Shri Shankar Manik Prabhu Maharaj was born on 28th October 1895 to Shri Keshav Dikshit and Smt. Muktabai, the elder sister of Shri Manohar Prabhu and Shri Martand Prabhu. He was nurtured and raised under the affectionate and watchful guidance of his uncle, Shri Martand Manik Prabhu Maharaj. He ascended the holy Peetha of Shri Prabhu as the fourth Acharya of Shri Manik Prabhu Samsthan. It was no easy task to succeed an awesomely great personality like Shri Martand Manik Prabhu Maharaj and prove one’s worth in providing the right spiritual and temporal leadership to the Samsthan. He proved successful on all fronts. He won the hearts of one and all by his immensely adorable personality, his proficiency in the study of the scriptures and Vedantic literature, and his modern vision of the Samsthan as an organisation committed to the cause of education and social development.
Shri Martand Prabhu ensured that his nephew learned the traditional subjects (Sanskrit and the Shastras) and was exposed to modern education. After earning a Law Degree from Osmania University in Hyderabad, young Shankarrao joined Samsthan’s service as per Shri Martand Prabhu’s wishes. He was trained in the administration of the Samsthan by Shri Babasaheb Maharaj, who had special love and affection for this promising youth. He served as the Secretary of the Samsthan after the untimely demise of Shri Babasaheb Maharaj in 1923.
On 12th March 1936, Shri Martand Prabhu attained Maha-Samadhi. As per his wishes, Shri Shankar Manik Prabhu Maharaj was anointed as the fourth peethadhipati of Shri Prabhu Samsthan. In hindsight, it becomes clear that it was the divine foresight of Shri Martand Prabhu when he insisted that his nephew join Prabhu’s service even at the cost of a promising career in law.
After ascending the holy peetha of Shri Prabhu, Shri Shankar Prabhu carried forward the illustrious legacy of his Guru. He systematised all the rituals, customs, and celebrations of the Samsthan and gave them a definitive order.
His inbuilt humility endeared him to all. He had no unkind word for anybody. Even when he disagreed, it would be couched in the mildest words. He had fully identified with Shri Prabhu’s ideal, and he was aware of the role assigned to him. He was a scholar par excellence and had studied all the scriptures under the guidance of his Guru, Shri Martand Prabhu. His philosophical essays show the depth of his assimilation of the basic principles of Advaita philosophy. He had also cultivated a considerable interest in astrology, medicine and music.
Consequently, he created a new awareness among the devotees of Maniknagar. The number of devotees visiting Maniknagar increased. He was available to everyone. None would return without meeting him and receiving his blessings. His interest in education made him start a school in Maniknagar, where, along with modern education, the emphasis was also given to religious, ethical and cultural education. The school was named Manik Vidyalaya, and Shreeji took a personal interest in the school’s day-to-day affairs.
Shri Shankar Manik Prabhu undertook extensive tours and travels to propagate the message of Shri Prabhu’s Sampradaya. He was received with great love, devotion, respect, and honour wherever he went.
Shri Shankar Manik Prabhu attained Maha-Samadhi on 28th February 1945. His legacy and vision continue to shape the development of the Samsthan to this day.
