Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 27

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 27

 

In this dramatic episode, Shri Narasimha Saraswati decides to visually demonstrate the power of time and karma to the arrogant scholars. He summons a man from a marginalized, lower caste and draws seven mystical lines on the ground. As the man crosses each line, he remembers his past lives until he reaches a state of supreme Vedic scholarship, effortlessly defeating the proud Brahmins.

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हूं आस्था पूर्ण करुं । असें म्हणूनी श्रीगुरु ।
दूर पाहती मांग नरु । शिष्यां निरुपिती आणाया ॥१॥

"I shall completely fulfill your desire [for a debate]," said the Shri Guru. Looking into the distance, He spotted a man belonging to the Low caste and commanded His disciples to bring him forward immediately.

जाउनि शिष्यें तया । आणिती गुरुराया ।
सात रेखा काढूनिया । आणिती तयावरी तया ॥२॥

The disciples went and brought the man before the King of Gurus. The Guru then drew seven mystical lines on the ground and instructed the man to walk across them one by one.

तो एक एक लंघितां । सांगे सप्तजन्मवार्ता ।
अंतीं विद्वदद्विज म्हणतां । जिंक विप्रा म्हणती गुरु ॥३॥

As the man stepped over each line successively, he began to recall the detailed history of his past seven births. Upon crossing the final line, he attained the consciousness of a highly learned Brahmin scholar. The Guru then commanded him, "Go now, and defeat these arrogant Brahmins in debate."

सामर्ष तो पुढें होतां । ये त्यां विप्रां मूढता ।
द्वादशाब्द राक्षसता । ये मुक्तता त्यानंतर ॥४॥

As the transformed man stepped forward with intense confidence to debate them, the arrogant Brahmins were suddenly struck with complete intellectual dullness and stupor and they were cursed to suffer as demonic ghosts (Brahmarakshasas) for twelve years, after which they would finally achieve liberation.

दुर्गति त्या अनुतापानें । ये स्वल्प गुरुकृपेनें ।
विप्र होऊनि मांगाने । गार्‍हाणें गुरुसी केलें ॥५॥

Although they were destined for a terrible downfall, their immediate and deep repentance brought them a small measure of the Guru's mercy, shortening their suffering. Meanwhile, the Low caste man, who had temporarily absorbed the consciousness of a wise Brahmin, poured out a heartfelt grievance to the Guru.

सद्वंशजद्विज असून । केवि झालों जातिहीन ।
हे सांगा विस्तारुन । तें ऐकूण गुरु सांगे ॥६॥

The man asked, "O Master, if I was born as a Brahmin of noble lineage in my immediate past life, how is it that I have now fallen into a marginalized, low-caste birth in this life? Please explain this to me in full detail." Hearing his sincere inquiry, the Guru began to explain.

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे सप्तविंशोऽध्यायः