Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 49

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 49

 

In this section, the text details the profound geographical and mythological glories of the holy confluence at Ganagapur (Kshetra Mahatmya). The Guru explains the origins of the Amarja River, compares the local water shrines to Prayag, Kashi, and Gaya, and performs the promised miracle of curing his past-life sister, Ratna, of her leprosy by having her bathe at the Papa-vinasha Tirtha.

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हें उत्तम असें क्षेत्र । भीमामरजायोग थोर ।
रणीं सुरां मारी जालंधर । अमृतें हर त्या उठवी ॥१॥

This is a supremely excellent and sacred land, where the powerful confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers takes place. Long ago, when the demon Jalandhara was slaughtering the divinities (Suras) in battle, Bhagavan Shiva (Hara) revived them using celestial nectar (Amrita).

हृत्तमः प्रकाशक । शिव दे अमृत विशोक ।
उलंडलें तेची ऐक । ती हे नदी अमरजा ॥२॥

Bhagavan Shiva, who illuminates the deep darkness of our hearts, used that nectar to make the divinities completely free from grief (Vishoka). A few drops of that divine nectar accidentally spilled onto the earth, and that very spill manifested as this sacred river, the Amarja (literally, born of nectar/immortality).

ही भयोपताप वारी । भीमेशीं संगम करी ।
प्रयागापरी पाप वारी । भूमीवरी हे तारक ॥३॥

This river wards off all deep-seated fears and worldly afflictions, flowing gracefully to form a holy confluence with the Bhima River. Just like the holy Triveni Sangam at Prayag, it utterly dissolves all accumulated sins and acts as the ultimate savior (Taraka) upon this earth.

सर्व मान्य मनोहृत्तीर्थ । जेथ कल्पद्रू अश्वत्थ ।
पुढें संतोषाख्यतीर्थ । विश्वनाथ येथ आला ॥४॥

This universally revered, mind-pleasing pilgrimage site is where the wish-fulfilling tree (Kalpavriksha) stands in the form of the sacred Peepal tree (Ashwattha). Further along lies the Santhosha Tirtha, where Bhagavan Vishwanath (Shiva) Himself descended from Kashi to reside.

ही उमेश प्रसादाने । एका जीवन्मुक्तानें ।
काशी केली ती स्नानानें । कैवल्यानें निःसंशयें ॥५॥

Through the divine grace of Bhagavan Shiva (Umesha), an enlightened soul (Jivanmukta) who takes a holy purificatory bath here reaps the exact same spiritual merits as visiting Kashi, without a doubt attaining absolute liberation (Kaivalya).

तयावरी पापविनाश । तीर्थ दाविती यतीश ।
तो भेटे त्या समयास । पूर्वाश्रमस्वसा रत्‍ना ॥६॥

The King of Ascetics (Yatisha) then pointed out the next highly sacred spot, the Papa-vinasha Tirtha (The Sin-Destroying Water Shrine). It was at this exact moment that He encountered Ratna, his sister from his pre-ascetic life (Purvashrama), who had been wandering in misery.

ती त्या महातीर्थी न्हाली । कुष्ठ जाउनी शुद्ध झाली ।
गुर्वाज्ञेनें तेथें राहिली । मुक्त झाली त्याच जन्मी ॥७॥

Following His instructions, she took a holy dip in that great, sacred water shrine. Instantly, her severe leprosy vanished, and her body became completely pure and clean. Residing there under the Guru's command, she achieved ultimate spiritual liberation (Mukti) within that very lifetime.

वारी संकट कोटीतीर्थ । पुढें दाविती रुदतीर्थ ।
गयेसम फल तेथ । चक्रतीर्थ केशवापुढें ॥८॥

The Koti Tirtha wards off massive, multi-fold crises, and further along is the Rudra Tirtha, which grants the exact same spiritual fruits as performing ancestral rites at the holy city of Gaya. Right in front of the temple of Bhagavan Keshava (Vishnu) lies the Chakra Tirtha.

हें समूळ वारी दुरित । अस्थी करी चक्रांकित ।
द्वारकेहुनी हें प्रशस्त । हो पतित स्नानें ज्ञानी ॥९॥

This Chakra Tirtha uproots and destroys all demerits from their very foundation; it is said that bones cast into these waters miraculously bear the markings of Vishnu's discus. Spiritually, this spot is considered even more excellent and praiseworthy than Dwarka, turning even a fallen sinner into a wise, enlightened soul through a single bath.

ज्या वेढोन असे माया । येथ स्नान करितां तया ।
ये मुक्तता सुनिश्चया । गुरुराया सांगे लोकां ॥१०॥

For any human being who is heavily bound and blinded by the cosmic illusion of Maya, taking a holy bath at this confluence will undoubtedly grant them absolute spiritual liberation. The King of Gurus openly revealed this sacred truth to the world.

तो पूजावा कल्लेश्वर । प्राग्भागीं गोकर्णक्षेत्र ।
चक्रतीर्थ हें पवित्र । असे क्षेत्रमाहात्म्य हें ॥११॥

One must also offer ritual worship to the deity Kalleshwar residing nearby. Toward the eastern side of this region lies the eastern Gokarna Kshetra. Such is the holy, multi-fold spiritual majesty of this sacred land and its Chakra Tirtha.

अज्ञानानें कली येतां । सर्वतीर्थां ये गुप्तता ।
गुरुनाथें तीं दावितां । लोकचित्ता हो आनंद ॥१२॥

As the dark and ignorant age of Kali Yuga advances, all these sacred water shrines naturally recede into invisibility and become hidden from ordinary eyes. By visually pointing out and reviving these shrines, the King of Gurus filled the hearts of all true devotees with supreme, profound joy.

 

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे एकोनपञ्चाशत्तमोऽध्यायः