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| Sri Pada Sri Vallabh |
Shri Siddha - "Namdharak, Shri Vishnu had
several incarnations as Matsya (Fish), Kachha (Tortoise), Varah (Bear),
Narasimha (Man with lion's head), Vaman, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and
Kalki to protect the Sadhus and punish the wicked.
Bhagirath did his utmost to bring the Ganges on the
Earth for the salvation of his forefathers, the Sagar Kings. Similarly a
Brahmin woman worshipped Shri Dattatreya and hence Shri Dattatreya took birth
from her womb. I shall now narrate this tale to you.
"A Brahmin named Apalraj lived at Peethapur in
the East. Sumatha was his most devoted wife. On one Amavasya day there was an
anniversary day at the house of Apalraj. On that day Shri Datta came in
disguise to his house for alms. Generally alms are not given to beggars, on the
anniversary day. But though the Brahmins invited for the ceremony had not
dined, Sumatha offered him alms. Hence Shri Datta was much pleased and he
disclosed his divine appearance to her. She humbly bowed to Shri Datta who
said, "Mother what do you desire?"
She said, " You are a treasure of kindness and
protector of the devotees. You are well known in all the 14 Bhuvans. You just
called me `mother'. I begot children, but some of them died soon and of those
that are surviving, one is blind and one is lame. I therefore feel my life to
be futile without a good son. I wish I should have a son who would be world
famous and learned like yourself. Will you fulfill this desire of mine?”
Shri Datta said, "You will have a son well
known in Kaliyug. You abide by his wishes. He will be learned. He will fulfill
all your desires". Saying this Shri Datta disappeared.
Sumatha told this to her husband. He too was much
pleased. Both believed that Shri Datta himself would come to their home in the
form of a child. The husband said, "Shri Datta lives at Mahur and
Kolhapur. He comes in the mendicant's form daily alms at midday. You should
always give him alms".
Sumatha told her husband that she had offered alms
to Shri Datta that day even before the Brahmins invited for performing the
Shraddha had dined. The husband said You did very well My forefathers will be
more satisfied, as Shri Datta himself has taken alms to day. As you have
obtained blessings from him, you will surely get a son. You need not
worry".
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| Sri Pada Sri Vallabh |
Thus they were passing their time with pleasure.
Sumata became pregnant. After the full period of nine months, she gave birth to
a son. Brahmins foretold that this child will be a great Guru and an ascetic.
Thinking him to be an incarnation of Shri Datta, he was called after one of
Datta's name `Shripad’; His thread ceremony was performed when he was seven
years old. Even at this age, he knew all four Vedas, Mimansa, Thark (Logic)
etc. All people wondered at his brilliancy and said he must be a God in human
form. He taught the Brahmins of the city various subjects as Achar, Vyawahar,
Prayaschitta, Vedant, Bhashya, Vedarth etc. When Shripad was sixteen years of
age his parent began to think of his marriage. Shripad warned that would marry
with the woman called disintrigation. All other ladies liked mother to him. He
said, "I am a Brahmachari and an ascetic. I love Yoga and my name is Shri
Vallabha. I now intend to go to the forests for observing penance and obtaining
divine knowledge."
Hearing this, the parents recollected the words of
Shri Datta, the mendicant and realized that
he would have his own way. Still
due to affection, they were very much aggrieved. The mother said, "we
expected you to protect us in our old age". Saying so the mother became
unconscious. Shripad consoled her and said, "Do not be anxious. I shall
give you what you wish. Believe in me and live happily".
The mother said, "My Dear son, I forgot all my
previous miseries only on account of you and I cherished a great hope that you
would protect us in our old age. We have two other sons; but one is lame and
the other is blind, who will look after them?"
Shripad looked at his lame and blind brother with
nectar like sight. Instantly the blind brother got his sight and lame one got
his legs. Both became learned, well versed in Vedas, Shastras and Vyakaran. Thy
prostrated before Shripad Shri Valabha and he blessed them. Just as iron is
transformed into gold by the touch of the philosopher's stone, so both the
brothers were enlightened and they became respectable due to the blessings of
Shripad. He then said to the brothers, "You will have sons, grandsons and
great grandsons and you all shall live happily."
He told his brothers further, "Serve your
parents. You will be happy in this world and shall get salvation in the
end."
He then said, to his mother, "you should be
happy now. But your sons will live for 100 years. They will have sons and
daughters and you will see them living merrily. They will have wealth for
generations and shall be famous for their learning. Now do not prevent me from
going to forest. I have to go to the North to guide the Sadhus."
Saying this, Shripad Swami disappeared and came to
Kashi where he began to live secretly. After some days he went to Badri
Narayan. He visited holy places one after the other and in course of time one
day reached Gokarna."
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| Sri Pada Sri Vallabh Sri Paduka |
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