In the earlier chapter, it has been said how Sripada Sri Vallabha blessed the destitute woman Ambika, advising her o observe Sani Pradosh Vrata and worship Maheshwara, when she (Ambika) prayed to him that, at least in her next birth, she would have a son like him. Sripada Sri Vallabha told her that her desire would be fulfilled if she faithfully observed Shani Pradosh Vrata and win the grace of Maheshwara. As per that advice, Ambika strictly observed the Vrata till her death.
In her next birth, Ambika was born in a Brahmin family, in KaranjaNagar (a town near Akola) in the Berar State. She was named by her parents as Amba Bhavani. When she came of age, she was married to a young man named Madhav, who was very pious and deeply devoted to Lord Shiva. Both of them used to observe Sani Pradosh Vrata regularly.
A few years after the marriage, a boy was born to Amba (in 1458 A.D.). During her pregnancy, she was having divine visions and experiences. Her mind was always dwelling on holy ideas and auspicious thoughts. There was a divine lusture spreading over her body and also radiating forth from her face. And on one auspicious day, a son was born to her. Strangely instead of normal crying, Pranava Nada, the chant of Omkar, was emanating from mouth of the infant. The wise men of that village said that astrologically the boy was going to be a Mahapurusha and a great savior of the world and he had all the auspicious insignia of God Himself. On the tenth day, the boy was named Narhari. His eyes bespoke of omniscience and his face seemed to reflect all the wisdom of the worlds. The infant was an attraction for all people of the town.
Narahari's mother did not seem to have sufficient breast-milk to nurse the child. She expressed his to her husband and suggested to him that he should purchase a cow for milk for the child. The child seemed to have heard it, and touched with his tiny hands the breast of the mother. Lo! the breasts were full of milk! The infant was manifesting many divine miracles. Nevertheless, the child seemed to be dumb. Except the Pranava Nada that emanated from his lips at the time of birth, the child never uttered any sound. The parents were afraid and were worried that the child would be dumb for ever! The mother used to weep saying "Are we not destined to enjoy the prattle of the child?" The child used to however make little gestures which seemed to indicate that, after his thread ceremony, he would be quite normal in speech. Yet his parents were not relieved of their anxiety. To assure and comfort them, Narhari once took hold of an iron piece lying in the house, and through his mere touch, changed it into gold.
When Narhari was seven years old, his thread ceremony was performed, and, to the wonder of all, the miracle of miracles happened. All the assembled Brahmins were amazed to see "the dumb Narahari" chanting Vedic Mantras. The joy of the parents knew no bounds and they shed profuse tears of joy.
The mother asked Narahari to beg alms according to the tradition of the thread ceremony. Narahari said, "Mother can I now take it that I have your permission to take to Sanyas which I very much desire? You asked me to beg alms. That implies you have sanctioned my heart's desire to take a ascetic's life". The mother was aghast at these words of Narahari. When she only meant was that he should ask for the Bhiksha of the Vatu from the mother as mere formality as per the tradition of the thread ceremony. She broke down into tears and pleaded as to how he could think of forsaking her and the home and take to ascetic life. He was her only child and the only hope. She pleaded that all should follow Asrama Dharma and should take Sanyasa only after going through the householder's life (Grihasthasrama) and that alone would be the proper way. "one should not skip one's responsibilities, duties and obligations", she said. She was inconsolable. Narhari said. "Mother, understand me and see the truth." Saying thus, he placed his right palm on her head. As soon as he did this, the whole panorama of her previous life flashed in her memory. She remembered the boon Sripada Sri Vallabha gave her. She understood then that it was the divine Sripada Sri Vallabha who was born to her as her son now, as per the prayer she made to him in her former life. She realised it would not be possible to hold back the divine being to the confines of home for long. But nevertheless, she pleaded with him whom she now realised as none else but the illustrious Dattatreya, to stay for at least a few more years.
Thus ends the Eleventh Chapter of Sri Guru Charitra,
describing "Sripada Sri Vallabha's incarnation, and the new incarnation's childhood".
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