Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 12

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 12

 

In this section, the young boy Nruhari (Shri Narasimha Saraswati) explains the true meaning of detachment to his mother, awakens her past-life memories, waits until she gives birth to more children, and subsequently left for Kashi and accepted Sannyasa under the tutelage of an aged, venerable monk living there named Shri Krishna Saraswati.

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सच्चित्परब्रह्म श्रवणा । न्यास हेतू तत्कारण ।
वैराग्य न क्रम जाण । आळस न कीजे येथ ॥१॥

[The young boy replied:] The realization of the true, pure, cosmic consciousness (Sat-Chit-Parabrahman) is the primary reason for entering the path of renunciation (Sannyasa). When intense detachment (Vairagya) arises, no rigid chronological sequence of life stages is required; one must not delay or be lazy in this matter.

कां वारिसी तूं मज । आयुष्य जेवीं वीज ।
क्षणभंगुर देह तुज । कळे सहज मृत्यू न कीं ॥२॥

"Why do you stop me? Life is as fleeting as a flash of lightning. This physical body is momentary and fragile. Does death ever wait for a convenient time? Surely, you know this."

येथ मानवांची काय । कथा मृत्यू देवां खाय ।
न ये गेलेलें आयुष्य । न कळे काय केव्हां पडे ॥३॥

"What to say of mere human beings, even the mighty divinities are devoured by time (Death). A life once spent never returns, and no one knows when this physical vessel will collapse."

सन्मार्गि न करीं विघ्न । सुपुत्रा तूं होसी म्हणून ।
मस्तकीं हस्त ठेऊन । पूर्वस्मरण तिला देई ॥४॥

"Do not place obstacles in this path of truth. You shall indeed have good sons." Saying this, the young child placed his holy hand upon his mother's head and awakened the spiritual memories of her past life.

म्हणे तनया श्रीपदा तूं । एक पुत्र होतां जा तूं ।
सुत म्हणे पुरतां हेतू । आज्ञा दे तूं म्हणूनी राहे ॥५॥

[Remembering her past life as Ambika, who received the boon from Bhagavan Shripada], the mother said, "O son, you are indeed Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha Himself! As soon as I give birth to another son, you may freely leave." The son replied, "Once your wish is fulfilled, you may give me permission." Until then, he agreed to stay.

ज्यांचे व्यंग अध्ययन । जे म्हणविती प्राज्ञ ।
तेही त्यापाशीं येवून । अध्ययन करिती नित्य ॥६॥

During this period, scholars who had gaps or flaws in their knowledge, as well as those who considered themselves highly learned, came to the young boy to study the scriptures daily.

ती माय गर्भिणी झाली । पुत्र दोन प्रसवली ।
त्या बाळें आज्ञा घेतली । वाढ धरिलीं काशीची ॥७॥

In due course, his mother became pregnant and gave birth to two twin sons. Having fulfilled his promise, the divine child took permission from his parents and set out toward the holy city of Kashi.

तो सस्मित बोले तयां । पुनः भेटें म्हणुनिया ।
काशीमध्यें येवोनियां । धरी धैर्या करी योग ॥८॥

With a gentle smile, he reassured his family, saying, "I will meet you again," and departed. Arriving in Kashi, he maintained immense fortitude and practiced intense yogic disciplines.

महान्गतस्मय जाणून । न्यासमार्ग स्थापीं म्हणून ।
विप्रें प्रार्थितां तो प्राज्ञ । स्वयें संन्यासी होतसे ॥९॥

Recognizing him as a person completely free from pride and ego, and desiring the re-establishment of the righteous path of renunciation, a senior Brahmin scholar requested him to formally take the vows. Thus, the wise youth accepted Sannyasa.

जो होता तेथें यती । वृद्ध कृष्णसरस्वती ।
तया वरुनी गुरु होती । नरसिंहसरस्वती ॥१०॥

There was an aged, venerable monk living there named Shri Krishna Saraswati. The young initiate accepted him as his formal preceptor and took the monastic name Shri Narasimha Saraswati.

होऊन नर आपण । गुरुचे गुरु असून ।
रामकृष्णापरी जाण । गुरु करुन घेती गुरु ॥११॥

Although he had assumed a human form and was inherently the Guru of all Gurus, he formally accepted a spiritual master to set an example for the world—just as Bhagavan Rama and Bhagavan Krishna had done in previous ages.

स्थापूनि श्रौंतधर्म । फिरे सर्व तीर्थाश्रम ।
माधवा दे आश्रम । वळे जन्मभूमीकडे ॥१२॥

Re-establishing the ancient Vedic way of life (Shrauta Dharma), he travelled across various holy pilgrimage sites and hermitages. He granted the vows of Sannyasa to a disciple named Madhava and then turned his steps back toward his birthplace.

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे द्वादशोऽध्यायः