Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 25

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 25

 

In this section, two arrogant, materialistic Brahmins travel the land, boasting of their ability to recite the Vedas along with their meanings. Backed by a Muslim king, they challenge other scholars to debates. They attempt to challenge Trivikrama Bharati in Kumasi, who wisely redirects them to Shri Narasimha Saraswati in Ganagapur.

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होते मंदधीब्राह्मण । म्लेच्छराजापुढें येऊन ।
सार्थवेद म्हणून । घेती धन उन्मत्त ते ॥१॥

There were two dull-witted yet arrogant Brahmins who approached a Muslim king (Mlechha ruler). By claiming that they could recite the entire Vedas along with their deep inner meanings they extracted immense wealth from the king, becoming completely intoxicated with pride.

म्लेच्छा मदोन्मत्त विप्र । म्हणती आज्ञा द्यावी क्षिप्र ।
वादें जिंकूं लोकीं विप्र । हारिपत्र किंवा घेवूं ॥२॥

Blinded by their ego, these Brahmins said to the king, "Grant us a royal decree immediately! We shall defeat all the learned Brahmins in the world through philosophical debates, or force them to sign a letter of surrender."

राव महानंदे देत । आज्ञा बसवी पालखीत ।
विप्र राजे म्हणवीत । भूमी जिंकित येती तेथ ॥३॥

The king joyfully granted their request and seated them inside a royal palanquin. Hailed as the supreme conquerors among Brahmins, they travelled across the land, defeating local scholars and winning territories.

ते कुमसी मध्यें यती । त्रिविक्रमभारती ।
त्रिवेदी जाणुनियां येती । त्या म्हणती वाद करीं ॥४॥

They eventually arrived at the village of Kumasi to challenge the ascetic Trivikrama Bharati. Recognizing him as a master of the three Vedas (Trivedi), they demanded, "Come forward and engage in a debate with us!"

जरी मैत्रद्विज असे । तरी करील कीं असें ।
कुबुद्धि हे विप्र जसे । हरती तसें करावें ॥५॥

Trivikrama Bharati thought to himself, "If a Brahmin were truly a well-wisher of his own community, would he ever behave in such a malicious manner? The vile intellect of these Brahmins must be completely shattered."

यांची वांछा गुरु पुरवील । असें म्हणोनी त्यां तत्काळ ।
यती आणी गुरुजवळ । सांगे सकळत्रिविक्रम ॥६॥

"The Supreme Guru alone will fulfill their desires “thought Trivikrama. He immediately escorted them to the presence of the Guru in Ganagapur and narrated everything to Him.

वाद्यां शोधीत हे आले । यांणीं माझें न ऐकिलें ।
मग येथें आणिले । या शिक्षिले पाहिजेत ॥७॥

Trivikrama said, "O Master, they have come searching for opponents to debate. They paid absolutely no heed to my counsel. Therefore, I have brought them to Your presence; they must be taught a proper lesson."

गुरुजी म्हणती तया । नेणो आम्ही जयाऽजया ।
वाद आम्हाम कासया । तुम्हीं वाया मरुं नका ॥८॥

The Guru calmly addressed the arrogant scholars, saying, "We do not care about victory or defeat. Why should we engage in an academic debate? Do not waste your lives and die in vain over this."

विप्र वचन बोलती । तुम्हां काय विद्या येती ।
तें ऐकूनि गुरु म्हणती । गर्व किती करितां हा ॥९॥

The proud Brahmins replied sharply, "What kind of knowledge or scripture do you even know?" Hearing their insolent remark, the Guru said, "Why do you harbor such immense, destructive pride?"

गर्वे लोकीं किती मेले । बाण रावण खपले ।
व्यर्थ कौरवादी मेले । आरंभिलें काय हें तुम्हीं ॥१०॥

"Countless mighty beings have been destroyed by their own ego in this world. Great figures like King Bana and King Ravana perished because of it. The Kauravas were needlessly wiped out. What is this ruinous path that you both have started?"

 

 

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे पञ्चविंशोऽध्यायः