page_title: Manik Prabhu
section_title: Birth and Early life
hierarchical_section_title: Manik Prabhu / Birth and Early life
caption_attribution_description: English: Manik Prabhu's Baala Roopa Murthi at his birthplace Ladawanti. The Manik Prabhu Mandir at Ladawanti is located on the exact place where Shri Prabhu was born.
context_page_description: Manik Prabhu Maharaj was an Indian Hindu saint, philosopher, poet, mystic and guru. He is also regarded as an incarnation of Dattatreya by the people of Datta Sampraday. Prabhu's philosophy, the "Sakalamata Siddhanta" basically rests on the principles of Advaita Vedanta as propagated by Adi Sankara. Shri Prabhu strongly advocated the essential oneness of all religions. Prabhu's Muslim Devotees revered him as an incarnation of Mehboob Subhani whereas his Lingayat devotees saw him as a form of Basavanna. Shri Prabhu composed numerous Bhajans and Padas in various languages such as Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit. Shri Prabhu was also associated with the First war of Indian Independence in 1857. Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, Shri Bramhachaitanya of Gondavale and many other contemporary saints are believed to have visited Maniknagar to interact with Prabhu on matters of deep spiritual wisdom. All biographers refer to Shri Prabhu as a saint of great spirituality and mysticism. Shri Prabhu's teachings basically lay stress on the path of Bhakti.
context_section_description: Manik Prabhu was born to Manohar Naik and Baya Devi, a Deshastha Rigvedi Bramhin couple, on 22 December 1817 (Margashirsha Pournima - Datta Jayanti, Shaka 1739 Eashwar naam Samvatsara) in his grandmother's native Ladwanti near Basavakalyan (now in the Bidar district of Karnataka). It is said that his parents, who celebrated Rama Navmi every year, had a divine vision of Lord Dattatreya on the Ram Navami of 1817 before Prabhu's birth. It is believed that Dattatreya assured Manohar and Baya that he himself would take birth as their child on Datta Jayanti. Prabhu had an elder brother called Dadasaheb, a younger brother called Tatya Saheb and a sister called Chimanabai. Prabhu lost his father at an early age and thus grew up under the guardianship of his maternal uncle Shri Balwantrao Apparao Kulkarni, who was employed with the Nawab of Basavakalyan.
  While at Kalyan, he started collecting a group of his friends and roaming the hills and dales in the vicinity of the town. Young Manik behaved in such a carefree manner that the members of his family were concerned. He used to roam in the forests for days at a stretch and not return home, which led to the people of Kalyan calling him 'Veda Bhau' or 'Mad Child'. He never went to school and did not receive any formal education despite attempts by his family members. His childhood friends claimed that he performed many miracles in the jungles while they were playing together. On one occasion, his friend Govinda did not turn up for play. When he reached Govinda's house, he saw that Govinda had died due to snake bite and all his family members were mourning. Prabhu is believed to have miraculously brought Govinda back to life by his devotees. On another occasion, he is said to have given Darshan to Kalambhat in the divine form of Lord Shiva. From early in his childhood, Prabhu's  fame as an 'Avatari Purusha' quickly spread in the erstwhile Hyderabad state and beyond. His devotees have documented many such stories in which Prabhu solved the problems of his devotees, fulfilled people's wishes and 
  helped common people in distress. He stayed with Bhalachandra Dikshit of Hallikhed (a Vedic Pundit) for a few months to learn some Vedic rites and rituals.
  As he grew older, his uncle tried to formally educate him, thinking that education would make him a breadwinner for the family, but in vain. On a hot summer afternoon, when Prabhu was taking a royal siesta on his uncle's bed, he got a strong reprimand from his uncle. This was reason enough for Prabhu to renounce all worldly ties and leave his hometown for his chosen mission. He composed his first Pada or Bhajan 'प्रभूविण कोण कुणाचा वाली' after leaving home.
caption: Manik Prabhu's Baala Roopa Murti at his birthplace Ladawanti. The Manik Prabhu Mandir at Ladawanti is located on the exact place where Shri Prabhu was born.
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