Ch - 13 Sri Guru Charitra

Brahmin's Colic Pain Subsided

Namdharak: - "Guru dev, Shri Guru initiated Sanyas to Madhav at Prayag. Please let me know what occurred later".

Siddha - "Shri Guru lived at Prayag for some days. He had many disciples there. These included Bal Saraswati, Krishna, Saraswati, Upendra Saraswati, Madhav Saraswati, Sadanand Saraswati, Dnyanjyoti Saraswati and myself as seven chief disciples. He then visited holy places in the south and came to Karanjahim, he was invited door to door. The mother recollected that he was Shripad Shri Vallabha and called herself fortunate. She told this to her husband when both requested him to liberate them from the worldly-sea. Shri Guru said, `If a person accepts Sanyas his forty-two generations (21 Parental & 21 maternal) are liberated. Their issues have no fear of the God of death. You will see that your sons live for hundred years. Then you will go to Kashi, the holy place of liberation. There is no doubt about this.

Ratnai, his sister requested Shri Guru, `I am entangled in a family trap. Please take me out of this. I wish to do penance.'

Shri Guru - `Serve your husband and this will liberate you. One has to suffer as per one's fate. Females can win over this worldly sea only with the help of their husbands. Thinking the husband to be Shri Shiva, serve him. This is what the Vedas, Shastras and Puranas dictate.'

She further asked, `you know the past and the future also. Please tell me what is my future.'

Shri guru - `In the previous birth, you hit a cow with your legs, you made the neighboring couples quarrel amongst themselves, so you will develop leprosy for hitting the cow and your husband will leave you and be a Sanyasi.'

Hearing Guru - `You shall live amicably for some years. In old age your husband will accept Sanyas. When you have leprosy, you will see me. You come to Papvinashi on the bank of the Bhima River in the South. Nearby is the Bhima Amarja Sangam and Ganangapur. After bathing in the Papavinashi, you will be cured of leprosy.'

Shri Guru then went to Tryambakeshwar, the place of penance of Goutam Muni. Shri Shankar was pleased by the penance of Goutam who brought Ganga (Godavari) on the earth for the benefit of the people. Shri Guru traveled by the Bank of Godavari and came to Manjrika. A learned Brahmin `Madhavaranya' lived here. He adored `Narasimha'. Seeing that Shri Guru appeared just a `Narasimha', he bowed to him and praised him in Sanskrit. Shri Guru was pleased and he appeared before him in his divine form. Madhavaranya prostrated before him and chanted prayers. Shri Guru then blessed him.

Shri Guru then went to Brahmeshwar. Here a Brahmin suffered from acute colic pain. He was rolling in the sand of the river due to severe pain. He had to be on fast for several days. Whenever he dined he had severe pain. He was intending to give up his life by drowning himself in the river and thus getting rid of the acute colic pain. Knowing his intentions, Shri Guru asked his disciples to bring the Brahmin to him. When he was brought before him, Shri Guru asked him, `Why are you committing suicide? This is a great sin. What is your misery?.'

Brahmin - `I am burdensome on this earth. I dine once in a fortnight or a month, but I have to bear a very severe colic pain. The body lives on food and if food cannot be taken how can this body survive?'

Shri Guru -`I shall give a medicine. You have a full meal today.' The Brahmin was much encouraged with Shri Guru's words. In the meanwhile the officer of the town came to the river for bath. Seeing Shri Guru, he bowed to him with reverence. Shri Guru inquired `May I know your name and whereabouts?'

The officer said, `I belong to Koundinya Gotra and am a Brahmin of Apastamb shakha. My name is Sayamdeo. I come from Kanchi. I am serving here as a Town - officer of a Muslim Ruler for one year. I feel myself very fortunate to see thy holy self today. Sins are wiped off by seeing the Ganga, heat of the body subsides by seeing the moon and poverty is destroyed by the favor of a Kalpa-Taru. But by seeing thyself along, all these three miseries are wiped off and one gets all the four valours.

Sayamdeo humbly expressed, `Gurudev, he dined yesterday after one month and subsequently he had severe colic pain. If he is given food today and if he dies, shall I not be held responsible for his death?'

Shri Guru - `I am giving medicine which should be fried in ghee and given to him. Besides give him food containing sugar and milk. Do not have any doubt in the mind.'

Sayamdeo agreed and further requested Shri Guru to grace his home by his presence and accept alms at his house. Shri Guru gladly accepted his invitation.

Shri Guru, three Brahmins and other disciples came to Sayamdeo. Sayamdeo's wife Jakhai was a devoted wife. Both worshipped Shri Guru ceremoniously. They worshipped the disciples also. All had a happy dinner that day. The colic pain of the Brahmin disappeared instantly by the grace of Shri Guru. All were wonderstruck to see this miracle. Shri Guru blessed Sayamdeo saying, your family will flourish and devotion of Guru will be continued in the later generations of your family.