Maharaj, Shri P.P Gandamaharaj, Shri Seetaramshastri Tembye Maharaj, Shri Pandit Maharaj Kshiprikar, Shri Nana Maharaj Taranekar. A Number of disciples inland and overseas look upon Swamiji as their spiritual Teacher. According to them Swamiji is the supreme Teacher of Teachers (Param Guru / Throrale Maharaj).