Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 5

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 5

 

In this section, the text transitions into the life of Shripada Shrivallabha, the first avatar of Bhagavan Dattatreya in the Kali Yuga. The verses describe his divine birth, his refusal of marriage, his miracle of healing his brothers, and the beginning of his travels.

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ये श्राद्धा ही विप्राघरीं । उत्तरदेशीं भिक्षा करी ।

श्राद्धापूर्वीं द्विजनारी । दान करी श्राद्धान्नाचें ॥१॥

[In his previous form as a wandering ascetic], Bhagavan Datta accepted alms (Bhiksha) in the northern region at a Brahmin's house on the day of a Shraddha (ancestral ritual). Before the formal ritual feeding of the invited Brahmins had even begun, the devout Brahmin woman generously offered the sacred food to Him.

दत्त विप्रस्त्रीचा भाव । पाहुनी सुत स्वयमेव ।

झाला श्रीपादराव । गृहभाव स्वीकारीना ॥२॥

Deeply pleased by the intense devotion of that Brahmin woman, Bhagavan Datta granted her wish and took birth as her son, Shripada Shrivallabha. As he grew up, he showed no interest in worldly domestic life.

विशेष विद्याभिन्न झाला । तात आरंभी विवाहाला ।

पुत्र म्हणे योगश्रीला । वरीं, अबला सर्व माता ॥३॥

Having mastered all fields of knowledge distinct from ordinary education, his father began preparing for his marriage. However, the young son replied, "I am wedded only to the feminine divinity of Yoga (Yogashri). To me, all other women are like my mother."

निश्चय हा ते ऐकून । खिन्न होती त्यां दावून ।

त्रिमूर्तीरुप, आश्वासून । बंधू दोन पंग्वंध जे ॥४॥

Hearing his unwavering resolve, his parents became deeply grief-stricken. Seeing their sorrow, Shripada Shrivallabha comforted them by revealing his true cosmic form as the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti). He then turned his attention to his two brothers, one of whom was lame and the other blind.

करी प्रभू त्यांवरी डोळा । चालूं लागला पांगळा ।

पाहूं लागला आंधळा । अतर्क्य लीला श्रीपादाची ॥५॥

The Bhagavan cast his merciful gaze upon them. Instantly, the lame brother began to walk, and the blind brother began to see. Such was the unfathomable, divine play (Leela) of Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha.

आशीर्वाद देई तयां । काशीपुरा जाऊनिया ।

बर्दयाश्रम पाहुनिया । श्रीपाद ये गोकर्णासी ॥६॥

Showering his blessings upon his parents and brothers, he set out on his spiritual journey. He visited the holy city of Kashi and the sacred Badrikashram (Badrinath), before finally arriving at the holy site of Gokarna.

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(Written in Sanskrit)

विमलाः कीर्तयो यस्य । श्रीदत्तात्रेय एव सः कलौ श्रीपादरुपेण ।

जयति स्वेष्टकामधुक् ॥७॥

Glory to Him whose fame is absolutely pure and stainless, who is none other than Bhagavan Dattatreya Himself manifesting in the Kali Yuga in the form of Shripada. He reigns victorious as the divine wish-fulfilling cow (Kamadhenu) for all his beloved devotees.

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे पञ्चमोऽध्यायः