Shri Guru Charitra – Chapter 10
(English Translation)
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Introduction
The Shri Guru Charitra, authored by the 16th-century saint Saraswati Gangadhar, continues to inspire millions with its divine narratives. This tenth chapter, titled 'Bhakta-Sankat-Haran' (Removal of Devotees' Miseries), is a powerful testament to the protective nature of the Sadguru.
Summary of Chapter 10: This chapter tells the miraculous story of a devoted Brahmin named Vallabhesh, who was attacked and killed by robbers while on his way to Kuravapur to fulfill a vow. Lord Shripad Shri Vallabha, in His infinite mercy, manifested in a fierce form to slay the bandits and restored Vallabhesh to life. The chapter emphasizes that the Guru never deserts His devotees and is always watching over them, even in His invisible (Nirgura) state.
This eBook has been meticulously translated from the original 16th-century text into English by
Mantra Stotra Jyoti, ensuring that the spiritual essence remains accessible to a global audience.
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Shree Ganesha Namah: Shree Saraswatya Namah:. Shree Kul Devtay Namah: Shree Padshrivallabhai Namah: Shree Nrisimha Saraswatyai Namah: Shree Gurubhyo Namah:
Ovi 1 Original: ऐकोनि सिद्धाचे वचन । नामधारक विनवी जाण । कुरवपुरीचे महिमान । केवी जाहले परियेसा ॥१॥
Transliteration: Aikoni Siddhache vachana | Namadharaka vinavi jana | Kuravapuriche mahimana | Kevi jahale pariyesa || 1 ||
Meaning: Hearing the words of Siddha, Namadharaka requested, "Please tell me how the greatness of the holy place Kuravapur came to be."
Ovi 2 Original: म्हणती श्रीपाद नाही गेले । आणि म्हणती अवतार झाले । विस्तार करोनिया सगळे । निरोपावे म्हणतसे ॥२॥
Transliteration: Mhanati Shripada nahi gele | Aani mhanati avatara jhale | Vistara karoniya sagale | Niropave mhanatase || 2 ||
Meaning: "You say that Shripad Shri Vallabha did not leave, yet you also say He took another incarnation. Please explain all this in detail."
Ovi 3 Original: सिद्ध सांगे नामधारकासी । श्रीगुरुमहिमा काय पुससी । अनंतरूपे होती परियेसी । विश्वव्यापक परमात्मा ॥३॥
Transliteration: Siddha sange Namadharakasi | Shri-Guru-mahima kaya pusasi | Anantarupe hoti pariyesi | Vishvavyapaka Paramatma || 3 ||
Meaning: Siddha told Namadharaka, "What can I say about the glory of Shri Guru? He assumes infinite forms and is the all-pervading Supreme Soul."
Ovi 4 Original: पुढे कार्यकारणासी । अवतार झाले परियेसी । राहिले आपण गुप्तवेषी । तया कुरवक्षेत्रांत ॥४॥
Transliteration: Pudhe karyakaranasi | Avatara jhale pariyesi | Rahile apana guptaveshi | Taya Kuravakshetranta || 4 ||
Meaning: "He took future incarnations for specific divine purposes, but He Himself remained in that holy land of Kuravapur in an invisible form."
Ovi 5 Original: पाहे पा भार्गवराम देखा । अद्यापवरी भूमिका । अवतार जाहले अनेका । त्याचेच एकी अनेक ॥५॥
Transliteration: Pahe pa Bhargavarama dekha | Adyapavari bhumika | Avatara jhale aneka | Tyachecha eki aneka || 5 ||
Meaning: "Look at Parashurama (Bhargavarama); He is still present on this earth. Many incarnations have happened, but they are all various forms of the same One Divine."
Ovi 6 Original: सर्वा ठायी वास आपण । मूर्ति एक नारायण । त्रिमूर्तीचे तीन गुण उत्पत्ती स्थिति आणि प्रलय ॥६॥
Transliteration: Sarva thayi vasa apana | Murti eka Narayana | Trimurtiche tina guna utpatti sthiti ani pralaya || 6 ||
Meaning: "The Lord resides everywhere. Narayana is the one reality. The Trinity has three attributes: creation, preservation, and destruction."
Ovi 7 Original: भक्तजना तारावयासी । अवतरतो ह्रषीकेशी । शाप देत दुर्वासऋषि । कारण असे तयांचे ॥७॥
Transliteration: Bhaktajana taravayasi | Avatarto Hrushikeshi | Shapa deta Durvasarushi | Karana ase tayanche || 7 ||
Meaning: "To save His devotees, Lord Vishnu (Hrushikeshi) takes incarnations. Even the curses of sages like Durvasa become the cause for His divine descents."
Ovi 8 Original: त्रयमूर्तीचा अवतार । याचा कवणा न कळे पार । निधान तीर्थ कुरवपूर । वसे तेथे गुरुमूर्ति ॥८॥
Transliteration: Trayamurticha avatara | Yacha kavana na kale para | Nidhana tirtha Kuravapura | Vase tethe Gurumurti || 8 ||
Meaning: "This is the incarnation of the Trinity, whose depth no one can fathom. Kuravapur is a sacred treasury of grace where the Guru resides."
Ovi 9 Original: जे जे चिंतावे भक्तजने । ते ते पावे गुरुदर्शने । श्रीगुरु वसावयाची स्थाने । कामधेनु असे जाणा ॥९॥
Transliteration: Je je chintave bhaktajane | Te te pave Gurudarshane | Shri-Guru vasavayachi sthane | Kamadhenu ase jana || 9 ||
Meaning: "Whatever a devotee wishes for is attained through the Guru's sight. The places where Shri Guru resides are like the wish-fulfilling cow, Kamadhenu."
Ovi 10 Original: श्रीपादवल्लभस्थानमहिमा । वर्णावया अनुपमा । अपार असे सांगतो तुम्हा । दृष्टान्तेसी अवधारा ॥१०॥
Transliteration: Shripadavallabhasthanamahima | Varnavaya anupama | Apara ase sangato tumha | Drushtantesi avadhara || 10 ||
Meaning: "The glory of Shripad Vallabha's abode is incomparable and infinite. I shall explain it to you with an example (parable)."
Ovi 11 Original: तुज सांगावया कारण । गुरुभक्ति वृथा नव्हे जाण । सर्वथा न करी निर्वाण । पाहे वाट भक्तांची ॥११॥
Transliteration: Tuja sangavaya karana | Guru-bhakti vrutha navhe jana | Sarvatha na kari nirvana | Pahe vata bhaktanchi || 11 ||
Meaning: "The reason to tell you this is to show that devotion to the Guru never goes in vain. He never disappoints; He always looks out for His devotees."
Ovi 12 Original: भक्ति करावी दृढतर । गंभीरपणे असावे धीर । तरीच उतरिजे पैलपार । इहपरत्री सौख्य पावे ॥१२॥
Transliteration: Bhakti karavi drudhatara | Gambhirapane asave dhira | Taricha utarije pailapara | Ihaparatri saukhya pave || 12 ||
Meaning: "One must have steady devotion and be patient. Only then can one cross the ocean of worldly existence and find happiness in this life and the next."
Ovi 13 Original: याचि कारणे दृष्टान्ते तुज । सांगेन ऐक वर्तले सहज । काश्यपगोत्री होता द्विज । नाम तया वल्लभेश ॥१३॥
Transliteration: Yachi karane drushtante tuja | Sangena aika vartale sahaja | Kashyapagotri hota dvija | Nama taya Vallabhesha || 13 ||
Meaning: "For this reason, listen to this true account. There was a Brahmin of the Kashyapa clan named Vallabhesh."
Ovi 14 Original: सुशील द्विज आचारवंत । उदीम करूनि उदर भरीत । प्रतिसंवत्सरी यात्रेस येत । तया श्रीपादक्षेत्रासी ॥१४॥
Transliteration: Sushila dvija acharavanta | Udima karuni udara bharita | Pratisamvatsari yatresa yeta | Taya Shripadakshetrasi || 14 ||
Meaning: "He was a well-behaved and righteous man. He earned his living through trade and visited the holy land of Shripad every year."
Ovi 15 Original: असता पुढे वर्तमानी । उदीमा निघाला तो धनी । नवस केला अतिगहनी । संतर्पावे ब्राह्मणासी ॥१५॥
Transliteration: Asata pudhe vartamani | Udima nighala to dhani | Navasa kela atigahani | Santarpave Brahmanasi || 15 ||
Meaning: "Once, as he set out for trade, he made a solemn vow to feed Brahmins (if he succeeded)."
Ovi 16 Original: उदीम आलिया फळासी । यात्रेंसी येईन विशेषी । सहस्त्र संख्या ब्राह्मणांसी । इच्छाभोजन देईन म्हणे ॥१६॥
Transliteration: Udima aliya phalasi | Yatrensi yeina visheshi | Sahastra sankhya Brahmanasi | Ichhabhojana deina mhane || 16 ||
Meaning: "He vowed, 'If my business bears fruit, I will visit the pilgrimage and feed a thousand Brahmins to their heart's content.'"
Ovi 17 Original: सहनिश्चय करोनि मानसी । निघाला द्विजवर उदीमासी । चरण ध्यातसे मानसी । सदा श्रीपादवल्लभाचे ॥१७॥
Transliteration: Sahanishchaya karoni manasi | Nighala dvijavara udimasi | Charana dhyatase manasi | Sada Shripadavallabhache || 17 ||
Meaning: "With this firm resolve, the noble Brahmin set out for his trade, always meditating on the feet of Shripad Shri Vallabha."
Ovi 18 Original: जे जे ठायी जाय देखा । अनंत संतोष पावे निका । शतगुणे लाभ झाला ऐका । परमानंदा प्रवर्तला ॥१८॥
Transliteration: Je je thayi jaya dekha | Ananta santosha pave nika | Shatagune labha jhala aika | Paramananda pravartala || 18 ||
Meaning: "Wherever he went, he found great success. He gained a hundredfold profit and was filled with supreme joy."
Ovi 19 Original: लय लावूनि श्रीपादचरणी । यात्रेशि निघाला ते क्षणी । वेचावया ब्राह्मणसंतर्पणी । द्रव्य घेतले समागमे ॥१९॥
Transliteration: Laya lavuni Shripadacharani | Yatreshi nighala te kshani | Vechavaya Brahmanasantarpani | Dravya ghetale samagame || 19 ||
Meaning: "With his mind fixed on Shripad's feet, he immediately left for the pilgrimage, carrying money for the Brahmin feast."
Ovi 20 Original: द्रव्य घेऊनि द्विजवर । निघता देखती तस्कर । कापट्यवेषे सत्वर । तेही सांगते निघाले ॥२०॥
Transliteration: Dravya gheuni dvijavara | Nighata dekhati taskara | Kapatyaveshe satvara | Tehi sangate nighale || 20 ||
Meaning: "Seeing him carry wealth, some robbers disguised themselves and began traveling along with him."
Ovi 21 Original: दोन-तीन दिवसांवरी । तस्कर असती संगिकारी । एके दिवशी मार्गी रात्री । जात असता मार्गस्थ ॥२१॥
Transliteration: Dona-tina divasanvari | Taskara asati sangikari | Eke divashi margi ratri | Jata asata margastha || 21 ||
Meaning: "The robbers stayed with him for two or three days. One night, as they were traveling on the road..."
Ovi 22 Original: तस्कर म्हणती द्विजवरासी । आम्ही जाऊ कुरवपुरासी । श्रीपादवल्लभदर्शनासी । प्रतिवर्षी नेम असे ॥२२॥
Transliteration: Taskara mhanati dvijavarasi | Amhi jau Kuravapurasi | Shripadavallabhadarshanasi | Prativarshi nema ase || 22 ||
Meaning: "The robbers told him, 'We too are going to Kuravapur. It is our annual rule to have Shripad Vallabha's Darshan.'"
Ovi 23 Original: ऐसे बोलती मार्गासी । तस्करी मारिले द्विजासी । शिर छेदूनिया परियेसी । द्रव्य घेतले सकळिक ॥२३॥
Transliteration: Aise bolati margasi | Taskari marile dvijasi | Shira cheduniya pariyesi | Dravya ghetale sakalika || 23 ||
Meaning: "While talking thus, the robbers suddenly attacked the Brahmin. They beheaded him and took all his wealth."
Ovi 24 Original: भक्तजनांचा कैवारी । श्रीपादराव कुरवपुरी । पातला त्वरित वेषधारी । जटामंडित भस्मांकित ॥२४॥
Transliteration: Bhaktajanancha kaivari | Shripadaraya Kuravapuri | Patala tvarita veshadhari | Jatamandita bhasmankita || 24 ||
Meaning: "Instantly, Shripad Maharaja, the protector of devotees, arrived from Kuravapur in the guise of an ascetic with matted hair and smeared with holy ash."
Ovi 25 Original: त्रिशूळ खट्वांग घेऊनि हाती । उभा ठेला तस्करांपुढती । वधिता झाला तयांप्रती । त्रिशूळेकरूनि तात्काळ ॥२५॥
Transliteration: Trishula khatvanga gheuni hati | Ubha thela taskaram-pudhati | Vadhita jhala tayamprati | Trishulekaruni tatkala || 25 ||
Meaning: "Holding a trident and a staff, He stood before the robbers and immediately slew them with His trident."
Ovi 26 Original: समस्त तस्करा मारिता । एक तस्कर येऊनि विनविता । कृपाळुवा जगन्नाथा । निरपराधी आपण असे ॥ २६॥
Transliteration: Samasta taskara marita | Eka taskara yeuni vinavita | Krupaluva Jagannatha | Niraparadhi apana ase || 26 ||
Meaning: "As He was slaying the robbers, one of them fell at His feet and pleaded, 'O Merciful Lord of the Universe, I am innocent!'"
Ovi 27 Original: नेणे याते वधितील म्हणोनि । आलो आपण संगी होऊनि । तू सर्वोत्तमा जाणसी मनी । विश्वाची मनवासना ॥२७॥
Transliteration: Nene yate vadhitila mhanoni | Aalo apana sangi houni | Tu sarvottama janasi mani | Vishvachi manavasana || 27 ||
Meaning: "'I did not know they would kill him; I only joined them as a companion. You, the Almighty, know the intentions of every heart in the universe!'"
Ovi 28 Original: ऐकोनि तस्कराची विनंती । श्रीपाद त्याते बोलाविती । हाती देऊनिया विभूति । विप्रावरी प्रोक्षी म्हणे ॥२८॥
Transliteration: Aikoni taskarachi vinanti | Shripada tyate bolaviti | Hati deuniya vibhuti | Vipravari prokshi mhane || 28 ||
Meaning: "Hearing his plea, Shripad called him close. He gave him holy ash and told him to sprinkle it over the Brahmin."
Ovi 29 Original: मन लावूनि तया वेळा । मंत्रोनि लाविती विभूती गळा । सजीव जाहला तात्काळा । ऐक वत्सा ऐकचित्ते ॥२९॥
Transliteration: Mana lavuni taya vela | Mantroni laviti vibhuti gala | Sajiva jhala tatkala | Aika vatsa aikachitte || 29 ||
Meaning: "The man applied the ash to the Brahmin's neck as instructed. Instantly, the Brahmin came back to life! Listen to this with focus, my child."
Ovi 30 Original: इतुके वर्तता परियेसी । उदय जाहला दिनकरासी । श्रीपाद जाहले गुप्तेसी । राहिला तस्कर द्विजाजवळी ॥३०॥
Transliteration: Ituke vartata pariyesi | Udaya jhala dinakarasi | Shripada jhale guptesi | Rahila taskara dvijajavali || 30 ||
Meaning: "As this happened, the sun rose. Shripad vanished, and the lone robber remained by the Brahmin's side."
Ovi 31 Original: विप्र पुसतसे तस्करासी । म्हणे तू माते का धरिलेसी । कवणे वधिले तस्करासी । म्हणोनि पुसे तया वेळी ॥३१॥
Transliteration: Vipra pusatase taskarasi | Mhane tu mate ka dharilesi | Kavane vadhile taskarasi | Mhanoni puse taya veli || 31 ||
Meaning: "The Brahmin woke up and asked the man, 'Why are you holding me? And who killed these robbers?'"
Ovi 32 Original: तस्कर सांगे द्विजासी । आला होता एक तापसी । जाहले अभिनव परियेसी । वधिले तस्कर त्रिशूळे ॥ ३२॥
Transliteration: Taskara sange dvijasi | Aala hota eka tapasi | Jahale abhinava pariyesi | Vadhile taskara trishule || 32 ||
Meaning: "The man told him, 'An ascetic appeared. A miracle occurred; He slew all the robbers with a trident.'"
Ovi 33 Original: मज रक्षिले तुजनिमित्ते । धरोनि बैसविले स्वहस्ते । विभूति लावूनि मग तूते । सजीव केला तव देह ॥ ३३॥
Transliteration: Maja rakshile tujanimitte | Dharoni baisavile svahaste | Vibhuti lavuni maga tute | Sajiva kela tava deha || 33 ||
Meaning: "'He spared me for your sake and made me sit here. Then, by applying holy ash, He brought your body back to life.'"
Ovi 34 Original: उभा होता आता जवळी । अदृश्य जाहला तत्काळी । न कळे कवण मुनि बळी । तुझा प्राण रक्षिला ॥३४॥
Transliteration: Ubha hota aata javali | Adrushya jhala tatkali | Na kale kavana muni bali | Tujha prana rakshila || 34 ||
Meaning: "'He was standing right here just now, but suddenly he vanished. I do not know which powerful sage He was who saved your life.'"
Ovi 35 Original: होईल ईश्वर त्रिपुरारि । भस्मांगी होय जटाधारी । तुझी भक्ति निर्धारी । म्हणोनि आला ठाकोनिया ॥३५॥
Transliteration: Hoila Ishvara Tripurari | Bhasmangi hoya jatadhari | Tujhi bhakti nirdhari | Mhanoni aala thakoniya || 35 ||
Meaning: "'He must have been Lord Shiva (Tripurari) Himself, covered in ash with matted hair. He surely came because of your firm devotion.'"
Ovi 36 Original: ऐकोनि तस्कराचे वचन । विश्वासला तो ब्राह्मण । तस्कराजवळिल द्रव्य घेऊन । गेला यात्रेसी कुरवपुरा ॥३६॥
Transliteration: Aikoni taskarache vachana | Vishvasala to Brahmana | Taskarajavalila dravya gheuna | Gela yatresi Kuravapura || 36 ||
Meaning: "Hearing this, the Brahmin's faith was deeply confirmed. He took his wealth from the man and proceeded to Kuravapur."
Ovi 37 Original: नानापरी पूजा करी । ब्राह्मणभोजन सहस्त्र चारी । अनंतभक्ती प्रीतिकरी । पूजा करी श्रीपादुकांची ॥३७॥
Transliteration: Nanapari puja kari | Brahmanabhojana sahastra chari | Anantabhakti pritikari | Puja kari Shripadukanchi || 37 ||
Meaning: "He performed many rituals and fed four thousand Brahmins. With infinite love and devotion, he worshipped the holy feet of Shripad."
Ovi 38 Original: ऐसे अनंत भक्तजन । मिळूनि सेविती श्रीपादचरण । कुरवपूर प्रख्यात जाण । अपार महिमा ॥३८॥
Transliteration: Aise ananta bhaktajana | Miluni seviti Shripadacharana | Kuravapura prakhyata jana | Apara mahima || 38 ||
Meaning: "Thus, countless devotees serve the feet of Shripad. Kuravapur is famous for its infinite glory."
Ovi 39 Original: सिद्ध म्हणे नामधारकासी । संशय न धरी तू मानसी । श्रीपाद आहेती कुरवपुरासी । अदृश्यरूप होऊनिया ॥३९॥
Transliteration: Siddha mhane Namadharakasi | Samshaya na dhari tu manasi | Shripada aheti Kuravapurasi | Adrushyarupe houniya || 39 ||
Meaning: "Siddha said to Namadharaka, 'Have no doubt in your mind. Shripad Shri Vallabha is still present in Kuravapur in an invisible form.'"
Ovi 40 Original: पुढे अवतार असे होणे । गुप्त असती याचि गुणे । म्हणती अनंतरूप नारायण । परिपूर्ण सर्वा ठायी ॥४०॥
Transliteration: Pudhe avatara ase hone | Gupta asati yachi gune | Mhanati anantarupe Narayana | Paripurna sarva thayi || 40 ||
Meaning: "He remains hidden because He has to take future incarnations. Narayana is infinite in form and perfect in all places."
Ovi 41 Original: ऐसी श्रीपादवल्लभमूर्ति । लौकिकी प्रगटली ख्याति । झाला अवतार पुढती । नृसिंहसरस्वती विख्यात ॥४१॥
Transliteration: Aisi Shripadavallabhamurti | Laukiki pragatali khyati | Jhala avatara pudhati | Nrsimhasarasvati vikhyata || 41 ||
Meaning: "Thus the fame of Shripad Vallabha spread through the world, leading to His next famous incarnation as Shri Narasimha Saraswati."
Ovi 42 Original: म्हणोनि सरस्वतीगंगाधरू । सांगत कथेचा विस्तारू । ऐकता होय मनोहरू । सकळाभीष्टे साधती ॥४२॥
Transliteration: Mhanoni Sarasvatigangadharu | Sangata kathecha vistaru | Aikata hoya manoharu | Sakalabhishte sadhati || 42 ||
Meaning: "Therefore, Saraswati Gangadhar narrates this story. Listening to it gladdens the heart and fulfills all righteous desires."
Iti Shrigurucharitraparmakathakalpatarau Shrinrusinhasaraswatyupakhyane Siddhanamadharakasamvade Bhaktsankatharan Nama Dashamo-Adhyayah ||42|| 🙏🙇🏻
Shri Gurudattatreyaarpanmastu॥
Conclusion
Chapter 10 serves as a divine assurance that no devotee is ever alone. Through the story of Vallabhesh, saint Saraswati Gangadhar illustrates that even in the face of death, the Guru’s grace can intervene and restore life. This chapter concludes the miracles of the first avatar, Shripad Shri Vallabha, and paves the way
for the second incarnation. Translated by Mantra Stotra Jyoti, this chapter aims to instill unwavering faith and patience in every reader.
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