The blockheaded youth metamorphosed into a Great Pundit

The blockheaded youth metamorphosed into a Great Pundit

SiddhaYogi says to Namdharak that the purpose of Sri Narasimha Saraswati's advent is for bringing about the moral and spiritual regeneration of the people of the whole land, not merely of people of a particular area of region of his birth. He was a Parivrajaka, a constant itinerant, never staying at one place for more than five days at the most normally. Like clouds moving in all directions and to even the farthest corners, only for the purpose of showering rain and to provide the life giving waters to all, so also Sri Narasimha Saraswati, wandering all over the land, visiting all pilgrim-places, was bestowing his grace on all people, people of different regions and of all types. He used to alleviate the afflictions of the people by his divine powers; for the spiritual aspirants, he was Jnana Bhaskara, dispelling their doubts, illuminating their intellect, and uplifting and enriching their spirit. Every word of his, whenever and to whomsoever he uttered, had a deep spiritual truths in simple and easily understood language and illustration through aptest examples and anecdotes.

During his stay at Audumber on the western banks of Krishna, in the vicinity of Bhillawadi, one Brahmin youth from Karavir Nagar came for his Darshan. The visitor narrated his story to Guru Nath. His father was a learned scholar in all the Shastras and was a strict and meticulous observer of all religious rites. His mother also was a very pious lady. In his seventh year, his thread ceremony was performed and he was initiated into Vedic studies. Alas! he was too dull to make any progress. To add to his misfortunes, he lost both his parents when he was barely ten years of age. He was advancing in age but without making any progress in his studies. He became a butt of ridicule in the town. Even his near relations were showing nothing but contempt towards him. A few well wishers of his advised him that he should still try and pick up learning. They stressed the importance of learning in life. Through learning only comes wealth, happiness, respectability and fame. A learned man will be welcomed anywhere and will be received with respect by anybody. He will be honoured in royal courts, in assemblies of the Pundits and the wise. A man without learning is given no recognition and will receive no respect anywhere.

The youth felt greatly frustrated and desperate. He felt his life gloomy and a waste. He felt that death would be far better than his living in life of humiliation. He left his village and went out wandering. In his wanderings he came across the Temple of Bhuvaneswari in Bhillawadi on the eastern bank of Krishna river. He sat before the idol of the Mother in the temple and started on a fast, praying to the Mother that unless She blessed him with learning and knowledge, he would continue his fast and cut off his tongue and even his head. Moved with compassion, the Goddess appeared to him in a dream and said "Go to the other side of the bank. Sri Narasimha Saraswati, the embodiment of all learning and wisdom, is on cojurn there. Pray to him, he will fulfill your desire".

The youth came to Sri Narasimha Saraswati as bid by the Divine Mother, fell as his feet and prayed that he should bless him with learning and knowledge. He narrated to him his miserable plight. Sri Narasimha Saraswati placed his hand on the head of the youth. Lo! the blockhead youth became enlightened with all scriptural learning and knowledge instantly.
Thus ends the Seventeenth chapter of Sri Guru Charitra describing "Brahmin youth's Uddharana".

Glory to the All merciful, the Omnipresent and the ever responsive Guru Nath!