Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 35

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 35

 

In this chapter, the resurrected Brahmin's wife asks the Guru to initiate her into a sacred mantra so she can constantly remember Him. Shri Narasimha Saraswati states that a woman does not have scriptural eligibility for independent mantra initiation; instead, her ultimate path to the Divine lies in serving her husband (Pati-seva).

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मंत्रोपदेश द्या मला । तेणें नित्य स्मरुं तुम्हांला ।
गुरु म्हणे स्त्री मंत्राला । पात्र न तिला पतिसेवा ॥१॥

The young woman prayed, "Please initiate me into a sacred mantra so that I can remember You daily." The Guru replied, "A woman is not scriptural material for independent mantra initiation; her ultimate righteousness and path to liberation lies entirely in serving her husband.”

अवश्य ऐकें ही कथा । देवी दैत्यां रणीं मारितां ।
तयां संजीवनी जपतां । वांचवितां होय भार्गव ॥२॥

"Listen attentively to this history: Long ago, when the Devi was slaying the demons in battle, Sage Shukracharya (Bhargava) kept reviving them using the powerful Sanjivani mantra.”

अचिन्त्य मंत्रविद्याशक्ती । इंद्र सांगे शिवाप्रती ।
आणवून शुक्राप्रती । उमापती भक्षीतसे ॥३॥

"Witnessing the unfathomable, independent power of this mantra science, Bhagavan Indra complained to Bhagavan Shiva. The Bhagavan of Parvati (Umapati) subsequently summoned Shukracharya and swallowed him whole.”

तो त्याचे मूत्रद्वारा । पडे वांचवी पुनः क्रूरां ।
बृहस्पती म्हणे इंद्रा । बुडवू मंत्र षटकर्णेशी ॥४॥

"Shukracharya eventually emerged out of Bhagavan Shiva's body through the urinary tract, but he went right back to reviving the cruel demons. Seeing this, the preceptor of the divinities, Sage Brihaspati, said to Indra, 'We must find a way to compromise and neutralize this secret mantra before it is leaked to a third party”

असें तया बोलून । स्वसुता कचा दे धाडून ।
कपटी शिष्य होवून । शुक्रा सेवून तो राहे ॥५॥

"Saying this, Brihaspati sent his own son, Kacha, to act as a deceptive student. Kacha went to Sage Shukracharya and began serving him with great humility to win his trust.”

न वासः शुभदो नोऽस्य । असे मानुनी दैत्य ।
मारिती त्या वांचवी काव्य । द्विवार कन्यास्नेहें ॥६॥

"Sensing that his presence bode ill for them, the demons killed Kacha. However, out of deep affection for his daughter Devayani (who was fond of Kacha), Sage Shukracharya used his mantra to bring the youth back to life twice.”

दैत्य यत्‍नें त्या जाळून । त्याचें भस्म मद्यातून ।
देती शुक्र पी नेणून । मग कन्था विरहें रडे ॥७॥

"Determined to end him, the demons killed Kacha a third time, completely burnt his body to ashes, mixed the ash into wine, and tricked Sage Shukracharya into drinking it. Unaware, the sage consumed it, and his daughter Devayani began to weep bitterly over Kacha's disappearance.”

शुक्रदाही दिशा देखे । शेखीं कचा पोटीं देखें ।
म्हणे देवयानी ऐकें । त्या आणितां मी मरेन ॥८॥

"Shukracharya looked inside using his divine vision and discovered Kacha resting inside his own stomach. He said, 'Listen, Devayani, if I bring Kacha out now, his emergence will rip open my stomach, and I will die.”

कन्यादिव्यमंत्र मागे । म्हणे कचा वांचवीं वेगें ।
मग मी तूतें मंत्रयोगें । बापा वेगें वांचविन ॥९॥

"Devayani demanded that Kacha be taught the divine mantra. Kacha called out from inside the stomach, 'O Master, revive me quickly! Once I come out, I will immediately use the exact same mantra to bring you back to life, father!'”

देहा त्यजीन मी अन्यथा । अशी कन्योक्ति ऐकितां ।
आश्वासुनी मोहेंपिता । मंत्र देता झाला तिला ॥१०॥

"Faced with his daughter's ultimatum ('I will end my life otherwise'), the blinded, affectionate father relented and initiated Kacha into the supreme mantra while he was still inside his stomach.”

तो मग जपे वाचार्थ । तो ये त्याचें फोडुनी पोट ।
कन्या ताता उठवीत । कचा क्षुत झाला मंत्र ॥११॥

"Kacha chanted the mantra, tore open Shukracharya's stomach, and stepped out alive. Devayani then urged Kacha to revive her father, and Kacha masterfully used the mantra to bring the sage back to life.”

मंत्रतंत्र प्रगट होता । तत्काल ये निर्वीयेता ।
शुक्रमंत्रा ये हीनता । आशा घेता झाला कच ॥१२॥

"However, the moment a secret mantra or ritual science is leaked, exposed, or compromised, it instantly loses its absolute potency. Because the Sanjivani mantra was passed around out of emotional attachment, its ultimate power was diluted, and Kacha prepared to take his leave.”

कन्या तेव्हां वरीं म्हणे । विद्या देऊनी दिल्हें जिणें ।
तूं भगिनी कच म्हणे । ती म्हणे विद्या विसर तूं ॥१३॥

"Devayani then asked Kacha to marry her, saying, 'My father's knowledge has granted you a fresh life.' Kacha firmly declined, saying, 'Since I emerged from your father's stomach, you are legally my sister.' Enraged, Devayani cursed him, saying, 'May you completely forget all this knowledge!'”

कच जोरानें वदे तिला । विप्रावेगळा वरो तुला ।
शुक्र उपदेशी स्त्रीला । भ्रष्ट झाला मंत्र त्याचा ॥१४॥

"Kacha forcefully countered her curse, saying, 'May you never be wedded to a Brahmin, but instead be forced to marry outside your community.' Thus, because Shukracharya initiated a woman out of emotional attachment, his secret mantra lost its absolute purity.”

ती द्विजपुत्री असतां । शापें झाली ययातिकांता ।
दोघां हानी मंत्र देतां । स्त्रिये ब्रता आचरावें ॥१५॥

"Even though she was a Brahmin's daughter, Devayani was forced by destiny to marry the warrior king Yayati. Thus, exposing a mantra brings spiritual harm to both parties. Therefore, a woman should focus entirely on executing her dedicated vows.”

ती मग म्हणे नाथा । व्रत एक सांगा आतां ।
गुरु म्हणे सोमव्रता । करितां सर्व सिद्धी होय ॥१६॥

The Brahmin’s wife then prayed, "O Master, please prescribe a powerful vow for me now." The Guru replied, "Observing the Somavara Vrata (Monday fasting ritual dedicated to Bhagavan Shiva) grants all ultimate spiritual and material successes.”

हें सद्भावें करीं परम । आर्यावर्ती चित्रवर्म ।
तयासीमंतिनीनाम । हो उत्तम कन्यारत्‍न ॥१७॥

"Perform this ritual with absolute, pure devotion. Long ago, in the land of Aryavarta, there ruled a righteous king named Chitravarma. He was blessed with a highly virtuous, beautiful daughter named Simantini.”

तियेस चौदा वर्षें होतां । ये वैधव्य हें कळतां ।
तिनें मैत्रेयी प्रार्थितां । सोमव्रता ती सांगे ॥१८॥

"When she turned fourteen, astrologers predicted that she was destined to face sudden widowhood. Terrified, she approached the saintly woman Maitreyi for guidance, who initiated her into the sacred Soma Vrata.”

निश्चय मनीं धरुन । सोमवारीं उपोषण ।
किंवा नक्तभोजन । करिजे अर्चून गौरीशा ॥१९॥

"Anchoring a firm resolve in her heart, Simantini began fasting every Monday. She would either remain completely without food or consume only a single meal at night (Nakta-bhojana) after performing the ritual worship of Bhagavan Shiva and Devi Parvati.”

दुरिते ही नाशा जाती । सौभाग्य सुत राज्यासी ।
दे शीघ्र गौरीपती । अर्चिता त्या प्रदोषीं ॥२०॥

"Worshipping the Bhagavan of Gauri during the auspicious evening hours of Pradosha swiftly dissolves all accumulated sins, protects one's marital bliss (Saubhagya), and blesses the seeker with noble sons and a prosperous kingdom.”

हो दुःखित तरी व्रता । न सोडिजे सर्वथा ।
सीमंतिनी तें ऐकतां । करी व्रता दृढचित्ते ॥२१॥

"Even when engulfed by severe miseries, one must never abandon this vow under any circumstance. Hearing this advice, Simantini observed the Monday fast with an absolute, unshakeable mind.”

दैवा लंघी कैसा कोण । चित्रांगदा ती देऊन ।
राजा गेहीं प्रेमें करुन । घे ठेवून त्या जामाता ॥२२॥

"Yet, who can ever bypass the wheels of destiny? She was wedded to a prince named Chitrangada [the son of King Indrasena]. Her father loved his son-in-law so dearly that he kept the young couple residing right within his own royal palace.”

बुडे यमुनेत जामाता । कन्या प्राण त्यजूं उठता ।
वारुनि घरान्हें पिता । तरी व्रता ती न सोडी ॥२३॥

"One fateful day, while boating, the young prince Chitrangada drowned deep in the Yamuna River. Devastated, Simantini prepared to jump into the water to end her life. Her grieving father managed to restrain her, yet even in that state of profound sorrow, she refused to break her Monday fast.”

महच्चक्र काळाचें हें । कोणाचेनी दूर नोहे ।
तीचा श्वशुर शोकीं स्नेहें । त्या बांधून घे शत्रु राज्य ॥२४॥

"The massive wheel of time spares no one. While Simantini was mourning, an enemy king took advantage of the family's grief, attacked her father-in-law's kingdom, defeated King Indrasena, and took him captive.”

त्या इंद्रसेनसुता । पाताळी न्हेति राजसुता ।
जीववुनी वासुकी वार्ता । पुसे, सर्व सांगे तया ॥२५॥

"Meanwhile, the young prince Chitrangada had not died; the underwater currents carried his body to the netherworld (Patala), where the serpent-people (Nagas) rescued him. The great serpent king, Vasuki, revived him and asked about his identity, and the prince narrated his entire story.”

तया मग सर्पनाथ । म्हणे तुझें कोण दैवत ।
येरु म्हणे गौरीनाथ । मद्दैवत जगदीश ॥२६॥

"The serpent king asked him, 'Who is your ultimate deity?' The prince replied firmly, 'The Bhagavan of Gauri, the master of the cosmos, is my sole refuge and deity.'”

तो त्यासि राहे म्हणे । चंद्रागद पाठवा म्हणे ।
मद्विरहें माता शिणे । पत्‍नी जिणें वेचिलची ॥२७॥

"Deeply impressed, the serpent king wished to keep him there, but Chitrangada pleaded, 'Please send me back to the mortal world. My mother must be weeping herself to death in my absence, and my young wife will surely end her life if I do not return.'”

तो हय सर्पा सवे धाडी । वेगें आला यमुनाथडी ।
तेथ सीमंतिनी खडी । पाहतां वेडी हो तयासी ॥२८॥

"The serpent king granted him leave, provided him with a celestial horse, and sent a group of serpents to escort him back. He suddenly materialized right on the banks of the Yamuna River, where Simantini happened to be standing, looking completely exhausted and lost in her thoughts.”

हो सच्चा कीं हा मत्पति । ऐसें जंव चिंती चित्तीं ।
तों येवून तो पुढती । वार्ता तिची पुसे तो ॥२९॥

"Simantini looked at him and thought, 'Can this truly be my long-lost husband?' While she was debating this in her heart, the prince stepped forward and politely inquired about her well-being.”

संलग्नौ दासिन्यदीना । कोण ही ऐसें पुसतां खुणा ।
लाजुनी म्हणे सखीजनां । सर्व खुणा वदा ॥३०॥

"Seeing him approach accompanied by maidservants, she felt deeply embarrassed and gestured to her close friends, whispering, 'Please answer his questions and tell him everything.'”

सखी तया सर्व सांगे । तो वदे ईचा पति वेगें ।
भेटेल हें न वावुगें । आण घे शंकराची ॥३१॥

Her friends narrated the entire tragedy. Hearing this, the disguised prince smiled and said, 'Your husband is alive and will return to you very soon. This is an absolute truth; I swear it upon Bhagavan Shankara.”

स्वसत्तेनें सोडवी ताता । मायबापांची हरी चिंता ।
सीमंतीनीसी भेटता । झाला व्रताच्या प्रभावें ॥३२॥

"He then revealed his true identity, marched forward with his forces, liberated his father from the enemy's prison, and wiped away the tears of his parents. Through the sheer, miraculous power of the Soma Vrata, Simantini was triumphantly reunited with her husband.”

भला जोडा तो शोभला । येउनी राज्जीं आरुढला ।
असें व्रतें दे शिव भोला । फल तिला गुरु म्हणे ॥३३॥

"The beautiful couple was restored to their royal glory and ascended the throne. The Guru said, 'Such is the incredible fruit that the compassionate Bhagavan Shiva (Shiv Bhola) showers upon those who observe this fast.'”

हें सावित्री व्रत तूं करीं । तथा म्हणुनी ती स्वीकारी ।
निरोपें ये स्वमंदिरीं । धवासव नारी भेटे स्वका ॥३४॥

"The Guru concluded, 'Therefore, you should faithfully observe this Savitri/Soma vow.' The Brahmin's wife happily accepted His instruction. Receiving the Guru's blessings and farewell, she returned safely to her home alongside her resurrected husband.”

सुबुद्धि हो त्या दोघांची । जसी वाचा श्रीगुरुची ।
फलप्राप्‍ती तसी हो साची । तै दुःखाची कैंची वार्ता ॥३५॥

"Blessed with supreme wisdom by the Guru's absolute words, the couple lived a long, prosperous life. All their desires were perfectly fulfilled, and all traces of grief vanished entirely from their lives. Such is the glory of the Shri Guru!”

 

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे पञ्चत्रिंशोऽध्यायः