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SRI GURU CHARITHRAM (About Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha Sri Nrusimha Saraswati) Selective lines from Sri Gurucharithram published published by Dattacharatnam Dattacharatnam Sri Venkaji Rao and Smt Susheela Bai Trust, Chennai
SRI JWALA CENTRAL TRUST Hyderabad SRI JWALA TRUST Chennai
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Sri Guru Charithram
Not for Sale
Published by :
Sri Jwala Jwala Central Central Trust, rust, 1st Floor, Room No. 9, Sunshine Complex, Lakdi-ka-pool, Lakdi-ka-pool, Hyderabad - 500 005. Tel : 040 - 23231656, 092480 11150
Sri Jwala Jwala Trust, rust, No. 8, Anandhavelu Street, Perambur, Chennai - 600 011. Tel : 044 - 25514042, 094440 66669
Printed by : Yezdi Printers, 13, Ebrahim Sahib Street, Chennai - 600 001. Phone : 2526 1327 / 94444 68636
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Sri Guru Charithram
Not for Sale
Published by :
Sri Jwala Jwala Central Central Trust, rust, 1st Floor, Room No. 9, Sunshine Complex, Lakdi-ka-pool, Lakdi-ka-pool, Hyderabad - 500 005. Tel : 040 - 23231656, 092480 11150
Sri Jwala Jwala Trust, rust, No. 8, Anandhavelu Street, Perambur, Chennai - 600 011. Tel : 044 - 25514042, 094440 66669
Printed by : Yezdi Printers, 13, Ebrahim Sahib Street, Chennai - 600 001. Phone : 2526 1327 / 94444 68636
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Foreword In this mechanical world where man finds no time to connect himself with the divine, it was felt that some messages contained in holy scriptures like Sri Guru Charitram may be passed on to mankind to enable him to grab the contents of such glorious works in a nutshell so as to kindle the fire in him to make a detailed study of such works for the sake of upliftment. With this end in view, a reproduction of selective lines from the book Sri Gurucharitram, published by Dattacharatnam Sri Venkaji Rao Rao and Smt Susheela Susheela Bai Bai Trust, Trust, Chennai is is being brought bro ught out here . Our thanks to them for their wonderful effort to mankind. Paying heed to the loving call of the devotees, the infinite Compassion and Bliss personified Lord transcends to the earth as an incarnation among us. Lord Dattatreya is the very essence of the Sanathana Dharma. In order to put an end to the menial approaches pertaining to caste, creed, religion and faith and to restore man to the path shown by the ancient seers and sages towards salvation, the incarnations of the Lord take place from time to time. The object object behind the descent of the Lord as an incarnation is not to punish the wrong doer, doer, but to correct cor rect him and guide him to the path of righteousness r ighteousness with blemish less compassion. Though the ultimate descends in the form of an avatar, it does not slip even the slightest from its divinity. divinity. On the contrary contrar y, due to its all pervasiveness pervasiveness and infinite prowess, the Ultimate showers its extraordinary grace to embrace man kind to set set them on the righteous path. The righteous essence of Sanathana dharma are the incarnations or the Avataars. One such wonderful avatar is that which is being described in this Guru Charitra.
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Man has the capacity to blend his living in a harmonious way with the rest of the creations. To pave the foundation for such a harmonious living is the secret of the descent of the avatars. The main object of human living should be the attaining of peace, tranquility and bliss. The compassionate Brahman is ever eager to go all out to put an end to the endless miseries undergone by mankind.. The Guru Charitra is a series of such events and anecdotes which demonstrate the all encompassing compassion of the divine towards mankind. Sri Guru Charitra was first written in Marathi by Sri Gangadhara Saraswati and contained 53 chapters comprising of 7000 couplets. These contained the biographies of Sreepada Sreevallabha, and Sree Nrusimha Saraswati who are the avataras of Lord Dattatreya who lived in the 14th and 15th Century respectively. Subsequently these 7000 couplets were translated into Sanskrit as Sri Guru Charitram. It is understood that subsequently they were comprehended into 2000 couplets by Sri Vasudevaananda Saraswati. Let us dwell into the divine secrets of the Gurucharitram which are glorious tasks performed by the divine to provide salvation to mankind. Sree Ganeshaya namaha: Sree Saraswatyay namaha: Sree Gurubyo namaha: Sree Kula Devathabyo namaha: Sree Nrusimha Saraswatyay namaha: Jayajaya Lambodhara, Ekadhanta, Soorpakarna, the movement of the lobes of your ears removes all obstacles without any trace of their origin. Hence you are called as Vigneshwara. My salutations to you! Bless me to complete writing this Gurucharitra without any obstacles. My salutations to Goddess Saraswati! My prostrations to the Trinity. I prostrate the Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and the Rishis. My prostrations to my parents and my ancestors. My obeisance to one and all. Lord Mahavishnu and Goddess Lakshmi had to incarnate many number of times to alleviate the burden of Mother Earth.
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As said in Srimad Bhagavatam, Maharishi Durvasa came to understand that the Lord had to be born through the womb of various living beings, apart from the main ten avataars for innumerable reasons. The Ekadasi Vrata of King Ambareesha was instrumental for one such avataar of the Lord. Sage Durvasa went as a guest (Athithi) to Ambareesha. He was aware of the fact that King Ambareesha was undertaking the fast and vrata on Ekadasi day. He was invited for the Dwadashi Parana ( breaking of the fast on the next day of ekadasi within the Dwadasi thithi which results in completion of the Ekadasi Vrata ). The Sage decided to let the Vrata lapse without being completed properly. He had a leisurely bath and arrived at the Palace for the Parana after the auspicious hour for breaking the fast had lapsed. The King was waiting for the Sage to have his food. However, he had completed the Vrata successfully by partaking the Tulasi Teertha within the stipulated Dwadasi thithi. On learning about this, the Sage cursed the King to be born in all wombs as a punishment for completing the Dwadasi Parana without the guest. To save his devotee from the curse of the sage, the Lord Sriman Narayana , accepted to undertake the curse on behalf of his devotee . This became the reason for the Lord to be born in various wombs . It is hence found that the Lord had to undertake various main Avataars and sub avataars for innumerable reasons best known to Him. In this context, this Charitra is about why Sadguru Nrusimha Saraswati incarnated on Earth. He lived Gangapur which is in the confluence of the rivers Amaraja and Bhima. He is the incarnation of the Trinity. I will tell you His greatness which you may please listen with great attention. The Sadhaka who listens to this story with concentration and devotion will have the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and will be blessed with immense material prosperity. He will enjoy good
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health and will be free of diseases. The household which has a copy of this Charitra will be bubbling with happiness and peace. The inmates of such a household will be free of the Karmic bondages. I wish every one places faith on my words and listen to this charitra with attention. If one should treat this charitra as a wish fulfilling Kamadhenu and dwell in this charitra, he will be blessed with supreme knowledge and all his desires will be fulfilled. The one who is not fortunate to have the blessings of the Lord should necessarily be blessed with the power of the Guru’s protection. The Lotus feet of the Guru can alleviate the sufferings of a person. In Kaliyuga the longevity of the human beings is very less. With very minimal good deeds, he can become a Gyani. Worshipping the Guru in Kaliyuga frees the Sadaka very soon from all problems. Even if the Lord is angry over the devotee, a Guru’s grace can protect the Sadaka. But if the Guru is angry with the Sadaka not even the Trinity can save him. If we are blessed with the grace of the Guru, the grace of the Lord descends on us. Guru is Jyotiswaroopa. The orders of the Guru are to be complied with at all costs. The Guru should be equated to God. When serving at the feet of the Guru, one should not think about pilgrimages to sacred places or about having a dip in holy rivers. Even if the Guru scolds the shishya, it is still a boon to him. Each one has to bear the brunt of the karma which have been accumulated by them over births. One has to surrender one’s body, mind , intellect and wealth when serving at the Guru’s feet. Any grace of the Lord bestowed upon by any person, is solely due to the blessings of his Guru.
The Story of Deepaka
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The one who renders service to his Guru with a blemishless mind is very dear to the Guru as his own soul. The service rendered to one’s parents ,husband etc all reach the feet of the Guru alone. Prostrations made at the divine feet of holy sages, seers and yogis are equivalent to the prostrations made to Lord Sriman Narayana Himself. To obtain such a merit one should always revere the holy feet of his Guru in his heart always.
The Birth of Sri Dattatreya The anecdote pertaining to the incarnation of the divine Trinity as sons of Sage Athri and sacred Anasuya Devi signifies Sri Datta Charitra. Sage Athri is the altar of the Guru Lineage. Overwhelmed by the chastity and upright conduct of Anasuya Devi, the Trimurthi’s decided to test her. They adorned the garb of alms seekers and reached the Ashram of Sage Athri when he was not around. Anasuya welcomed them to the Ashram. The Trimurti’s expressed that they were very hungry. When she offered them food, they statedthat the food would be accepted by them only when it was offered by her in a nude state. Anasuya offered her prayers at her husband’s feet mentally and accepted to serve the guests food as requested by them. She personified the visitors are infants in her mind and went nude before them to serve food. Lo! Her Chastity had converted the three visitors into three beautiful infants. Seeing them wail , she was overwhelemed with motherly feeling for the children and held them to her bossom and fed them with her milk. Sage Athri on reaching the ashram, visualized all that had transpired there and offered his prayers to the divine infants. The Trinity regained their forms and profusely praised the couple for their steadfast beahaviour and error free living. Sage Athri sought the boon of having all the three of them in a single form as their son. The boon was sanctioned. Accordingly, Brahma became Chandra, Shiva became Sage Durvasa and Vishnu became Dattatreya. While Chandra and Durvasa took leave of the Couple,
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Dattatreya stayed back with them and became the initial guru in the Guru Parampara Lineage. Thus due to King Ambareesha, the Lord had to be born in several forms for the welfare of mankind. The moolasthan of Sri Dattatreya is at Maahar which is known as Karaveerakshetra. He resides there in the form of Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha. He comes there every day for his midday Biksha. Whosoever comes at our door step for Biksha during the noon has to be offered the same without negation as none knows in what form Lord Datta can knock at one’s door during noon for Bhiksha.
The Birth of Sree Sreepada Sreevallabha Offering Biksha on the day of the annual ceremony of ancestors entails the ancestor to enter Swarga Loka.. At the end of the ceremony chanting of the mantra ‘Eko Vishnu:’ ensures that the Biksha has been given to Lord Vishnu himself.
The sanctity of Gokarna Kshetra On the pretext of imparting deeksha, Sree Sreepada Vallabha stayed at Gokarna Kshetra. The self manifested Shiva Linga at Gokarna is known as Mahabaleshwar and it was installed by Sri Vigneshwara. Ravana’s mother used to propitiate Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Linga made freshly out of mud every day. Looking at this, Ravana performed rigorous penance to obtain the very Kailash for her from the Lord for worship. Pleased with his penance, Shiva gave him the atma Linga with the specific instruction that it should not be placed anywhere down on the earth before reaching Lanka.. Lord Vishnu ordained Vigneshwara to some how prevent Ravana from taking the Aatma Linga to Lanka and to make him place it on the earth. In the meantime, it was time for the evening Sandya worship. Ravana did not want to miss this worship. On seeing Vigneshwara in the form of a brahmachari
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youth in front of him, he requested him to hold the Atma Linga in his hand until he would return after performing the Sandya worship. Vigneshwara received the Linga after warning him that he would place the Linga on the ground if Ravana did not respond to three calls of his. As soon as Ravana started his Sandya worship, Vigneshwara gave him the first call that he was not able to carry the weight of the Linga. When Ravana sat for meditation during his worship, Vigneshwara gave him the second and third warning call and placed the Linga on the ground and installed it there. The devatas rejoiced and showered flowers on the Linga. On seeing the Linga placed on the ground, the agitated Ravana, gave a hit on the head of Vigneshwara with his knuckles forming a dent on his head. The Linga came to be known as Mahabaleshwara and the imprint on it in the form of a Cow’s ear (Go-Karna) when Ravana tried to remove it from the ground gave the name Gokarnam to the kshetra..
The efficacy of Shivaratri at Gokarna Kshetra The temple at Gokarna is one in which Kubera, , Vaayu, Badra Kali, Matruka Devatas and Chandi reside in the Western entrance and offer worship to Lord Mahabaleshwar thrice a day. The Gokarna Kshetra is also a pilgrimage place for sages like Vasishta, Kanva, Vishwamitra, and Jaimini and to Yaksha, Gandharva and Naga loka inmates for worshipping Lord Mahabaleshwar.Every stone in Gokarna is to be considered to be a Shiva Linga and every water place there is equivalent to a Punya Theertha. Sins of very high magnitude including Brahmahatti dosha are mitigated in this Kshethram.
The greatness of the Pradosha Vratam It is said that the inmates of Gokulam, Brindavan could get Lord Krishna among them by undertaking the Pradosha Vratam. Sri
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Sreepada Vallabha states that one can obtain a son who is an evolved Brahma Gyani by undertaking pradosha Vratam.
The Skanda purana gives a detailed account of the wives and daughters of cowherds offering their devote prayers to Lord Shiva on Pradosham during Saturdays (Sani Pradosham).
Bestowing Rajaka with a Kingdom The great sadaka Rajaka offered prayers to the Paadukas of Sri Sreepada Vallabha at Kuruvapuram with great devotion and hosted a princely lunch for 4000 brahmins. This village became a sacred place because Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha resided there. All the desires of people who performed service in this place were fulfilled. The punya of worshipping the paadukas and feeding the Brahmins at Kuruvapuram bestowed the washerman (Rajaka) with a Kingdom in the next birth and he was born as a Nawab and paid his obeisance to Sri Nrusimha Saraswati in the Sangam .
The birth of Narahari Nrusimha Saraswati With a view to beget a noble son the blessed couple undertook the Sanipradosha vratam towards Lord Shiva and were blessed with a divine son who was born chanting “Om” right at birth. The parents were pleasantly surprised and so were the inmates of the village. The mother of the divine child did not have sufficient milk to mitigate His hunger. However, when the child touched her breasts with his tender hands, she was blessed with abundant milk . Further, when the child put his hand on her head, she could recollect vividly that He was none other than Sreepada Sreevallabha and the jubilant parents prostrated the divine child. He was named as Narahari.
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When he grew up he obtained Sanyasa from Brahmachari Sri Krishna Saraswati and came to be known as Nrusimha Saraswati. He is the Jagat guru. He is the incarnation of the Trinity. Does He require a guru ? Did not Lord Rama accept Sage Vasishta and Sri Krishna accept Sage Sandipini as their Gurus? On being born as a human being Narahari decided to follow the dharma of seeking a guru like any normal human being and accepted Sri Krishna Saraswati as his guru and took Sanyasa deeksha from him. His guru parampara commenced from Adi Shankara and ended with Sri Krishna Saraswati. This Nrusimha Saraswati is the pivotal person in this Guru Charitra. Listening devotedly to this Guru Charitra is capable of bestowing divine knowledge and perennial bliss to the sadaka.
Vipra Udara Viyata Nirasanam Comparing the Guru who is equivalent to the Trinity to an ordinary mortal makes one fall into the yonder hells. When a person takes to sanyasa, 21 generations of forefathers in his father’s clan and mother’s clan get salvation. He is bestowed with the fortune of attaining the Brahmaloka. His descendants are free from the fear of untimely death. Even if his ancestors are in the Hell they obtain salvation because of Him.
Dushta Yavana Shasanam Sri Nrusimha Saraswati blessed the Deva Sishya to live without fear and told him that due to certain reasons He was undertaking Teertha Yaatra and would return after 15 years to stay with him in the Village. He then left on the pilgrimage with other sishyas. Subsequently he started living in a inconspicuous (gupta) fashion in a place known as Vyjanaadham or Arogya Bhavani Kshetra which is one of the 12 Jyotir Linga Kshetram.
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Description of the greatness of Kshestra & Tirthas Sri Guru explained to his sishyas that pilgrimage to Ahobila Kshetra is equivalent to performing 60 Yagnas. A reverential look at the Srigiri mountain at Ahobilam is capable of giving salvation to the Sadaka. He ordained his sishyas to meet him at Srisaila Kshetram after visiting all the Kshetrams and Punya Teerthams. He implored them to have a bath in all punya theerthams. For the women folk, they were not supposed to bathe in the rivers for 3 days during their menstrual period, one day in the wells, ponds and lakes. The rivers are to be considered to be unfit for bath (Rajasvala) for 10 days during the rains in rainy season. The on-set of the floods is to be considered as the 1st day of Rajasvala period (menstrual period) for the rivers. He ordained that great sins would accrue if one were to go against the dictum and have a dip in the rivers during this period.
Service to the Sadguru Once a Brahmin visited the Sri Guru and prostrated him. He submitted that he had sought refuge in a guru who did not teach him anything but was always scolding him and made him do his household chores all the time . Frustrated and angered over this behaviour of the Guru, the brahmin had decided to leave the guru and seek another guru. He requested Sri Guru to help his agitated mind obtain calmth and to show him the path of righteousness. To this, Sri Guru laughed and said , “Oh! traitor! How will a person who abuses his guru ever get any gyanam? Only if the Guru is happy the Gyanam transends on the sishya. If the Guru is happy, the sishya is blessed with all the eight siddhis. To a person who abuses his guru a place in the Hell known as Kumbibaagam is reserved. By pleasing his guru by his service a person can get the knowledge of all sastras in a second”. He then ordained the Brahmin to go back to his guru and continue his service to him and please him to obtain salvation.
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Dwijodhranam Sri Guru was living discreetly under the Audumbar tree (Fig tree) in a village called as Billawadi by the banks of the river Krishna. In order to keep away from men who were asking for inconspicuous things as boon from Him, he kept away from the eyes of men and was living there discreetly. Lord Shiva and Lord Dattatreya are the foremost among of biksha seekers. This is being done to bless the devotees when they seek biksha from them. It is not possible to hide the sun for a long time. It is not possible to hide the fragrance of musk even if it is covered. Similarly it is not possible to hide the sadguru for long time. People get to know of Him very soon.
Viveka Saara Ayaachit Vipra Dhainya Haranam As soon as he became popular in Billawadi inspite of his discreet living, he left for the Pancha Ganga Sangamam. The Kuruvapuram village near this Pancha ganga Sangamam is very famous like the Kurukshetra. A village called Amarapuram is located near this place where Lord Amareswara resides with all His glory. It soon became explicit that Sri Guru blessed a Brahmin couple residing in Amarapuram. There was a cluster bean plant (chikkudu kai or Avarai kai) in the house of the Brahmin. The Brahmin was seeking limited biksha for a living and yet was taking care of the guests who arrive at their doorstep. On days when he did not get any biksha, he offered the cluster beans as naivedya to the Lord and used to consume it. One day Sri Guru went to the brahmin’s house for Biksha and uprooted the cluster beans plant saying that their poverty and misery was annulled there after.. The wife of the Brahmin was very sad that they lost their last hope for a meal. However, the Brahmin assured her that man always reaps the benefits of the good and bad deeds committed by him in the previous births and that the words of the Guru would always come
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true and their poverty would definitely vanish. So saying, he started removing the remains of the cluster bean plant from the ground by completely removing the left over roots. He stumbled upon a pot with gold coins there. On informing the Sri Guru about this, Sri Guru asked him not to reveal the matter to anyone as Mahalakshmi would not stay in his house then and asked him to lead a happy life with the money obtained. If the grace of the Sri Guru descends on man, his mere appearance can alleviate the poverty of the sadak and grant all prosperity.
Audumbara Kshetra Varnanam When Sri Guru was questioned as to why he chose the Audumbar (Fig) tree over the Ashwatha (Peepal) tree, Sri Guru explained the significance of the Audumbar tree. One gets the fruits of all the purushaarthas by having a dip in the sacred Papavinasham and Siddha theertham. The efficacy of such a bath would be greatly increased on Poornima, Amavasya and the Paksha, maasa days. Fruits of such a holy bath along with the merits obtained by donating one thousand cows by the side of river Ganges to sages who are Brahma Gyanis is obtained by circumambulating the Audumbar tree with reverence. Further, if one feeds a Brahmin with devotion under the Audumbar tree, it is equivalent to feeding a crore Brahmins. Similarly one japam done under the Audumbar is equivalent to a crore of homams, one rudram done with worship in the mind is equivalent to an athi rudram. Sri Guru also ordained that if one were to circumambulate the Audumbar tree with slow steps, each step is equivalent to a Vajapeya Maha yagnam. One can get relief from great sickness like leprosy if one is going to circumambulate two or four times and prostrate the vruksham. A lakh of Circumambulation of the Audumbar tree will confer a physical body equivalent to that of the Devataas.
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Brahma Sammandha Parihaaram When questioned as to why children die parents are alive Sri Guru replied that it was because of the karma accumulated in the previous births due to women aborting the child in the womb , killing of cows or horses, coveting the wealth of a childless woman, or by not repaying the debts or money obtained from others.
Putra Sanjeevanaamrutam The efficacy of the “Guru Sthaan” is difficult to be explained. The Guru sthaan is capable of bestowing children to the childless, abundant wealth to the needy , robust health to the sickly and prevents untimely deaths. Further all the genuine wishes of the devotees were sanctioned by Sri Guru. Deadly diseases like cardio vascular disease, insanity and diseases of the circulatory system were cured in the Guru sthaan.
Vindhya Maharishi Thohanam Just as Lord Krishna went to the humble cottage of Vidhura foresaking the palace of Duryodhana, Sri Guru always went to the abode of ordinary people. These ordinary mortals were always very close to Sri Guru. To them he always showered his divine blessings and made them get all the benefits both financially and metaphysically. Sri Guru had the prowess to sanction a Kingdom to a poor man. His wrath was capable of burning down anything to ashes. Sri Guru is capable of rewriting the fate of any individual with ease and is capable of bestowing him with any fortune. Sri Guru is the only refuge for a person to mitigate his misery and poverty. The mere darshan of the Sri Guru is enough to drive away the poverty and miseries of a person.
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Rakshasa Mukta Karanam On being overwhelmed by the Sri Guru’s Leela of converting an old barren buffalo into a milking buffalo, the King proceeded to take the Sri Guru around the Kingdom in a very ostentatious procession in a palanquin. At that time, the procession passed through a peepal tree where a Brahma Rakshas was residing. This Brahma Rakshas was troubling the people a lot. He took the form of a brahmin and went to prostrate Sri Guru. On looking at him, Sri Guru asked him to have a bath in the Sangam to get rid of the curse of being born as a Brahma Rakshas. To the astonishment of one and all, the Brahma Rakshas was relieved of his curse on having a dip in the sangam and obtained mukti. Every one praised Sri Guru as the ultimate avataar of Hari, Hara and Brahma.
Trivikrama Bharati viswaroopa darshanam A person who considers Sri Guru who is the incarnation of the divine Trinity to be a ordinary mortal falls to the hells and languishes there for seven births due to the sin from such a thought. The greatness of the Sri Guru is beyond explanation. When the vedas have declared Guru as the personification of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, how to describe his greatness ? Hence Sri Guru has to be revered with great respect.
Dwija Prashamsa There were two Brahmins who were puffed up with pride for having attained proficiency in three vedas. They went touring around places and teased brahmins and forced them to enter into a competition with them on the vedic topics. During one such tour, they came upon a Sanyasi by name Trivikrama Bharathi and started forcing him to compete with them. The sanyasi took them to the audience of Sri Nrusimha Saraswati and submitted about his
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predicament with them. Sri Guru advised them not to be proud over their knowledge and quoted the instances of Devathas and Asuras who were annihilated due to their pride. He recalled the fate of Bali Chakravarty, the Kauravas and Ravana who were reduced to mud due to their haughty behaviour.
Veda Visthara Kathanam Without paying heed to the advice of the Sri Guru the two egotistic brahmins thundered that no one had won them in a word duel till that minute and it was not possible for ignorant sanyasis like Trivikrama Bharathi and Sri Guru to know about their victorious traits. Inspite of Sri Guru explaining the gist of all four vedas in an astounding manner, the brahmins did not stop bragging about their genial tendencies. At this ultimately Sri Guru became very furious.
Madhonmattha Vipra shaapa Kathanam He drew three lines on the ground with the staff in his hand and called a man from a lower caste who was present there to cross over the line. When this man did as he was commanded, he started propounding the intricacies of the four vedas with extreme ease and proficiency. The two brahmins were shocked beyond words and sought pardon for their actions from Sri Guru. Sri Guru cursed them to be born as Brahma Rakshasas as they had troubled a saintly person like Trivikrama Bharathi and were a shame to the entire brahmin clan. He ordained them to suffer for their misdeeds all by themselves. When the brahmins fell at his feet and sought his pardon, the all merciful Sri Guru blessed them saying that they had to undergo the punishment and repentance for 12years as Brahma Rakshasas when a Brahmin would come by their way chanting “Suka Narayana” and they would be relieved of the curse. He ordained them to have a bath in the Ganga. This is the fate of persons who do not pay heed to the words of the Guru.
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Karma Vibhaga Kathanam Sri Guru then explained to Sri Trivikrama Bharathi that repentance is the only way to get rid of one’s sins. If one commits heinous crimes and is perturbed by his acts and seeks repentance he should adhere to what has been said in Karma Vibhagam to cleanse his sins. When Trivikrama Bharathi enquired Sri Guru as to how the Brahma Rakshasa had obtained so much knowledge and after the body was bathed why that knowledge had vanished, Sri Guru replied that as long as the sacred ash was on his body, he gained the Gyanam of his yester births and could propound the vedas and after the bath when the sacred ash was washed off, he had once again slipped back into ignorance. Sri Guru mentioned that the power of the sacred ash was very great. Sri Trivikrama Bharati prostrated at the feet of Sri Guru and asked him to explain the sacredness of the ash in detail.
Basma Mahima Varnanam The sacred ash is capable of bestowing all wealth and knowledge on the persons who adorn it. Sage Vamadeva explained the significance of the sacred ash to the Brahma rakshas and gave him some sacred ash. When the raakshas applied the ash on his forehead, he obtained a beautiful body with brahma tejas. He prostrated the sage. A vehicle from the swarga descended and took the raakshas to heaven. As Sage Vamadeva was the very Iswara swaroopa, he travels around the world to give salvation to the needy. The ash by itself is sacred in nature. It gains more sanctity if it is given by a Sadguru. It is impossible to describe the greatness of such a sacred ash. It is equivalent to all mantras and tantras.
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Mruta Dwija Bharya Shokam The fruits of one’s karma of the previous births determine the course of his life in the current birth. He enjoys or suffers due to the effects of the acts of the previous birth. This body which is made up of the 5 basic elements is engulfed by the fruits of karma. We rejoice at birth and cry over death. Some die at a very young age while some pass away at a very ripe age. The Indra and Devathas are also bound by the fruits of Karma. The life on earth is equivalent to a long dream. It is more like a celestial magic.
Pativrata Aagyanam Devaguru explained that the Sun and moon feel sanctified when their rays touch the body of a chaste woman. Similar is the feeling among Vaayu, Varuna, Agni and other devataas. To obtain such a woman in a family it is required to perform meritorious acts in one hundred births. It is possible to obtain all the four Purushaarthas through them. Even Yagnas cannot be performed if they are not on earth. It is better to reside in a forest than to reside in a house where such women are not present. If a man obtains a chaste wife he can beget good children and obtain all merits in life.
Pretha Sanjeevanam A chaste woman from a good family came to the Sri Guru to cure her ailing husband. Sri Guru approached her in the form of a sage and told her that service rendered to the husband is the most sacred of all services. But due to providence, her husband passed away. It is said that it is difficult even for the devathas to overcome the effects of fate. This is proclaimed in the Sruthi. The sage told her that it is difficult to overcome the God of death and it is he alone who scores a victory over every soul. He advised her to undertake sati after prostrating Sri Guru at the Sangamam.
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Accordingly she went to the Sangamam and prostrated the Sri Guru who blessed her with eternal sowbagyam (Dheerga sumangalithvam). When she prostrated him again he blessed her saying that she would beget 8 sons. The people who were present ridiculed her over the outcome. She immediately informed Sri Guru about the untimely death of her husband and that she had placed the corpse by the Pancha Ganga and had come to prostrate him before undertaking sati with her husband. Hearing her plight and having mercy on her, Sri Guru ordered to bring her husband’s corpse before him. His grace instilled life in the corpse. Both husband and wife prostrated Sri Guru and sang his praise whole heartedly. He blessed them with a long and prosperous life. At that moment, some trouble mongers enquired Sri Guru as to how he could overcome fate which did not spare even the Devatas and whether fate was not the most powerful one? To this Sri Guru replied that he had intercepted with Brahma and had obtained 30 years of life from his next birth and that such acts can be performed only by a Sadguru. The one who listens to this story will have all his wishes fulfilled.
Rudraaksha Mahathmiyam This blessed couple were staying in the sannidhanam of Sri Guru. They were wearing rudraksha garlands on their neck. Sri Guru interpreted that Whether the rudrakshas are adorned knowing their efficacy or not, these are capable of giving immense blessings and hence sins never touch them. Further he explained the greatness of the Rudrakshas. There was a very beautiful prostitute. She was a dancer. Every day she used to dance with her friends. She had a hen and a monkey with her as pets. She had taught them to dance and had put a rudraksha garland around their necks. They were also named as Sadashivam. One day a vysya visited her. He had a Linga made of ruby with him. She was enamored by it and requested to give it to her even for a price or in
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exchange for 3 days of conjugal bliss. When the Vysya accepted to give her the ruby Linga in exchange for the conjugal bliss for 3 days she promised him that she would behave like a chaste women on those 3 days when she lived with him. During the second night, there was a wild fire at her place and the Linga, monkey and the hen were reduced to ashes in the fire. The Vysya grieved over the loss of the Linga which was more than his Life and he died in that grief instantly. The women who had promised to behave like a chaste women for three days entered the funeral pyre of the Vysya as she had promised to be his wife for three days. At that point Lord Shiva appeared before her and removed her from the pyre. He said that he had himself come with the aatma Linga to her in the form of the Vysya to test her chastity and had set fire to the dancing hall in which the monkey, hen and the Linga were reduced to ashes. On seeing her enter the funeral pyre like a chaste woman, he was pleased with her steadfast behaviour and offered her boons of her choice. To this the woman sought the feet of the Lord and asked him to grant Sivaloka Prapti for her and her clan. The Lord, granted her the boon and took the entire clan of the Dasi with him in a golden vehicle to Sivaloka. Sri Guru thus imparted the efficacy behind wearing of the rudraksha.
Sri Rudra Raya Mahima Varnanam Sri Guru explained the efficacy of the chanting of the Rudra Japam. A devotee who does the rudra japam and partakes the theertham of the rudra japam he is absolved of the fear of untimely death. Further, the soul of the devotee who chants rudra japam is in a punya roopam form. The man who bathes in the water in which adi rudram has been performed obtains salvation. If a hundred rudrabhishekams are performed, such a sadak obtains longevity and is relieved of all sins.
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Seemanthini Aakyanam Further Sri Guru also stated that it was against the principles of sastra to teach mantra paatam to women and service to their husbands was the only mantra required for any women. He also stated that If mantra was taught to women it would lead to many doshas and the efficacy of the mantra would be lost.
The proof of divinity On explaining about the places where one can consume food, Sri Guru ordained that food can be had at the place of one’s guru and in the house of one’s disciple. Food can also be consumed in the houses of Purohits, Vidwans, maternal Uncle, Father-in-law, brothers and houses of upright and saintly people . If one is performing ceremony to his ancestors and he is not able to find people for feeding to complete the ceremony, one should eat at such houses. Further, subsequently he may attain shuddhi by chanting Gayatri mahamantra. Japam has to be done with a serene mind. If it is done in our houses, it gives normal benefits. If it is done in the open air, it gives twice the benefit. If Japam is done by the side of a river, it gives threefold benefits. When japam is performed in the Cow shed or in Tulasi garden, it gives ten fold benefits. When Japam is performed where agnihotram is being performed, it bestows hundred fold benefits. If it is performed in religious places or temples it gives a thousand fold benefit. If the Japam is performed before Lord Vishnu, he bestows a hundred crore benefit to it and if performed before Lord Siva, the japam bestows infinite crore number of benefits. It is necessary to perform the japams with the required asanas.
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Proof of divine acts Sri Guru explained about the flowers which may be used in the worship of Gods and goddesses. In the worship of Lord Shiva, the flowers of Kethaki, Kapittham , sashaankam and blue coloured flowers should not be used. If Lord shiva’s archana is performed with flowers of kaashta Bhimbalam, karanja, Bagulam, thaatimi, Ketaki, maadhavi, sukuntam, Yuthika, Jaadhi and red coloured flowers, it is a dosham and leads to sin. White coloured flowers are to be used in the worship of Lord Shiva. In Vigneshwara Pooja Tulasi leaves should not be used. The Dhoorva grass may be used for Ganesha pooja. The Dhoorva grass should not be used for Shakti worship Thus performing poojas with flowers which are ordained for each deity imparts immense peace, wealth , health and sanctions all the wishes of the devotees.
Annapoorthika dwija chathur sahasra Bhojanam Sri Guru was explaining about the Devi and Devathas who are found in various kshetrams and religious places. He also mentioned that the prostration to one’s guru is more sacred than the worship at all these places. Surrender at the Guru’s feet can fulfill all the desires of the sadaka . Hearing his divine pronouncement, people from far and near came to his sannidhaan to offer their prayers and had all their wishes fulfilled. Hence the author Sri Gangadhar Saraswati requests the readers to collect their mind and heart together and offer them at the lotus feet of Sri Guru to obtain his grace and divine vision.
Vruddha Vandhya Prasevo A sixty year old childless woman was daily performing her Aarathi worship to Sri Guru. Once she poured out her woe that people were ridiculing her as a barren women and sought the
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blessings of Sri Guru to be blessed with a son at least in her next birth. To this Sri Guru replied that she would be blessed with grandsons and a daughter in this birth itself and that she need not doubt about the efficacy of his words. The surprised woman told him that she was well past the menopause stage and was beyond sixty years of age. Sri Guru asked her to worship the peepal tree which is called as ‘Ashwattha Narayana’ and also taught her the proper worship method . He asked her to perform this worship and circumambulation with faith. She gave birth to a girl child and named her as Saraswati. This daughter of hers was married to an esteemed Dikshita and as prophesized by Sri Guru her fame spread on all sides. The one has faith on the Guru’s words and follow his instructions scrupulously, Sri Guru blesses him immensely. Hence it is necessary to sing the praise of the Guru inorder to escape the clutches of misery and poverty.
Sushka Kaashta Sanjeevanam The villagers invited Sri Guru with lamps and harati and prostrated at his feet.. Sri Guru called the Brahmin near him and told him that he would be blessed very soon with abundant wealth, progeny and prosperity. He also gave him the title of yogeswara and said that he would have very good children and good disciples and that he was the best among his sishyas. Sri Guru also prophesised that the Brahmin would be wedded to a very chaste woman and that he would have three sons of whom one would be a yogi. He also blessed him that his descendants would strictly adhere to the vedic principles and would render themselves to the worship of Sri Guru. He also gave him the Vidya Saraswati Mahamantram.
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Kasi Kshetra Yaatra Nirupanam Performing the Pancha Krosa Yatra in Kasi is considered to be very fortunate. The boon bestowed on Brahma for creation, on Mahavishnu for protection is all because of the grace of Lord Vishwanatha of Kasi. Worshipping Kasi Vishwanatha bestows one with the boon of having all his desires fulfilled. One is blessed with multi tasking capacities. He can become Vishwakarma himself.
Kashi Kshetra Mahima Varnanam On the day with chaturthi thithi, Lord Ganesha is to be propitiated by offering sweet modakams. On Sundays and Tuesdays Lord Bhairava is to be worshipped. On Sundays which fall on Saptami thithi, Surya has to be worshipped. During Ashtami and Navami Thithi Goddess Chandi has to be worshipped. Sayam Deva visited Sri Guru on the sukla paksha chaturdasi day in the Badrapada month. Sree Guru was very elated to receive him as if he is one of his dearest relatives. He made him sit beside him and was enquiring about his welfare. That day the Ashram was decked up for the Ananta vrata pooja. Sayam Deva made all his four children prostrate Sri Guru.
Srimad Anantha Katha The Anantha Vratha mahima was described by Lord Sree Krishna to the Pandavas as follows: “Oh Pandu kumaras! If you would like to get rid of all your difficulties and get back your kingdom without fail, then you should observe the ananta vrata. Just understand who ananta was. I am present every where in every thing including all Kaashtam, muhurtam, day, night, paksham, body, month, years, yugas,kalpam and all that you can think of. Hence I am also known as the infinite one or the anantha. I am
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verily anantha. I am the incarnation of the Trinity. Surya, Chandra, 14 Lokas, 8 vasus, 12 aadityas, 11 rudras, 7 oceans, sapta rushis, oceans, seas, mountains, trees, 10 directions, Bhoomi, Paatala, Bhuvarloka, the sky and the yonder worlds, the stars all are filled with my presence. Hence worship to this virat roopa of mine without any doubts to get back all your prosperity”.
The description of Srisaila Sivaratri Mahima Sri Guru described the immense benefits that would accrue to a person who would worship Lord Mallikarjuna on Sivaratri . He also reiterated that the same benefits would accrue to one who worships Lord Kalleshwara in Gangapur and Lord Sangameshwara in the Pancha Ganga Sangamam. His disciple by name Danduka who had the vision of Sri Nrusimha Saraswati in the Linga of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy in SriSailam on the occasion of Sivaratri immediately retorted saying, “ Why do you try to conceal the truth ? I saw you today in the Lingam of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy. Hence you are the very Sangameswara, Kalleswara and all the Iswara Swaroopas put together. There is no iota of doubt about this”.
Dwija Kushta Parihaaram The Vedas state that “Charanam Pavithram Vidhatham Puranam” meaning that there is no other God other than the feet of one’s Guru. Even if Lord Brahma had destined a fate full of hardships, a guru’s grace can wipe them out completely. Namataraka stated that in his experience Sri Nrusimha Saraswati is the Lord Vishnu and the wish fulfilling Kamadhenu. He is the only one who can provide happiness in the current world and in the other worlds. Hence Sri Guru needs to be worshipped by one and all for their betterment and upliftment.
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Sri Kalleshwara Mahima Once a Brahmin by name Narakesari who ardently worshipped only Lord Kalleswara (he did not believe in a Guru given the status of Lord as he felt that he was only a human being) was suddenly grabbed in a deep sleep after the worship of Lord Kalleswara. In that dream he visualized that Sri Guru Nrusimha Saraswati was seated over the Shiva Linga which he was worshipping. Sri Guru enquired him as to why he was worshipping a Guru when he had no faith on man? Narakesari immediately woke up from his sleep and realized the potency of Sri Guru.
Aneka Swaroopa Dharanam Let us rejoice that the ultimate who is being pointed out by vedas and sastras is none other than Sri Nrusimha Saraswati. Let us spread this message around the world.Worship at his lotus feet satisfies all our desires. Will any one go in search of bitter nuts when he has the divine nectar in his hand ? Let us chant the name of Sree Guru and dwell in the bliss of reciting his names. There is none to sail us across this ocean of mundane existence other than the Sri Guru.
Baktha Sraddha Varapraptham The farmer who had immense faith in the words of Sri Guru, harvested his crops before the stipulated time and incurred the wrath of his family, his master and all his neighbours. But ultimately there was demonic rains in the place within the next few days and the entire crops of all others were washed off. The farmer thanked Sri Guru profusely and understood that one who has faith on the Sri Guru never suffers from want of food.
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Amaraja Sangama Gangapura Kshetra Mahima Sri Guru stated that the reason for his choosing Gangapur for residing is because it is equivalent to residing in Gaya, Kashi or Prayag. The Amaraja River was created by Devendra who accidentally dropped the excess celestial nectar (Amruta) in that place after bringing to life the devatas who had died in a war What ever spiritual activities are to be performed in Gaya kshetra they can be performed in the Amaraja Sangam. This is known as Sukra theertha and is equivalent to Dwaraka. By worshipping Lord Kesava who resides there, one gets the benefit of offering prayers at Dwaraka.
Saarva Bhowma Spodaka Samane Iswaryavalokane - Baidoora Pravesham Siddha who related the stories pertaining to Sri Guru to Namatarak, reiterated that though for the sake of the world it is stated that Sri Guru left for Srisailam finally leaving Gangapur, he firmly states that Sri Guru resides in Gangapur even today and that he has had a vision of Him there. Further the siddha states that if one were to do sincere service at Gangapur he can have all his desires fulfilled at ease. Just as Kamadhenu bestows the seeker with all that he requires effortlessly, so also, reading of this Guru charitra will bestow on the Sadaka fulfillment of his hearts desires, wealth and progeny apart from helping him cross the ocean of mundane existence.
Sri Guru Samadhi Gamanam Sri Guru decided to leave for Srisaila Kshetra to undertake samadhi . However, he assured his bakthas that his morning bath will be in the Pancha Ganga Sangamam by river Krishna and that he would reside under the Audumbar tree there. His afternoon
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worship will be in the Amaraja Sanagam and he would accept the worship of the devotees in the form of the Nirguna Paadukas at the Matam. He also promised to fulfill all the desires of the devotees who reverred him and sought refuge in Him. Namataraka obtained all the boons required for fulfillment of his birth’s object by listening to this Charitra. He ordained the other sadakas as follows: “It is not possible to know the taste of nectar without tasting it. If one has strong faith in the Sree Guru all his desires are fulfilled without fail. The one who is desirous of obtaining supreme gyana pertaining to the purusharthas, one who is desirous of having abundant wealth, one who is in need of children, needs to undertake the study of this Guru Charitram for his wish fulfilment. Sri Nrusimha saraswati will protect the generations of such a sadaka and will always protect him. It is the faith which is ultimate in this sadana.
Sri Guru Charitra Prasaada Praapti After Sri Guru had left for Srisailam , he decided to merge himself with Lord Mallikarjuna and asked the sishyas to make a float with flowers for him . Sri Guru sat on the float and left for the divine aboard during 1458 AD. When the sishyas were waiting with tears in their eyes after bidding adieu to their beloved Sri Guru, a boatman appeared shortly after Sri Guru had left the place and told the sishyas that he had seen a Sanyasi with golden sandals and radiance like that of lightening crossing over in the other bank of the river. He further stated that the Sanyasi told him that his name was Nrusimha Saraswati and asked him to tell his sishyas that he was taking a sookshma roopam because of severe progression of the Kali yuga However, he stated that the Sri Guru asked him to convey that He would discreetly reside in Gangapur always and would always accept their prayers and sanction their wishes. Further Sri Guru had sent a message that soon they would be receiving prasad flowers in the flow of the river and that they should leave for their residence after receiving the flowers. Soon such flowers came floating on the river stream and reached their hands.
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Sri Guru Charitra Avatarnika Saptaha Kramam The people who were listnening to the Sri Guru Charitra being recited by the Siddha to Namataraka, stated , “Sir !! you have given us the nectar like Guru Charitram like a mother who feeds her infant with a lot of love. Chanting of even one verse per chapter from all the 52 Chapters of Guru Charitram will bestow immense merits to the reader and will make all his desires come true.” With this the 53rd Chapter pertaining to chanting of the gist of the 52 chapters of the conversation between Siddha and Namataraka on Sri Guru Charitra comes to an end with the Grace of the divine Sri Guru. Sri Dattatreyaarpanamasthu!! Sri Gurudeva Datta!!
