Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 50

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 50

 

In this climactic chapter, the prophecy made by Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha to the humble washerman (Rajaka) is fulfilled. The washerman is reborn as a powerful and righteous Muslim king (Mlechha ruler) who becomes afflicted with a painful, incurable tumor on his thigh.  The Muslim king travels to Ganagapur, where Shri Narasimha Saraswati instantly cures his ailment, reveals his past-life identity, and grants him ultimate salvation.

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ज्या देति श्रीपाद वर । तो रजक जन्मांतर ।
करी हो म्लेंच्छ राजा शूर । धर्मावर मन ज्याचें ॥१॥

The very washerman to whom Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha had granted a royal boon was reborn in his next life as a courageous and powerful Muslim king (Mlechha-raja), whose mind remained naturally inclined toward righteousness (Dharma).

त्याचे पुरोहित म्हणती । हिंदु पाषाण पूजिती ।
भू गो जला देव म्हणती । ती दुर्मति न वंदावे ॥२॥

The king's orthodox priests routinely tried to mislead him, saying, "The Hindus foolishly worship stones, and they look upon the earth, cows, and water as divinities. Do not bow down to such perverted beliefs.”

राजा रुसोनि बोलत । सत्य असे त्याचें मत ।
जे द्वेषिती तयांप्रत । मी प्राणान्त दंड करीन ॥३॥

The king grew angry and declared to them, "Their path and faith are absolute truths! If anyone harbors hatred or shows disrespect toward their faith, I will condemn them to the punishment of death.”

द्या द्वेषोक्ति सोडुन । असे तयां कथी ज्ञान ।
मांडीवर फोड होवून । तो पीडून राहें दैवें ॥४॥

"Cast away your malicious, hateful speech," the king commanded them, imparting true wisdom. However, by the turn of destiny, a massive, agonizing tumour erupted upon his thigh, leaving him in continuous physical torment.

त्या उत्तम लेप करिती । परी त्याची नोहे शांति ।
राज पुसे द्विजाप्रति । तो एकांतीं सांगूं म्हणे ॥५॥

His royal physicians applied the finest medicinal ointments, but the burning pain refused to subside. The suffering king secretly consulted a wise Brahmin scholar, who requested to speak with the king in absolute privacy.

राजा मंत्र्यादिका त्यजून । एकलाची करी गमन ।
पापनाशतीर्थी येऊन । पुसे वंदून तया विप्रा ॥६॥

Leaving behind his ministers and royal entourage, the king travelled entirely alone. He arrived at the holy Papa-vinasha Tirtha, approached the learned Brahmin, and bowed down to inquire about a cure.

आश्वासन देवी द्विज । म्हणे सत्पुरुषासी मज ।
भवरोग हो निर्बीज । भय तुज कायसें ह्याचें ॥७॥

The Brahmin comforted the ruler, saying, "If you find a truly enlightened saint (Satpurusha), even the ultimate, incurable disease of worldly existence (Bhava-roga) is completely wiped out from its very root. Why then do you fear a mere physical tumour?”

एक सर्वकर्महीन । उज्जनींत होता जाण ।
द्विज वेश्येसीं रमून । तद्‌गृहीं ये ऋषभयोगी ॥८॥

"Listen attentively to an ancient history: There was once a highly sinful man in the city of Ujjain who lived a completely unrighteous life, indulging heavily with a courtesan. One day, the great sage Rishabha Yogi happened to visit their house.”

तत्पूर्व पुण्य उदेलें । म्हणोनि मुनि भेटले ।
दोघांनीं त्यां पूजिलें । सेवियलें अहोरात्र ॥९॥

"Due to a sudden awakening of their past-life merits (Punya), they welcomed the sage with deep respect. Both the man and the courtesan worshipped him and served him selflessly day and night.”

त्या सेविल्या पुण्यानें । राजकुळीं जन्म घेणें ।
घडलें तयापरी भोगणें । आलें उणें जें स्वकर्म ॥१०॥

"By the pure merit generated through serving that saintly sage, they earned the right to be reborn into a grand royal lineage, though they still had to exhaust the remaining negative fractions of their personal karma.”

जो सद्भक्त हो सकाम । त्या ये श्रीमत्कुळीं जन्म ।
मुक्ती घेयी जो निष्काम । सत्समागम व्यर्थ नोहे ॥११॥

"A true devotee who harbours material desires  is naturally blessed with a birth in a wealthy, noble family; whereas a desireless seeker achieves ultimate liberation (Mukti). The company of an enlightened saint (Sat-samagam) never goes in vain.”

द्विजा जन्म दशार्णदेशीं । वज्रबाहुराजवंशीं ।
ज्येष्ठराणीच्या ये कुशीं । तें सवतीसी न रुचलें ॥१२॥

"In his next life, that sinful man was reborn as a prince in the royal family of King Vajrabahu in the land of Dasharna. Born from the womb of the senior queen, his birth did not please the co-wives, who grew intensely envious.”

यत्‍नें तिणें गर्भिणीतें । सर्पगरळ दिलें होतें ।
भेदलें परी न प्राणातें । हरि, तीतें देव राखी ॥१३॥

"Driven by malice, the co-wives secretly fed lethal snake poison to the pregnant queen. By divine intervention, the poison spread through her system but failed to take her life, as the Bhagavan protected her.”

तिचें मांस रक्त बिघडे । तिला बहु कष्ट घडे ।
पुत्रा प्रसवली पुढें । ब्रण पीडे उभयता ॥१४॥

"However, the toxic venom severely corrupted her flesh and blood, causing her immense physical suffering. When she subsequently gave birth to her son [Prince Bhadrayu], both mother and child were afflicted with horrific, weeping sores and ulcers (Vrana).”

झाले सर्वोपाय अपाय । तयां आरोग्य न होय ।
एके दिनीं तयां राय । विजनारण्यदेशीं टाकी ॥१५॥

"Every medical remedy tried by the physicians completely failed, and their health deteriorated. Unable to witness their horrific state, King Vajrabahu eventually ordered them to be abandoned deep inside a deserted, desolate forest.

ती पूर्व कर्म स्मरुन । बाळा कडेवर घेऊन ।
वनीं करी आक्रंदन । तो गोधन पुढे देखे ॥१६॥

"Accepting her past karma, the weeping queen carried her infant son upon her hip and wandered through the dense forest, until she unexpectedly spotted a massive herd of cattle ahead.”

राजभामिनी गोपतीतें । पुसोनी ये नगरातें ।
वणिक्यपती राखी तीतें । व्रणकष्टें पुत्र मेला ॥१७॥

"The royal lady approached the cowherd chief and was guided to a nearby trading town. A wealthy merchant kindly gave her shelter, but the young prince unfortunately succumbed to the severe pain of his ulcers and passed away.”

तों दैवे ऋषभयोगी । ती रडतां आला वेगीं ।
तिला म्हणे राहें उगी । शोक त्यागीं विवेकानें ॥१८॥

"By a beautiful stroke of destiny, the great sage Rishabha Yogi arrived at the spot just as the mother was wailing in deep agony. He comforted her, saying, 'Calm yourself immediately and cast away this grief through the power of spiritual discrimination (Viveka).'”

सांगोन सदुपदेश । स्मरे पूर्वोपकारास ।
जीववी तो त्या सुतास । त्या दोघांस दे आरोग्य ॥१९॥

"Imparting profound spiritual wisdom to her and recalling the hospitality she had rendered him in her past life, the sage used his powerful mantras to restore the dead prince back to life, instantly blessing both mother and son with perfect health.”

असा भाग्यें सत्पुरुष । भेटे, तरी जायी दोष ।
राजा पुसे सत्पुरुष । असे दोषहर कोठें ॥२०॥

The Brahmin scholar concluded to the Muslim king, "Only when a person is blessed by destiny to encounter such an enlightened saint do all their severe diseases and sins vanish." The king anxiously asked, "Where can I find such a master who can dissolve all my miseries?”

भूसुर म्हणे भूपाप्रती । भीमातीरीं असे यती ।
नामे नृसिंहसरस्वती । तयाप्रति जा भेटाया ॥२१॥

The Brahmin replied to the ruler, "Right on the banks of the sacred Bhima River, there resides a magnificent, world-reverencing ascetic (Yati) named Shri Narasimha Saraswati. Go and seek His holy vision immediately.”

राजा तथास्तु म्हणून । तया विप्रा सत्कारुन ।
चतुरंग दळ घेऊन । भाव धरुन पातला ॥२२॥

Accepting the advice with absolute faith, the king rewarded the Brahmin generously. Gathering his entire grand four-fold army, and anchoring pure devotion in his heart, he set out toward Ganagapur.

तो पाइक दूरी करुन । पायीं चालत येऊन ।
संगमी देवा पाहून । करी नमन एकभावें ॥२३॥

As he neared the holy site, the king left his foot-soldiers and royal army behind at a distance. Walking humbly on his own feet, he arrived at the river confluence (Sangam), spotted the divine form of the Bhagavan, and prostrated with single-minded devotion.”

म्हणति श्रीगुरु रजका । कोठे वससी येसी न कां ।
भेटावया रे भाविका । ते ऐकुनी तो हो ज्ञानी ॥२४॥

Shri Narasimha Saraswati looked at him affectionately and called out, "O Washerman (Rajaka)! Where have you been wandering all this time? Why did you delay in coming to meet me, my faithful devotee?" Hearing these words, a flash of absolute spiritual realization (Jnana) instantly dawned upon the king.

निजगुज प्राग्जन्मीचें । आठवी रुप श्रीपादाचे ।
त्यावळखूनी मृदु वाचें । करी त्याचे तो स्तवन ॥२५॥

The king suddenly remembered the intimate, hidden secrets of his past birth and recalled the magnificent divine form of Bhagavan Shripadaa Shrivallabha. Recognizing his eternal Master, he began to sing His praises in a gentle, choking voice.

कां बाह्य विषयाब्धींत । लोटिसी तूं कृपावंत ।
आतां धरीं माझा हात । वरी त्वरीत काढी मज ॥२६॥

"O Merciful Bhagavan! Why did You cast me away into this deep, suffocating ocean of worldly desires and attachments? Please hold my hand now, and swiftly lift my soul out of this material bondage.”

तूं हात माझा धरितां । मी येई हो वरता ।
मांडीवरी फोड होतां । त्या निमित्तानें ही भेट ॥२७॥

The Guru replied lovingly, "I have held your hand, and you have successfully ascended. This painful tumor upon your thigh was merely a divine catalyst designed to orchestrate this sacred reunion.”

माझा मंगळ हो भाव । गुरु म्हणे फोडा दाखिव ।
येरु मांडी पाहे तंव । स्फोटकाभाव झालाचि ॥२८॥

"May all auspiciousness and peace be yours," said the Guru. "Show me your tumour now." The king looked down at his thigh, and to his absolute amazement, the severe, painful tumour had completely vanished without a trace.

म्हणे शाबास हे भेट । माझा गमविला स्फोट ।
म्हणे नेणें मी हे कूट । द्यावी भेट हा तव हेतू ॥२९॥

The ecstatically happy king exclaimed, "Glory to this holy meeting! You have completely erased my physical affliction. I am a simple man and do not understand the deep, mystical secrets of Your ways; I only know that Your core intent was to grant me Your holy vision.”

मी शास्त्रबाह्य जरी । गोहत्यादिक न करीं ।
म्हणे माझी पहा पुरी । नमस्कारी वारंवार ॥३०॥

"Though I am technically outside the fold of Your scriptures, I have never committed the sin of slaughtering cows or harming the innocent. O Bhagavan, please come and sanctify my royal capital with Your holy presence!" Saying this, he bowed down repeatedly.

तो अमित सेना दावी । तयां पालखींत बैसवी ।
स्वयें पायीं चाले पदवीं । गुरु बैसवी यानी तया ॥३१॥

The king proudly displayed his massive army to the Bhagavan and requested Him to sit inside the royal palanquin. Showing ultimate humility, the king chose to walk bare-foot along the path, while the Guru rode comfortably inside the palanquin.

पुढें दर्शन घे म्हणून । पापनाशतीर्थी येवून ।
राहे गुरु त्या प्रार्थून । नागनाथ घरीं नेयी ॥३२॥

The entourage first arrived at the highly sacred Papa-vinasha Tirtha to seek blessings. At the king's earnest request, the Guru agreed to visit the house of His close devotee, Naganath, and rested there.

गुरु मुख्य शिष्यांसहित । जेवूनियां तीर्थी येत ।
तो राजा त्या नगरांत । ने वाचत गाजत गात ॥३३॥

Accompanied by His chief disciples, the Guru partook of a grand meal. Afterward, the overjoyed king escorted the Supreme Guru into his royal city with magnificent pomp, amidst thunderous music, celebratory songs, and widespread rejoicing.

विविक्त दृष्टी भगवान । जाती पुरीं भक्ताधीन ।
दावी सर्वा भेटवोन । प्रीती करुन निजैश्वर्या ॥३४॥

The Supreme Bhagavan, who possesses absolute, unattached vision (Vivikta-drishti), willingly subordinates Himself to the intense love of His devotees. He visited the city, allowing everyone to receive His holy sight, and brilliantly displayed His inner, cosmic spiritual wealth.

ती गम्मत न बोलवें । महोत्सव केला रावें ।
आतां पाददास्य द्यावें । म्हणूनी भावें प्रार्थी भूप ॥३५॥

The sheer grandeur and joy of that festival cannot be fully described with human words; the ruler executed a magnificent, historic celebration. Falling at the Guru's feet, the king prayed with pure devotion, "O Master, grant me the eternal privilege of serving as a humble slave at Your holy feet (Pada-dasya).

तनया राज्य देऊन । तूं श्रीशैलावर येऊन ।
घेयी माझें दर्शन । राव ज्ञान असो म्हणे ॥३६॥

The Supreme Guru blessed him with ultimate wisdom and said, "Hand over the responsibilities of the kingdom to your son. When your time comes, travel to Mount Shrisailam and receive my final, cosmic vision there. Unshakeable spiritual wisdom shall always remain anchored in your heart.”

पदीं नम्र झाला राव । आश्वासन गुरुराव ।
गाणगापुरीं पुनः ठाव । घेयी देव भक्ताधीन ॥३७॥

The king bowed down with complete humility, his heart filled with peace by the Guru's reassurance. Shri Narasimha Saraswati, who always remains entirely bound to the love of His devotees (Bhakta-adhina), then returned to His permanent seat at Ganagapur.

तें अघहारि दर्शन । होतां जनही हर्षून ।
सर्व करिती नीरांजन । गुरु स्तवनपूर्वक तें ॥३८॥

Witnessing this magnificent, sin-cleansing manifestation, the entire community of devotees was filled with profound joy. They continuously waved sacred lamps (Niranjan) and sang beautiful hymns of praise, celebrating the matchless glory of the Shri Guru!

 

 

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे पञ्चाशत्तमोऽध्यायः