Namdharak said to Siddhamuni that listening to Guru Charitra was like drinking nectar. He said that his mind was getting rid of all doubts and dross was being filled with new light. he said that he felt so blessed indeed... He told Siddha Yogi that he felt very interested to learn details of his ancestor Sayamdeo who was a devotee and close disciple of Guru Nath and who also used to earlier live at Vasar-Brahmeshwar but later at Gangapur itself. Sayamdeo used to be very dear to Guru Nath, and he also was happy that he was born in the line of such blessed devotee of the Lord. then Siddhamuni narrated as under:
Sayamdeo came to know that Guru Nath was now residing at Gangapur. It was Guru Nath that had saved him from the claws of death, from being killed by the muslim chief 16years ago. he was eager that he should have Guru Nath's Darshan again and spend the rest of his life in the service at his feet. He trekked to Gangapur. he fell prostrate at Guru Nath's feet and prayed that he should not forsake him. He poured out his prayers to Guru Nath. He said. "Thy Lotus feet is the confluence of the holy waters of all the sacred rivers; all the holy places merge and rest at Thy Holy Feet. All the nectar of the Heavens is in Thy Kamandalu only. Your Charan-teerth drives away death, and just a little sprinkling of it is enough to resurrect the dead. It is too presumptuous on my part to try to put into articulation the inexpressible and infinite glory of Thine, my Lord!...." Tears of joy, welling out from the depths of his heart were trickling down from his eyes drenching the feet of Guru Nath.
Guru Nath was pleased, and clasping Sayamdeo closely told him that his grace would be ever on him and his family. He asked him to go to the Sangam and bathe there, which would wash away all his past sins. He asked him to come back to the math after the bath for food.
After Sayamdeo has his food, Guru Nath enquired of him with great solicitude all the details of his family and their welfare. Sayamdeo told him that he would now come away permanently to live at Gangapur for serving the master. Sri Guru Nath said that it was not easy for anyone to do service to him properly and satisfactorily. It would be too arduous for anyone. But Sayamdeo stayed on there, trying to serve the Master. Guru Nath wanted to test him.
One day Guru Nath took Sayamdeo along with him to the Sangam. Guru Nath sat down under the Aswatha Tree and went on conversing with him till late after dark. Then suddenly stormy winds started blowing, accompanied by thunder and lightening, there was a very heavy downpour of rain. Sayamdeo was shivering, unable to bear the cold. Nevertheless, he was trying to put up a bold face. Sri Guru Nath told him that he himself was also feeling very cold too much and therefore, he (Sayamdeo) should go to Gangapur and bring some fire from there. He told him that he should not look sideways at all, either while going or returning. Sayamdeo put his own shawl over Guru Nath's shoulders to cover him and to keep his body warm, and then left in the direction of Gangapur.
It was pitch dark and nothing was visible, except when there were flashes of lightening. With great struggle Sayamdeo was able to reach Gangapur, He put some fire (burning coals) in a pot and started on his way and forgetting Guru Nath's instructions, he looked sideways. Oh! there were two huge five headed serpents, one each on either side, following him. He got very much frightened and almost lost his way. Struggling much and praying to Guru Nath, he at last managed to reach the Sangam.
Lo! What does he find there? There are thousands of lights shining brightly all around. There is the Omkara Nada resounding and the chant of Vedic Mantras reverberating everywhere. Guru Nath is seated under the Aswatha Tree, shining with the splendour of thousands of moons and looking like Lord Shiva himself. It was a vision divine! Sayamdeo, dazed by the vision, fell prostrate at Guru Nath's feet.
Guru Nath then ended the vision and lifted Sayamdeo, smiled at him and comforted him. He told him that he was very much pleased with his devotion, and added that it was he (Guru Nath) himself who sent the two serpents along with him for his protection. He further said, that he should never forget that Guru-Bhakti is the supreme protection in one's life and it's power is incomparable.
Sayamdeo requested Guru Nath to tell him about Guru-Bhakti Mahima. Guru Nath said that he would narrate what Lord Shiva told Parvati about Guru-Bhakti Mahima. In the line of Brahma, there was one boy named Twasta. When the boy attained Upanayana age, the Upanayana ceremony was performed by the father and the boy was sent to the Gurukul. The boy was serving the guru very dutifully.
One day there was a big storm, and the Guru's cottage collapsed and it's roof was blown off. The Guru called Twasta and told him. "you must build me a good, strong house; it should look beautiful and should have all comforts." The Guru's wife then came and told Twasta "You should get me a good dress. It should not be woven of thread. It should look very beautiful and fit me well." Then the Guru's son came and told Twasta, "You should get me a pair of shoes, just of the correct size for me. The shoes should be such that mud will never stick to them and they will never get soiled, and further I should be able to walk with them even on water and they should be able to take me instantly to wherever I just think of going. "Then the Guru's daughter came and said, "You souls get me ornaments for my ears, and an Ivory Toy house made from the single tusk of an elephant. You should also get me utensils for cooking. They should be such that they will not turn black with soot when food is cooked in them".
Twasta was at a loss to know how he would be able to procure all these and fulfill the demands, but he felt confident and certain, that his Guru's grace alone will help him to fulfill all the demands of the Guru and his family.
Twasta praying to his Guru only, started walking towards the nearby forest. He sat down there praying to his Guru , that he should help him to fulfill all the demands and to get through the ordeal.
As he was praying thus all of a sudden an Avadhoot appeared before him. The boy was overjoyed at seeing him. The Avadhut enquired of him as to what was worrying him. The boy told him the impossible tasks set to him by his Guru and his (Guru's) family members and that he was at a loss to know how he would be able to discharge them all satisfactorily.
The Avadhoot then said, "Dear child, do not despair about this. You will surely succeed. There is nothing impossible for those who win the lord Visweswara's Grace. It is through Visweswara's Grace only that Brahma could earn the capacity to create the worlds; it is through Visweswar's Grace that Vishnu could gain the capacity to sustain the creation and to grant the prayers of his devotees. Therefore, for success in fulfilling the demands of your Guru, you go to Kashi, serve Lord Visveswara there and earn his grace. He will certainly bless you. He will make you even Viswakarma and will enable you to earn an eternal name and fame".
The Avadhuta continued, "Therefore I advice you to visit Kashi. You should undertake there the Pancha-Krosa Yatra, in and around Kashi, visiting all holy shrines and the teerta therein. The Pancha-Krosa Yatra will for one as much as merit as one gets through the performance of an Aswamedha yaga. Even the thousand tongued Adisesha cannot describe adequately the merit that accrues by pilgrimage to kashi", thus the Avadhuta told Twasta.
Twasta said "Oh Mahatma! where is Kashi? How far is it? I am a lad, how can I reach it? " Then the Avadhuta said "I will also come along with You to Kashi. Thereby I too will get the merit of Lord Visweswara's Darshan." Saying thus, the Avadhuta took the boy to Kashi in a trice, through the power of his Siddhis. (mystic power)
Twasta was overjoyed. He said, Oh! Mahatma! You are indeed Lord Visweswara Himself come to save me. Please let me know in detail, what places are to be visited, what rites are to done, and explain to me the whole Kashi Yatra Vidhana fully".
The above, Siddhamuni narrated to Namdharak, as had been told by Guru Nath to Sayamdeo.
Thus ends the Forty first chapter of Sri Guru Charitra describing "Kashi Khand Yatra".
Glory to the All merciful, the Omnipresent and the ever responsive Guru Nath! |
