Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 23

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 23

 

In this section, the local king hears about the miracle of the barren buffalo and comes with his army to respectfully escort the Guru into Ganagapur in a palanquin. Upon their arrival, they encounter a Brahmarakshasa (a cursed Brahmin ghost) living in a tree, whom the Guru promptly liberates.

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ही कानि वार्ता ऐकून । सर्व पुसे नृप येऊन ।
गुरु महात्म्य ऐकून । ससैन्य येऊन प्रार्थी ॥१॥

Hearing this incredible news through word of mouth, the local king made thorough inquiries. Realizing the supreme spiritual greatness of the Guru, he arrived at the spot accompanied by his entire army and prayed intensely at His feet.

म्हणे वसूनी गांवात । उद्धरीं आम्हां तूं दैवत ।
ते मानी गुरुनाथ । पालखींत बसवी भूप ॥२॥

The king pleaded, "O Bhagavan, please come reside inside our town and deliver us from our miseries, for You are our ultimate deity." The King of Gurus accepted his heartfelt request, and the king respectfully seated Him inside a royal palanquin.

न वर्तंते प्रभुधियः । परतंत्रास्तथाऽपि हि ।
भक्तिप्रियो भक्तिगभ्यो । भक्ताधीनत्वमेत्यजः ॥३॥

The intellect and will of the Supreme Bhagavan are never bound or subject to anything; He is entirely independent. Yet, because He loves pure devotion and is attainable only through it, the birthless Bhagavan willingly subordinates Himself to the wishes of His true devotees.

भूपें तेव्हां उत्सवून । त्यां आणिलें पालखींतून ।
अश्वत्थातळीं येऊन । ब्रह्मराक्षसा पहाती ॥४॥

Celebrating with great pomp and music, the king escorted the Guru in the palanquin. As they approached the sacred Banyan/Peepal tree (Ashwattha) near the town, they all encountered a terrifying Brahmarakshasa (a ghost of a corrupt Brahmin).

तोही तया पदीं लागे । गुरु राक्षसासी सांगे ।
संगमीं न्हातां तूं वेगे । होसी अंगे येथ मुक्त ॥५॥

The ghost immediately fell prostrate at the holy feet of the Guru. The Guru addressed the spirit, saying, "Go quickly and take a dip at the holy confluence of the rivers; through this act, your body will instantly be liberated from this demonic form."

तो तद्धा मीं पावला । ग्रामी मठ गुरुला दिल्हा ।
ऐकूनि गुरुची लीला । निंदी तयाला एकयति ॥६॥

Following the command, the spirit immediately attained liberation. The king then built and dedicated a sacred monastery (Matha) to the Guru inside the town. However, upon hearing about all these divine plays (Leelas) of the Guru, a proud, wandering ascetic (Yati) began to bitterly criticize and slander Him.

 

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः