Sri Narahari Seva Pratisthana draws its inspiration from the legendary spiritual masters of the Sri Narahari Sadguru Sampradayam – scholar-saints who led model lives blending spiritualism with dignified family and community responsibilities.
Sri Narahari Sadguru
(1859 – 1929)
Sri Narahari Sadguru is the founding luminary of the Sampradayam. He was an erudite scholar in the Prasthanatrayas (three foremost spiritual texts) – Upanishads, Brahmasutras, and Bhagavdgita. He carved a niche for himself through his brilliant exposition of “Panchikarana.” Using the medium of Panchikarana, he was able to unravel the science of the supreme in a unique way. With his mastery of Sanskrit, Telugu, and Kannada, he reached out to and inspired thousands of devotees from all echelons of the society.
His Tattvams or compositions in Telugu and Kannada (approximately 100 of them) are matchless for the lucidity and depth of spiritual thought. His teachings on harmonising worldly duties with spiritual pursuit remain the guiding light of the tradition. He initiated Deeksha to devotees from all echelons and sections of the society without consideration for caste or creed.
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Sadguru
(1890 – 1966)
Sri Lakhsmi Nrusimha Sadguru was the eldest of Sri Narahari Sadguru’s five sons. He continued from where Sri Narahari Sadguru had left off and rigorously trained all his devotees in Adhyatmika Vidya in general and in Panchikarana in particular. He was an embodiment of strict discipline, simplicity, and deep spiritual knowledge and he expected all his devotees to cultivate the same values. As of 2026, about 15 to 20 of his direct disciples are still with us and one can immediately see the magnetic effect of Sri Lakhsmi Nrusimha Sadguru had in their elevated spiritual thoughts and selfless service.
He extensively toured different villages and towns in Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Uttara kannada, and Anantapur district and left an indelible mark on his disciples. Like Sri Narahari Sadguru, he initiated Deeksha to devotees from all echelons and sections of the society without consideration for caste or creed.
Sri Simhadri Sadguru
(1921-2003)
Sri Simhadri Sadguru fully inherited the virtues and knowledge of Sri Narahari Sadguru as well as Sri Lakhsmi Nrusimha Sadguru. He also had the divine companionship of Matrusri Nagavenamma and the blessed couple made it a point to visit numerous villages inspiring a spiritual renaissance together with ethical upliftment of thousands of devotees there. Sri Simhadri Sadguru mesmerised his listeners into a clear understanding of spiritual knowledge (by providing fresh insights based on his incisive and original analysis) with simple and yet majestic style of delivery.
The spiritual togetherness of Sri Swamiji and Matrusri proved to be an exemplar of ideal blending of traditional values and modern pragmatism without compromising the purity of Sanathana Dharma by even an inch. Sri Simhadri Sadguru and Matrusri were instrumental in creating a unique cultural and spiritual ecosystem in Narahari Nagara. They built the temple brick by brick and laid the foundations for Sri Narahari Seva Pratisthana.