Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra – Chapter - 9

 

श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्र - Śrī Saptaśatī Gurucaritra
अध्याय – Chapter - 9

In this brief episode, Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha interacts with a humble and devoted washerman (Rajaka). The Bhagavan grants him a boon to enjoy royal luxuries in his next life, which sets the stage for their future meeting in the next incarnation.

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सुरुढभक्ती एक । श्रीपादाचा सेवक ।

होता जातीचा रजक । नित्य एकभावें वंदी ॥१॥

There was a servant of Bhagavan Shripada Shrivallabha who possessed deep, unwavering devotion. By caste, he was a washerman (Rajaka), and he routinely bowed down to the Bhagavan with a pure, single-minded heart.

तो नमूनी त्या गुरुवर्या । वस्त्रें धूतां भूपैश्वर्या ।

देखे इच्छी स्वयें तथा । गुरुराया तें जाणत ॥२॥

One day, after bowing down to the supreme Guru, the washerman went to the riverbank to wash clothes. There, he witnessed a powerful king passing by with immense royal opulence. A secret desire to enjoy such royal luxury arose in his mind, and the King of Gurus instantly knew his inner thoughts.

त्या बोलती तूं भक्ता । सुखें राज्य करीं आतां ।

पुढें देऊं कीं वद आता । तो म्हणे झालो वृद्ध ॥३॥

The Bhagavan addressed him, saying, "O devotee, you may freely enjoy a royal kingdom now [in your next life]. Should I grant it to you now, or later?" The washerman replied, "O Bhagavan, I have already grown old in this birth."

पुढें मला द्या यौवनीं । असो तुझी स्मृती मनीं ।

गुरु बोले म्लेंच्छसदनीं । राजा होसी अंती भेटूं ॥४॥

"Therefore, grant me this royalty in a youthful body in my next life, and may your divine remembrance always remain in my heart." The Guru replied, "You shall be born as a king in a royal Muslim family, and I will meet you again at the end of that life."

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्य श्रीमद्वासुदेवानंदसरस्वति विरचिते श्री सप्तशती गुरुचरित्रे नवमोऽध्यायः