Literary Works of Shri Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati 

The then available complete works of Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe) Swami Maharaj, Lord Dattatreya incarnate, were published by Swamiji's prime disciple, Yogiraj Shri Gulavani Maharaj of Pune, at Hyderabad(Andhra Pradesh), about 40 years ago, with the help of a learned and devoted editorial team led by venerable Brahmashri Shri Datta Maharaj Kavishwar. Since then, portions  of his substantial works have been, and continue to be published by institutions and individuals dedicated to Shri Swami Maharaj, from time to time.  However, because of the large size and relatively limited demand for some of Swamiji's Sanskrit tomes, it is becoming increasingly difficult and uneconomical to print these. Hence electronic publication of all  available literature of Shri Swami Maharaj may prove to be an effective means of preserving this precious cultural heritage and making it available to the widely scattered devtotees of this great 19th century saint. The works of Shri Swami Maharaj have been described by the venerated Shri Dhundhiraj Maharaj Kavishwar, as "extraordinary, divinely inspired, spontaneous, pleasant, suffused with divine benediction, fulfilling to the recipient... authentic, self-evident and bestowing wishes" 

It needs to be emphasized here that this holy body of valuable and varied literature was the creation of a poor Brahmin from a remote village in coastal  Maharashtra, who had very limited facilities and practically no access to any library. Most of the cultural treasure was composed in his itinerant life, with no home nor any assured source of food or any trace of comforts and leisure normally considered essential for creative writing. All his life Shri Swami Maharaj was afflicted by physical ailments and braved adverse climate. One of his major Sanskrit works, all of its 7000 stanzas, was written when he was suffering from plague. 

Even after a century, Swamiji's works have not only survived but continues to nourish the faith of thousands of devotees of Lord Dattatreya who find in his works the divine guidance and solace. Several authorities have compared his works with those of Shri Adya Shankaracharya, for its vast scope and extent, spiritual depth, great variety and most of all, the vibrant divinity. Marathi and Sanskrit are two languages in which his literary genius finds a multifaceted expression. The subject of these writings are the life, philosophy and worship of the Great Lord Dattatreya and His two incarnations in the Kali Yuga, Shripad Shrivallabh and Shri Narsimh Saraswati. These works transcend the subjects to encompass the lucid and authentic accounts of the doctrines, rituals and the mythology of Vedic religion, their relevance to  human life and directions for proper religious and spiritual practices. The works range from simple rhythmic devotional songs to ornate, profound poetry set to specific meters. He has also written flowing commentaries on some of his more difficult works that display his vast and deep knowledge not only of the Vedic and scriptural literature, but even of grammar, Ayurveda, astrology and other Indian sciences. His works thus comprise a priceless treasure of Indian cultural heritage. Following is the summary of Shri Swamiji's sacred and purifying literature.

Composition

Composed in 12 days, when still a householder. 

The original text was not available and was recalled from memory 

Shri Dattapuran Commentary.

Magh Mahatmya

Shri Dattamahatma

Shri Dattakavya (Trishati)

Shri Gurusanhita (Samashloki)

Completed in less than 3 months, even as he was suffering from plague.

Laghumanansaar.

Saptashati Gurucharitra Saar

Shri Krishnalahari

13

Shri Dattachampu

Karunatripadi was also composed at Narasi.

Kumarshiksha

Samashloki Churnika

Shri Krishnalahari Commentary

Yuvashiksha & Vriddhashiksha

These two with Kumarshiksha make up Shikshatrayam.

Strishiksha

Panch Pakshik.

Practically all of the above works have been made available on the <Download> page in one or both of two formats:- 

1. *.lp2  files which can be opened only in the iLeap software of CDAC. This is a multilingual software including most major Indian languages. A link to download this software is provided on the <Download> page. This is a shareware which will be fully functional for 3 months after which period, unless lisenced for a fees,  some of its functions are restricted. The advantage of this software lies in the function of transcription. Though all the files furnished are in Devnagari script, these can be transcribed (transliterated) to any of the major Indian scripts. This will be of particular help to those not familiar with Devnagari and will like to read the Sanskrit files in their script. The transliteration facility also includes Roman script.

2. *.rtf and *.doc  files are furnished with the Devnagari (Marathi or Sanskrit) fonts and can be opened in MS Word and other popular word processors.  

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