Ch - 00 Sri Guru Charitra

LORD DATTA

SRI  GURU CHARITRA - Introduction

By Shri S.N.Huddar

As published in Sri Sai Leela 
English Monthly Magazine from April 1975 onwards

Introduction
Chapter 1 Namdharak sees Shri Guru in dream
Chapter 1 Namdharak sees Shri Guru in dream
Chapter 2 Sidha Muni Guides Namdharak
Chapter 3 Durwas curses King Ambarish
Chapter 4 Birth of Shri Dattatraya
Chapter 5 Birth of Sripad Shri Vallabha
Chapter 6 Ravan and Gokarna Mahabaleshwar
Chapter 7 Soumini and Madayanti at Gokarna
Chapter 8 Sripada Srivallabha Blesses a Brahmani and Her Son
Chapter 9 A Washerman Blessed to be a King
Chapter 10 Vallahhesh saved from Thieves
Chapter 11 Birth of Shri Narasinha Saraswati
Chapter 12 Narasinha Becomes Shri Narasinha Saraswati
Chapter 13 Brahmin's Colic Pain Subsided
Chapter 14 Muslim King favours Sayamdeo
Chapter 15 Principal Holy Places of Bharat
Chapter 16 Greatness of Shri Guru
Chapter 17 A Dull Brahmin Boy Becomes Learned
Chapter 18 A Poor Brahmin gets Wealth
Chapter 19 Greatness of Audumbar
Chapter 20 Ganganuj's Poverty wiped Off
Chapter 21 A Dead Child Becomes Alive
Chapter 22 A Old, Barren She Buffalo Gives Milk
Chapter 23 Liberation of Brahma-Rakshas, Establishment of a Math at Gangapur
Chapter 24 Trivikram bharati sees Vishwaroop of Shri Guru
Chapter 25 Impudent brahmins vanity
Chapter 26 Vedas Analysed
Chapter 27 Harijan Becomes A Learned Brahmin
Chapter 28 Advice of Karma Vipak to the Harijan
Chapter 29 The Great Power of Bhasma
Chapter 30 The Death of a young Brahmin Husband
Chapter 31 Code of Woman's Behaviour
Chapter 32 Behaviour of a Widow: Dead Husband Made Alive
Chapter 33 A Devoted Concubine
Chapter 34 Rajkumar And Mantrikumar Devotees ofShri Shiva
Chapter 35 Kach-Devayani
Chapter 35 Chandrangad - simantini
Chapter 36 Code of Brahmin's Daily Rituals
Chapter 37 Dharma of a Brahmin
Chapter 38 Four Thousand Fed with Food of 3 Seers only
Chapter 39 60 Year Old Sterile Woman Begets Children
Chapter 40 Leper Brahmin Cured
Chapter 41 Sayamdeo Serves Shri Guru: His Kashikhand Mahayatra
Chapter 42 Significance ofAnant Vrat
Chapter 43 Tantuk's Shri Shailya Yatra on Maha Shivratri
Chapter 44 Nandi Brahmin Relieved of Leprosy: He became a poet
Chapter 45 Poet Narahari Becomes a Disciple of Shri Guru
Chapter 46 Shri Guru Visits Eight Places at one Time
Chapter 47 Parbati had Bumper Crops even in Scarcity
Chapter 48 Amarja Sangam and the Greatness of Ganagapur
Chapter 49 The Gist of Shri Gurugeeta
Chapter 50 The Muslim King Comes to Shri Guru
Chapter 51 Shri Guru's Journey unto Bliss: Disciples get Flower Gift
Chapter 52 Conclusion: Week-Reading of Watarnika(contents)

Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara

Guru Sakshat Parabrahmah Tasmai Shree Guru Veh Namah

Introduction

'Shri Guru Charitra' is the life of 'Shri Guru Dattatreya' (an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara). It was originally written in Ovi form (a Marathi Metre) in Marathi by Shri Saraswati Gangadhar, whose ancestor Sayamdev had personally lived and served with devotion, Guru Narasimha Saraswati, an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya about 600 years ago. It was later translated into Sanskrit by Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Tembye Swamy), who is regarded by many as an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya and who lived about a hundred years ago. It has been later translated into several other languages. 

This volume is regarded as Divine; capable of blessing one and all who read it with respect and is placed with images of Gods and adored in almost all devotees' houses of Maharashtra. It is much respected and is very popular like Vedas, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Bhagawat and other Puranas in Sanskrit and Dnyaneshwari, Dasbodh, Ekanathi Bhagawat etc. in Marathi. In the last century, it has spread its influence far and wide and legion are the experiences got by those devotees who read it regularly with respect. 

Shri Dattatreya had taken birth at the Ashram of Atri and Anasuya in very very old times (Krita Yug) and it is believed that his two incarnations namely Shripada Shri Vallabha and Shri Narasimha Saraswati had taken place in the Deccan in about the 14th and 15th Century (A.D.) respectively. Shri Manikya Prabhu, Shri Akkalkot Maharaj, Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi and Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati are some of the great Saints who are considered as the Avatars (incarnations) or Amsas (taking a part of His powers) of Shri Dattatreya. 

This is the historical period when the Bahamani Kingdom was split up into five different Kingships, one of which viz.,'Bidar' is mentioned in this volume. "Shri Guru Charitra" depicts the life missions of these two incarnations.

The original volume contains 52 chapters and it is written in the form of conversation between Naamdharak and his spiritual Guru Shri Siddha Muni, who was a disciple of Shri Narasimha Saraswati. Several miraculous deeds are associated with these two Gurus - 5 such deeds are relating to Shripada Shri Vallabh (chapters 5 to 10) and 26 are relating to Shri Narasimha Saraswati, (chapters 11 to 51) besides many mythological (Puranik) tales have also been narrated in this volume by way of illustration. The main aim of the book is to extol the greatness of the Spiritual preceptor (Guru) and to dispel the ignorant notion that He is just another human.

According to researches made in connection with Shri Guru Charitra, by a Gurubhakta, Shri R. K. alias Annasaheb Kamat of Durga Datta Mandir, Mashail, Goa, ' Shri Guru Charitra' contains "Shri Guru Geeta" as its 49th chapter. It is composed of 176 Sanskrit slokas and 34 Marathi Ovis - 13 at the beginning and 21 in the end. In some of the latter scripts it seems that this chapter of Shri Guru Geeta is deleted, probably it being in Sanskrit and the 41st chapter is split up into two chapters, keeping the number of chapters the same i.e. 52. The gist of Shri Guru Geeta is included in this volume. (Shri Guru Gita is a dialogue between Shri Siva and His Divine consort Shri Parvati and forms a part of Skandha Puran. It deals with the greatness of Guru and establishes that Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheshwara, why, it proclaims, Guru is identical with Para Brahma, Who is considered the Origin of all including the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. Since Sri Dattatreya is also an incarnation of the three Deities, He is revered as the Aadi Guru. Shri Dattatreya is an Avinash Avatar, i.e. He did not shed His body when His mission was completed like Sri Rama, Sri Krishna etc., but is continuing even today. His mission is to help all His devotees cross this Ocean of Worldly existence.)

The research scholars of Medical Sciences have a good opportunity of thinking over and analysing the means that have been used by Shri Guru for cure of acute gastric pain, leprosy, toxic irritations, revival to life, sterility of females etc. Of course it is an admitted fact that the yogic and Divine power of Shri Guru is mainly responsible for these miracles to a great extent. Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi also performed similar 'miracles' to reinforce the faith of His devotees.

In order that the general public, males and females, should be acquainted with the contents of this great popular volume, this author made a humble attempt and "Subodh Shri Guru Charitra" in Marathi prose was published in November 1952, on Datta Jayanti (Margashir Poornima).

It is an experienced fact that the reading of such literature gives mental peace to those who are worried due to different miseries of this worldly life and also encourages and guides them to go ahead on the path of self-emancipation by making their lives sublime and full of highest bliss. 

Sri Pada Sri Vallabh Paduka

Ch - 01 Sri Guru Charitra

LORD DATTA

Namdharak sees Shri Guru in Dream

A devotee of Shri Guru by name Namdharak, greatly worried due to domestic miseries, left home and started on foot with the intense desire of seeing Shri Guru. While on his way, he was praying to Shri Guru all the time.

"Oh, Guru, all say, 'Thou art Paras' (the Philosopher's stone that turns iron into gold by mere touch). But then why should I be required to suffer so much, though I have been reciting your name all the time, and having full faith in you?"

"In this Kaliyug, you are the incarnation of Trimurti (three principal Gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara).  Oh, Shri Narasimha Saraswati, you are the Guide to and treasure of the kindness to the devotees."

"As a mother does not forsake her child, in the same way please do not keep me away from yourself, as you are my mother, father, brother, sister, friend, relative - one and all."

"You are the protector of this Universe, donor of Gods, you have all the knowledge. You made Bali, the king of Patal, you gave Vibhishan the Kingdom of Lanka (Ceylon). You made this Earth devoid of the Kshatriya race and then gave it in charity to the Brahmins. You offered ever-lasting place to Dhruva. But what did you receive in return from every one of these? If you have received nothing, then what can an innocent human-being like myself offer you, who Himself the Lord of Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) is?"

"When a child, on the lap of its mother, opens its mouth to drink milk, what does the mother expect from the child? It does not become you, a great Giver of boons, to first receive and then to give."

"All the wells on the earth do not adore Varun, the God of rains, but yet Varun gives rains in abundance to one and all."

"My forefathers have been your devotees for generations. I possess only this treasure of services of my family unto you. Kindly give me some loan from this treasure, as I am in very peculiar circumstances. I am seeking your shelter considering and You, on your part, overlook my misdeeds and do not be angry with me."

"If a mother is angry with the child, the child seeks father's shelter. You are my Mother and Father too. So will you not protect me, an innocent child? Are you not even inclined to listen to my miserable tale?"

Sri Pada Sri Vallabh Sri Paduka

Being tired of walking, he sat down under a tree and soon he was asleep. In his dream, he saw a Personality with hair-locks on head, ash markings on all the body and face full of kindness. He soon recognized him to be Shri Guru, who applied ashes to his forehead and placed his blessing hand on his head. 

Ch - 02 Sri Guru Charitra

LORD DATTA

Siddha Muni Guides Namdharak 

Namdharak was greatly amazed to see the dream. He awoke and began to proceed further on his path. While going he was all the time thinking over the dream, he had seen in the previous night. He now observed that similar personality, alike that seen by him in the dream was coming from the front. He prostrated himself humility before him and said, "You are my mother and father. Kindly favor me, an orphan child. Kindly tell me your name and place of residence."

The Siddha Muni said, "I am a Yogi. I live on earth and in heaven also. I have been visiting holy places and now I have come here. I am a disciple of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswathi, who resides at Gangapur near Sangam, the meeting place of the Bhima and Amaraja rivers. He is in the incarnation of Thrimurties and always found in meditation. He has come to this earth for the salvation of his devotees. His devotees get food, cows and other wealth in abundance"

Hearing this Namdharak asked him, "Though my forefathers have been devotees of Shri Guru for generations, why should be in such adverse conditions? Will you kindly satisfy me in this respect?"

Shri Siddha said,"You say that you worship Shri Guru and yet complain adversities. Then it seems that you are not worshiping Shri Guru wholeheartedly. Even if Shri Vishnu or Shri Shiva is angry with his devotee, Shri Guru can surely protect him. But if Shri Guru is enraged, even Shri Vishnu or Shiva cannot protect him."

Namdharak said, "Kindly tell me why Shri Guru is said to be the incarnation of Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. How is it that if Shri Guru is enraged none else can protect? Where can I find this reference? Kindly explain all this to me, so that my mind would become more firm in devotion"

Shri Siddha said, "Four Vedas came out as utterances of four headed Brahma. From the Vedas 18 Puranas were construed. Brahma Vaivarta is one of these and it is stated in it that in the Dwapara Yug, Vyasa, the Vishnu incarnate, spread the light of knowledge on Earth, through such volumes known as Brahma Sutras. Rishis and Munis listened to the tales from Vyasa, which I am narrating to you.

"Once upon a time, Kaliyug asked Brahma about the Greatness of Shri Guru".

Namdharak intervened asking, "Why did Brahma narrate this to Kali?"

Shri Siddha proceeded saying, "In the start of evolution Adinarayan, Shri Vishnu was lying on a leaf of Vat. He desired and lotus came out of his umbilicus. On it was seated Brahma, who looked to the four directions and he got four heads. He thought that he was all Supreme. Realizing this Shri Vishnu smiled and said "Ah, I am here, bow to me". Brahma bowed to him and praised him. Being pleased Shri Vishnu asked Brahma to create this Universe. Shri Vishnu gave him four Vedas and also told him to create this world according to the process given in the Vedas.

Brahma then created this World, which has several animate and inanimate things such as:-

1) Swedaj: those born of perspiration as bugs etc.

2) Andaj: those coming out of eggs as birds,

3) Jaraj: those begetting from placenta i.e., womb as human beings and

4) Udbhij: i.e. coming out of earth i.e. plants, creepers, trees etc. Similarly Brahma created three Lokas (Worlds.). This process of creation has been stated in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana in the following manner: -

Brahma called every Yug one after the other and asked him to go on Earth. First came Krita Yug, who did not speak a lie was learned and devoid of family attachments, had sacred thread and necklace of Rudraksha-beads around the neck. He said, "The people of Earth speak a lie, and are sinful. How can I go and stay there? Brahma said, "Stay there for some time. I shall be sending another Yug to follow you".

Then came Treta Yug. Fat in body possessed articles of sacrifice in his hands. In this Yug people performed sacrifices and abode by the rules of religions and rituals and most of them were Brahmins.

After the Treta Yug, Dwapara Yug is approached Brahma. He had arrows and other weapons in his hands. He was both kind and wicked. Virtue and sin were both visible in him.

Lastly Kali Yug was called for ghost like appearance, thoughtless heart, old age, struggling and despising mentality were his characteristics. He came before Brahma and began dancing and uttering childish words. At one moment he laughed, at another he welted and then abused anybody. Seeing him in such strange mood, Brahma asked, "Why are you naked and abusing so fifthly?"

Kali replied, "I shall win over people by these two means. I am not afraid of anybody."

Brahma smiled and told me to go the Earth and show the influence of his evil intentions.

Kali said, "I selfish, destroyer of Dharma, I like quarrel, despising and I long for the wealth and wives of others. I am a friend to those who pretend to be a saint and I am an enemy of all the virtuous."

Brahma told him, "In Kali Yug the span of life of the human beings would be only hundred years. In the former Yugas, as the life span was too long people followed the path of penance and devotion in order to attain supreme knowledge. In Kali Yug, a man can attain salvation, the observing penance and devotion for less time. You should help such virtuous persons."

Kali said,” Such virtuous men are my enemies. I am afraid of such persons. How should I then go to the Earth?" Brahma said, "Take Kal and Atma with you. They will destroy the religious mindedness and even induce virtuous persons to commit sins."

Kali said, "They are enemies, who abide by the religion and are devotees of Vishnu and Siva, who listen to Puranas, give charities and who have peaceful hearts. But on the contrary, I love those who love their wives and children, dishonor their parents who despise Vedas and Sastras, who see separateness in Vishnu and Siva and despise them. " Brahma said", You are clever. People will follow you and act as per your wishes as soon as you go there. If a few persons are virtuous, you do not trouble them."

Kali said, "I am cruel. Please tell me how I should help the virtuous? Please direct me as to how I should behave on the Earth."

Brahma said, "I am sending Kal and Atma also with you who will direct you. The virtuous only can will you, all others will soon be your slaves."

Kali asked, "How a Sadhu (Saint) is to be known?" Brahma said "Please do not harass the learned and those who worship Hari, Har, who serve parents, Gods and Brahmins, cows and plants as Tulsi, you need not affect these". Kali again asked, "What is the importance of Guru? How he is to be known?"

Brahma said 'Alphabet (gu ) means Siddha and (R) and (U) imply Shri Ganesh who is Guru. Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, parents are all Gurus of this Earth. Knowledge imbibed with devotion and rational thinking (Viveka) is seen in the heart of the Guru. Study of Dharma and Shastras without Guru is futile. He directs in action, thought, devotion and disintegration. One cannot surpass worldly miseries without the help and guidance of Guru. He throws a flashlight on the dark illusionary path. Service to the Guru makes one pure in body, speech and thinking.

I shall just tell a tale as an example.

On the bank of Godavari, there was the Ashram of Angiras Rishi. Many disciples were being trained in this Ashram. One disciple named Sandeepak served his Guru, Veda Dharma, with great devotion. Once Veda Dharma Muni gathered his disciples together and said, "If you really love me, do as I bid you."

All replied, "Gurudev, we shall act as per your command, for one who doesn't obey his Guru, goes to hell and cannot get salvation."

The Guru said, "I have committed sins in my previous births. The effect of many of them has been wiped off by my penance, but still some of them are persisting. I will not get salvation unless I suffer the evil effects of these sins with my body. I, therefore, wish to go to Kashi, stay there and get rid of these sins. You have to attend on me and serve me during this period. One who is strong enough should undertake this hard task".

Sandeepak accepted this bid. Veda Dharma said, "It is better to get rid of the sins so long as one has sound health, otherwise they spread like poison. So I should go to a holy place and suffer the bad effects myself. Even Gods have to suffer, then how can a human being like myself avoid the same".

Sandeepak said, "Kindly tell me what I should do. I shall spare no pains in serving you."

Veda Dharma said, "I shall become blind, lame and a leper, you will have to serve me for 21 years in such condition. If you are resolute, then only you should accept this job."

Sandeepak said, "Gurudev, I resolve that I shall also be blind, lame and a leper and serve you devotedly and see that you get rid of all the sins".

Veda Dharma was much pleased with his words. He further said, "One should suffer the evil effects of one's sins oneself and should not allow the son or the pupil or anyone else to suffer for him. The sins will not be wiped off unless they are borne by one's own body. It is very taxing to serve a diseased person. So you will have to take troubles even more than myself. Please take me to Kashi and do serve me there."

Sandeepak assured his Guru and soon he took him to Kashi. They lived there at Kambaleshwar to the North of Mankarnika. The Muni took a bath in Mankarnika and worshiped Vishweshwar and began to suffer the pangs of diseases. As the time passed on, leprosy developed all over his body and he became blind losing his eyesight. His body was petrified and pus, blood and germs flowed out of it. He began to have fits also. Still Sandeepak took all pains to nurse his Guru with great devotion. He used to bring alms daily for his Guru, fed him and served him, thinking him to be Kashi Vishweshwar.

Veda Dharma being in a diseased condition became peevish by nature and often was enraged and spoke harsh words to his disciple, Sandeepak. Some day he would not take food, some day he would abuse him cruelly for bringing insufficient for undelicious alms. Some day he would throw away the food in anger and despair. Sometimes he would even beat him severely. Another time he would complain that he did not clean his body, wounds, clothes smeared with stool and urine and consequently he was much troubled by flies. When Sandeepak was attending on him, he would say why did he not go out for alms. In this way Sandeepak was harassed every now and then.

Yet Sandeepak tried his best to bring good delicious food and vegetables as directed by his Guru. Though he was living in Kashi, he never went to the Vishweshwar temple to worship and see the most holy shrine of Vishweshwar. Similarly he did not think of any other thing but he solely devoted himself to the nursing and giving best service to his Guru, whom he respected as God Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Though the Guru got enraged off and on, he did not retort harshly.

Seeing his such devoted service to his Guru, Kashi Vishweshwar was so pleased that he appeared before him and told him to ask for some favor or blessing. Sandeepak replied, "Without the approval of my Guru, I cannot ask for your blessings". He then came to his guru and said "Kashi Vishweshwar is pleased to offer me some blessing. If you permit me, I shall pray him to remove your physical pangs and give you sound health."

Hearing this, Veda Dharma was enraged. He said to Sandeepak "Do not pray Vishweshwar for my health. If I do not suffer these pangs, I will have to suffer in the next birth and this would abstract my path of salvation."

Sandeepak returned to Kashi Vishweshwar, and told him, " My Guru doesn't like me to accept any blessings from you." Being amazed Kashi Vishweshwar went to Shri Vishnu and reported this wonderful incident to him.

Hearing this, Shri Vishnu and Shri Kashi Vishweshwar desired to see this disciple and his Guru and so they both came to Kashi and approached Sandeepak. Shri Vishnu said, "Oh Sandeepak, I am pleased with your devotion to your Guru. You may ask for what ever you desire. I shall fulfill your wishes."

Sandeepak said, "Oh Narayan, even after undertaking penance in dense forest for infinite period, you disappoint your devotees. But when neither did I worship you, nor recite your name, why should you be pleased with me and ask me to have a boon from you?"

Shri Vishnu said, "Whatever devoted service you have rendered to your Guru, has been received by me. I love such disciples very much. I am under his influence and I willingly offer him my blessings. I like wife's devotion to her husband, bowing to Brahmins. Ascetics and Sanyasis, and such persons come to my place in the end."

Sandeepak said, "Oh Mahavishnu, I have full faith that I shall attain all knowledge of Vedas and Shastras from my Guru. As Guru is my God, Trimurties (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh) are within my reach, whatever blessings you give me; I shall be getting the same easily from my Guru. I am, therefore, serving my Guru devotedly."

On this Shri Vishnu said pleasingly, "Sandeepak, you are the best amongst all the disciples. You are my loving child. Shri Shiva and myself are pleased with your devotion. Ask for a boon."

Sandeepak said, "If you are so keen to favor me with your blessings, kindly give me such guidance as would enable me to serve my Guru with still more devotion."

Shri Vishnu said, "Amen! We offer you what you desire. You have known Guru and also experienced Par-Brahma in yourself. The word Guru contains only two alphabets; still it is the ocean of nectar. One, who dips into it even for a moment, will cross this worldly ocean. One who always remembers Guru is respected in all Lokas."

When Sandeepak went to his Guru, the Guru asked him, "What did Mahavishnu give you?"

Sandeepak replied,” I asked him to guide me to serve my guru with more devotion and he was pleased to give me this blessing. I wish I should serve you well and incessantly".

Hearing this Veda Dharma too was extremely pleased. He said,” You are the best of all the disciples. You should stay in Kashi. What ever you say will be true. You will receive the wealth of Kuber (God of Wealth), the miseries of those who remember you will come to an end".

The same moment, the body of Veda Dharma muni became healthy and bright. He had suffered from leprosy and other pangs only for testing his disciple.

In this way, Brahma told Kali this tale of Sandeepak, Oh, Namdharak, you should also worship Shri Guru with such devotion and then only, you shall easily pass over the worldly miseries. Control your sense, Karma, Dnyan and also heart and other by you will win even the Great God i.e., Parameshwar." 

Sri Pada Sri Vallabh Sri Paduka