-1-

SRI GURU CHARITHRAM

(About Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha Sri Nrusimha Saraswati)
Selective lines from Sri Gurucharithram
published by Dattacharatnam Sri Venkaji Rao and
Smt Susheela Bai Trust, Chennai

SRI JWALA CENTRAL TRUST

Hyderabad

SRI JWALA TRUST

Chennai
 2

Sri Guru Charithram

Not for Sale

Published by :
Sri Jwala Central Trust,
1st Floor, Room No. 9, Sunshine Complex,
Lakdi-ka-pool, Hyderabad - 500 005.
Tel : 040 - 23231656, 092480 11150

Sri Jwala Trust,

No. 8, Anandhavelu Street,
Perambur, Chennai - 600 011.
Tel : 044 - 25514042, 094440 66669

Printed by : Yezdi Printers, 13, Ebrahim Sahib Street,

Chennai - 600 001. Phone : 2526 1327 / 94444 68636
 -3-

Foreword
In this mechanical world where man finds no time to connect
himself with the divine, it was felt that some messages contained
in holy scriptures like Sri Guru Charitram may be passed on to
mankind to enable him to grab the contents of such glorious works
in a nutshell so as to kindle the fire in him to make a detailed
study of such works for the sake of upliftment.

With this end in view, a reproduction of selective lines from

the book Sri Gurucharitram, published by Dattacharatnam Sri
Venkaji Rao and Smt Susheela Bai Trust, Chennai is being brought
out here . Our thanks to them for their wonderful effort to
mankind.

Paying heed to the loving call of the devotees, the infinite

Compassion and Bliss personified Lord transcends to the earth as
an incarnation among us.

Lord Dattatreya is the very essence of the Sanathana Dharma.

In order to put an end to the menial approaches pertaining to caste,
creed, religion and faith and to restore man to the path shown by
the ancient seers and sages towards salvation, the incarnations of
the Lord take place from time to time. The object behind the
descent of the Lord as an incarnation is not to punish the wrong
doer, but to correct him and guide him to the path of righteousness
with blemish less compassion. Though the ultimate descends in
the form of an avatar, it does not slip even the slightest from its
divinity. On the contrary, due to its all pervasiveness and infinite
prowess, the Ultimate showers its extraordinary grace to embrace
man kind to set them on the righteous path. The righteous essence
of Sanathana dharma are the incarnations or the Avataars. One
such wonderful avatar is that which is being described in this Guru
Charitra.
 4

Man has the capacity to blend his living in a harmonious way

with the rest of the creations. To pave the foundation for such a
harmonious living is the secret of the descent of the avatars. The
main object of human living should be the attaining of peace,
tranquility and bliss. The compassionate Brahman is ever eager to
go all out to put an end to the endless miseries undergone by
mankind.. The Guru Charitra is a series of such events and anecdotes
which demonstrate the all encompassing compassion of the divine
towards mankind.

Sri Guru Charitra was first written in Marathi by Sri Gangadhara

Saraswati and contained 53 chapters comprising of 7000 couplets.
These contained the biographies of Sreepada Sreevallabha, and Sree
Nrusimha Saraswati who are the avataras of Lord Dattatreya who
lived in the 14th and 15th Century respectively. Subsequently these
7000 couplets were translated into Sanskrit as Sri Guru Charitram.
It is understood that subsequently they were comprehended into
2000 couplets by Sri Vasudevaananda Saraswati.

Let us dwell into the divine secrets of the Gurucharitram which

are glorious tasks performed by the divine to provide salvation to
mankind.

Sree Ganeshaya namaha: Sree Saraswatyay namaha: Sree

Gurubyo namaha: Sree Kula Devathabyo namaha: Sree Nrusimha
Saraswatyay namaha: Jayajaya Lambodhara, Ekadhanta,
Soorpakarna, the movement of the lobes of your ears removes all
obstacles without any trace of their origin. Hence you are called as
Vigneshwara. My salutations to you! Bless me to complete writing
this Gurucharitra without any obstacles. My salutations to Goddess
Saraswati! My prostrations to the Trinity. I prostrate the Siddhas,
Gandharvas, Yakshas and the Rishis. My prostrations to my parents
and my ancestors. My obeisance to one and all.
Lord Mahavishnu and Goddess Lakshmi had to incarnate
many number of times to alleviate the burden of Mother Earth.
 -5-

As said in Srimad Bhagavatam, Maharishi Durvasa came to

understand that the Lord had to be born through the womb of
various living beings, apart from the main ten avataars for
innumerable reasons.

The Ekadasi Vrata of King Ambareesha was instrumental for

one such avataar of the Lord. Sage Durvasa went as a guest (Athithi)
to Ambareesha. He was aware of the fact that King Ambareesha
was undertaking the fast and vrata on Ekadasi day. He was invited
for the Dwadashi Parana ( breaking of the fast on the next day of
ekadasi within the Dwadasi thithi which results in completion of
the Ekadasi Vrata ). The Sage decided to let the Vrata lapse without
being completed properly. He had a leisurely bath and arrived at
the Palace for the Parana after the auspicious hour for breaking the
fast had lapsed. The King was waiting for the Sage to have his
food. However, he had completed the Vrata successfully by
partaking the Tulasi Teertha within the stipulated Dwadasi thithi.

On learning about this, the Sage cursed the King to be born in

all wombs as a punishment for completing the Dwadasi Parana
without the guest. To save his devotee from the curse of the sage,
the Lord Sriman Narayana , accepted to undertake the curse on
behalf of his devotee . This became the reason for the Lord to be
born in various wombs . It is hence found that the Lord had to
undertake various main Avataars and sub avataars for innumerable
reasons best known to Him. In this context, this Charitra is about
why Sadguru Nrusimha Saraswati incarnated on Earth. He lived
Gangapur which is in the confluence of the rivers Amaraja and
Bhima. He is the incarnation of the Trinity. I will tell you His
greatness which you may please listen with great attention.
The Sadhaka who listens to this story with concentration and
devotion will have the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and will be
blessed with immense material prosperity. He will enjoy good
 6

health and will be free of diseases. The household which has a copy
of this Charitra will be bubbling with happiness and peace. The
inmates of such a household will be free of the Karmic bondages. I
wish every one places faith on my words and listen to this charitra
with attention. If one should treat this charitra as a wish fulfilling
Kamadhenu and dwell in this charitra, he will be blessed with
supreme knowledge and all his desires will be fulfilled.

The one who is not fortunate to have the blessings of the Lord
should necessarily be blessed with the power of the Gurus
protection. The Lotus feet of the Guru can alleviate the sufferings
of a person. In Kaliyuga the longevity of the human beings is very
less. With very minimal good deeds, he can become a Gyani.
Worshipping the Guru in Kaliyuga frees the Sadaka very soon from
all problems. Even if the Lord is angry over the devotee, a Gurus
grace can protect the Sadaka. But if the Guru is angry with the
Sadaka not even the Trinity can save him. If we are blessed with
the grace of the Guru, the grace of the Lord descends on us. Guru
is Jyotiswaroopa. The orders of the Guru are to be complied with
at all costs. The Guru should be equated to God. When serving at
the feet of the Guru, one should not think about pilgrimages to
sacred places or about having a dip in holy rivers. Even if the
Guru scolds the shishya, it is still a boon to him. Each one has to
bear the brunt of the karma which have been accumulated by them
over births. One has to surrender ones body, mind , intellect and
wealth when serving at the Gurus feet. Any grace of the Lord
bestowed upon by any person, is solely due to the blessings of his
Guru.

The Story of Deepaka

 -7-

The one who renders service to his Guru with a blemishless

mind is very dear to the Guru as his own soul. The service rendered
to ones parents ,husband etc all reach the feet of the Guru alone.
Prostrations made at the divine feet of holy sages, seers and yogis
are equivalent to the prostrations made to Lord Sriman Narayana
Himself. To obtain such a merit one should always revere the holy
feet of his Guru in his heart always.

The Birth of Sri Dattatreya

The anecdote pertaining to the incarnation of the divine Trinity

as sons of Sage Athri and sacred Anasuya Devi signifies Sri Datta
Charitra. Sage Athri is the altar of the Guru Lineage. Overwhelmed
by the chastity and upright conduct of Anasuya Devi, the
Trimurthis decided to test her. They adorned the garb of alms
seekers and reached the Ashram of Sage Athri when he was not
around. Anasuya welcomed them to the Ashram. The Trimurtis
expressed that they were very hungry. When she offered them food,
they statedthat the food would be accepted by them only when it
was offered by her in a nude state. Anasuya offered her prayers at
her husbands feet mentally and accepted to serve the guests food
as requested by them. She personified the visitors are infants in
her mind and went nude before them to serve food. Lo! Her
Chastity had converted the three visitors into three beautiful
infants. Seeing them wail , she was overwhelemed with motherly
feeling for the children and held them to her bossom and fed them
with her milk. Sage Athri on reaching the ashram, visualized all
that had transpired there and offered his prayers to the divine
infants. The Trinity regained their forms and profusely praised
the couple for their steadfast beahaviour and error free living. Sage
Athri sought the boon of having all the three of them in a single
form as their son. The boon was sanctioned. Accordingly, Brahma
became Chandra, Shiva became Sage Durvasa and Vishnu became
Dattatreya. While Chandra and Durvasa took leave of the Couple,
 8

Dattatreya stayed back with them and became the initial guru in
the Guru Parampara Lineage. Thus due to King Ambareesha, the
Lord had to be born in several forms for the welfare of mankind.

The moolasthan of Sri Dattatreya is at Maahar which is known

as Karaveerakshetra. He resides there in the form of Sri Sreepada
Sreevallabha. He comes there every day for his midday Biksha.
Whosoever comes at our door step for Biksha during the noon has
to be offered the same without negation as none knows in what
form Lord Datta can knock at ones door during noon for Bhiksha.

The Birth of Sree Sreepada Sreevallabha

Offering Biksha on the day of the annual ceremony of ancestors

entails the ancestor to enter Swarga Loka.. At the end of the
ceremony chanting of the mantra Eko Vishnu: ensures that the
Biksha has been given to Lord Vishnu himself.

The sanctity of Gokarna Kshetra

On the pretext of imparting deeksha, Sree Sreepada Vallabha

stayed at Gokarna Kshetra. The self manifested Shiva Linga at
Gokarna is known as Mahabaleshwar and it was installed by Sri
Vigneshwara. Ravanas mother used to propitiate Lord Shiva in
the form of a Shiva Linga made freshly out of mud every day.
Looking at this, Ravana performed rigorous penance to obtain the
very Kailash for her from the Lord for worship. Pleased with his
penance, Shiva gave him the atma Linga with the specific
instruction that it should not be placed anywhere down on the earth
before reaching Lanka.. Lord Vishnu ordained Vigneshwara to some
how prevent Ravana from taking the Aatma Linga to Lanka and
to make him place it on the earth. In the meantime, it was time for
the evening Sandya worship. Ravana did not want to miss this
worship. On seeing Vigneshwara in the form of a brahmachari
 -9-

youth in front of him, he requested him to hold the Atma Linga in

his hand until he would return after performing the Sandya worship.
Vigneshwara received the Linga after warning him that he would
place the Linga on the ground if Ravana did not respond to three
calls of his. As soon as Ravana started his Sandya worship,
Vigneshwara gave him the first call that he was not able to carry the
weight of the Linga. When Ravana sat for meditation during his
worship, Vigneshwara gave him the second and third warning call
and placed the Linga on the ground and installed it there. The
devatas rejoiced and showered flowers on the Linga. On seeing
the Linga placed on the ground, the agitated Ravana, gave a hit on
the head of Vigneshwara with his knuckles forming a dent on his
head. The Linga came to be known as Mahabaleshwara and the
imprint on it in the form of a Cows ear (Go-Karna) when Ravana
tried to remove it from the ground gave the name Gokarnam to the
kshetra..

The efficacy of Shivaratri at Gokarna Kshetra

The temple at Gokarna is one in which Kubera, , Vaayu, Badra

Kali, Matruka Devatas and Chandi reside in the Western entrance
and offer worship to Lord Mahabaleshwar thrice a day. The
Gokarna Kshetra is also a pilgrimage place for sages like Vasishta,
Kanva, Vishwamitra, and Jaimini and to Yaksha, Gandharva and
Naga loka inmates for worshipping Lord Mahabaleshwar.Every
stone in Gokarna is to be considered to be a Shiva Linga and every
water place there is equivalent to a Punya Theertha. Sins of very
high magnitude including Brahmahatti dosha are mitigated in this
Kshethram.

The greatness of the Pradosha Vratam

It is said that the inmates of Gokulam, Brindavan could get Lord

Krishna among them by undertaking the Pradosha Vratam. Sri
 10

Sreepada Vallabha states that one can obtain a son who is an evolved
Brahma Gyani by undertaking pradosha Vratam.

The Skanda purana gives a detailed account of the wives

and daughters of cowherds offering their devote prayers to
Lord Shiva on Pradosham during Saturdays (Sani Pradosham).

Bestowing Rajaka with a Kingdom

The great sadaka Rajaka offered prayers to the Paadukas of Sri

Sreepada Vallabha at Kuruvapuram with great devotion and hosted
a princely lunch for 4000 brahmins. This village became a sacred
place because Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha resided there. All the
desires of people who performed service in this place were fulfilled.
The punya of worshipping the paadukas and feeding the Brahmins
at Kuruvapuram bestowed the washerman (Rajaka) with a
Kingdom in the next birth and he was born as a Nawab and paid
his obeisance to Sri Nrusimha Saraswati in the Sangam .

The birth of Narahari Nrusimha Saraswati

With a view to beget a noble son the blessed couple undertook

the Sanipradosha vratam towards Lord Shiva and were blessed with
a divine son who was born chanting Om right at birth. The parents
were pleasantly surprised and so were the inmates of the village.
The mother of the divine child did not have sufficient milk to
mitigate His hunger. However, when the child touched her breasts
with his tender hands, she was blessed with abundant milk .
Further, when the child put his hand on her head, she could recollect
vividly that He was none other than Sreepada Sreevallabha and
the jubilant parents prostrated the divine child. He was named as
Narahari.
 -11-

When he grew up he obtained Sanyasa from Brahmachari Sri

Krishna Saraswati and came to be known as Nrusimha Saraswati.
He is the Jagat guru. He is the incarnation of the Trinity. Does He
require a guru ? Did not Lord Rama accept Sage Vasishta and Sri
Krishna accept Sage Sandipini as their Gurus? On being born as a
human being Narahari decided to follow the dharma of seeking a
guru like any normal human being and accepted Sri Krishna
Saraswati as his guru and took Sanyasa deeksha from him. His
guru parampara commenced from Adi Shankara and ended with
Sri Krishna Saraswati. This Nrusimha Saraswati is the pivotal
person in this Guru Charitra. Listening devotedly to this Guru
Charitra is capable of bestowing divine knowledge and perennial
bliss to the sadaka.

Vipra Udara Viyata Nirasanam

Comparing the Guru who is equivalent to the Trinity to an

ordinary mortal makes one fall into the yonder hells. When a person
takes to sanyasa, 21 generations of forefathers in his fathers clan
and mothers clan get salvation. He is bestowed with the fortune of
attaining the Brahmaloka. His descendants are free from the fear
of untimely death. Even if his ancestors are in the Hell they obtain
salvation because of Him.

Dushta Yavana Shasanam

Sri Nrusimha Saraswati blessed the Deva Sishya to live without

fear and told him that due to certain reasons He was undertaking
Teertha Yaatra and would return after 15 years to stay with him in
the Village. He then left on the pilgrimage with other sishyas.
Subsequently he started living in a inconspicuous (gupta) fashion
in a place known as Vyjanaadham or Arogya Bhavani Kshetra which
is one of the 12 Jyotir Linga Kshetram.
 12

Description of the greatness of Kshestra & Tirthas

Sri Guru explained to his sishyas that pilgrimage to Ahobila
Kshetra is equivalent to performing 60 Yagnas. A reverential look
at the Srigiri mountain at Ahobilam is capable of giving salvation
to the Sadaka. He ordained his sishyas to meet him at Srisaila
Kshetram after visiting all the Kshetrams and Punya Teerthams.
He implored them to have a bath in all punya theerthams. For the
women folk, they were not supposed to bathe in the rivers for 3
days during their menstrual period, one day in the wells, ponds
and lakes. The rivers are to be considered to be unfit for bath
(Rajasvala) for 10 days during the rains in rainy season. The on-set
of the floods is to be considered as the 1st day of Rajasvala period
(menstrual period) for the rivers. He ordained that great sins would
accrue if one were to go against the dictum and have a dip in the
rivers during this period.

Service to the Sadguru

Once a Brahmin visited the Sri Guru and prostrated him. He
submitted that he had sought refuge in a guru who did not teach
him anything but was always scolding him and made him do his
household chores all the time . Frustrated and angered over this
behaviour of the Guru, the brahmin had decided to leave the guru
and seek another guru. He requested Sri Guru to help his agitated
mind obtain calmth and to show him the path of righteousness. To
this, Sri Guru laughed and said , Oh! traitor! How will a person
who abuses his guru ever get any gyanam? Only if the Guru is
happy the Gyanam transends on the sishya. If the Guru is happy,
the sishya is blessed with all the eight siddhis. To a person who
abuses his guru a place in the Hell known as Kumbibaagam is
reserved. By pleasing his guru by his service a person can get the
knowledge of all sastras in a second. He then ordained the
Brahmin to go back to his guru and continue his service to him
and please him to obtain salvation.
 -13-

Dwijodhranam

Sri Guru was living discreetly under the Audumbar tree (Fig
tree) in a village called as Billawadi by the banks of the river
Krishna. In order to keep away from men who were asking for
inconspicuous things as boon from Him, he kept away from the
eyes of men and was living there discreetly. Lord Shiva and Lord
Dattatreya are the foremost among of biksha seekers. This is being
done to bless the devotees when they seek biksha from them. It is
not possible to hide the sun for a long time. It is not possible to
hide the fragrance of musk even if it is covered. Similarly it is not
possible to hide the sadguru for long time. People get to know of
Him very soon.

Viveka Saara Ayaachit Vipra Dhainya Haranam

As soon as he became popular in Billawadi inspite of his discreet

living, he left for the Pancha Ganga Sangamam. The Kuruvapuram
village near this Pancha ganga Sangamam is very famous like the
Kurukshetra. A village called Amarapuram is located near this
place where Lord Amareswara resides with all His glory. It soon
became explicit that Sri Guru blessed a Brahmin couple residing
in Amarapuram. There was a cluster bean plant (chikkudu kai or
Avarai kai) in the house of the Brahmin. The Brahmin was seeking
limited biksha for a living and yet was taking care of the guests
who arrive at their doorstep. On days when he did not get any
biksha, he offered the cluster beans as naivedya to the Lord and
used to consume it. One day Sri Guru went to the brahmins house
for Biksha and uprooted the cluster beans plant saying that their
poverty and misery was annulled there after.. The wife of the
Brahmin was very sad that they lost their last hope for a meal.
However, the Brahmin assured her that man always reaps the
benefits of the good and bad deeds committed by him in the
previous births and that the words of the Guru would always come
 14

true and their poverty would definitely vanish. So saying, he started

removing the remains of the cluster bean plant from the ground
by completely removing the left over roots. He stumbled upon a
pot with gold coins there. On informing the Sri Guru about this,
Sri Guru asked him not to reveal the matter to anyone as
Mahalakshmi would not stay in his house then and asked him to
lead a happy life with the money obtained. If the grace of the Sri
Guru descends on man, his mere appearance can alleviate the
poverty of the sadak and grant all prosperity.

Audumbara Kshetra Varnanam

When Sri Guru was questioned as to why he chose the

Audumbar (Fig) tree over the Ashwatha (Peepal) tree, Sri Guru
explained the significance of the Audumbar tree. One gets the fruits
of all the purushaarthas by having a dip in the sacred Papavinasham
and Siddha theertham. The efficacy of such a bath would be greatly
increased on Poornima, Amavasya and the Paksha, maasa days.
Fruits of such a holy bath along with the merits obtained by
donating one thousand cows by the side of river Ganges to sages
who are Brahma Gyanis is obtained by circumambulating the
Audumbar tree with reverence. Further, if one feeds a Brahmin
with devotion under the Audumbar tree, it is equivalent to feeding
a crore Brahmins. Similarly one japam done under the Audumbar
is equivalent to a crore of homams, one rudram done with worship
in the mind is equivalent to an athi rudram. Sri Guru also ordained
that if one were to circumambulate the Audumbar tree with slow
steps, each step is equivalent to a Vajapeya Maha yagnam. One can
get relief from great sickness like leprosy if one is going to
circumambulate two or four times and prostrate the vruksham. A
lakh of Circumambulation of the Audumbar tree will confer a
physical body equivalent to that of the Devataas.
 -15-

Brahma Sammandha Parihaaram

When questioned as to why children die parents are alive Sri

Guru replied that it was because of the karma accumulated in the
previous births due to women aborting the child in the womb ,
killing of cows or horses, coveting the wealth of a childless woman,
or by not repaying the debts or money obtained from others.

Putra Sanjeevanaamrutam

The efficacy of the Guru Sthaan is difficult to be explained.

The Guru sthaan is capable of bestowing children to the childless,
abundant wealth to the needy , robust health to the sickly and
prevents untimely deaths. Further all the genuine wishes of the
devotees were sanctioned by Sri Guru. Deadly diseases like cardio
vascular disease, insanity and diseases of the circulatory system
were cured in the Guru sthaan.

Vindhya Maharishi Thohanam

Just as Lord Krishna went to the humble cottage of Vidhura

foresaking the palace of Duryodhana, Sri Guru always went to the
abode of ordinary people. These ordinary mortals were always very
close to Sri Guru. To them he always showered his divine blessings
and made them get all the benefits both financially and
metaphysically. Sri Guru had the prowess to sanction a Kingdom
to a poor man. His wrath was capable of burning down anything
to ashes. Sri Guru is capable of rewriting the fate of any individual
with ease and is capable of bestowing him with any fortune. Sri
Guru is the only refuge for a person to mitigate his misery and
poverty. The mere darshan of the Sri Guru is enough to drive
away the poverty and miseries of a person.
 16

Rakshasa Mukta Karanam

On being overwhelmed by the Sri Gurus Leela of converting

an old barren buffalo into a milking buffalo, the King proceeded
to take the Sri Guru around the Kingdom in a very ostentatious
procession in a palanquin. At that time, the procession passed
through a peepal tree where a Brahma Rakshas was residing. This
Brahma Rakshas was troubling the people a lot. He took the form
of a brahmin and went to prostrate Sri Guru. On looking at him,
Sri Guru asked him to have a bath in the Sangam to get rid of the
curse of being born as a Brahma Rakshas. To the astonishment of
one and all, the Brahma Rakshas was relieved of his curse on having
a dip in the sangam and obtained mukti. Every one praised Sri
Guru as the ultimate avataar of Hari, Hara and Brahma.

Trivikrama Bharati viswaroopa darshanam

A person who considers Sri Guru who is the incarnation of the

divine Trinity to be a ordinary mortal falls to the hells and
languishes there for seven births due to the sin from such a thought.
The greatness of the Sri Guru is beyond explanation. When the
vedas have declared Guru as the personification of Brahma, Vishnu
and Maheshwara, how to describe his greatness ? Hence Sri Guru
has to be revered with great respect.

Dwija Prashamsa

There were two Brahmins who were puffed up with pride for
having attained proficiency in three vedas. They went touring
around places and teased brahmins and forced them to enter into a
competition with them on the vedic topics. During one such tour,
they came upon a Sanyasi by name Trivikrama Bharathi and started
forcing him to compete with them. The sanyasi took them to the
audience of Sri Nrusimha Saraswati and submitted about his
 -17-

predicament with them. Sri Guru advised them not to be proud

over their knowledge and quoted the instances of Devathas and
Asuras who were annihilated due to their pride. He recalled the
fate of Bali Chakravarty, the Kauravas and Ravana who were
reduced to mud due to their haughty behaviour.

Veda Visthara Kathanam

Without paying heed to the advice of the Sri Guru the two
egotistic brahmins thundered that no one had won them in a word
duel till that minute and it was not possible for ignorant sanyasis
like Trivikrama Bharathi and Sri Guru to know about their
victorious traits. Inspite of Sri Guru explaining the gist of all four
vedas in an astounding manner, the brahmins did not stop bragging
about their genial tendencies. At this ultimately Sri Guru became
very furious.

Madhonmattha Vipra shaapa Kathanam

He drew three lines on the ground with the staff in his hand
and called a man from a lower caste who was present there to cross
over the line. When this man did as he was commanded, he started
propounding the intricacies of the four vedas with extreme ease
and proficiency. The two brahmins were shocked beyond words
and sought pardon for their actions from Sri Guru. Sri Guru cursed
them to be born as Brahma Rakshasas as they had troubled a saintly
person like Trivikrama Bharathi and were a shame to the entire
brahmin clan. He ordained them to suffer for their misdeeds all
by themselves. When the brahmins fell at his feet and sought his
pardon, the all merciful Sri Guru blessed them saying that they
had to undergo the punishment and repentance for 12years as
Brahma Rakshasas when a Brahmin would come by their way
chanting Suka Narayana and they would be relieved of the curse.
He ordained them to have a bath in the Ganga. This is the fate of
persons who do not pay heed to the words of the Guru.
 18

Karma Vibhaga Kathanam

Sri Guru then explained to Sri Trivikrama Bharathi that
repentance is the only way to get rid of ones sins. If one commits
heinous crimes and is perturbed by his acts and seeks repentance
he should adhere to what has been said in Karma Vibhagam to
cleanse his sins. When Trivikrama Bharathi enquired Sri Guru as
to how the Brahma Rakshasa had obtained so much knowledge
and after the body was bathed why that knowledge had vanished,
Sri Guru replied that as long as the sacred ash was on his body, he
gained the Gyanam of his yester births and could propound the
vedas and after the bath when the sacred ash was washed off, he
had once again slipped back into ignorance. Sri Guru mentioned
that the power of the sacred ash was very great. Sri Trivikrama
Bharati prostrated at the feet of Sri Guru and asked him to explain
the sacredness of the ash in detail.

Basma Mahima Varnanam

The sacred ash is capable of bestowing all wealth and knowledge

on the persons who adorn it. Sage Vamadeva explained the
significance of the sacred ash to the Brahma rakshas and gave him
some sacred ash. When the raakshas applied the ash on his forehead,
he obtained a beautiful body with brahma tejas. He prostrated the
sage. A vehicle from the swarga descended and took the raakshas
to heaven. As Sage Vamadeva was the very Iswara swaroopa, he
travels around the world to give salvation to the needy. The ash by
itself is sacred in nature. It gains more sanctity if it is given by a
Sadguru. It is impossible to describe the greatness of such a sacred
ash. It is equivalent to all mantras and tantras.
 -19-

Mruta Dwija Bharya Shokam

The fruits of ones karma of the previous births determine the

course of his life in the current birth. He enjoys or suffers due to
the effects of the acts of the previous birth. This body which is
made up of the 5 basic elements is engulfed by the fruits of karma.
We rejoice at birth and cry over death. Some die at a very young
age while some pass away at a very ripe age. The Indra and Devathas
are also bound by the fruits of Karma. The life on earth is
equivalent to a long dream. It is more like a celestial magic.

Pativrata Aagyanam

Devaguru explained that the Sun and moon feel sanctified when
their rays touch the body of a chaste woman. Similar is the feeling
among Vaayu, Varuna, Agni and other devataas. To obtain such a
woman in a family it is required to perform meritorious acts in
one hundred births. It is possible to obtain all the four Purushaarthas
through them. Even Yagnas cannot be performed if they are not
on earth. It is better to reside in a forest than to reside in a house
where such women are not present. If a man obtains a chaste wife
he can beget good children and obtain all merits in life.

Pretha Sanjeevanam

A chaste woman from a good family came to the Sri Guru to

cure her ailing husband. Sri Guru approached her in the form of a
sage and told her that service rendered to the husband is the most
sacred of all services. But due to providence, her husband passed
away. It is said that it is difficult even for the devathas to overcome
the effects of fate. This is proclaimed in the Sruthi. The sage told
her that it is difficult to overcome the God of death and it is he
alone who scores a victory over every soul. He advised her to
undertake sati after prostrating Sri Guru at the Sangamam.
 20

Accordingly she went to the Sangamam and prostrated the Sri Guru
who blessed her with eternal sowbagyam (Dheerga
sumangalithvam). When she prostrated him again he blessed her
saying that she would beget 8 sons. The people who were present
ridiculed her over the outcome. She immediately informed Sri
Guru about the untimely death of her husband and that she had
placed the corpse by the Pancha Ganga and had come to prostrate
him before undertaking sati with her husband. Hearing her plight
and having mercy on her, Sri Guru ordered to bring her husbands
corpse before him. His grace instilled life in the corpse. Both
husband and wife prostrated Sri Guru and sang his praise whole
heartedly. He blessed them with a long and prosperous life. At
that moment, some trouble mongers enquired Sri Guru as to how
he could overcome fate which did not spare even the Devatas and
whether fate was not the most powerful one? To this Sri Guru
replied that he had intercepted with Brahma and had obtained 30
years of life from his next birth and that such acts can be performed
only by a Sadguru. The one who listens to this story will have all
his wishes fulfilled.

Rudraaksha Mahathmiyam

This blessed couple were staying in the sannidhanam of Sri

Guru. They were wearing rudraksha garlands on their neck. Sri
Guru interpreted that Whether the rudrakshas are adorned
knowing their efficacy or not, these are capable of giving immense
blessings and hence sins never touch them. Further he explained
the greatness of the Rudrakshas. There was a very beautiful
prostitute. She was a dancer. Every day she used to dance with her
friends. She had a hen and a monkey with her as pets. She had
taught them to dance and had put a rudraksha garland around their
necks. They were also named as Sadashivam. One day a vysya
visited her. He had a Linga made of ruby with him. She was
enamored by it and requested to give it to her even for a price or in
 -21-

exchange for 3 days of conjugal bliss. When the Vysya accepted to

give her the ruby Linga in exchange for the conjugal bliss for 3
days she promised him that she would behave like a chaste women
on those 3 days when she lived with him. During the second night,
there was a wild fire at her place and the Linga, monkey and the
hen were reduced to ashes in the fire. The Vysya grieved over the
loss of the Linga which was more than his Life and he died in that
grief instantly. The women who had promised to behave like a
chaste women for three days entered the funeral pyre of the Vysya
as she had promised to be his wife for three days. At that point
Lord Shiva appeared before her and removed her from the pyre.
He said that he had himself come with the aatma Linga to her in
the form of the Vysya to test her chastity and had set fire to the
dancing hall in which the monkey, hen and the Linga were reduced
to ashes. On seeing her enter the funeral pyre like a chaste woman,
he was pleased with her steadfast behaviour and offered her boons
of her choice. To this the woman sought the feet of the Lord and
asked him to grant Sivaloka Prapti for her and her clan. The Lord,
granted her the boon and took the entire clan of the Dasi with him
in a golden vehicle to Sivaloka. Sri Guru thus imparted the efficacy
behind wearing of the rudraksha.

Sri Rudra Raya Mahima Varnanam

Sri Guru explained the efficacy of the chanting of the Rudra

Japam. A devotee who does the rudra japam and partakes the
theertham of the rudra japam he is absolved of the fear of untimely
death. Further, the soul of the devotee who chants rudra japam is
in a punya roopam form. The man who bathes in the water in
which adi rudram has been performed obtains salvation. If a
hundred rudrabhishekams are performed, such a sadak obtains
longevity and is relieved of all sins.
 22

Seemanthini Aakyanam

Further Sri Guru also stated that it was against the principles
of sastra to teach mantra paatam to women and service to their
husbands was the only mantra required for any women. He also
stated that If mantra was taught to women it would lead to many
doshas and the efficacy of the mantra would be lost.

The proof of divinity

On explaining about the places where one can consume food,

Sri Guru ordained that food can be had at the place of ones guru
and in the house of ones disciple. Food can also be consumed in
the houses of Purohits, Vidwans, maternal Uncle, Father-in-law,
brothers and houses of upright and saintly people . If one is
performing ceremony to his ancestors and he is not able to find
people for feeding to complete the ceremony, one should eat at
such houses. Further, subsequently he may attain shuddhi by
chanting Gayatri mahamantra.
Japam has to be done with a serene mind. If it is done in our
houses, it gives normal benefits. If it is done in the open air, it
gives twice the benefit. If Japam is done by the side of a river, it
gives threefold benefits. When japam is performed in the Cow
shed or in Tulasi garden, it gives ten fold benefits. When Japam is
performed where agnihotram is being performed, it bestows
hundred fold benefits. If it is performed in religious places or
temples it gives a thousand fold benefit. If the Japam is performed
before Lord Vishnu, he bestows a hundred crore benefit to it and
if performed before Lord Siva, the japam bestows infinite crore
number of benefits. It is necessary to perform the japams with the
required asanas.
 -23-

Proof of divine acts

Sri Guru explained about the flowers which may be used in the
worship of Gods and goddesses. In the worship of Lord Shiva, the
flowers of Kethaki, Kapittham , sashaankam and blue coloured
flowers should not be used. If Lord shivas archana is performed
with flowers of kaashta Bhimbalam, karanja, Bagulam, thaatimi,
Ketaki, maadhavi, sukuntam, Yuthika, Jaadhi and red coloured
flowers, it is a dosham and leads to sin. White coloured flowers
are to be used in the worship of Lord Shiva. In Vigneshwara Pooja
Tulasi leaves should not be used. The Dhoorva grass may be used
for Ganesha pooja. The Dhoorva grass should not be used for Shakti
worship Thus performing poojas with flowers which are ordained
for each deity imparts immense peace, wealth , health and sanctions
all the wishes of the devotees.

Annapoorthika dwija chathur sahasra Bhojanam

Sri Guru was explaining about the Devi and Devathas who are
found in various kshetrams and religious places. He also mentioned
that the prostration to ones guru is more sacred than the worship
at all these places. Surrender at the Gurus feet can fulfill all the
desires of the sadaka . Hearing his divine pronouncement, people
from far and near came to his sannidhaan to offer their prayers
and had all their wishes fulfilled. Hence the author Sri Gangadhar
Saraswati requests the readers to collect their mind and heart
together and offer them at the lotus feet of Sri Guru to obtain his
grace and divine vision.

Vruddha Vandhya Prasevo

A sixty year old childless woman was daily performing her

Aarathi worship to Sri Guru. Once she poured out her woe that
people were ridiculing her as a barren women and sought the
 24

blessings of Sri Guru to be blessed with a son at least in her next

birth. To this Sri Guru replied that she would be blessed with
grandsons and a daughter in this birth itself and that she need not
doubt about the efficacy of his words. The surprised woman told
him that she was well past the menopause stage and was beyond
sixty years of age. Sri Guru asked her to worship the peepal tree
which is called as Ashwattha Narayana and also taught her the
proper worship method . He asked her to perform this worship
and circumambulation with faith. She gave birth to a girl child
and named her as Saraswati. This daughter of hers was married to
an esteemed Dikshita and as prophesized by Sri Guru her fame
spread on all sides.

The one has faith on the Gurus words and follow his instructions
scrupulously, Sri Guru blesses him immensely. Hence it is
necessary to sing the praise of the Guru inorder to escape the clutches
of misery and poverty.

Sushka Kaashta Sanjeevanam

The villagers invited Sri Guru with lamps and harati and
prostrated at his feet.. Sri Guru called the Brahmin near him and
told him that he would be blessed very soon with abundant wealth,
progeny and prosperity. He also gave him the title of yogeswara
and said that he would have very good children and good disciples
and that he was the best among his sishyas. Sri Guru also prophesised
that the Brahmin would be wedded to a very chaste woman and
that he would have three sons of whom one would be a yogi. He
also blessed him that his descendants would strictly adhere to the
vedic principles and would render themselves to the worship of
Sri Guru. He also gave him the Vidya Saraswati Mahamantram.
 -25-

Kasi Kshetra Yaatra Nirupanam

Performing the Pancha Krosa Yatra in Kasi is considered to be

very fortunate. The boon bestowed on Brahma for creation, on
Mahavishnu for protection is all because of the grace of Lord
Vishwanatha of Kasi. Worshipping Kasi Vishwanatha bestows one
with the boon of having all his desires fulfilled. One is blessed
with multi tasking capacities. He can become Vishwakarma
himself.

Kashi Kshetra Mahima Varnanam

On the day with chaturthi thithi, Lord Ganesha is to be

propitiated by offering sweet modakams. On Sundays and Tuesdays
Lord Bhairava is to be worshipped. On Sundays which fall on
Saptami thithi, Surya has to be worshipped. During Ashtami and
Navami Thithi Goddess Chandi has to be worshipped. Sayam Deva
visited Sri Guru on the sukla paksha chaturdasi day in the
Badrapada month. Sree Guru was very elated to receive him as if
he is one of his dearest relatives. He made him sit beside him and
was enquiring about his welfare. That day the Ashram was decked
up for the Ananta vrata pooja. Sayam Deva made all his four
children prostrate Sri Guru.

Srimad Anantha Katha

The Anantha Vratha mahima was described by Lord Sree

Krishna to the Pandavas as follows: Oh Pandu kumaras! If you
would like to get rid of all your difficulties and get back your
kingdom without fail, then you should observe the ananta vrata.
Just understand who ananta was. I am present every where in every
thing including all Kaashtam, muhurtam, day, night, paksham,
body, month, years, yugas,kalpam and all that you can think of.
Hence I am also known as the infinite one or the anantha. I am
 26

verily anantha. I am the incarnation of the Trinity. Surya, Chandra,

14 Lokas, 8 vasus, 12 aadityas, 11 rudras, 7 oceans, sapta rushis,
oceans, seas, mountains, trees, 10 directions, Bhoomi, Paatala,
Bhuvarloka, the sky and the yonder worlds, the stars all are filled
with my presence. Hence worship to this virat roopa of mine
without any doubts to get back all your prosperity.

The description of Srisaila Sivaratri Mahima

Sri Guru described the immense benefits that would accrue to

a person who would worship Lord Mallikarjuna on Sivaratri . He
also reiterated that the same benefits would accrue to one who
worships Lord Kalleshwara in Gangapur and Lord Sangameshwara
in the Pancha Ganga Sangamam. His disciple by name Danduka
who had the vision of Sri Nrusimha Saraswati in the Linga of Sri
Mallikarjuna Swamy in SriSailam on the occasion of Sivaratri
immediately retorted saying, Why do you try to conceal the truth
? I saw you today in the Lingam of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy. Hence
you are the very Sangameswara, Kalleswara and all the Iswara
Swaroopas put together. There is no iota of doubt about this.

Dwija Kushta Parihaaram

The Vedas state that Charanam Pavithram Vidhatham

Puranam meaning that there is no other God other than the feet of
ones Guru. Even if Lord Brahma had destined a fate full of
hardships, a gurus grace can wipe them out completely.
Namataraka stated that in his experience Sri Nrusimha Saraswati
is the Lord Vishnu and the wish fulfilling Kamadhenu. He is the
only one who can provide happiness in the current world and in
the other worlds. Hence Sri Guru needs to be worshipped by one
and all for their betterment and upliftment.
 -27-

Sri Kalleshwara Mahima

Once a Brahmin by name Narakesari who ardently worshipped

only Lord Kalleswara (he did not believe in a Guru given the status
of Lord as he felt that he was only a human being) was suddenly
grabbed in a deep sleep after the worship of Lord Kalleswara. In
that dream he visualized that Sri Guru Nrusimha Saraswati was
seated over the Shiva Linga which he was worshipping. Sri Guru
enquired him as to why he was worshipping a Guru when he had
no faith on man? Narakesari immediately woke up from his sleep
and realized the potency of Sri Guru.

Aneka Swaroopa Dharanam

Let us rejoice that the ultimate who is being pointed out by

vedas and sastras is none other than Sri Nrusimha Saraswati. Let
us spread this message around the world.Worship at his lotus feet
satisfies all our desires. Will any one go in search of bitter nuts
when he has the divine nectar in his hand ? Let us chant the name
of Sree Guru and dwell in the bliss of reciting his names. There is
none to sail us across this ocean of mundane existence other than
the Sri Guru.

Baktha Sraddha Varapraptham

The farmer who had immense faith in the words of Sri Guru,
harvested his crops before the stipulated time and incurred the
wrath of his family, his master and all his neighbours. But
ultimately there was demonic rains in the place within the next
few days and the entire crops of all others were washed off. The
farmer thanked Sri Guru profusely and understood that one who
has faith on the Sri Guru never suffers from want of food.
 28

Amaraja Sangama Gangapura Kshetra Mahima

Sri Guru stated that the reason for his choosing Gangapur for
residing is because it is equivalent to residing in Gaya, Kashi or
Prayag. The Amaraja River was created by Devendra who
accidentally dropped the excess celestial nectar (Amruta) in that
place after bringing to life the devatas who had died in a war What
ever spiritual activities are to be performed in Gaya kshetra they
can be performed in the Amaraja Sangam. This is known as Sukra
theertha and is equivalent to Dwaraka. By worshipping Lord
Kesava who resides there, one gets the benefit of offering prayers at
Dwaraka.

Saarva Bhowma Spodaka Samane

Iswaryavalokane - Baidoora Pravesham

Siddha who related the stories pertaining to Sri Guru to

Namatarak, reiterated that though for the sake of the world it is
stated that Sri Guru left for Srisailam finally leaving Gangapur, he
firmly states that Sri Guru resides in Gangapur even today and
that he has had a vision of Him there. Further the siddha states
that if one were to do sincere service at Gangapur he can have all
his desires fulfilled at ease. Just as Kamadhenu bestows the seeker
with all that he requires effortlessly, so also, reading of this Guru
charitra will bestow on the Sadaka fulfillment of his hearts desires,
wealth and progeny apart from helping him cross the ocean of
mundane existence.

Sri Guru Samadhi Gamanam

Sri Guru decided to leave for Srisaila Kshetra to undertake

samadhi . However, he assured his bakthas that his morning bath
will be in the Pancha Ganga Sangamam by river Krishna and that
he would reside under the Audumbar tree there. His afternoon
 -29-

worship will be in the Amaraja Sanagam and he would accept the

worship of the devotees in the form of the Nirguna Paadukas at the
Matam. He also promised to fulfill all the desires of the devotees
who reverred him and sought refuge in Him. Namataraka obtained
all the boons required for fulfillment of his births object by listening
to this Charitra. He ordained the other sadakas as follows: It is
not possible to know the taste of nectar without tasting it. If one
has strong faith in the Sree Guru all his desires are fulfilled without
fail. The one who is desirous of obtaining supreme gyana pertaining
to the purusharthas, one who is desirous of having abundant wealth,
one who is in need of children, needs to undertake the study of this
Guru Charitram for his wish fulfilment. Sri Nrusimha saraswati
will protect the generations of such a sadaka and will always protect
him. It is the faith which is ultimate in this sadana.

Sri Guru Charitra Prasaada Praapti

After Sri Guru had left for Srisailam , he decided to merge
himself with Lord Mallikarjuna and asked the sishyas to make a
float with flowers for him . Sri Guru sat on the float and left for
the divine aboard during 1458 AD. When the sishyas were waiting
with tears in their eyes after bidding adieu to their beloved Sri
Guru, a boatman appeared shortly after Sri Guru had left the place
and told the sishyas that he had seen a Sanyasi with golden sandals
and radiance like that of lightening crossing over in the other bank
of the river. He further stated that the Sanyasi told him that his
name was Nrusimha Saraswati and asked him to tell his sishyas
that he was taking a sookshma roopam because of severe progression
of the Kali yuga However, he stated that the Sri Guru asked him
to convey that He would discreetly reside in Gangapur always and
would always accept their prayers and sanction their wishes.
Further Sri Guru had sent a message that soon they would be
receiving prasad flowers in the flow of the river and that they should
leave for their residence after receiving the flowers. Soon such
flowers came floating on the river stream and reached their hands.
 30

Sri Guru Charitra Avatarnika Saptaha Kramam

The people who were listnening to the Sri Guru Charitra being
recited by the Siddha to Namataraka, stated , Sir !! you have
given us the nectar like Guru Charitram like a mother who feeds
her infant with a lot of love. Chanting of even one verse per chapter
from all the 52 Chapters of Guru Charitram will bestow immense
merits to the reader and will make all his desires come true.
With this the 53rd Chapter pertaining to chanting of the gist of the
52 chapters of the conversation between Siddha and Namataraka
on Sri Guru Charitra comes to an end with the Grace of the divine
Sri Guru.

Sri Dattatreyaarpanamasthu!!
Sri Gurudeva Datta!!
 -31-

Conclusion & Thanks giving

The path of spiritual realisation is very difficult to cross without

the guidance of a Guru. Avatars have helped mankind from time
and again to obtain the divine bliss by staying in the Gruhasta life
and by performing their day to day duties.

Our sincere thanks to Dattacharatnam Sri Venkaji Rao and Smt

Susheela Bai Trust, Chennai for permitting us to publish selective
lines from the Sri Guru Charitram published by them for free
circulation in order to help people to inculcate the habit of having
the Sri Guru Charitra mananam in their daily routine.

We sincerely apologize for any mistakes that might have crept

into the work while incorporating the lines from the main work
due to our limitations. We thank one and all for the support
extended in bringing out this work for the benefit of one and all

With prayers at the feet of Lord Datta and Our sadguru,

Sri Jwala Trust Sri Jwala Central Trust

Chennai Hyderabad