Deadwood puts forth thig's and grows into tree

Siddhamuni continued his narrative of Guru Charitra to Namdharak. Guru Nath was the reliever of all ills. He was Bhagwan Dhanvantari come on earth. There lived a Brahmin named Narahari Sarma who was suffering from leprosy. He came to Sri Narasimha Saraswati to pray to him to be relieved of the dreadful disease. He related to him how the disease had made him a virtual outcaste and what misery it had brought on him. He said he was disgusted with life and had decided to end his life. But hoping that Guru Nath might save him, he had come over there. Guru Nath was like a mother unto all. The Brahmin's plight moved him with pity. Sri Narasimha Saraswati told the Brahmin that he had committed many sins in his former lives, and the leprosy in this life was the result of all those sins. However, he said, he would be relieved of the disease and he should do what he (Guru Nath) would be telling him. At this juncture, a man came over there carrying Audumber branch wood, which was almost dead and dry. It was wood cut about five years ago. Guru Nath took that wood from the man and gave it to the Brahmin. He told the Brahmin to go to the Bhima-Amaraja confluence and plant it on the bank there. He should then take a bath and offer worship to it. He should have a second dip in the water, fill his tumbler with water, and water the planted Audumber wood. He should water it thrice everyday. The wood would sprout and put forth fresh leaves in course of time. No sooner than the wood would put forth leaves, he would be rid of his disease and would become completely well. This Guru Nath told the Brahmin. The Brahmin started on as per the above instructions with implicit devotion and faith in Guru Nath's words. Some of the people told Guru Nath about the great faith with which the Brahmin had been watering the deadwood. It was over a month since the Brahmin had planted the wood and had started watering everyday. They said that all the people were taking the Brahmin to be mad and foolish to be watering dead wood believing it would grow and put forth leaves, and that the Brahmin had become a butt of ridicule in the town. Listening to the above, Guru Nath told them that there was nothing that faith could not achieve. He narrated the story of the forest man (Sabari) to illustrate the power of faith. Once upon a time there was a king named Simhaketu, who was the ruler of Pamchal Nagar. He had a son named Dhananjaya. Once the prince went to the forest for a hunt. He had one of the forest men (Sabari), as his guard during the hunt. The prince was very tired and stopped for a rest at a place. Meanwhile, the forest man, wandering around sighted an attractive shaped 'stone'. He picked it up and brought it and showed it to the Prince. The prince told him that it was a 'Shivalinga' and explained to him about Shivalinga Mahima. He advised the Sabari that since he (the Sabari) had found it, he should take it home and start worshiping it. He also told him how to do the worship. Bilwa leaves are dear to Lord Shiva, he should therefore worship it wih Bilwa leaves and flowers. Frankinsence is to be burnt, oil lamp lighted and chita-bhasma (ashes) offered to the Shivalinga, as chita-bhasma is most dear to the Lord. The Sabari took the Prince's instructions as Gurupadesa and started following it with intense faith. The forest man and his wife started worshiping it daily with greatest devotion. One day for their worship they could not find chit-bhasma for the offering, although he tried for it at many places. He told his wife that as they could not let the Shivalinga go without chita-bhasma he would burn his body and she should make the offering of that chit-bhasma to the Lord and complete worship. The wife said that she would burn herself, as for a widowed woman life was very difficult and was beset with many risks and dangers. The husband said that she was too young, and hardly seen life, and as such she should not end her life, when he was there. But she said that life was anyway like a bubble and age should be of no consideration really. If the chita-bhasma of her body could serve as an offering to the Lord, what greater opportunity could ever be for this human birth, she said. Seeing her determination not to let him burn himself and further, as the time for the worship was passing away, he had to consent and let her burn herself. She went into the hut, and he set fire to it from outside. He took the chit-bhasma in his hands and was preparing to do the offering. As per his habit, obsessed with the worship, he called out to his wife by name, asking her to join him in making the chit-bhasma offering. Shiva was very moved with the devotion, the spirit of sacrifice and their matchless faith in Him. He gave back to woman her life, and in answer to the call of her husband who had called her forgetfully and through force of habit, she rushed out to join him in the offering. The only thing she remembered was that when the hut was set on fire, she felt overwhelmed by sleep and was not aware of anything. She heard the call of her husband, which was to say. 'woke her up from her sleep', and she rushed to him. Lord Shiva appeared before them and blessed them. This story, illustration of the immense power of faith, was narrated to Suta Muni to the Rishis, said Sri Narasimha Saraswati. He said that he very much appreciated the Brahmin's faith in his (Guru Nath's) words and the implicit manner in which he was following them. Thereafter, Sri Narasimha Saraswati set out towards the Sangam for his daily routine and rituals. On the way the Brahmin saw him and offered his obeisance to him. Guru Nath sprinkled water from his Kamandalu on the Audumber wood which the Brahmin was watering daily. No sooner did Guru Nath do this, than the wood sprouted up and put forth new leaves; the dead wood changed into a live, healthy growing tree. And the Brahmin's body too became clean, rid of the disease and shining bright. The Brahmin fell at the feet of Guru Nath, pouring out his gratitude and singing praises of him as under: "Oh Lord! my beloved Guru Nath! How much you love your devotees. Seated under the Aswatha Tree, you are only waiting to welcome your Bhaktas, and to shower your blessings on them. You so readily grant them all the luster outshine the light of crores of moons. Thou, the son of Atri and Anasuya and who named you as Datta, how beautiful you are! How charming you look with the garlands hanging down your body! Just as Ankush alone can control and tame the wild elephants, so also devotion to your feet and your grace alone can control the wayward minds of men being chased wildly by the Shadripus, the six inner enemies. I bow down to You, my beloved Guru Nath! Oh the Master of the Five Elements! Oh Shree Vallabesh Nayak! Oh ! the Lotus eyed! Thy Lotus feet are my sole refuge. Pray, never forsake me... The Brahmin offered elaborate worship to Guru Nath. He performed Samaradhana. Sri Guru Nath was very much pleased with the Brahmin's intense devotion. He newly named him as Yogesh, He gave him Vidya Saraswati Mantra. He asked the Brahmin to go to his house and to bring his wife and children to live at Gangapur. The Brahmin did accordingly and he used to constantly stay with Guru Nath, serving Him most devotedly. Thus ends the Fortieth Chapter of Sri Guru Charitra. Glory to the All merciful, the Omnipresent, and the ever responsive Guru Nath!