Sri GURUCHARITRA

1
 With the blessings of mother gayatri I start the sacred story of lord Dattatreya
who is revered as the incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha (Aumm Bhoor Bhoo-va Su-va-ha)
Tat savitur varenyam (Tat Sa-vee-toor Var-ayn-yam)
Bhargo devasya dhimahi (Bar-go Day-vas-ya Dhee-ma-hee)
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat (Dhee-yo Yo Nah Pra-cho-da-yaat)

O Divine mother, may your pure divine light illuminate all realms
of our being. Please expel the darkness from our hearts and direct
the rays of our intelligence towards good.
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 Chapters 1, 2, 3
SRI GURUDARSHAN

It was originally written by Saraswathi Gangadhar an ancestor of

Sayamdev. Sayamdev had lived in the time of the guru and had
served him with bhakthi and devotion.
'Shri Guru Charitra' is a sacred text on guru Datttreya
that includes his two incarnations of Sripada Shri Vallabha and
Narasimha Saraswathi.

JAI GURU DATTA. Sri GURU DATTA

DATTATREYA DIGAMBARA

BRAHMA VISHNU MAHESHWARA

SRIPADA VALLABHA DIGAMBARA

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A man named Namadharak who was a great devotee guru Datta , as were his
Ancestors. He was in great misery and wanted to be blessed by the guru.
He kept chanting the guru’s name . He met a siddhi on the way, who told
him that he should worship Shri Guru with great devotion and only then,
can he get rid of the worldly miseries. He then told him the story of Sandeep.
On the bank of Godavari, there was an ashram of rishi Angiras. Amongst
His disciples there was one named Sandeepak He served his Guru, Veda
Dharma with great devotion.Deepak served his guru day and night with
Devotion and bhakthi..
Lords Shanker and Vishnu pleased with his
devotion and guru bhakthi asked Deepak to
ask for any boon. He asked Lord Vishnu to
bless him so he could further serve his guru
with even more devotion and energy.
Ambarish was a great devotee of lord
Vishnu .Rishi Durvasa wanted to test
Ambarish’s Ekadasi vrata (penance) on sadhan dwadasi
wherein the time frame was only twenty four minutes after sunrise. In
this time Ambarish had to have his food and water.
Ambarish received rishi Durvasa with respect, worshipped
him and asked to eat with him after his bath and morning
rituals. In the time Durvasa went for his bath and
completed his rituals, the time had come for Ambarish to
take the holy water and eat, for otherwise his vrata would
stay unfulfilled. So as Ambarish was partaking the water
and food, Durvasa came in.
Seeing that Ambarish had not waited
for him, Durvasa got angry and
cursed Ambarish to take birth as
different species. Ambarish prayed
lord vishnu for he was a true devotee
and went into the protection of the
lord. Lord vishnu the protector and
omniscient took the curse of Durvasa
on himself.
4
Durvasa was happy that he had cursed Ambarish even for such a slight
reason, without thinking twice in his fit of anger. Knowing that
the people of the world would get to see the wonderful sight of having
the aprameya, and achintya lord Vishnu in their midst.

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 Chapter 4
BIRTH OF DATTATREYA

Anasuya was a very chaste and a devoted wife. She was married to
rishi Atri. Her fame as a wife and piety was known to all on earth and
heaven. The trimurtis’ Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara decided to
test her. They came to her house as brahmins when her husband
Atri was not at home. They asked her to serve them food in such a
way as to test her chastity. Thinking that the guests were like her
children, and being the pious and chaste woman that she was; she
prayed to her husband. Lo and behold! The three brahmins

6
turned into three small children. She then fed them. When rishi Atri
came home, she explained to him all that had happened. Being a
great sage rishi Atri understood that they were the trimurtis’ and
bowing down payed obeisance to them.

Pleased, the trimurtis’ asked Atri to ask for a boon. Atri in turn asked
Anasuya what she wished for. Anasuya said, "These babies should
stay in this Ashram as our sons". The Trimurties readily complied.
Anasuya began to nurse and feed them. Brahma was known as
Chandra, Vishnu was called Datta and Mahesh was called Durvasa.

Brahma as Chandra Vishnu was called Datta Mahesh Durvasa

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 Chapter 5

BIRTH OF SRIPADA SRIVALLABHA

There was a brahmin called Apalraj living in Pithapur in the east. He

had a very religious, loving and devoted wife called Sumati.They had
two children. Unfortunately the elder one was blind and the younger
one was lame and could not walk.

8
One afternoon, a rishi came to her house asking for alms ( bhiksha).
That was a day when they had an anniversary in their house. On that
day, food is not served to anyone till the brahmins who take part in it
have eaten. In spite of this, seeing the rishi asking for food, Sumati
served him food. This made the rishi very happy. He asked Sumati
what she would like for he was pleased with her service. The rishi was
none other than lord Dattatreya. He was very pleased with her charity
and thus showed his true divine form 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 Bhuvanas.

9
 14 BHUVANAS or LOKAS

You just called me `mother'. I begot children, but some of them died,
of the two that are surviving, one is blind and the other is lame. I wish I
could have a son who would be famous and learned like yourself.
Will you fulfill this desire of mine?”

10
Shri Datta said, "You will have such a son in Kaliyug. He will be
learned and will be all you desire". Saying this Shri Datta
disappeared.
In time Sumati became pregnant and gave birth to a son.Thinking him
to be an incarnation of Shri Datta, he was called after one of Datta's
name `Sripada’. His thread ceremony was performed when he was
seven years old. Even at this age, he knew all four Vedas. He wanted
to go to the forests for tapas and brahma gyana.
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?"
Sripada looked at his lame and blind brothers. Instantly the blind brother
got his sight and lame one got his legs. Both became learned, well
versed in Vedas, Shastras and Vyakaran.
Sripada Swami left home and disappeared 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 and finally
reached reached Gokarna.

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 Chapter 6

RAVANA AND GOKARNA

MAHABALESHWAR

Sripada Shri Vallabha reached Gokarna. Gokarna is a sacred place

of Lord Shiva and one of the twelve famous Jyotirlingas.
"Ravana's mother Kaikesi was a great devotee of Shiva. She worshiped
a new Shiva Linga every day. One day she could not get a new Shiva
Linga. Fearing that her `Vrata' would be futile, she prepared an
earthen Linga and began to worship it with devotion. Seeing this,
Ravana asked her what she was doing. She said that she was
worshiping a Shiva-Linga. Ravana said, "You being my mother, it is a
great misfortune that you should worship an earthen Shiva Ling. Well
what do you intend to achieve by this worship?"

12
Mother replied that this she would get her a place in Kailas, abode of
Shiva, after death. Thereupon Ravana said, `why do you take so
much trouble? I shall bring Kailas itself to you'.
Saying this, he went to Kailas and began to shake it violently with his
20 hands. He tried to lift it up. Parvati went to Shiva with fear and
said, `What has happened to Kailas to day? When everyone is so
distressed how are you at ease? Please do something to check this
calamity.' Shiva said to her, `You need not be anxious. Ravana, one
of my devotees, is playing a game'.
Parvati entreated, `Kindly protect the Gods who are terrified by this
action of Ravana'.

Shiva pressed Ravana’s 10 heads and 20 hands underneath the

Kailas. Finding himself in distress, Ravana uttered `Shiva-Shiva' and
further prayed `Shri Shiva', I have made a mistake. Forgive me. I seek
your shelter.Then he began to pray Shiva with great devotion and
sacrifice. This pleased Shiva and he asked Ravana what boon he

13
wanted. Ravana said he would like to take Kailash to his mother for her
daily prayer. `If your mother wishes to worship me, what is the
necessity of taking Kailas to her. I shall give you m y Atma-Linga,
which

will fulfill all her desires. It is just like my soul said the Kailashpati Shiva.
Saying this, he gave his Atma-Linga to Ravana, but warned him that if
the atmalinga is put on the ground then it cannot be taken out and will
become a part of the earth where it is kept. He further told him that if
he worships the atmalinga continuously for three years he would
become as powerful as shiva and become immortal.

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This perturbed the gods and they were worried that should Ravana
reach Lanka with the atmalinga then the Daitya would be
unconquerable and life would become unbearable. So they hatched a
plot wherein Ganesh was sent to intercept Ravana as a brahmin
brahmachari boy. In the evening when it was time for Ravana’s
sandhya ritual, he trusted the boy and told him to hold the linga till he
completed his sandhyavandanam. But no sooner had Ravana started
the ritual, Ganesh put the atmalinga on the ground to the dismay and
chagrin of Ravana Brahma.
Ravana tried his best with all his might to lift up the Linga. The earth
trembled but the Linga could not be shaken. As Ravana tried to lift it
up by screwing, it took the shape of an ear of the cow and so it is
known as "Gokarn" and as Ravana exercised all his might to lift it up it
is called "Mahabaleshwar".

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 Chapter 7

SOUMINI AND MADYANTI AT

GOKARNA

There was once a brave and learned king of the Ikshwaku

dynasty.Once on a hunting trip, he came across a demon
like flame of fire. He killed the demon. While dying, the
demon asked his brother to avenge him. His brother joined
the king’s kitchen and served human flesh to rishi durvasa
when he was on a visit to the king. This enraged Durvasa and he
cursed the king to become a brahmarakshasa. The king, and his wife
Damayanti implored the rishi to forgive him.
The rishi relented and said that after this form for 12 years, the king
will be back to normal.

16
One day a young brahmin couple was
passing through the forest,
the rakshasa caught and ate the
brahmin.

His wife cursed him that when after the 12 years he becomes king and
touches his wife he would die.
Worried, the king and queen asked their head priest as what could be
done to rid the curse for the brahma-hatya he had committed. The
brahmin told them to visit the holy places and said this may relieve the
king of the curse.
While wandering from one holy place to the next, they met Gautami
muni. He advised that they go to the Gokarna kshetra. Goutam said,
`You need not worry lord Shiva will protect you. You should go to
Gokarna to get rid of this sin. Mrityunjaya (the conqueror of Death)
Shiva always stays there.
Hearing this the king was delighted. He went to Gokarna and was
relieved of all his sins. Gokarna has great significance. Hence Shripad
Shri Vallabha had also been there and stayed there for 3 years.”

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MRTIYUNJAYA - HARA HARA MAHADEVA

SHAMBHO SHANKARA

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 Chapter 8

SHRIPAD SHRIVALLABHA BLESSES A

BRAHMANI AND HER SON

A brahmin widow named Ambika lived in Kuravapur. She

was the widow of a learned brahmin. Her only surviving son
was dull foolish and dumb. His father well versed in the
vedas, could not teach the boy anything at all.They lived
with the food the boy got from begging.
The boy grew up; but being foolish and poor no one liked to give
one's daughter in marriage to him. People said to him, `your father
was a learned man; but you are like a stone. You have brought
disgrace to his family. How are you not ashamed of begging for your
living?
In disgrace, they left the place and on the way to the river Ganga,
they met guru Sripada srivallabha. They told him their misery. The
guru

19
asked them to do the ‘shani
pradosh puja’. Sripada Sri
Vallabha narrated the significance
of the 'Shani pradosh' worship to
the Brahmani and seeing her
devotion, placed his palm over the
head of her son and blessed him.
Eventually the boy instantly had
the knowledge of the Vedas,
Shastras, Tark, Bhashya etc. All the
Brahmins and his mother were wonderstruck on seeing this. The mother
respectfully bowed to Shri Guru and said that she was fortunate to see
him and to get his blessings.

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 Chapter 9
A WASHERMAN BLESSED TO BE A
KING

There lived a washerman at Kuravpur, where the datta padukas are

now kept.

He was a great devotee. Shripad Shri Vallabha used to go to the

river to bathe, complete the morning Sandhya and other rituals just
like ordinary Brahmins. The washerman would go to the river, wash
Shri Guru's clothes and would bow to him with reverence.

21
The guru was pleased by the washerman’s bhakthi and reverence. He
told him that he was pleased with his devotion and now the
washerman could go back to his house and live a very comfortable
life. The washerman however stayed on and was even more devoted
to the guru. One day a muslim king came to the river along with his
royal entourage. The washerman was looking at the splendor and
glory of the king. He began thinking, ' if I could only enjoy such a
royal life.’ Perceiving his desire, the guru fulfilled the washerman’s
wish. He was born into the royal family of Bidar. However the guru
warned him that enjoying earthly pleasures does not satisfy the
senses, they obstruct the path of 'Moksha' (freedom from
worries of life and death).
Shripad Shri Vallabha disappeared in the river Krishna on Ashwin
Vadya 12, which is known as 'Guru Dwadashi'.

The washer man is born in the royal family of Bidar

Digambara, Digambara, Sripadavallbha Digambara

Digambara, Digambara Avadootha chintana Digambara

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 Chapter 10
VALLABHESH SAVED FROM
THIEVES

'Shripad Shri Vallabha had many incarnations. All possessed the

omnipotence of Shri Narayan. Devotion of Shri Guru is never futile.
He never disappoints his disciples.
Vallabhesh, a righteous Brahmin, was doing business. He used to go
to Shripad Shri Vallabha Padukas at Kuravpur every year. Once he
declared that if his business was good, he would feed 1000 Brahmins
at Kuravpur. He always recited the guru’s name. He made a huge
profit in his business, and as he had promised, he started for Kuravpur
to feed 1000 brahmins. Having got wind of this, thieves waylaid him
on the way, killed him and took all his money.

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In the meantime Shripad Shri Vallabha, with locks of hair on his head
and trishul and Khatwang in his hands appeared on the scene. He
killed three thieves; but one, who surrendered himself saying, 'I am
innocent. I did not know that these three persons would kill the
Brahmin. You are omniscient. Kindly save me'.
Hearing his prayer, Shripad Muni g a v e h i m v i b h u t i
a n d told him to rub the "Vibuthi" (enchanted ashes)
all over the body of the
Brahmin, As soon as the
enchanted Vibuthi
w a s applied to the
Brahmin's body, he woke
up. Shripad Muni
disappeared from the place,
by which time it was dawn.
Vallabhesh asked the person
sitting by his side, 'why have
you held me; who has killed
these men?'

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The person replied, ' A great ascetic had come here. He killed these
thieves with his Trishul. He saved me for you. He asked me to rub
enchanted Vibuthi onto your body. He woke you and made you sit
with his sacred hands. He has just disappeared. He might be the
great god Shiva.
Hearing this the Brahmin realized that all this has been done by Shri
Guru Sripada Srivallabha. Taking his money from the thieves, he went
to Kuravpur. He worshipped the Padukas (foot symbol) of Shri Guru
with great devotion and fed about 4000 Brahmins.

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 Chapter 10

THE BIRTH OF NARASIMHA

SARASWATHI

Ambaki who was the mother of the foolish and dumb boy who had
been blessed and cured by the Guru, died and was born as Amba
Bhavani, and was married to a brahmin youth called Madhava. They
were both ardent devotees of shiva. Ambika gave birth to a boy.
The baby uttered 'Om' from the very birth. People were wonderstruck
at this. . The astrologers foretold, 'He will be a great ascetic and a

26
Jagatguru. He will not marry; but will be known and revered all over
the world.

He was named 'Shaligramdeo' but his pet name was 'Narahari'. He

was later publicly known as Narasimha Saraswati.’ The child became
one year old; but it did not utter any other words except OM. The
parents were anxious to see that the child converse. As days passed
on, he was still silent. Some said that although he had all the
knowledge, but did not speak on purpose.
The child became 7 years old. The parents did not know how to
celebrate his thread ceremony. As they were Brahmins, the thread
ceremony was most essential. They were now anxious to know how to
make the child recite Gayatri Mantra.
Seeing the parents in dejected mood, the son would approach them
and try to console them. Once he held an iron bar in his hand and
instantly it was turned into a gold bar. Seeing this the parents were
astonished. They gave him some more iron and that too was turned
into gold. Then the parents asked the son, when and how he would
speak. He moved his hand around his chest and loin and expressed
his desire for the thread ceremony.
The parents were very pleased and they started preparing
enthusiastically for his thread ceremony, however they still doubted the

27
success of the function. The parents invited all the relatives, friends and
learned Brahmins for the function.
During the ceremony, it is a part of the ritual to ask for alms. His
mother gave him alms first and then asked him to recite hymns from
the three vedas yajur, sama and rikvedas. He recited them flawlessly
and without hesitation.

This was when the people realized his greatness and bowed to the
child in reverence.
Narahari then said to his mother, "You have asked me to beg for alms.
I would, therefore, live by begging. So allow me to go to visit the holy-
places”. On hearing this his mother was very disappointed. She told
him that she had expected he would take care of them in their old
age. Narahari said, "You need not be sorry. You shall have four sons
and they will look after you very obediently." So saying he placed his
palm over her head.
Mother - 'Dear son, do not go leaving us alone. You should have
Brahmacharyashram for 12 years, then Grihasthashram, the most
important in all the four ashrams. After going through the third

28
Ashram viz. Vanprasthashram, one becomes liable for the fourth
Ashram viz. Sanyasashram. So say the Shastras. So study Vedas
in the Brahmacharyashram. Later on get yourself married and
have the pleasures of the family life. Then perform sacrifices and
thereafter become a Sanyasi. But it is not desirable to be a
Sanyasi in the childhood.

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 Chapter 12

NARAHARI BECOMES NARASIMHA

SARASWATI

Narahari said, “Why do you prevent me from going? This life is like a
dream. “ To which, his mother said, ” Dear child, you are advising me.
You told me that I would have four sons. So you should stay with me
till I have at least one son.” To which Narahari agreed saying that
after she got two sons, Narahari would leave. To this his mother
agreed.
Thus Narahari lived there happily. All people wondered to see that a
boy of seven knew all the Vedas and could teach them with authority.
In the meantime his mother became pregnant and gave birth to twins.

30
After which Narahari asked his mother’s permission for taking up
sanyas, to which she agreed.
The parents bowed to Narahari and said, “You are our family God.
Please forgive us if we have said anything out of turn or treated you
harshly thinking you were our son. You are the fruit of our devotion to
lord Shankar. When shall we see you again?”
Before proceeding to Bhadri Narayan to meet Siddhu, Narahari said,
“I shall be before you whenever you remember me. You will have one
daughter and two more sons and you will have no miseries”.
On his way to Bhadri, he stopped over at Kashi. Here he learned all
the kinds of yoga. An old sanyasi named `Krishna Saraswati' who had
realized Brahma showed respect for Narahari. He said to all the

Sanyasis, 'He is not an ordinary human being but he is an incarnation

31
of God and deserves respect from all. Let us request him to be a
Sanyasi and bless the people'.
Narahari conceded to the request and accepted Sanyas-diksha from
Shri Krishna Saraswati. Although Narahari was a reincarnation of
Guru Dattatreya, just as Vasishta was the Guru of Shri Ram, and
Sandipani was the Guru of Shri Krishna, in the same way, Krishna
Saraswati became Guru of Narahari and hereafter he was known as
`Shri Narasimha Saraswati.’

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 Chapter 13

BRAHMIN’S COLIC PAIN RELIEVED

Sri Guru lived in Prayag for sometime and then proceeded to visit the
holy places in the south he traveled by the Bank of Godavari and
came to Manjrika. He visited the holy places in the south and came
to Karanjahim. Here he visited his mother and met his sister. On being
asked about moksha, he told his parents that since he had taken
sanyas, his parents will get moksh in a holy place like Kashi.
A learned Brahmin `Madhavaranya' lived here. He was a devout
bhakt of the guru and paid respect and deeply revered him.. Seeing
that Shri Guru appeared just as `Narasimha', he bowed to him and
praised him in Sanskrit. Shri Guru was pleased and he appeared

33
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 a severe stomach ache. Not being able to bear it, the brahmin
wanted to go away. Knowing this, the guru asked his disciples to bring
the brahmin to him. He then asked the brahmin why it was that he
wanted to go away. The brahmin said that he dined only once a
fortnight or once a month and when he did, he had an unbearable
pain in the stomach. The body survives on food and if cannot eat, then
how can the body survive? “ I will give you medicine and the pain will
disappear “ said the Guru. Which made the brahmin very happy.
In the meantime a brahmin named Sayamdeo, who was an officer with
a muslim king came to the river where the guru was staying. He
prostrated to him and said ,” 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 you o guru , all
these three miseries are wiped off and one gets all the four by just the
sight of you.”
The guru asked him to feed the poor brahmin. Syayamdeo did it with
apprehension since the brahmin had dined only the day before and he
was sceptical whether the poor brahmin would survive the stomach
pain again the next day.
Sayamdeo prayed to the
guru to join them for the day’s
alms, to which the guru
agreed. On having dinner, the
brahmin with the colic pain
was completetly cured and all
were wonderstruck; by the
grace and kindness of the
guru, at the miracle.

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 Chapter 14

MUSLIM KING FAVOURS SAYAMDEO

Sayamdev came to the guru bowed and said “Oh guru you are the
reincarnation of god, although you look as just a saint. Please listen
to my problem, I serve a muslim king who invites a brahmin every
year and then kills him and I have been invited this year. I know I am
this year’s victim. Now that I have been blessed with your darshan I

35
feel safe and secure going on the king’s invitation.”

Shri Guru blessed him w i t h his palm on the head o f S a y a m d e v

and said, `go to the king without fear You have been my devotee, you
will live w i t h w e a l t h a n d h a p p i n e s s .'
Sayamdev went to the cruel Muslim King while continuously chanting
the name of the guru. As soon as the king saw Sayamdev he turned his
face and went inside. Sayamdev said to himself, `What harm can a
cruel king do to one, who is blessed by Shri Guru? How can a serpent
bite the kids of a garud? How can an elephant kill a lion? A Devotee
of Shri Guru has no fear even from death’.

Jai Guru Datta Sri Guru Datta

The Muslim king felt drowsy and slept, he dreamt that a brahmin
was beating him, this frightened the king . When he awoke and came
running out , he saw Sayamdev. The dream fresh in his mind he fell
at Sayamdev’s feet and said, “ Oh master why have you come to
me? Please return from where you came and accept a small token of
respect from me. “ Saying this he offered clothes and ornaments to
Sayamdev. Sayamdev soon returned to his place. He first went to see
Shri Guru on the bank of the river. He bowed to him and reported
what had happened. The guru again blessed him and told him that he
would now go Southwards.
Sayamdev folded his hands and said, “ I shall not leave you oh
guru . I shall also come with you. You are the liberation for us from
this sea of attachments and the vagaries of life. Bhagiratha brought
the Ganga on this earth for the liberation of his forefathers. In the
same way you have descended on the earth for our liberation.”
Guru said that he would be going south and that on his return
sayamdev should see him then, with his family and his children. Then
shri guru came to Arogya Bhavani Vaijnath and lived there secretly

36
 Chapter 15

PRINCIPAL HOLY PLACES OF INDIA

Kashi Prayag Allahabad

Confluence of Ganga Yamuna and saraswathi at Prayag Allahabad

37
Shri Guru lived at Arogya Bhavani secretly because lot of people
came to him at all times. These included the good and bad, honest
and dishonest, cunning, rich and poor, diseased men of all castes,
cults, sex, and ages. Although the guru was merciful, people came to
him with greed asking for more and more. Shri Guru sent all his
disciples on pilgrimage and himself lived secretly.
The disciples asked, 'Gurudev, Vedas and Shastras say that- all the
holy places are at thy feet? When Kalpataru is near us, why should we
go elsewhere?' To which he replied that as they were Sanyasis, they
should visit different holy places and a q u i r e a s e t a n d b a l a n c e d
m i n d . He would go to Shri Shailya in Bahudhanya Sanwatsar and
they should come and see him there.
The guru then told them the holy places to visit and to bathe in the
holy rivers on the way.
Bhadrinarayan temple Srisailam Mallikurjana temple

38
 Chapter 16

GREATNESS OF A GURU

Shri Guru lived secretly at Arogya Bhavani near Vajnath. A Brahmin

came to him , praised him and said with humility, `I am doing
penance, but my mind has not become still. The Brahmin further said,
` Gurudev, I had a Guru, He used harsh words and asked me to do
undesirable service. He said that my mind is not still, so I left him in
anger.'
Shri Guru said “You are a fool, harming yourself and are treacherous
to your Guru. If you speak ill of the Guru, how can you acquire
knowledge? Why did you come to me leaving your Guru, who is a
Kamadhenu? Only by pleasing the Guru, serving him with humility
and giving respect to him can one learn the Vedas, Shastras and
eight Siddhis (a boon to do particular miracles)”.The Brahmin placed
his head on the feet of Shriguru and asked, `Gurudev, kindly tell me
who is a Guru and how to serve him?'

39
Guru said that Mother and father are Gurus. Brahma, Vishnu,
Maheshwara are Gurus. One serves his Guru with devotion. I narrate
to you about Dhoumyarishi and his three disciples.
Dhoumyarishi lived at Dhwarawati. He had three disciples; Aruni, Baid
and Upmanyu. In former times, the Guru tested his disciples before
imparting knowledge to them. Dhoumya said
to Aruni, `go to my field and fill it with canal
water.' Aruni went to the field. The canal
water was flowing with great force. Paddy
was sown in the field, which was on higher
land than the level of the water. He laid his
body across the canal and thus half the flow
of water entered the field. When he had not
returned by sunset, the worried guru went to
the fields and called out his name. Aruni came
out of the canal and bowed to the Guru, and
stood near him Dhoumya after embracing
him blessed him saying `you have passed
the test, All the vidyas I pass on to you. Go
home get married and live happily'.
Dhoumya then said to Baid, `Go to the field, keep watch on the crop
and when it is harvested and ready, bring it home. Baid accordingly
went to the field, and kept watch day and night. When the crop was
reaped, a cart with one buffalo was given to him. Baid placed the
corn in the cart, yoked the buffalo on one side of the yoke and he
himself pulled the cart on the other side. He could not draw the cart
with the buffalo; still he drew it with much strain. The buffalo got
stuck in the mud and could not go forward. So he alone drew the
heavy cart. Subsequently his neck was strangled and he had to face
great strain. In the meantime, Dhoumya came there and released
him from the yoke. He embraced Baid and said, `I hereby grant you
knowledge of Vedas and Shastras.'

40
 The third disciple was fat and dull. He
was sent to graze the cattle. At times,
feeling hungry he would return early
from the forest. His guru told him to stay
and graze the cattle till the evening for
otherwise they would stay hungry. In the
forest, he saw the paste coming out of
the rui plant which looks like milk, but if
it goes into the eye, it turns the
person blind. This happened to
Upamanyu and having gone blind he
accidentally fell into a well.
When he did not return by nightfall, the guru went into the forest and
found Upamanyu blind and in the well.
Dhoumya came near the well and said to him with sympathy `Recite
Ashwinikumar mantra'. After doing that, he got back his eyesight. He
came out of the well, bowed to his Guru and stood by him. Dhoumya
placed his palm on his head and instantly he became learned. Dhoumya
said to him, "Go home, live a g r i h a s t i l i f e happily. One of your
disciples, Uttank will become very well known . He will advise King
Janme jaya to perform t h e ‘ s a r p a y a j n a ’ a s a c r i f i c e t h a t
c o m p l e t e l y e l i m i n a t e s t h e r a c e o f all serpents. " Uttank had
Janmejaya perform the sacrifice in which even Indra had to come down
along with Takshak (the king of serpents). This is all due to the
greatness of Guru who is capable of liberating people from their sins.
Which is why a guru should be respected and revered.
On hearing this, the Brahmin went back to his Guru. Shri Guru then
went to Bhuvaneshwari near Bhilavadi and stayed under an Audumber
tree on the bank of the Krishna secretly.

41
 Chapter 17

DULL BRAHMIN BOY BECOMES

LEARNED

There lived at Kavir a learned vedic Brahmin. He had a dull foolish son.
The brahmin and his wife died in the boy’s childhood. When he was
seven, his thread ceremony was performed by the local brahmins, but
he could not do Sandhya and recite `Gayatri' mantra. Local Brahmins
demeaned him saying, `your father knew Vedas and Shastras; but
you have spoiled his name. Your life is worthless. Just as Chintamani is
best among the beads, so is the knowledge for a person. A man is
honored for his knowledge. A King is respected by his people; but
even a king respects learned persons, as knowledge is wealth.'

42
The boy requested them to suggest a m e a n s o f i m p r o v i n g
h i s m e n t a l a b i l i t i e s . The Brahmins said, `this will happen in your
next birth. In this life of yours ,you should beg for food for sustenance.'
The boy dejected, went to the
forest. In the evening he
reached Bhilavadi. There he
went to the temple of
Bhuvaneshwari and sat at the
door of the temple. Next morning
he made a very precious offering
to the devi and said, `If you do
not bless me. I shall offer my
head at your feet.' That night he
had a dream in which Devi
appeared before him and said,
" There is an Avatarik Purusha
sitting under an Audumber tree
on the bank of the river Krishna.
Go to him. He will fulfill your
desires."

He woke up and at once ran

across the river. He fell at the Guru's feet and started praising Him. Guru
was pleased and blessed him; putting his hand on the boy’s head as
Varad Hastha. At once the boy was endowed with knowledge and
enlightenment.
If a crow takes a dip in the Manasa-Sarovar it will become a Hamsa
(swan). So also he, who touches Guru's feet will acquire all
knowledge. Guru is Almighty. His glory needs to be sung.

43
 Chapter 18

A POOR BRAHMIN BECOMES RICH

Varuna Sangam is known as Kashi in the south. Shri Guru Narasimha

Saraswathi came here from Bhilavadi and stayed near Panch Ganga
Sangam for 12 years.
He would go to Amarpur for alms. In Amarpur lived a
Brahmin knowing Vedas. He had a devoted wife. He had a
sem phali (Hyacinth bean) creeper at his door. When he
could not get sufficient corn he would live on the boiled
sems. He adored Shri Guru with devotion. He invited him for
alms one day. After taking the alms Shri Guru blessed him
saying that his poverty would be wiped off. While leaving the
premises, Guru cut the root of the sem creeper. Seeing this
the Brahmin’s wife bitterly complained that they had lost their
means of livelihood. The Brahmin tried to

44
console her saying; ‘there must be some good reason for the guru
cutting the root of the sem. It is our good fortune that Shri Guru came to
us for alms. Do not blame him who has blessed us’.
The Brahmin took away the leaves of the creeper from the courtyard
and while digging to take off the root of the creeper, he found a
vessel full of coins.

He told this to his wife who was then very repentent for doubting the
Guru. Both, then went to see the him and worshipped him with
devotion telling him what had occurred. The guru then the said to
them `Do not tell this to any body, else the wealth will disappear, go
and live happily with your children and grandchildren.'

45
 Chapter 19
GREATNESS OF AUDUMBAR

When there are so many trees in nature, why

was it that guru Narasimha Saraswati sat
under the Audumbar tree.
When sri maha vishnu took the form of
Narasimha to kill te demon Hranyakashipu. He
tore the belly of the demon with his nails.
Lord Narsimha's ( o n e o f s r i m a h a
v i s h n u ’ s a v a t a r s ) nails were filled with
strong poison from the demon and so caused great
heat in his body.
46
Sri Maha Lakshmi took Audumbar fruits and thrust Lord Narsimha's nails
in them. The poison absorbed and the heat of the body subsided and
Lord Lakshmi Narasimha was pleased. So they blessed the Audumbar
tree, `You shall always bear fruit and people will worship you as the
Kalpataru. Strong poisons will be countered by your very sight and
sterile women will bear children if they worship you with devotion.'
Audumbar is a Kalpataru in Kaliyug, hence Shri Guru lived under it,
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh live there in the form of Shri Dattatreya.
When Shri Guru lived here, 64 Yoginis used to come to him at midday
and take him to their place under the water in the river, worshipped
him and offered delicious food after which he would return to his
place under the Audumbar.
Ganganuj was a farmer who lived beside the river in which the guru
was taken every day by the yoginis. One day he saw the guru go into
the river. The river had
separated and given a path
for the guru. Ganganuj
followed him. When the guru
saw him he asked him how it
was that he was there. The
farmer told him that he had
simply followed him. He
bowed to the guru with
respect and reverence. The
guru then blessed him with
knowledge and wealth.
Then the guru proceeded to
Gangapur on the banks of the river bhima

47
 .Chapter 20

A BRAHMIN LADY RELIEVED FROM

BRAHMAHATYA

Gangadhar a vedic brahmin lived in Shirol with his wife. She was a
devoted and religious woman. She gave birth to children, but they
died soon after. This made the couple miserable.On asking the
learned brahmins, she got to know that this was happening as a
consequence of a crime she had committed in her previous birth.
She had borrowed money from a brahmin of shounak gotra and
had not returned the money to him even though he was in dire need
of it. This led to his death and this was what was causing the death
of her children. He further advised her to complete the death rituals
of the brahmin, give money to a brahmin of shounak gotra and go
into the protection of the guru. “Shri Guru lives at the Audumbar. He
protects his devotees and relieves them from all their miseries” he
said. The guru appeared in her dream and told her what she should
do. She followed the guru’s instructions.

48
Her sin of Brahmahatya was wiped off and the spirit of the Brahmin
was liberated from the spirit life. The guru then said, “All your sins are
wiped off. You will now have sons and daughters. Who will have long
life”.
They then had two sons but unfortunately, the second son died just
before his thread ceremony.

The brahmins tried to console the distraught mother but in vain. Then
a sanyasi came to her and advised her.

49
 Chapter 21
THE DEAD SON COMES ALIVE

The brahmin told her it was fate.

`You tell me it is fate, but it does not satisfy me and if the fate is
unchangeable, why should one pray to God? If one has fever, one goes
to a physician and seeks relief by his medicine as I had been to see the
guru Shri Narasimha Saraswati to grant me children. He is the
incarnation of Trimurti (Three Gods). He blessed us by giving us sons
with long lives. How did this happen? Why should this calamity befall
me? ‘

50
 The Sanyasi told her, `Shri Guru has blessed you to have sons having
long lives and still your son has died, then you better go to the place
of Audumbar with your dead child.' She tied the body of her dead son
on her back and went to Adumbar. On the way the brahmins told the
parents to give up the body of the child since it would start to go bad
and decay. But the parents refused and stayed near the padukas of
the guru and in time fell asleep out of exhaustion.
In her dream she saw a person with vibhuthi marks on his body, a
garland of Rudraksha round the neck, a Trishul in the hand and a tiger
skin on the body. He said to her, `Why are you blaming me and
mourning? What ails your son? Saying so he applied bhasma or
vibhuthi on the forehead of the son, opened his mouth and blew air
into it. Thus oxygen was infused in his body. The result was that the boy
began to move his limbs and came to life.

JAI GURU DATTA SREE GURU DATTA

51
 Chapter 22

AN OLD AND BARREN BUFFALO GIVES

MILK
Shri Guru was staying at the Sangam and used to go to Gangapur for
alms. There were about a 100 Brahmin families in Gangapur. Amongst
them a poor Brahmin lived with his devoted wife. He had an old
barren buffalo who could’nt give milk. She was hired for carrying loads,
soil and other articles. They lived on the petty amount of the hire thus
received.
One day the guru decided to go to the brahmin’s house for alms at
midday. However the brahmin had gone out. His wife welcomed
the guru with respect and devotion and asked him to please wait till
her husband returns. To which the guru told the lady that he had
seen a buffalo tied up and that she could give him milk from the
buffalo, in the meantime. The lady explained to the guru that the
buffalo was

52
barren from birth and could not give milk. So they put a rope in it’s
nostril and use it for carrying loads for people and live by the paltry
money they earn from it.
To which the guru replied, “You are not telling me the truth. Go and
take out milk and give it to me now.” The lady immediately took a
bucket,
to show the guru
that she was
following his
instruction, in spite
of the fact that she
knew the buffalo
had not given milk
since birth. When
she went to milk the
buffalo, Lo and
behold ! it gave her
two pots of milk.

She boiled the milk right away realizing that the sanyasi who had
come to their house for alms was no ordinary sanyasi but an
incarnation of god in the guise of a sanyasi.

53
 Chapter 23
LIBERATION OF A BRAHMARAKSHASA

The story of the infertile buffalo suddenly giving milk because of the
blessings of a sanyasi, living at the sangam spread like wildfire.
Hearing this the village head known as the gramadhipathi went to the
sangam and bowed to the guru in reverence and asked him to come
and live in the town instead of in the forest. This way the guruji would
be available for the people and guide them in the correct path in life
and enlighten them spiritually. The guru accepted the proposal.
The guru was taken to Gangapur in a
palanquin with much fanfare and music.
All the people in the town came to see
him.

54
There was a peepal tree (banyan tree) which a
was haunted by brahmarakshasa. He had
destroyed all the houses around the tree. On
seeing the guru’s procession into Gangapur,
the demon rushed to the feet of the guru and
said that just

the sight of the guru had destroyed all

his cruelty and demoniac qualities. He asked the guru to redeem him
and set him free from the curse of being a brahmarakshasa. Which the
ever gracious guru did, by asking him to bathe in the Sangam. Having
bathed in the sangam, he came to the guru who put his hand on the
demon’s head washing away all his sins.
Thus Guru's fame spread far and wide, and with the touch of His lotus
feet Gangapur became a Punya Kshetra, a holy place of pilgrimage.

55
 Chapter 24
TRIVIKRAM BHARATI GRANTED
GURU’S DIVYADARSHANAM

Kumasi is a village near Gangapur. Here lived Trivikram Bharati, who

had studied the three Vedas. He was a devotee of lord Narahari. The
guru was living in the ashram built by the gramadhipathi. Bharati was
very critical of the guru, thinking that the guru was living in extreme
luxury in the ashram, whereas a sanyasi like him, should be living
like an ascetic and a life of austerity.

56
Shri Guru asked the Gramadhipati to arrange for a trip to Kumasi.
Elephant, horses, pageantry and musicians were gathered. Shri guru
was seated in a palanquin and a grand procession
started towards Kumasi.
As usual Trivikram was worshipping Narahari in his
mind. When the entourage reached near him, all he saw
were Sanyasis with sticks in hand and having the appearance of Shri
Narahari. He was amazed. He fell flat before the procession praying
'You are Trimurti, Guru of the universe. I did not recognise you due to
my ignorance. Oh all pervading Narasimha Saraswati, please let me
see your vishwaroopam (universal form) . I did not recognise you
and your divinity; have mercy on me for I have sinned and sinned
against you by demeaning you. You have descended for the
liberation of ignorant people like me. So kindly show me your real
hallowed form.'
On seeing the bhakthi and remorse in Trivikram, Shri Guru appeared
before him in his real form in the procession.
Trivikram Bharati blessed with the
guru’s vishwaroopa, he said in awe,
that the guru’s greatness could not
be fully understood by people like
him. The guru then blessed
Trivikram Bharati with moksha ( no
further life after this) and went back
to Gangapur.

57
 Chapter 25
IMPUDENT BRAHMINS’ VANITY

One day two learned brahmins came to Vidura which was ruled by a
muslim king. The muslim king would have brahmins recite vedas and
award them accordingly. The two brahmins challenged the king to a
debate, with any brahmin in his kingdom, on the vedas.No brahmin
came forward. This was how it was in all the places that they went
with no one taking up their challenge.
In course of time they came to Kumasi and invited Trivikram Bharati for
a debate failing which he should give them a certificate for victory.
Trivikram Bharati humbly declined to discuss. But due to their
persistence he said, `My Guru resides at Ganagapur. Let us go there.
You will be given certificates there if you so deserve.' Trivikram
Bharati and the two brahmins came to Gangapur. He bowed reverently
to his guru and told him why the two brahmins had come there.
58
Shri Guru asked the Brahmins' `Why do you want to debate? We
being Sanyasis do not give any importance to victory or defeat. What
will you gain by such discussion?' The Brahmins said, `We have
roamed all over the country and have won every single competition
everywhere. Here we have several certificates of victory. Hence you
and Trivikram can both debate with us.' The guru told them that
vanity always results in destruction. Moreover even lord brahma does
not know all the vedas.

59
 Chapter 26
VEDAS ANALYSED

Shri Guru said, `Even Rishis had to take great pains to learn Vedas. In
Kaliyug the span of life being short, it is impossible to learn all the
Vedas completely.'
‘Rishi Bharadwaja asked lord Brahma to teach him the Vedas.
Brahmadev showed him three heaps of Vedas, which appeared as
huge as hills. Bharadwaj was stunned to see them. He then requested
Brahmadev to give as much of the Vedas as he could learn.
Brahmadev gave him three handfuls of Vedas. He could not complete
even these. Mantras of the three Vedas were separated, which formed
the fourth Veda-Atharva Veda. Rishi Veda Vyas taught these four
vedas to his four disciples.’
‘No one can know all these four fully. Knowing only a part of the
Vedas, how do you say you know all the Vedas? Due to knowledge of
Vedas, Brahmins were highly respected in the past. They were called

60
Gods-of-the-earth-Bhoosur. Even kings worshipped them. Three great
gods were under their control due the strength of the Vedas. Indra and
other Gods were afraid of the Brahmins as they could turn a straw into
a mountain and a mountain into a straw.
Shri Vishnu was also wary of the
Brahmins.
In Kaliyug the Brahmins have given up the
Vedic-path and so their power is lost. They
serve lower classes, sell Vedas. Though
there are several parts of the Vedas, many
parts are lost. You say that you know four
Vedas, but do you know the end of any
Veda? So do not persist for discussion.
Better you go away from here. Do not
waste your lives in vanity.'
The impudent Brahmins did not
understand the Guru's advice and they i n s i s t e d , `Either discuss with
us or give us a certificate to that you cannot beat us.'
Shri Guru was enraged to see their attitude. He said, `Let it be as you
desire. Just as a rat cuts the sides of a box of a serpent or a butterfly
jumps on a lamp, you are digging your own grave.'

61
 Chapter 27
HARIJAN BECOMES A LEARNED
BRAHMIN

Shri Guru saw a man passing by. He asked his disciples to call him. He
was a Harijan. He bowed to Shri Guru and prayed for liberation. Shri
Guru gave a stick to a disciple and asked him to draw seven parallel
lines. On doing this Shri Guru asked the Harijan to cross a line. The
Harijan crossed the first line and Shri Guru asked him who he was. He
said he was a Kirat. On crossing the second line, he had more

62
knowledge. On crossing the third he said he was a gangasut i.e. a
boatman. On crossing the fourth he became a Shudra. On crossing
the fifth he became
Somdatta Vaishya. On
crossing the sixth he
wa s a K s h a t r i y a
named Godavari. On
crossing the seventh
line, he said, `I am a
Br a h m i n . I k n o w
Ve d a s , S h a s t r a s ,
Vya ka ra n a n d my
name is Adhyapak
(Teacher).
Shri Guru said, `These
two Brahmins have come to discuss Veda Shastras. You may discuss
with them' So saying he asked him to apply enchanted vibuthi to his
body due to which he looked more bright.
Seeing this miracle, the Brahmins began to tremble with fear. They
fell on the feet of Shri Guru and said, `We are great offenders. Kindly
forgive us and liberate us. You are incarnation of three Gods and
Guru of the world. Your greatness is indescribable.'
Shri Guru said, `You have harassed Trivikram Muni and have
committed many other offenses' You will become Brahma-rakshasas
and have to suffer for your sins.'
The Brahmins again entreated, `How shall we be free from this
worldly sea?’ Shri Guru: 'You shall be Brahma-Rakshasas for twelve
years. Shuknarayan, a Brahmin will come and advise you and then
your sins will be wiped off and you will be liberated. You go to the
river now.' The Brahmins went to the river. They had severe heart-pain
and they died, They lived as Brahma-Rakshasas and as told by the guru
they were liberated after twelve years.

63
 The caste functions as illustrated and elaborated in the purusha sukta.

64
 Chapter 28
ADVICE TO THE HARIJAN

The guru then told the harijan about the actions that a man does and
their result. A man is born in a species as per his deeds in his earlier
life. On hearing this Trivikram asked the guru if a man commits a sin,
how the sin can be wiped off. If there is real repentence, then the sin
will be wiped off. The gayatri mantra is another great healer of the
sins committed, in some cases. Recitation of the gayatri mantra one
crore times, releases one even from the great sin of brahmahatya.
Guru told the Harijan, `You were a Brahmin in your earlier birth, but
you disregarded your parents and therefore, you have become a
Chandal. You bathe in the Sangam for a month and your sins will be
wiped off'.

65
The Harijan said, `A crow becomes a Rajhansa on going to the
Manas lake; similarly I have been purified by your sight (Darshan).
How can the iron transformed into gold by the touch of paris
(Philosopher's stone) be iron again?' Assimilate me now amongst the
Brahmins'. To which the guru explained that it was not possible since
his change was because of the bhasma that was applied on his body.
Once siva was asked as to how

attain the four purushartthas, he replied that this is posible with

tripundra (3 lines) on the forehead and apply bhasma on the body.
This will destroy all the sins.
The brahma rakshasas appealed to vamdev for a way to salvation; to
which he told them what shiva had said about power of bhasma in
destroying all sins. Vamdev gave enchanted Bhasma to the Brahma
Rakshas who applied it to their bodies with a tripundra on their
foreheads. They were at once transformed into celestials and went
straight to heaven.
Though Bhasma has much greatness, the greatness of Shri Guru is still
more and so due to the favor of Vamdev the Brahma Rakshas were
liberated.

66
 Chapter 29
THE GREAT POWER OF BHASMA

Trivikram bowed to Sri Guru and asked. "Oh Guru, how did the
Chandal get the knowledge. And how did it vanish after the bath?"
Sri Guru said,” He received knowledge when I sprinkled Vibuthi, the
sacred ashes on him. His knowledge disappeared when the ashes
disappeared. One who applies Vibuthi will become pure and whole
and get knowledge of Brahman.”

67
In Krithayuga there was a Mahayogi named Vamadeva.
He used to apply Bhasma to His body. He was without pride and
desire. Once He wandered into a forest named Krauncharanya. There
a demon came to eat Him. But as he held Vamadeva, some bhasma
on Vamadeva's body rubbed off onto his body. As a result, the
demon's sins were washed away and he received enlightenment.
The demon told Vamdev that in an earlier birth he was a very bad and
wicked king

due to which he had to take a lot of births as insects and animals. But
with the contact of bahsma from Vamdev’s body, the demon was rid of

68
all his sins, and he asked Vamdev how this was possible. Vamadeva
said, "The power of Bhasma is great and limitless. You touched my
body on which I had applied the sacred ashes." With these words he
put the power of the Shiva mantra into the Bhasma and gave it to the
demon to apply.
Vamadeva was an incarnation of Trimurthy (Dattatreya) in form of a
Rishi. As Jagatguru, he wandered from place to place to redeem
humans. This demon bowed to Vamadeva and attained Moksha. This
was the story Sri Guru told to describe the glory of Bhasma.
The power of Bhasma is great. Even a demon

was saved by it. But no Mantra is successful unless it is blessed

by a Guru. That is why they say no salvation is po s s i bl e
without the Guru. He is the liberator and the protector.

69
 Chapter 30
THE DEATH OF A YOUNG BRAHMIN
HUSBAND

When Shri Guru lived at Ganagapur, his name and fame spread all
over the country. The desires of all going to him were fulfilled by the
favor of Guru.
Gopinath a rich Brahmin lived at Mahur. both he and his wife were
great devotees of sri datta. They had a son. When he was of 5 years,
his thread ceremony was celebrated. When he became twelve years
old, his marriage was celebrated. When he was of 16
ye a r s , t h e couple looked very charming. Both
lo v ed e a c h other intensely.

Unfotunately the youth fell very ill and no medicines were

of any help. His wife served him with great devotion. Since he could
not eat much food, his wife also cut down he food and ate only as
little as her husband.

70
The parents of the couple were rich. They were heart broken on seeing
the misery of their son and daughter-in-law. Jap, vrata, charity,
sacrifices, feeding of the Brahmins and the poor had been done; but
all was futile. All were passing days in grief, relying on the Almighty
God.
His wife told her in laws that Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati lives at
Ganagapur. His name and fame have spread all over the country.
Hence send us to him. On the way, her husband died, and his wife as
distraught with grief. In the mean time, there arrived a bright looking
sanyasi with ash (bhasma) marks on his body,
with a wreath of Rudraksha round the neck
and locks of Hari on his head. Knowing the
cause o f her mourning, he began to advise
her saying, 'everyone gets the fruit of his
actions in t he past. You need not mourn on
the death of this youth. Every one who is born
has to die one day or the other. Due to
affection, we say my father, mother, husband,
son, daughter etc. but just as foam or bubbles in water do not last
long, so is the life on this earth. Life is like a dream, so do not mourn.'

DIGAMBARA DIGAMBARA

SRIPADA VALLABHA DIGAMBARA

BRAHMA VISHNU MAHESHWARA

SRIPADA VALLABHA DIGAMBARA

71
 Chapter 31
CODE OF WOMANS BEHAVIOUR

Hearing the advice, the young wife requested the Sanyasi to tell her
how she should behave. The Sanyasi then explained to her the code of
female behavior.
Once Narad came to mount Vindhya and said, 'you are praise worthy
in all respects,however you are not as high as mount Meru.’This
enraged Vindhya so much that it started to grow in height and to such
an extent that it touched the skies. Consequently it blocked the sun
from shining down and thus, the brahmins
could not conduct their daily rituals and
sacrifices.
The rishis then complained to Indra about this
problem, who in turn asked Brahma for
advice. Brahma then told them that Vindya
was a disciple of Rishi Agastya. If the rishi
could be made to travel southwards, then the mountain would bend

72
down for him and if it could be kept that way, by Agastya asking him
to be in that very position and not grow high. the problem of the
height of mount Vindhya could be resolved.
So Indra alongwith
Brihaspathi and the other
gods came to
Kasi to meet
Agastya and
his devoted
and great
w i f e
Lopamudra. At
that time Brihaspati ( the guru of the gods), narrated
the code of behaviour of a woman. In which he
mentioned that the woman should be a source of strength and support
to her husband. Just as the great and chaste wives as Arundhati,
Savitri, Anasuya, Lakshmi, Parvati and Lopamudra. She applies halad-
kunkum-kajal and wears the mangalsutra round her neck, bangles on
her wrists for the long life of her husband, as is the hindu custom.
The Sanyasi told her what rishi Brihaspati had said in kasi to the
mourning woman.

73
 Chapter 32
BEHAVIOUR OF A WIDOW : DEAD
HUSBAND MADE ALIVE

Brihaspati had told Lopamudra the code of

female behavior and the same was narrated by
the Sanyasi to the bereaved young woman.

Bowing to the Sanyasi, the woman said, 'You are

like my Parents, brother and all. I have no relatives here.
You have told me the rules of behavior of a Sati and
widow. The Sanyasi blessed her and said, `you have
come from a long distance with your diseased husband
to see Shri Guru. What was destined to happen has
happened. Even great men as Harishchandra, Bhishma, could not
change their destiny.
He applied bhasma to her forehead, gave her 4 Rudra beads and
said. `Tie two in your husband's ears and two around your neck and

74
sprinkle teerth on the body of your husband and on yourself after
rudrabhishek to Shri Guru. The sanyasi then went away.
The young woman started preparations for observing sati, a ritual
observed in the olden days. She called Brahmins, gave prayashchitta
to the body of her husband. She took a bath, wore a silk sari and then
ornaments, applied haladi kunkum and became ready to observe sati.
The body of her husband was taken to the river and she was going in
front of the corpse with fire port in her hand. The young girl of sixteen
appeared as bright as goddess Lakshmi and all were wonder struck
at her sight .
She was praying all the way in the mind. `Oh Trimurti, your fame is
widespread, and you possess all Siddhis. If a complaint is made to a
ruler, he gives justice. If one goes to a physician, he gives, medicine
for relief. I came crossing 20 villages with the hope that my husband
will recover. I am coming to ask you how my husband expired on the
way.
She saw Shri Guru sitting below an Ashwattha tree and she bowed to
him respectfully. Shri Guru, blessed her and said, `you shall be
Sowbhagya (husband alive and well) forever. She again bowed to
him and he exclaimed `you will have 8 sons'. The Brahmins
accompanying her told Shri Guru,that `her husband had expired and
she had come here to see him. Hearing this he smiled and said, `Her
Sowbhagya is everlasting. Bring her husband's body here immediately.
Let me see when he lost his life.'
The brahmin’s dead body was brought in front of the guru. The strings
were cut and the cloth covering was removed. The Tirth of
rudrabhishek was sprinkled on the dead body and Shri
Guru looked at it and lo and behold ! the Brahmin youth
sat up as if aroused from sleep. He was ashamed to see
himself without clothes. He wore a dhoti and asked his
wife why she had’nt woken him up earlier, why he was
brought there and who the Sanyasi was.

75
 The wife narrated to him all that had occurred. Then both of them
bowed to Shri Guru with devotion and began praying to him. All The
persons who had assembled there were delighted to see the miracle.
One cynic person said to Shri Guru. `This Brahmin died as per his
fate. How can he be alive?'
Shri Guru smiled and said, `I requested Brahmadev to give 30 years'
life from his next life to this Brahmin youth.'
All were astonished to hear this. All bowed to Shri Guru and returned.
They young Brahmin couple bathed at the Sangam, worshipped Shri
Guru devotedly and pleased the Brahmins and the poor by giving
them charity.

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 Chapter 33

IMPORTANCE OF RUDRAKSHA

The wife of the brahmin asked Shri Guru, `when I was mourning, a
Sanyasi advised me; he gave me 4 Rudra beads and asked me to tie 2
beads in the ears of my husband and to put 2 beads round my neck.
He also told me that when I go to see Shri Guru, I should sprinkle the
Teerth of rudrabhishek on my Husband's body and mine. Who was
that Sanyasi?'
Shri Guru smiled and said, `seeing your devotion, I myself gave you
the Rudra beads. Sins do not touch them who wear Rudraksha. The
significance of Rudraksha is very great. One who bathes with Rudra
beads on his body gets the credit of Ganga bath. If Rudraksha is
worshipped, it is like worshipping the Shiva Linga.
There lived a king Bhadrasen in Kashmere and his son's name was
`Sudharma'. The name of his minister's son was `Tarak'. Both were the
same age and were good friends. Both of them had studied together.
They were devotees of Shiva. They wore wreaths of Rudraksha and
applied Bhasma to their bodies. They did not like rich clothes and
ornaments of gold and gems.

77
Once Parashara Rishi came there. The king greeted and worshipped
him. The king said to the Rishi, `my son is fond of Rudraksha and has
no liking for good clothes and ornaments befitting a Royal family.
Please advise him.'
The rishi told the king that the earlier birth of both
the boys was great. In a place called Nandigrama
there lived a dancer. She was very beautiful and
very rich. She had a rudraksha tied
round around her neck and was a great
devotee of lord shiva.
One day a rich Vaishya, wearing a
Rudraksha wreath, came to her. He had in his hand a
Shiva Linga of precious stones, which was a bright as the
Sun. She wanted the linga and had her maid ask him if he
would sell it or would give it to her if she served him for
three days. The vaishya agreed to give it to her provided she served
him for three days. He told her to keep it very carefully. So she tied it
to a pillar in her dancing hall. The dancing hall caught fire
and the linga was burnt on seeing this, the vaishya also
jumped into the fire. Not being able to bear it, she also
jumped into fire. Shiva with his five heads and locks of hair
on his head, caught her in his ten hands and took her out of
the fire and said, `I am pleased with your devotion. You can
ask for a boon. I myself had come to you as the Vaishya to
test you I myself set the dancing hall on fire and entered the
pyre and got burnt.' She then asked shiva to take her and her servants
to Kailash, which the lord shiva did.

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 Chapter 34

IMPORTANCE OF RUDRA MANTRA

JAPAM

Rishi Parashar told the king that the dancer had a monkey
as a pet that is your son.

She had a cook who is now the mantri’s son. Because

of their previous birth that they are very generous and
are extremely devoted to lord shiva.
Having heard the past of his son, the king asked the rishi to tell
him about his son’s future. The rishi told him that he would die
after eight days. This grieved the king very much and he asked
the rishi for a solution to the problem. To which he replied that he
worship Umakant (Shri Shiva), the Guru of the Universe, with Rudra
sukta. “The significance of this Rudra sukta is great. This will save

79
the life of your son. By reciting Rudra all the sins are wiped off. You
invite a hundred learned Brahmins and have ten thousand Rudra-
Abhisheks on Shri Shiva Shankar. This will enable your son to live a
long life.”
The king invited Brahmins as instructed and Rudrabhishek was started
ceremoniously. On the eighth day at midday the Rajkumar all of a
sudden fell on the ground senseless. Abhishek teerth was sprinkled on
his body and the Brahmins also threw enchanted `akshat' (rice) of
Rudra him. Due to this, Yamadoot did not dare to come near the
Rajkumar who soon awoke from the swoon. His death was thus
averted.
The king and the people were very much delighted. The
king spent a lot on charity. In the meantime, Narad Muni
came there and said, `Oh king, while Yamadoots were
taking away your son, Shivadoots attacked them and
freed your son.
The Yamadoots fled away to Yama and
complained.

Yama went to Shri Shankar and asked, `why did

your doots attack my doots?' Shri Shankar said, `when Rajkumar was
granted long life why did your doots go to snatch him without
consulting Chitragupta (record-keeper of lives of all beings)? They
ought not to have gone. When record of Chitragupta was checked, it
was found that though the Kumar’s life was twelve years at first, he
was granted ten thousand year's life later on. Seeing
this Yama repented and went away. Your son got long
life by virtue of Rudra-Jap. His death is averted. Such
is the great power of Rudra sukta.

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 Chapter 35

KACH AND DEVYANI

A young wife asked the guru to teach her a mantra so that she can
live happily with her husband. The guru told her wife and husband
should help each other and be good friends as well; however should a
mantra be given, a calamity will befall them as is evident from the
story of Kach and Devyani.
In olden days the gods and demons were often at
war. Shukracharya, the Guru of the demons, would
recite Mrityunjaya mantra and the dead demons
would come alive. Therefore it was rather difficult
for the gods to win the war.
Indra told Brihaspati, Guru of Gods, about Amrit Sanjeevini mantra of
Shukracharya and said, `The guru of the demons makes them alive
with the help of this mantra. You being the Guru of the gods you
should protect the gods’. Brihaspati said, `If Sanjeevini mantra is
heard by six ears, it will lose its importance. So it would be better to

81
send someone as a pupil to learn the mantra from Shukracharya. Let
my son Kacha be sent to him. He will learn the mantra and return.'
Kacha took leave of the gods and came to Shukracharya. He bowed
to him and stood before him. Shukracharya inquired who he was and
why he had come to him. Kacha replied `I am a Brahmin-Kumar.
Hearing your fame, I have come to learn at your feet. Shukracharya's
only daughter Devayani was standing by her father. She liked the
Brahmin youth and requested her father,
Shukracharya to accept him as his pupil.
Shukracharya agreed and Kacha started staying
with him.

The demons did not approve of this as they suspected

that the gods had sent the youth and he would learn the Sanjeevini
mantra from Shukracharya and then it would be impossible for them to
win a victory over them. Therefore, when Kacha had been to the forests
for bringing darbha (a kind of grass), the demons killed him. In the
evening, when Kacha did not return home, Devayani requested her
father to bring him home soon. Shukracharya found Kach dead, he
revived him through he sanjeevani and brought him back home. This
happened once more. The demons then decided to kill Kacha, mix
his body in drink and have the acharya drink it. Once again Devyani
asked her father to bring Kacha home. Realizing what had happened,
the guru told his daughter of the happening. Then she asked him to
teach her the mantra so she may bring Kacha out of his stomach, then
bring her father back alive since if Kacha comes out of the acharya’s
stomach, the acharya would certainly die.
After it was done and both her father and Kacha were brought to life,
Kacha had learnt the mantra. He then asked the acharya for
permission to leave since he said that the demons would not let him
live. Devayani interrupted, 'I have made you alive thrice. I love you.
You should marry me.'

82
 Kacha said 'O
beautiful Devvyani
you being the
daughter of my
guru, you are my
sister. You made me
alive from time to
time and so you are
like my mother. How
then can I marry
you?.
Hearing this,
Devayani felt sorry
and at the same time
she was enraged.

She cursed him, 'Your learning will be futile. You will forget all that you
have learnt.' Kacha retorted, 'You have cursed me in vain. You will
marry a person other than a Brahmin. Your father has taught you
Sanjeevini mantra against the rules of Shastras. Hence it will not
work now.' Saying this Kacha went away.
The young wife asked the guru as to what vrat she should observe for
he welfare. The guru asked her to worship Shri Shiva every Monday,
observe fast on that day and keep control over her senses.
The vrata is very powerful. Earlier there was a king called
Chaitravarma who had a daughter called Simantini. It was predicted
that she would be married and become a widow by the time she was
fourteen years old. She was advised to do the monday vrata to shiva
and her problem would be solved. As predicted, her
husband Chandrangad went missing when she was
fourteen years old. Without losing faith, Simantini
continued the vrata and as a result of which her
husband came back alive.

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 Chapter 36

BRAHMIN’S DAILY RITUALS

There was once a pious vedic brahmin. He would beg for food once in
a day. He would never dine in another’s house even on invitation. He
had a wife who was interested in rich food and sweets and good
clothes which were donated to brahmins during festivals and
occasions. Once a very rich person came to Ganagapur to observe
Shraddha. He invited all Brahmin couples and offered good
Dakshina (money), clothes and rich delicious food. She told her
husband about this. He said, `If you wish you can go there, but as
I do not accept food at others, I cannot come'.
The wife went to the Brahmin host and said, `My husband does not
take food at others. Can I come alone to you for meals?'
The host said, `I invite Brahmin couples. So you can come with your
husband.'

84
The Wife did not know what to do. She came to Shri Guru Narasimha
Saraswati and narrated to him her grievance and said, `I like to enjoy
rich, delicious food. But my husband does not take food at others
and so I am also not invited by anybody. At present a rich Brahmin is
inviting all the Brahmin couples and offering them good Dakshina,
clothes and rich delicious food. Kindly advise my husband to accept
this invitation.'
Hearing this, Shri Guru smiled and asked his disciples to call her
husband. When he came, Shri Guru said to the Brahmin, `your wife
desires to take delicious food. You should accept invitation of the
Brahmin and fulfill your wife's desire. Married women should not be
displeased?
The Brahmin said, `Gurudev, I am observing vrata of not taking meals
at others. But as per your wish (order) I shall accept this invitation.'
This Brahmin couple went for meals at the rich Brahmin's who offered
them good, delicious food. While dining the Brahmin wife observed
that dogs and pigs are also dining with her. Being disgusted, she got
up, returned home and told this to her husband. He said, `I had to
break my vrat for you and accept food eaten by dogs and pigs.' Both
then came to Shri Guru.
Shri Guru asked the wife, `How did you enjoy the
food of the rich Brahmin host? You always blamed
your husband. Now are you satisfied?'
The wife said, `Gurudev, I am a
silly woman. I broke the vrata of
my husband by asking him to take
food at others, kindly forgive me.'

The Brahmin further asked Shri Guru, 'kindly tell me

the code of daily rites of a Brahmin.'
Shri Guru said 'I will tell you the code of rites of a

85
Brahmin as narrated by Parashara to the Rishis in the
Nemisharanya.’
He should wake up before sunrise
clean his teeth and then
take a bath. The early morning bath gives a
person, strength, vigour, life, intellect, pleasure
and nutrition.

After bath, apply vibhuti or bhasma as

laid down in the shastra. A brahmin should start
sandhya right after the bath. Recitation of gayatri
must follow.

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 Chapter 37

DHARMA OF A BRAHMIN

The guru explained the customs that a brahmin should follow. Keep
the house clean. The prayer room should be
clean and decorated . Meditate in silence and
worship God. Wooden and stone idols may be
worshipped, as they are forms and
abodes of God. Sit on a good ,
clean seat and do Pranayama.

One must not sleep on the cremation ground, in a

dilapidated temple, on the riverbank, near an anthill or
a crossroad. Parashara Rishi had laid down these
customs and Dharma. There is no difficulty for him who
practices these customs as directed by the scriptures. He
is revered even by the gods. Kamadhenu will come to his
house. Lakshmi will live in such a house forever. Such a
person will become a Brahmajnani.

87
The Brahmin was happy to receive this guidance on Dharma and said,
"Oh, ocean of mercy, you have taken this incarnation to redeem
devotees. You are like the lamp of knowledge and you have removed
the darkness."
Saying so the Brahmin bowed at Sri Guru's lotus feet. Guru blessed
him. This is the story of Guru Charithra. Whoever listens to it will gain
great knowledge. It is a source of light for the ignorant.

88
 Chapter 38

FOUR THOUSAND FED WITH FOOD

FOR THREE SEERS

Samaradhna was an invitation for a meal to the brahmins and the

guru was invited to it every day alongwith his disciples. A poor
brahmin named Bhaskar wanted to invite the guru and his disciples for
Samaradhya. He was a very poor brahmin. When people came to
know this they started to make fun of him, saying that even if he feeds
each brahmin one grain of rice or flour it would not be enough for all
the disciples. Bhaskar was very discouraged, though very devoted to
the guru and ambitious to conduct samaradhya. On seeing his anxiety
the guru asked him to conduct the samaradhya and sent one of his
disciples to invite all the brahmins.

89
Shri Guru asked Bhaskar to bring the
food prepared by him and cover it with
guru’s cloth. When this was done, Shri
Guru sprinkled holy water from his bowl
on the food and said, `without removing
the covering cloth, take out the articles
in other pots and serve them to the
Brahmins
The Brahmins sat for dinner. Food was
served to thousands. After the Brahmins,
had taken food they were requested to
send their wives and children for dinner.
After them, all others in Ganagapur
were invited for dinner with t h e i r
families.
Then Shri Guru asked Bhaskar to dine. After his dinner, on removing the
cloth over the food, it was found that all the food originally prepared
was still left untouched. Shri Guru asked Bhaskar to throw the food in
the river so that the creatures in the water could also be fed.
A sight to behold in awe ! as the food cooked for only three people was
provided to over 4000. One of the many miracles of Shri Guru."

90
 Chapter 39

SIXTY YEAR OLD WOMAN BEGETS

CHILDREN
A brahmin named Somnath had a wife
Ganga. She was a devoted and pious
woman. She was sixty years old, but had
no children. She would go every day to
the guru and bow to him with reverence
and devotion. The guru then asked her
what it was that she desired. She said that
she had no children and wanted a son, if
not in this life then at least the next one.
Shri Guru
smiled and said, `Service to the
Ashwattha tree will fulfill your desire.
There is an Ashwattha tree at the Bhima
Amarja sangam. I go there there after a
bath in the river. Therefore worship the
Ashwattha with devotion. The greatness of
Ashwattha is narrated in the Puranas.
Brahmadev is at its root, Vishnu is in its
middle portion and the Rudra is on its top and the Agni (fire god) lies
in the interior of this tree.
In the months of Ashadha, Poush or Chaitra, when Guru and Shukra
are not set, when the moon is favorable on an auspicious day,
observe fast and start worshipping the Ashwattha. Do not touch the
tree on Sunday, Sankranti and in the evening. The floor at the root
should be smeared by cow dung and have Rangoli designs. Worship

91
the Ashwattha thinking it as a Trimurti, with 16 upchars, then saying
Purushsukta and observing `moun' take rounds of the tree. Two lakhs
rounds destroy even the sin of Brahmahatya. The Ashwattha gives four
purusharthas. It also fulfills the desire of a son.
She started worshipping Ashwattha as advised
by the Guru. On the third day, she had a
dream. A Brahmin told her to go to Shri Guru
at Ganagapur, go around him seven times
and take the prasad that is given to her and
her desire will be fulfilled. She awoke. On the
fourth day she went to Shri Guru and went
around him 7 times. Shri Guru gave her 2
fruits and said, `Eat these fruits. Your desire
will be fulfilled.'
She then completed her vrata of the worship of
Ashwattha. During meals she ate the fruits
given by Shri Guru. She then became
pregnant, In the seventh month she was given
`Oti' and she gave `vayan' to married
women. `Seemant' was performed in the 8th
month. After 9 months she begot a daughter.
After 10 days she came to Shri Guru with the baby. Shri Guru smiled
and blessed her baby and said, `You will have one more son, what do
you prefer? A well-behaved son of 30 years of age or a fool having
100 years' life?'
The woman said, `I would like to have a well-behaved son, who
should have 5 sons.' Shri Guru blessed her, as she desired. Later on
she had a son who became learned and won fame. He had 5 sons in
course of time. The daughter's husband performed sacrifices and was
well-known as `Dixit.'

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 Chapter 40

LEPER CURED

Once a Brahmin `Narahari' by name came to Shri Guru at

Ganagapur and bowing to him said, `My life is futile. I
studied Yajurveda, but as I am suffering from leprosy. All
people despise me and do not invite for Karma. I have visited
several holy places but the disease has’nt gone , kindly bless
me.'
Shri Guru gave him a dry log of Audumbar and
said, `Go to the Sangam and plant it on the bank of Bhima in
the east. After bath, worship Ashwattha at the Sangam. Again
bathe and give water to this log thrice a day. When it sprouts
green foliage, your sins will be wiped off and you will be free
from leprosy.
As told by the guru Narahari planted a dry Audumbar log
on the eastern bank of the river Bhima. He began watering it
thrice a day, in addition to worshipping the Ashwattha tree
on the banks of the Sangam. People made fun of him asking

93
him how a dead and dry log would sprout life. But Narahari
continued his vrata unmindful of the fun being made of his task. When
informed of this, the guru said that as you sow so shall you reap; that
is, devotion and faith give you what you ardently desire. One should
have implicit faith in the guru to get such fruit, and went on to narrate the
story of Shabar and his wife and how their implicit faith in lord Shiva
earned them shiva’s blessings.
Shri Guru went to the Sangam to see the leper Brahmin. He was
pleased to see his devotion. The Brahmin
was giving water to the log. Shri Guru
sprinkled the holy water of his bowl on the
log and instantly green foliage sprouted
on the log. The leprosy of the Brahmin
disappeared and his body became healthy
and bright. Narahari bowed to Shri Guru
and began to pray Him.
He composed 8 slokas, which are being
chanted at Ganagapur in the night, after
Aarti every day, even now.
Shri Guru placed his hand on the head of
Narahari and blessed him. He returned to
the Math with Narahari. People were
wonderstruck at the miracle. Many did
S a m a ra d h an a . S h r i G u r u
named Narahari as 'Yogeshwara' and asked him to
come with his family and live with him. Shri Guru also
gave him the "Vidya Saraswati" mantra.

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 Chapter 41

SAYAMDEV SERVES Shri GURU:

HIS KASHIKHAND MAHAYATRA

When the guru had settled in Gangapur, his fame spread all over and
people flocked to see him. Sayamdev came to see the guru payed
obeisance to him and prayed to him. The guru placed his hand on
Sayamdev’s head, blessed him and told him that he would be his
devotee for generations to come. On instructions from the guru,
Sayamdev bathed in the sangam and went to the ashram for food.
Sayamdev worshipped Shri Guru with 16 upchars and offered several
delicious articles of food, as naiveidya. He dined with Shri Guru, who
inquired about his family. Sayamdev said, `My relatives and sons are
living at Uttar Kanchi (Gadganchi) hail and healthy. I wish to stay with
you and serve your holy self now. Shri Guru said My service is
difficult. I live in a town for some time, while in the forest at other time.

95
 16 UPCHARAS
During the worship of the Lord 16 types of services/honourings are done to the Lord. Evidently
these are the outpouring of love that are channalised and suggested by the Agamas.
1 Avahana - Welcome/installation 2 Asana - Giving seat
3 padya - Washing the feet 4 arghya - Washing the hands
5 Achaman - Water to drink 6 madhuparka - Sweet (honey) mixture to eat
7 snana - Bathe 8 vastra - Cloth
9 upavIta - Offering holy thread 10 gandha - sandal
11 pushpa - Floral decoration 12 dhUpa - Incence smoke
13 dIpa - Light decor 14 nivedana - Offering (food)
15 karpura - Camphor light
16 pradakshina namaskara - circumambulation and salutation

It is troublesome to live in a forest. If your mind is firm then only you

should stay here.' Sayamdev conceded and said, `A devotee of
Shri Guru has no fear.'

Three months passed. One evening Shri Guru went to the Sangam
along with Sayamdev alone and sat below the Ashwattha tree.

96
There was a great s torm,
fo l l o w e d b y h e a v y r a i n ,
Sayamdev stood stretching a
cloth over Shri Guru to protect
him from the rain. Even though
he was shivering with cold.
So Shri Guru asked Sayamdev to
go to the Math in the town and
bring fire. It was pitch dark with
dark and threatening clouds looming over. There was thunder and
lighting now and then.
Shri Guru warned Sayamdev not to look to his right or left side during
his trip. Sayamdev reached the Math, took fire and returned. Curiosity
having got the better of him in spite of the warning given by the guru
not to look left or right, he looked to his right side and saw
a Cobra going with him.
He was frightened.
He then looked to the left side.
Here too he saw another Cobra.
He recited Shri Guru's name and
walked straight. He came to Shri
Guru and lit the fire. The two Cobras came before Shri
Guru, bowed to him and went away.
Shri Guru said to Sayamdev, `Why are you afraid? I had
sent these Cobras to protect you.’
Then guru Datta told him about service to the guru. As told by Lord
Shiva to Parvathi who had asked him as to how a guru could be
served with devotion.

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Shri Shiva said, `One who serves his Guru with sincerity, can attain
all that one desires. Brahma had an incarnation, which was called
Tashthra Brahma. He had a handsome son. When his thread
ceremony was performed his father sent the boy to a Guru for study
of Vedas and Shastras. He served the Guru devotedly. Once there
was rain and the water came in the ashram of the guru. The guru told
the pupil to construct a lasting house with all conveniences, which
should look always new. The wife of the Guru asked the boy to bring
her a blouse, which should neither be sewn nor woven. The son of the
Guru said, `Bring sandals for me, that would enable me to walk on
waters and take me to any desired place. The daughter of the Guru
asked the boy, `Bring earrings for me and a playhouse of an elephant
tooth having one pillar and all the conveniences. Also bring pots in
which food will be warm and which will not be black due to soot.
The pupil took leave of Guru and went to a forest. He was anxious
how all these things could be obtained. On the way he met an ascetic,
who inquired `child, why are you so worried?'
The Brahmachari boy bowed to him and said, `Kindly guide and
protect me. It is my good fortune that I could see you in this forest.
`He told him what his Guru, Guru's wife, son and daughter had asked
him to bring. He said, 'I am worried as to how all these things can be
achieved.’
The ascetic assured him and said, `Don't worry. Kashi is a holy place
of Vishweshwar. You go there and worship Him. All your desires will
be fulfilled. Kashi is known as `Anand Kanan'. One attains all the four
purusharthas ( Dharma, artha, kama and moksha) after going there'.
The Brahmachari asked, `Where is Kashi? How can I go there?'
The ascetic - I shall take you there. Due to you, I shall
also have the fortune to see the holy place again.'
Saying so both went to Kashi instantly by yogic
power. The ascetic then told the brahmachari the
vratas that were required to be performed for
the

98
blessings of siva. The Brahmachari performed all the vratas as
instructed by the ascetic.
Shri Shankar was pleased.
He appeared before the boy and told him to ask for a
boon. Twashthrakumar narrated his account and
mentioned the articles required for Guru, Guru's wife,
son and daughter. Shri Shankar blessed him saying, `You
will be as efficient as Vishwakarma.'
The Brahmachari prepared all the articles skillfully
returned to the Guru's place. The Guru was also pleased to see him
back with success. He also blessed him saying, `You will be proficient
in all Vidyas.'
On hearing this Sayamdev wanted to tour along with the guru as he
said that whatever holy place the guru went would be nothing less
than Kashi. He then prayed Guru with 8 slokas, which are daily,
chanted after Aarti at Ganagapur even now. While praying, his throat
choked and his hair stood erect on his body. Shri Guru was much
pleased. He blessed him and said, `Bring your family and children
here and stay with me.’

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 Chapter 42

SIGNIFICANCE OF ANANT VRATA

Shri Guru narrated the significance of Anant vrata to Sayamdev. He

said, `Dharmaraj, the son of Pandu, did this vrata. He regained his
kingdom, which was lost in a game of dice with the Kauravas.
Thereafter the Pandavas were living in the forest. The Kauravas sent
Durvasa Rishi to the Pandavas ,for harassing them, even in the forest.
Shri Krishna, protector of his devotees, assisted Pandavas in difficulties.
Once Droupadi and the five Pandavas bowed to Shri Krishna and
asked , `How shall we be relieved from this vanvas (living in forest)?'
Shri Krishna advised them to do the Anant vrata. Shri Krishna said,
`Anant should be worshipped on bhadrapad Shuddha 14.
In the Kriti yuga, a brahmin named Sumantu remarried a woman
named Karakasha on the death of his wife. He had a
daughter by his first wife. The girl was very badly treated by
the step mother.

100
The daughter susheela was married to Koundinya.
After the marriage they left Sumantu’s house and were on the
way to their home on a chariot. The next morning, they
reached a river and Kundinya got off to bathe and perform his
morning rituals. Susheela saw some women performing puja
wearing red silk sarees. on finding out from them, Susheela came to
know that they were performing the Ananta vrata by which all their
wishes would be fulfilled. She gave 14 knots to a red string and
prepared Anant and Shesha (cobra) of darbha and worshipped Anant
with 16 upchars. She then tied the Anant on her wrist. On seeing this,
Koundinya out of anger and arrogance thought that
she had tied the string so she could control him, and
threw the string into the fire.
Consequently, Koundinya lost all his kingdom and
money and became a pauper. Kundinya then resolved that he
would neither eat nor drink till he saw Anant. He then started
with Sushila and went into a forest. He saw a tree laden with
fruits but no bird touched its fruit. Koundinya asked the tree if it
had seen Anant. The tree said, `I have not seen Anant, but if
you see, please speak to him about me.' Further he saw a cow
and a calf. They were trying to eat grass; but they could not
do so. Then he saw a big bull. Further he saw two
lakes. The goose and other birds did not drink the
water.
Later he came across an elephant and an ass who
could not communicate. Koundinya had asked all if they
had seen Anant. They all denied seeing him, but said if
he saw Anant, he should speak about him to each
of them. At last
Koundinya was tired of walking and he lay down on the ground.
In the meantime an old Brahmin came there and inquired about him.
Knowing the cause of his worry he said, `I shall show you Anant.
Come with me.' Koundinya followed him and saw a fine city. Brahmin
seated Koundinya on the throne of precious stones and appeared

101
before him in his real form. Seeing this, Koundinya was amazed and
he bowed to Shri Anant and began to praise him. Shri Anant was
pleased and gave him 3 boons. By the first he attained Dharma, by
the second his poverty was destroyed and by the third he got abode in
Vaikuntha.
Koundinya referred to the tree, the cow with the calf, the bull, the two
lakes, elephant, ass and the old Brahmin. Shri Anant said, `The tree,
laden with fruits, was a Brahmin, who was proud of his learning and
did not teach his students, hence he became a tree. The cow had given
an infertile land to a Brahmin in charity. The bull was a rich Brahmin
who did not give in charity to anyone. The two lakes were two sisters
who exchanged charity among themselves. The elephant is your anger
and the ass is your vanity. The old Brahmin you met was myself.
Whomsoever you have seen, are all liberated?
After receiving the blessing of Shri Anant, Koundinya lived as a ruler
for many years and in the end went to heaven.
Shri Guru told this to Sayamdev and asked him to let his eldest son
Nagnath to do Anant Pooja.

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 Chapter 43

TANTUK’S Shri SHAILYA YATRA ON

MAHA SHIVARATRI

Tantuk, a weaver, was one of Shri Guru's devotees. He served Shri

Guru devotedly. He wove till afternoon, then bathed and swept the
courtyard of Shri Guru's Math. Maha Shivaratri was approaching. His
parents and other relations started for Shri Shailya, and asked Tantuk
to come with them. Tantuk said, 'My Shri Shailya is here' and he lived
alone at home.
Shri Guru asked him 'Why did you not go for yatra?'
He replied, 'My yatra is at your feet.'
On the Maha Shivaratri day Shri Guru went to
Sangam for bath. Tantuk observed fast and he
also went to the Sangam and bowed to Shri Guru.

103
Shri Guru said 'All your relatives went for yatra. You only remained
behind. Do you want to see Shri Shailya? Follow me, I shall show you.
Shut your eyes and hold my Sandals firmly.' `Saying so, he took him
to Shri Shailya within a moment. Shri Guru asked him to open his
eyes. Tantuk saw Shri Giri before him. The guru told him to go to the
river, bathe and then go to see Malleshwar. He went to the river
where he met his parents and relatives. They asked him `why did you
not come with us ?’ He asked, `I came just now with Shri Guru.' Some
people did not believe in his words. He went to the temple, where,
while praying, he saw that the linga was guru and he was
sitting there. He did his puja with devotion and came back
to the guru. He asked him to explain why it is that the
people come to these distant places when the guru is
himself the god. The guru told him that `God is all over. But
significance of the place is also plays a role. The greatness
of this place
is narrated in the Skandha Purana’. There was a king called
Vimarshan of Virat. He was very pious and devoted yet his behaviour
was not befitting his character. When his queen asked him why
this was so, he replied that he was a dog and she a bird in
their earlier births. Due to their having died in a shiva
temple and seen the pujas and she had flown around the
temple before death they were both born as king and
queen. He further told her that they would
continue being born as royalty till moksha all
because of the greatness of the worship of
Shailya.

'Shri Guru then said, 'There is Kalleshwar in

Gangapur. Thinking him as Mallikarjuna worship him.’ Tantuk said,
'When I saw thyself at the place of Mallikarjuna, why should I worship
other shrines?'

104
Hearing this Shri Guru smiled and asked Tantuk to shut his eyes and
hold his Padukas (sandals) firmly and instantly both returned to
Ganagapur. Shri Guru sent Tantuk in the town to call his disciples.
Seeing Tantuk in clean shave, people wondered and asked him why
he had shaved. Tantuk said, 'I had been to Shri Shailya. Here is the
bukka and prasad.' All laughed and said, 'We saw you here in the
morning. How can you go to and return from Shri Shailya so soon?'
He said, ' I had been there with Shri Guru and have just returned. Shri
Guru is at the Sangam and he has asked me to call you.' This
surprised them.

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 Chapter 44

NANDI BRAHMIN RELIEVED OF

LEPROSY TO LATER BECOME A POET

Nandi was a Brahmin suffering from Leprosy. He worshipped

Tuljapur Bhavani for 3 years. He stayed near Bhuvaneshwari
at Bhilavadi for 7 months and worshipped the deity
devotedly. He was told in a dream to go to Shri Guru at
Gangapur and that he would then be relieved of the disease.
Nandi said, 'You are Goddess yourself, how do you ask me to go to a
human being. I shall be here, no matter if I have to lose my life.'
The Pujari also had similar dream. He and some others told Nandi,
'Do not trouble the Goddess hereafter and if you do not mind, we
shall not allow you enter this Mandir.'
Being helpless he came to Gangapur and went to the Math and
bowed to Shri Guru. Shri Guru asked him 'Leaving the Goddess, why
did you come to a human being? When you doubt, how can you be
relieved of the disease?'

106
Realizing that Shri Guru knew what was in his mind, he said, 'I am a
dullard. Kindly forgive me. I have come for your shelter. Kindly protect
me. I am very much harassed due to this disease. My wife also left me
and went to her parents. Chandla Devi has sent me to you. Kindly do
not drive me away.'
Shri Guru asked Somanath to take Nandi to the Sangam and said,
"Let him bathe at the Shatkul and have rounds of the Ashwattha. Give
him new clothes, throwing away his old ones and then bring him here
for meals."
As advised by Shri Guru, Somanath took Nandi to the Sangam for
bath. After bath his body became free from leprosy. After taking
rounds of the Ashwattha, Somanath brought him back to the Math.
Nandi bowed to Shri Guru and began to pray Him.
Shri Guru asked him, 'See if all your body has been free from the
disease. He looked to his body and found that some patches had
remained on his thigh. Being afraid he asked 'After having your
blessings why should these patches be here?'
Shri Guru said, 'You came without belief and faith both in the goddess
and her word. You should stay here praising God, that will completely
cure you.
Nandi said, 'I am illiterate. How can I compose poems of praise?'
Shri Guru asked him
to d r a w o u t h i s
tongue. When he did
so, Shri Guru put
little bhasma on the
tip of his tongue.
Instantly he became
wise. He bowed to
Shri Guru and began
to compose poems in
praise of Shri Guru.

107
 Nandi composed wonderful poetry. He further said, 'Vedas say
that the feet of Shri Guru are holy, worshipping them will free people
from the mire of samsara. By the favor of Shri Guru, all my
sins are wiped off. Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati is like
Kamadhenu. So people should adore him and get
liberated.

Nandi was later called 'Kavishwar' due to his

poetry. The patches of leprosy on his thigh
also disappeared in course of time. Nandi
greatly rejoiced at the cure. He began to
serve Shri Guru with more devotion.

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 Chapter 45

POET NARAHARI BECOMES A DISCIPLE

OF Shri GURU

Once some disciples took Shri Guru to their town

Hipperge a holy place of Kalleshwar. A Brahmin
Narahari lived there. He was a great devotee of
God Kalleshwar. He composed five new stanzas in
praise of Kalleshwar every day and worshiped him
with devotion.
People told him the greatness of Shri Guru and
requested him to compose poems in his praise. But
Narahari said, 'I have sold my tongue to
Kalleshwar and I shall not compose poems in praise of a human
being'. As usual he went to the temple to worship Kalleshwar. While
worshipping, he went to sleep. He then had a dream that Shri Guru

109
was sitting on the Shiva Linga and that he was
worshiping Shri Guru. Later the Linga
disappeared leaving the guru in it’s place.
Shri Guru smiled and asked him 'You do not
believe in a human being and then why are
you worshiping me?'.

When Narahari woke up, he realised that Guru

Narasimha saraswati was a reincarnation of lord shiva.
Narahari then went to see the guru, asking him for
forgiveness, he stayed on and became a great devotee
of the guru.

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 Chapter 46

THE GURU VISITS EIGHT PLACES AT

ONE TIME

At the time of Diwali festival, seven devotes of Shri Guru came to

Ganagapur Math and requested Shri Guru to come to their places for
Diwali. As Shri Guru loved them all, it was a problem before him as to
whose invitation he should accept, 'You are all from different places.
How can I come to your homes at the same time? You decide amongst
yourselves as to where I should go first and where I should go later.'
Each devotee wanted the Shri Guru to come to his house first and
began to fight with the others, Shri Guru called the devotees one by
one and told them he would come to their house and that they should
not quarrel amongst themselves.
Then the devotees said, 'Oh Guru, do not make any distinction
between the rich and the poor. Please treat us equally. If you neglect

111
us we shall end our lives, we serve you and we do whatever you say."'
With these words they all prostrated themselves before him.
Thereupon Sri Guru said, 'All right, I shall visit you all. Rest assured
about that.'
One of the disciples asked him, 'How can we be sure that
you will visit the homes of all of us?
Then Sri Guru called each of them separately and said, 'I
will come to your house, but do not tell others."
All the seven devotees thereafter went back to their respective places,
happy.
When the devotees of Ganagapur came to know of this dilemma, they
asked the guru not to go to Gangapur for diwali. The guru told them
not to worry on his account.
In the morning of Narak Chaturdashi day, Shri Guru took eight forms

and went to 7 places of the 7 devotees and also stayed at

Ganagapur Math. He accepted Puja in all the places.
Later the devotees gathered at Ganagapur for Deeparadhan on the
Kartik Poornima. Each one told that Shri Guru had been to him in
Diwali and showed the cloth presented to him by Shri Guru. The
people of Ganagapur said, 'Shri Guru was here in the Math during
Diwali.' But on seeing the articles presented by Shri Guru all realized
that Shri Guru had taken 8 forms in Diwali and they all were amazed.
The conviction that Shri Guru is the incarnation of Trimurties became
more firm and they adored him with greater devotion. He who
worships Sri Guru will have all is desires fulfilled. All try to experience

112
the value of Guru Bhakti, but fools cannot appreciate Amrit. Only
Jnanis and devotees can relish the Amrit of Guru Nama smarana.
The Vedas and Shastras proclaim that he who looks down upon Guru
as an ordinary human being will be born an animal. Sri Guru Charitra
is equal to Veda-Shastra. Only Guru can liberate one from the throes
of Samsara.
Those who go to Ganagapur and serve Guru with devotion will surely
get all their desires fulfilled. So listen, all of you purify your mind and
visit Ganagapur.

Jai Guru Datta Sri Guru Datta

Digambara Digambara
SripadaVallabha Digambara

BRAHMA

VISHNU

MAHESHWARA

Sripada Vallabha Digambara

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 Chapter 47
IN TIMES OF SCARCITY PARBATI’S FIELD
YIELDS A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

There lived pious farmer, named Parbati, in Ganagapur. He used to

bow to Shri Guru when he went to Sangam in the morning and again
at midday when Shri Guru returned. His field was on the way to the
Sangam. Once Shri Guru asked him, "Why do you take this trouble
daily? What is your desire?"
Parbati said, "I wish that my field yields a good crop".
Shri Guru, "what have you sown?"
Parbati said that jawar was sown in his field. He further added, "It is
due to your favor that this year the corp is good. Please come and see
my crop oh holy sir. One look by you would sanctify my field.”
Shri Guru went to the field, looked at the crop and said, 'If you have
faith in me, do as I bid you.'

114
Parbati said, 'I shall obey you from the bottom of my heart'.
Shri Guru - 'Till I return at
midday, cut off this crop'.
Saying so, Shri Guru went
to the Sangam.
Parbati approached the
Revenue Officer and asked
him to permit him to reap
the crop on the rent as per
the previous year.
The Officer said, `Since
the crop this year is good,
you will need to pay more rent the rent you payed last year will not
be enough.’ Parbati said, `I shall pay double the rent. So please give
me permission'. The Officer agreed and granted the permission.
Parbati took some men with him, went to the field
and reaped the crop. His wife and children tried to
prohibit him; but he did not listen to them. The wife
complained to the Officer, `The crop is good this
year; but before the harvest, my husband is reaping
the field on the advice of a Sanyasi and is depriving
us of food. Please stop him from cutting the crop.
The Officer sent his men to ask Parbati why he was reaping the field
before the harvest. Parbati said, `If the Officer has doubt of getting
the rent; I shall pay the corn from reserve and keep my cattle at his
door'.
Parbati reaped all the crop. Seeing that Shri Guru was returning from
the Sangam, he bowed to Him and reported that he had cut the crop
as instructed.
Shri Guru `You have reaped in vain!'

115
Parbati `I have reaped the crop as advised by you. I have full faith in
you.'
Shri Guru `You will have the fruit of your devotion, the wife and
children of Parbati said that they have lost their food. Parbati consoled
them by saving, `Shri Guru is Shri Shiva incarnate. With his blessing,
We shall have no loss. He told us to do this due to some unforeseen
reason.'
On Mul Nakshatra, there were torrential
rains, which washed off all the crops.
However since Parbati had cut off his crop,
the rains then helped the crop grow and
Parbati's field yielded
hundred times more with the crop being far
better in quality than normal.
The wife and children of Parbati also rejoiced.
They begged apology of Parbati and repented
for what they had said of Shri Guru.
Namdharak bowed to Shri Siddhamuni with folded hands and said,
"gurudev, you have narrated to me the life of Shri Guru and have
given me the real gyan(knowledge) which has wiped off my karma
and by your blessing, I have known the essence of religion.
Devotion to Shri Guru is like the Kalpataru
and Rishis like Vashishta and Shuka also follow this
path. Now kindly tell me the path of Sadguru."
Being pleased with the question, Shri Siddha said,
"Namdharak, you are very fortunate as you have
asked question regarding the eternal principles,
knowing with illusion and ignorance are wiped off
and the mind becomes becomes as clear as the light
of the sun.”

KALPATARU TREE

116
Once when Shri Shankar was sitting on a beautiful point of Kailas,
Devi Parvati with folded hands said to him with devotion, "Great God
of Gods, Guru of the universe, give me Gurumantra and kindly tell me
the means by which one's soul becomes united with Brahma".
Shri Shankar said, "Dear Devi, this is
a question which has never been
asked to me so far by anybody. You
are my second form. So I shall tell
you this gist and this will benefit all
the people also".
Veda, Shastra, Purana, Ithihas,
Mantra-tantravidya, Smriti-jaran-
maran(using the power of doing
miracles by the devotees of Shiva
and Shakti) and other various
sciences put one in illusion. Without
knowing the gist of devotion to Guru, people perform sacrifices,
observe penance, vrat, charity, recitation and go to the holy places
but only after the rise of the light of Shri Guru, difficult vidya, worldly
illusion and ignorance are all wiped off. By serving Shri Guru, all sins
perish and the soul becomes pure and united with Brahma.
Taking the holy water, touched by the lotus like feet of Shri Guru, is
like a bath at a holy place. This Tirth is as holy as Kashi or Prayag.
Always remember Shri Guru. Recite Shri Guru's name all the time.
Obey his orders, serve and worship Shri Guru with devotion. Doing
this, one can even attain my position.
The alphabet 'Gu' means darkness and 'Ru' means light. Guru means
the knowledge of the light of Brahma, that destroys darkness of
ignorance. 'Gu1 is the first alphabet to create illusion and other
attributes. 'Ru' is the second alphabet of Brahma which destroys
illusion and vain appearance. This power of Guru is supreme and is
difficult even for the Gods to obtain.

117
 Shri Guru is Brahma, Vishnu Mahesha and Para-Brahma.
He is the cause of the creation of Universe, liberator of persons from
this worldly sea and giver of the knowledge of all the vidyas. If Shri
Shankar or Shri Vishnu are enraged, Shri Guru protects the devotees,
but when Shri Guru himself is enraged, even Shri Shankar or Shri
Vishnu cannot protect them.
Remember Shri Guru till death. Even if he is fickle minded, do not
forget or forsake him. The wise should not speak about Shri Guru with
disrespect. Do not tell a lie before him. There is no greater penance
than the service of Shri Guru and there is no deeper knowledge than
the advice of Shri Guru. Shri Guru is Jagannath
(lord of the universe) and the Guru of the 3
Lokas. O Waranane (having good face), I told
you, this principle of Sankhya sastra One God,
one religion, one devotion, one penance are
nothing other than the Guru himself. There is
no principle higher but that of the Guru.

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 Chapter 48

AMARJA SANGAM AND THE

GREATNESS OF GANGAPUR

On the parva day of Ashvin Vad 14, Shri Guru said to the disciple,
'We shall have bath at trishali (3 Holy places i. e. Prayag, Kashi and
Gaya) with family and children. The disciple said, 'For such a long
journey, we will need time for preparations'. Shri Guru, 'These holy
places are near. So there is no need for much preparation.'
Saying this he went with them all to the sangamam. All took bath
there. Shri Guru said, 'The Sangam is like Prayag. Bhima flows there
northwards. This Amarja Sangam is as holy as the
Ganga-Yamuna Sangam of Prayag. There are
other eight holy places (Tirthas) near about.'
When asked why it was called Amarjya, the guru
told them that during the war between the
Jallundhar rakshasas and devas a lot of devas

119
were killed and the demons
were on a rampage. When
Indra approached lord shiva,
the lord got very angry and
started to decimate the
rakshasas.
Indra then asked shiva to
devise a way to get back the
dead gods alive. So shiva
recited Amrit mantra and gave
a jar filled with nectar.
Indra sprinkled the nectar on
the Gods and made them
alive.
While Indra was going with the jar of the remaining nectar some
drops fell on the earth and a river was created called 'Amarja'.
Bathing in this river prevents diseases and untimely death. This river
which meets Bhima and this Sangam is great like Triveni Sangam of
Prayag.
Before this Sangam is the Aswattha, bathing in which fulfills all desires.
After this worship the Sangameshwar. Then ahead of this is the
Varanasi tirth where due to the worship of two brothers to shiva, was
created an idol of Kashi vishveshwara for daily puja. shiva as
a boon to the two brothers created an idol of Kashi
Vishweshwar there for daily worship and Darshan. He
created the Manikarnika Kund first and the shrine of Kashi
Vishweshwar came out of it. A river flowing northward like
Bhagirathi also came into existence. All the principal places
of Kashi were thus created here
Then there is the Papanasini tirth bathing in which cleanses
you of all sins committed by you.
Koti tirth after this comes the Rudra tirth which is as holy as Gaya
Further is Chakra Tirth like Dwarka and finally the Manmath Tirth. To
the east of it, is 'Kalleshwar' like Gokarna Mahabaleshwar. Bathing in
all these tirths gives all, a peaceful and happy life heretofore.

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 Chapter 49

THE GIST OF THE GURU GEETA

Namdharak bowed to Shri Siddha Muni with folded hands and said,
"Gurudev, you have narrated to me the life of Shri Guru and have
given me the gyan (knowledge) which has wiped off my karma and by
your blessing, I have come to know the essence of religion.

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 Devotion to Shri Guru is like the Kalpataru and Rishis
like Vasishta and Shuka also follow this path. Now
kindly tell me the path of Sadguru."

Once devi Parvati asked shiva

to tell her the means or mantra
through which one could attain brahma. To
this Shiva told her :-
People perform sacrifices, observe
penance, vrata, charity, recitation and go to
the holy places for this .But these can only
be achieved by the blessings of the guru.
Difficult vidya, worldly illusion and ignorance are all wiped off. By
serving Shri Guru, all sins perish and the soul becomes pure and
united with Brahma. Recite Shri Guru's name all the time. Obey his
orders, serve and worship Guru with devotion. Doing this, one can
even attain my position.
The alphabet 'Gu' means darkness and 'Ru' means light. Guru means
the knowledge of the light of Brahma that destroys darkness of
ignorance. GU is the first alphabet to create illusion and other
attributes. RU is the second alphabet of Brahma, which destroys
illusion and vain appearance. This power of Guru is supreme and is
difficult even for the Gods to obtain.
Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and
Para-Brahma. He is the cause of the
creation of Universe, liberator of persons
from this worldly sea and giver of the
knowledge of all the Vidyas.
Though there is diversity in the universe,
there still is oneness. If shiva or Vishnu are
enraged, the Guru protects the devotees, but when Guru himself is
enraged, even Shiva or Vishnu cannot protect them.

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Shri Guru is birthless, devoid of old age and has no beginning. He is
self-created, devoid of change, full of bright bliss, minutes of the
minute, greatest of the great and eternal. He is self-shining, spotless,
sky pervading, everlasting and has no decrease. Vedas and Manu
describe Shri Guru's penance in this way. Therefore always remember
Shri Guru.

Shri Guru is Jagannath (lord of the universe) and the Guru of the 3
Lokas. Shri Guru is the universe and our soul is the soul of all the
creation. Bow to Shri Guru, who gives this knowledge. He is a shrine
of knowledge, above division, pervading the skies, knower of ‘Tat
tvam Asi' (that which states that god is within you), only one, eternal,
pure, immovable, who witnesses everything and who is devoid of
existence and three qualities (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) (these are the
qualities are found in all people in different quantities and
proportions). To know one's self is the supreme knowledge and the
utmost goal of life. This is attained only by the favor of the Guru.
Those who despise Shri Guru go to hell. Those who discuss vainly with
Shri Guru become Brahma Rakshas and have to live in barren and
waterless places.’’ O Devi, according to Smrities and Vedas, Shri Guru
is Parabrahmah. Guru is a mantra of two syllables. “

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Those, who read, hear or write Shri Guru Geeta and give it in charity
with money, all their desires are fulfilled. Reading the Guru-Geeta
gets rid of the miseries of the worldly life. Shri Guru-Geeta is like a
Kamadhenu to those who read it with some expectation. It is like a
Kalpataru to those, who read with desires. It is like a Chintamani to
the thinkers of everything good. If you read it for salvation you get
salvation, if you read it for worldly pleasures, you will get them. Even
though a devotee of Shri Guru may be a fool, still he is great, all his
good acts, penance, vrata, diksha become successful. They are never
futile. Lord Shiva continued,“O Parvati, when one is blessed by Shri
Guru, all his doubts vanish, goddess Saraswati resides on his tongue
and he gets both the pleasures and salvation by the favor of Shri
Guru. O Waranane (having good face), I told you, this principle of
Sankhya Sastra One God, one religion, one devotion, one penance
are nothing else but Shri Guru himself. There is no higher principle
than that of Shri Guru.” The Ishwara added that If Shri Guru-Geeta is
read with evil acts, at evil places and with fickle mind, it gives evil
effects.
Here ends the gist of Shri Guru-Geeta in the form of a dialogue
between Ishwar and Parvati, included in the Uttarkhand of Skandha
Purana.
JAI GURU DATTA SHREE GURU DATTA DATTATREYA DIGAMBARA

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 Chapter 50

MUSLIM KING COMES TO SEE Shri

GURU

By the blessing of Shripad Shri Vallabha Rajak was born in a Muslim

Royal family and he became king of Bidar. Because of his devotion
and gurubhakthi in his earlier life, he was a very cultured and kind
king. He treated all religions and sects
equally. There were several temples for
which he had due sympathy. He also had
respect for Brahmins. Muslim priests
despised Brahmins and Vedic religion. But
king said to them, "God is one. Only the
names are different. All are created from 5
great elements (Pancha --- Mahabhoot).The
earth is the mother of all. Cows are
different colors, but their milk is white.
Ornaments may be many, but the gold is the same.

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Similarly Paramatma (God) is everywhere. So
make no difference between the religions and
castes."
Thus the king ruled impartially. Once he
developed a tumor on his thigh, Vaidyas and
Hakims treated him but to no effect. It was
very painful. The learned brahmins told him “janma janma kritam
papam vyadhi roopena peeditha”; that is sins from the earlier life
haunt you in the form of disease in this birth. In order for relief from
this pain, you should be charitable, visit holy places keep the company
of saints and finally bathe in the papanasina tirth, for all these things
will help alleviate the pain and heal the tumor.
The king then went to the papavinasha tirth for the bath. There he saw
a sanyasi. He showed his tumor to him. The sanyasi told him that
should he see a saint, the tumor will be gone. He told the king a story
wherein a similar thing had happened to a queen and her son. They
were banished from the kingdom on fear that their eruptions on the
skin would be contagious to the other
members of the royal family. However on
seeing and getting the blessings of muni
Rishabha, they were completely cured.

The muslim king then asked sanyasi where

he could meet a saint. The sanyasi told him to go to the banks of the
river Bhima in Gangapur. The king straight away started to Gangapur.
On reaching there he was told that the guru had gone to the sangam.
He started to go there and seeing the guru on
the way, he got off the palanquin and bowed
to the guru.
On seeing him the guru said, “I have been
waiting to see you Rajak”. On hearing his voice, the king recollected
his earlier birth and was inconsolable; because he was separated from

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the guru. He lay prostrate before Shri Guru and began to shed tears
of love and joy.

He complained that he had been kept away for such a long time from
the guru. He told the guru that he was being harassed by the tumor
and the guru cured it as if it had not even existed.
He asked the guru to come to his kingdom and bless his family, when
the guru told him that he was a sanyasi. “You being Muslim, cows are
slaughtered daily in your city. This is a great sin. Prohibit killing of
cows in your kingdom." The King said, "I am not a king now. I am your
devotee, a Rajak. Give me a place at your feet."
The guru granted the muslim king’s
wishes by going to his kingdom and
blessing them. The king then asked him
permission to go and live with him and
serve him. To which the guru asked
Rajak to go to Shri Shailya. On return to
Gangapur Shri Guru called all the
disciples and said; "Now I wish live
secretly. Therefore I intend to go to Shri
Shailya. Still I shall be staying at Ganagapur. If I live here openly, I
will have to fulfill the wishes of all the undesirables as I have done in
the case of the muslim king."

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 Chapter 51

Guru’s journey into bliss

Knowing that Shri Guru has decided to go to Shri Shailya, his disciples
said, "You are our treasure. Why do you go leaving us?"
Shri Guru smiled and said, "You need not worry. I shall stay here
secretly. I shall have bath at the Amarja Sangam in the morning. In the
midday I shall come to Gangapur math and accept Nirgun Puja and
give Darshan to the devotees. From the viewpoint of the public, I am
going to Shri Shailya Yatra. Have no doubt. I shall always stay at
Gangapur. The Ashwattha here are like Kalpataru."
Saying this Shri Guru started for Shri Shailya. People
accompanied him for some distance and when they
returned to the math they miraculously saw Shri Guru
there. After some time he disappeared.
Shri guru went to patala ganga at the
base of shri shailya

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He told his disciples to return to their respective
places. All were greatly aggrieved. Shri Guru sat on
the flower seat on Magh Vad 1st, on Friday at
evening time and before going away to the other side
of the river and said, " I am going to the place of self-
bliss. I shall send flowers as gift, which you should
distribute amongst yourselves and worship them,
daily. I like singing. I shall be near those, who sing prayers. They will
be blessed". After some time some boatmen came from the other side
of the river. They told, "We saw Shri Guru on the other side. He was
looking like a sanyasi and was holding a dand (stick) in his hand. He
had golden sandals. He told his name as 'Narasimha Saraswati. He
has given a message for you, 'I am going to the Kardali-Van. Still I
shall be at Gangapur. Do not worry. I am sending flowers as gift,
which may be distributed amongst yourselves."
All were waiting for the flowers. After a little time,
four flowers came flowing. They were taken one each
by Sayamdev, Nandi, Narahari and shri siddha.

Dedicated to Shri Dattatreya.

OM TAT SAT

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