Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 36

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 36

 

This chapter narrates the story of a highly impoverished Brahmin from Ganagapur who strictly adheres to his daily spiritual disciplines and Shri Guru saving him from his wife’s greed of expecting outside favours.

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त्या ग्रामामध्यें एक । विप्र येक होता रंक ।

भावें करी आन्हीक । हो विवेकशून्यता तत्स्त्री ॥१॥

In that very village of Ganagapur, there lived a Brahmin who was completely destitute (Ranka). He faithfully performed his daily Vedic rituals (Ahnika) with deep devotion, but his wife was entirely devoid of spiritual discrimination (Viveka-shoonyata).

तो नेम धरुनी परान्न । सोडी, दंपती भोजन ।

द्याया आला महाजन । स्त्री जाऊनीं प्रार्थी गुरुसी ॥२॥

The Brahmin maintained a strict lifelong vow never to accept food from outsiders (Paranna). One day, a wealthy merchant (Mahajan) invited the community for a grand feast. Driven by greed, the wife went directly to the Guru to complain and beg for permission.

होता कंठ भरुनि दीन । गुरु विप्रा बोलावून ।

म्हणे इला जा घेऊन । तूं परान्न जेवाया ॥३॥

With her throat choking with pathetic, pitiful cries, she lamented her poverty. The Guru called the Brahmin forward and commanded him, "Take your wife along and go eat this outsider's food today.”

तीचें गार्‍हाणें ऐकून । तिच्या पतीस जा म्हणून ।

गुरु सांगे तो मानून । तिला घेऊन गेला तो ॥४॥

Hearing her grievance, the Guru instructed her husband to comply. Honouring the Guru's words as absolute command, the Brahmin took his wife and went to the merchant's feast.

तेथें मानिनी जेवितां । श्वसूकरोच्छिष्ट देतां ।

उठे पतीसह दुश्चिता । गुरुनाथा भेटती दोघे ॥५॥

However, just as the proud woman sat down to eat,. To the couple's horror, the delicious food suddenly appeared as the disgusting leftovers of dogs and pigs. Sickened and highly anxious, they immediately stood up, left the feast, and rushed back to the Supreme Guru.

नारी विनवी क्षमापून । गुरु म्हणे धालें कीं मन ।

द्विज म्हणे नेम टाळून । भ्रष्ट होवून गेलों मीं ॥६॥

The woman fell at His feet, weeping and begging for forgiveness. The Guru asked her with a smile, "Is your mind fully satisfied now?" Meanwhile, the distraught Brahmin lamented, "By breaking my sacred vow today, I have completely corrupted and fallen from my purity!”

अवश्य ही वैरीण । गुरु म्हणे पुरें शीण ।

मी माया दावून । केलें मन शुद्ध ईचें ॥७॥

"This wife is surely my worst spiritual enemy!" cried the Brahmin. The Guru replied, "Calm your mind and end your grief. I deliberately manifested this cosmic illusion (Maya) to completely purify her mind and cure her of her greed.”

ही नच इच्छील आता । सोडील परान्नाची वार्ता ।

न मोडली तुझी निष्ठा । दि़ज अडतां घे परान्न ॥८॥

The Guru assured him, "From this moment on, she will never crave such gatherings and will completely drop the idea of eating food from outsiders. Your personal faith and devotion remain completely unbroken; a Brahmin may accept outsider's food only during times of extreme emergency or absolute survival crises.”

प्रार्थी भूसूर कोठें जावें । अन्न कोणाचें वर्जावें ।

गुरु म्हणे जेवावें । स्वसंबंधिगुरुमित्रान्न ॥९॥

The Brahmin then prayed, "O Master, where should a seeker go? Whose food should be strictly avoided, and whose food is fit to be eaten?" The Guru replied, "One should only consume food offered by their own righteous relatives, their spiritual preceptor (Guru), or their true spiritual friends.”

वर्जी तामस कुचरान्न । विधिनिषेधरहितान्न ।

दुष्प्रतिग्रह दुर्भक्षान्न । कन्यान्न सुत न होता ॥१०॥

"Completely avoid food that is dark and aggressive, prepared by malicious or deceitful people, or cooked without following scriptural rules and prohibitions. Avoid food obtained through corrupt donations, or food served by a family that has no children.”

त्यजीं निन्दकादिकान्न । जेवितांही श्राद्धान्न ।

षट्‌ प्राणायाम शोधन । प्रेतान्न सर्वथा वर्जी ॥११॥

"Reject food offered by critics and slanderers of the scriptures. If you are ever forced to consume food served during ancestral funeral rites (Shraddha-anna), you must immediately perform six rounds of Pranayama (breath control) to purify your system. Food cooked at a house mourning a corpse (Preta-anna) must be avoided under all circumstances.”

अग्नाधानिभागवतान्न । पवित्र करी ब्रह्मीष्ठान ।

तीर्थी क्षेत्री पर्वणीं दान । हीनदान कुदान न घे ॥१२॥

"Conversely, food offered by those who maintain the sacred domestic fire rituals (Agnihotri) or pure devotees of the Bhagavan (Bhagavatas) is highly purifying; eating food from a highly realized Vedantin (Brahmishtha) purifies the soul. When at a holy pilgrimage site or during sacred eclipses (Parvani), never accept inferior, low-minded, or unrighteous charities.

स्वाचारयुक्त नर । सर्व दोष करीं दूर ।

द्विज म्हणे सविस्तर । नित्याचार स्पष्ट सांगा ॥१३॥

"A human being who remains firmly anchored in their traditional code of conduct (Sva-achara) easily washes away all sins." The Brahmin then requested, "O Supreme Guru, please detail the exact sequence of a Brahmin's daily lifestyle rules (Nitya-achara) from morning to night.”

गुरु यापरी प्रार्थित । सांगे पराशरमत ।

उठा ब्राह्ममुहूर्तांस । गुरुदेवतांदिकां वंदा ॥१४॥

Siddha Muni said: Requested in this manner, the Supreme Guru began outlining the sacred laws established by Sage Parashara: "Wake up during the auspicious hours before dawn (Brahma-muhurta), and immediately offer your mental salutations and prayers to your Guru, your personal deity, and your parents.”

व्हायाम्य मुख निशीं ऐक । दिवा संधी उदङ्‌मुख ।

नैऋत्यकोणी देख । मार्गोदकवर्जितदेशीं ॥१५॥

"When responding to the calls of nature, during the night, face toward the South. During the daytime or during the twilight sandhya hours, face toward the North. Perform this act in the south-western direction, far away from public pathways and natural water bodies.”

त्यजी हरित्तृण, शिरीं । वस्त्रधरीं जलदूरीं ।

मलमूत्रोत्सर्ग करीं । शौचकरी मृत्तोयानें ॥१६॥

"Never ease yourself on green grass, and keep your head covered with a clean cloth. Stay a safe distance away from pure water resources. After passing waste, perform the ritual purification (Shaucha) using clean water and pure earth.”

गोळ्या मोठया आंवळ्यापरी । लिंगीं एकत्रि गुदावरी ।

सातसात पादकरीं । निम्मीं रात्री संकटी अर्ध ॥१७॥

"Apply portions of pure earth, measured to the size of a large gooseberry (Amla), to cleanse the parts: apply one portion to the genital organ, three portions to the anus (Guda), seven portions each to the left hand and both feet. During the deep hours of the night, or during emergencies and sickness, these amounts may be halved.”

हा द्विजवर्याचार । वर्णी वनी यतिश्वरां ।

द्वित्रिचतुगुर्णाचार । स्त्रीकुमारां दुर्गंधान्त ॥१८॥

"This is the strict standard of purification prescribed for a Brahmin householder. For forest-dwelling ascetics (Vanaprasthas) and monks (Yatishwaras), these purificatory measures are doubled, tripled, or quadrupled respectively. For women and uninitiated children, the process is performed until all foul odor is entirely eliminated.”

होत साचविधी शूद्रा । विप्रें किजे चूळ बारा ।

आठ सहा चार ईतरां । अंतीं द्विराचमनें शुद्धीं ॥१९॥

"For those belonging to the Shudra caste, a simpler, honest purificatory method is specified. After cleansing, a Brahmin must rinse his mouth with water twelve times. Other castes should rinse eight, six, or four times respectively, concluding the process with two rounds of sipping sanctified water (Achamana) to achieve inner purity.”

मुदा पुण्य मध्यस्नान । प्रातःकाळीं गोमयस्नान ।

यति सन्यासी त्रिस्नान । सुभगे शिरःस्ना न नित्य ॥२०॥

"A morning bath brings immense spiritual merit. Performing a dawn bath using pure cow dung (Gomaya-snana) is highly auspicious. Ascetics and Sannyasis must bathe three times a day (Tri-snana), whereas a married woman with a living husband (Subhaga) should take a complete head bath (Shirah-snana) daily.”

शीतोष्णाम्बु गृहस्थासी । मार्जनादि न तयासी ।

तर्पणादि बहिःस्नानासी । कीजे शिरसीं मृद्धारण ॥२१॥

"A regular householder should use normal or warm water for bathing. He should not skip the symbolic sweeping of water (Marjana) and water libations (Tarpana) during an outdoor river bath. While bathing outdoors, apply a portion of sacred earth to the forehead and head.”

अनामिकीं दर्भ पवित्र । बद्धशिख सोपवस्त्र ।

संध्या करा जो प्रकार । गृह्यकार वदे जैसा ॥२२॥

"Wear a ring made of sacred Durva grass on your ring finger (Anamika). Keep your hair tuft securely tied, and be draped in proper, clean clothing. Then, perform the twilight prayers (Sandhyavandanam) exactly according to the rules laid down in your specific family manual”

मौंजी चौलादिकीं न भस्म । तदन्यत्र तें परम ।

सनक्षत्रसंध्या परम । हो मध्यम लुप्ततारा ॥२३॥

"During the childhood sacred thread ceremony (Maunji) or tonsure rituals (Chaula), sacred ash must not be applied; but for all other times, smearing sacred ash is of the highest importance. Performing the morning Sandhya while the stars are still visible in the sky (Sa-nakshatra) is considered the highest and most excellent standard; doing it after the stars have faded but before sunrise is medium.”

चाक्षुष सूर्यदर्शन । प्रातःसंध्या अधम जाण ।

ह्याउलट रात्रौ जाण । उपस्थान सूर्येक्षणें ॥२४॥

"Performing the morning Sandhya after the sun has visually risen (Chakshusha Surya-darshana) is considered of the lowest, most inferior grade (Adhama). Conversely, for the evening Sandhya, performing it after night has fully fallen is inferior; it must be done while watching the setting sun.”

त्या आधी, आचमन । प्राणायाम मार्जन ।

मंत्राचमन मार्जन । अघमर्षण अर्ध्वदान ॥२५॥

"Before beginning the prayers, execute the initial sipping of water (Achamana), breath control (Pranayama), and the purificatory sprinkling of water (Marjana). Recite the water-cleansing mantras, perform the sin-expelling ritual (Aghamarshena), and offer the sacred water libations (Arghya-dana) to the Sun.”

मनस्समाधानें द्या तीन । कालात्यय चौथे जाण ।

सूर्योदयविघ्नकारण । रक्षोगण मरती ह्यांनीं ॥२६॥

"With a perfectly focused, peaceful mind (Manas-samadhane), offer three handfuls of Arghya water to the Sun. If the proper time has already passed, offer a fourth handful as a penance for the delay (Kala-atyaya). The spiritual power of these Arghya waters acts like a weapon, instantly destroying the negative, demonic forces (Rakshogana) that attempt to obstruct the sunrise.”

ह्या दुर्वारास्त्रें मारितां । दोष येतो, भूमी फिरतां ।

असावादित्य जपतां । ये शुद्धता ब्राह्मणासी ॥२७॥

"If a Brahmin fails to perform this ritual, a spiritual flaw wraps around him as he walks the earth. Chanting the magnificent Gayatri Mantra (Asava-aditya) with absolute focus brings immediate purification and restores the inherent divine light of a Brahmin.”

हो स्वस्से पानभूत । कर्म कीजे सदोदित ।

शुभासनीं न्यासहित । जपा स्मरत ऋष्यादिक ॥२८॥

"A Brahmin should always remain anchored in his daily duties (Karma), looking upon them as his very life-breath. Seated comfortably upon an auspicious mat (Shubha-asana), perform your mantra chanting while honoring and remembering the ancient seers (Rishis) associated with the mantra.”

जप मोजा अक्षमालेनें किंवा स्फटिकादिकाने ।

निष्फळ तो मुद्राविणें । समाधानें मौनें जपा ॥२९॥

"Count the rounds of your chanting using a rosary made of Rudraksha seeds (Akshamala) or pure crystal beads (Sphatika). Know that mantra chanting becomes entirely fruitless if performed without holding the correct hand gestures (Mudras); therefore, chant with a perfectly peaceful mind in absolute silence (Mauna).”

लय भूल पडूं न द्यावी । छन्नमाला न पडावी ।

गायत्री हजार जपावी । कमी योजावे अशक्तत्वें ॥३०॥

"Never let your mind wander into laziness or distraction, and keep your rosary hidden from outside view inside a cloth (Chhanna-mala). One should ideally chant the Gayatri Mantra one thousand times every morning; if one is physically weak or sick, the count may be reduced appropriately.”

वृद्धंत्वादि तारत्म्यें । जपिजे न धनकाम्यें ।

उभ्यानें दोन संध्ये । सायंसंध्येसी बसूनी ॥३१॥

"Adjust the intensity of your practices based on advanced age or physical capacity, but never abuse these relaxation rules out of greed or a desire for money. During the morning and midday Sandhya, stand upright while chanting; during the evening Sandhya, remain seated.”

उभें रहावें उपस्थानीं । दिशा देव द्विजां नमूनी ।

गुरुपादातें वंदुनि । विसर्जोनी द्यावी संध्या ॥३२॥

"Stand upright during the final adoration prayers (Upasthanam), bowing down with reverence to all the cardinal directions, the presiding deities, and the holy Brahmins. Bow down to the holy feet of your Guru, and formally conclude and dismiss the Sandhya rituals.”

हो असा हा संध्याविधी । सायंप्रातर्होमविधी ।

कीजे स्वयें उदया आधीं । प्रादुष्करण मग होम ॥३३॥

"Such is the complete method for the Sandhya prayers. Following this, perform the morning and evening fire rituals (Agnihotra/Homa). Cleanse the sacrificial area and prepare the sacred fire before the formal sunrise, and then execute the offerings."

हा आत्मस्त्री सुतादिकें । कीजे गव्यधान्यादिकें ।

धर्म करितां श्रमदुःखें । नच लेखे चित्ती विप्रा ॥३४॥

"This fire sacrifice can be performed by yourself, your wife, or your son, using holy cow products (Gavya) or sacred grains. Even if performing these daily righteous deeds brings physical exhaustion or temporary hardship, a wise Brahmin never complains or counts it as suffering in his heart.”

भोग कः पदार्थ द्विजा । कर्मे होयी शुद्धी निजा ।

आनंदा घे तोचि सहजा । देवपूजा हीच मुख्य ॥३५॥

"What worth is there in fleeting worldly enjoyments (Bhoga)? It is through the performance of these prescribed duties (Karma) alone that internal purification of the self occurs. A person who realizes this easily enters into eternal bliss; therefore, the ritual worship of God (Deva-puja) is the main anchor of life.”

होम असा झाल्यावर । ब्रह्मयज्ञ कीजे बाहेर ।

ब्रह्मांजळी सपवित्र । म्हणा मंत्र ब्राह्मण अंगें ॥३६॥

"Once the fire ritual is completed, step outside to perform the Brahmayajna (the sacrifice to the ancient seers and scriptures). Holding the sacred grass in your hands, recite the Vedic mantras with a pure mind, engaging your entire being.”

विद्या हंकारवर्जित । ब्रह्मयज्ञ दे मुक्तता ।

दोष नसें कसें पढतां । जपाल्पता अनध्यायीं ॥३७॥

"Study and chant the scriptures without any trace of pride or ego; this Brahmayajna grants ultimate spiritual liberation. No sin touches a person while they are reciting the Vedas; however, on specific days prohibited for study, one should restrict themselves to a shorter, silent mental chanting.”

कोणी वैश्वदेवोत्तर । करिती मध्यसंध्योत्तर ।

तर्पा देवर्षिपितर । सव्य निवीत्य पसव्येसी ॥३८॥

"Some practitioners perform the Vaishvadeva ritual (offering food to all cosmic elements) right after the Brahmayajna, while others perform it after completing their midday Sandhya prayers. Following this, offer water libations to satisfy the Divinities, the ancient Sages (Rishis), and the Ancestors (Pitrus), shifting your sacred thread from the left shoulder , around the neck, to the right shoulder respectively.”

होविश्वात्माऽऽब्रह्मस्तंबांत । तर्पणें तृप्तयवाक्षत ।

देवर्षिलाकरिती तृप्‍त । पितरातृप्‍तकरिती तिला ॥३९॥

"Offer these water libations mixed with black sesame seeds and barley grains (Yava-akshata) to satisfy all living expressions of the cosmic soul, stretching from Bhagavan Brahma down to a tiny blade of grass. This ritual brings intense satisfaction to the deities, the sages, and delivers peace to the ancestors.”

गृहीं न हें तिलतर्पण । निंद्यदिनीं मांगल्यीं न ।

दिवाळींत यमतर्पण । भीष्माष्टमीसी ॥४०॥

"Do not perform this sesame water libation (Tila-tarpana) inside the living rooms of your house, nor on highly celebratory or auspicious festival days (Mangalyi). However, performing the special water libations to Yamaraj during Diwali, or to Grandsire Bhishma on Bhishma-ashtami, is highly recommended.”

हें करो जीवत्पिता । दोष अनवश्य करितां ।

मध्यान्हीं सूर्य येतां । मध्यान्हसंध्या कीजे ॥४१॥

"A person whose father is still alive must avoid performing general ancestor water libations; doing so causes a spiritual flaw. Finally, when the sun reaches high noon in the center of the heavens, perform your mandatory midday Sandhya prayers (Madhyanha Sandhya).”

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे षट्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः