Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 10

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 10

 

In this section, after fulfilling his earthly mission, Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha becomes unmanifest (enters Nijadham or cosmic concealment) at Kuravpuram. However, to show that his promise to protect his devotees remains active even after his physical departure, he miraculously returns to save a merchant  from bandits.

===

सत्यसंकल्प दे तसें । स्वयें अवतरतसे ।
कुरुपुरीं भेटतसे । ऐक असे विप्र एक ॥१॥

The Bhagavan, whose intentions are always absolute and true (Satyasankalpa), granted the washerman his boon. Even after physically concealing his form at Kuravpur, he manifested himself to save a certain Brahmin merchant. Listen to how it happened.

करी गरीब तो व्यापार । लाहे नवसें द्रव्य फार ।
यात्रे जातां मार्गी चोर । तया ठार मारिती ॥२॥

That poor Brahmin carried out a small trading business. Having pledged a religious vow  to Bhagavan Shripada, he earned a large amount of money. While he was travelling to Kuravpuram to fulfill his vow, bandits intercepted him on the path and brutally killed him.

श्रीश शस्त्रें मारी चोरां । जीववी द्विजवरा ।
राखी एका सभ्य चोरा । स्वयें गुप्त हो श्रीपाद ॥३॥

[Appearing miraculously in a divine form], Bhagavan Shripada struck down the wicked bandits with his weapons and restored the virtuous Brahmin back to life. He spared only one bandit, who had shown a righteous mindset and begged for mercy, before becoming invisible once again.

ते शस्त्रे मेले त्यांतें । द्विज जाणोनी धनांतें ।
घेऊनी ये कुरुपुरातें । दें नवस हो कृतार्थ ॥४॥

Seeing the bandits killed by divine weapons, the Brahmin collected all his wealth. Filled with profound gratitude, he arrived safely at Kuravpuram, offered his pledged donation to the Bhagavan, and felt completely fulfilled.

 

 दिगंबरा दिगंबरा श्रीपाद वल्लभ दिगंबरा।
दिगंबरा दिगंबरा अवधूत चिन्तन दिगंबरा॥

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे दशमोऽध्यायः