Actions and their Consequences (The Law of Cause and Effect)
Siddhamuni told Namdharak that the Matanga, now blessed with Brahmic knowledge, asked Sri Narasimha Saraswati to let him know why he was born as a Chandala in this birth, while he was a Brahmin in his former life.
Guru Nath explained in great detail the rules governing Karma and its consequences (fruits as well as retribution). Trivikarma Bharati and all present were listening with rapt attention as this is a subject, as a profound science, which governs all creation and affecting every individual being's life. Guru Nath went on to say as follows.
The caste in which one is born is determined by his past Karmas (actions and conduct). Good actions lead to higher birth, births in higher castes; and sinful and bad actions lead to births in lower castes or even in sub-human species.
Brahmin is predominantly of Satwic (of pure, serene and tranquil) temperament; he has a special duty and role in society. He is the spiritual custodian of the people of all communities. He has the great responsibility for the material and general well being of all his younger brothers and sisters in the family. He has to observe the strictest disciplines; he has to perform all the prescribed rituals as per Vedic injunctions and his conduct should be a model and example to all others. His daily rituals are for the well being of all. For that purpose, the Brahmin has to consecrate his entire life. That was why Brahmins of yore were ranked as equal to Gods, and even the rulers (kings) used to honour them as such.
If a Brahmin fails in the discharge of his ordained duties, he will slide down to birth in the lower caste(s). Apart from the duties ordained, there are also actions prohibited. If a Brahmin indulges in any of the prohibited actions, he gets born in the lowest castes or even as an animal or may be even as a lowly creature. Guru Nath listed many acts of omissions and commissions which cause a Brahmin to be born as a Chandala. He told the Matanga that because he ill treated his parents in his previous life, he was born as a Chandala in this life. Among the many sins listed which cause the downfall of men (Duegati in contrast to Sadgati), especially of the Brahmins, the following are some:-
1) Forsaking the Guru and the parents and ill treating them.
2) Forsaking the wife and children.
3) Committing of adultery, theft, etc. (even sensuous thoughts about other women are as much a sin)
4) Killing of animals or inflicting of even the least suffering upon them.
5) Separating away the calf from it's mother.
6) Non-observance of injunctions regarding food.
7) Failure to perform the Shraddha ceremony to the departed souls (ancestors) and forbears of the family.
8) Indulging in slanderous talk, especially blasphemy against the Vedas, Deities and Gods.
9) Turning away the guests and not offering them food.
10) Refusing to give water to thirsty person.
11) Indulging in iconoclasm (breaking of idols) and causing damage to temples and places of worship, or fouling tanks, well and rivers.
12) Non-observance of the Nitya-Vidhis, the daily obligatory duties enjoined on one.
Guru Nath then explains the Prayaschita-Vidhis (methods of atonement) for the sins committed. He says as follows:-
Sincere and heartfelt repentance, prayer to the Almighty God who is the Karmaphaladata (dispenser of the results of Karma) for forgiveness, and abstinence from further sinful conduct, will mitigate to a large extent the retributive effect of sins. To absolve oneself completely from the consequences of the sins, Prayaschita rites are prescribed in the Shastras, but they will be effective only when they are performed in true spirit of repentance and with reformation and rectitude in the conduct of the person doing the Prayaschita. Guru Nath explained various Prayaschita rites, some of which are:-
1) Penitence, fasting and prayers.
2) Pilgrimages to holy places and bathing in holy rivers.
3) Giving gifts in charity like cow, gold, money, etc.
4) Kruchra and Chandrayana Vratas (observances)
5) Chanting of Gayatri Mantra (ten thousand times or chanting of Pavamana/Suthra etc)6) Rendering of service to others and specially to the Guru.
Kruchra Vow observance is like this: Fasting for 3 days, followed by sustaining oneself on milk for the next 3 days, on ghee for further 3days, etc. Those who are weak are permitted to eat ginger seeds; otherwise what is prescribed is water in which is soaked either Aswatha or Banyan leaves or Lotus flowers or Dharbha grass, etc.
The Chandrayana Vrata is like this: Beginning with fast on new moon day and taking one morsel of food the next day and increasing one by one morsel of food every day afterwards; from full moon day onwards again decreasing one by one morsel of food everyday and with total fast again on the new moon day.
Through Gayatri Homa and Veda Parayana also, as much merit is earned as by doing these Vratas.
With stay at Kashi for a month, all sins are absolved. A bath at Setu-Bandhan absolves sin of causing death of a Brahmin and the like. Sustaining oneself with one single and limited meal a day and reciting of Narayanopanishad, Vikas Sookta, etc. will absolve one of all the sins committed in countless of former lives.
Before starting to do the Prayashchita, one should begin by sipping Panchagavya, after fasting on the previous night. Panchagavya is a mixture of cow's milk, urine, dung, ghee, curds, in which added also water in which is dipped the Kusa grass, and which has been then sanctified by the chant of the mantras and preferably also blessed by the Guru/priest.
All the above rites are very potent means by which one can absolve his sins dome knowingly or in ignorance.
Guru Nath, after explaining the implications of Karma and the consequences, told the Matanga again, that as he, in the previous life, ill-treated his parents, he was born as a Chandala in the present life. He the advised him to go the Bhima - Amarja Sangam and take the purification there, by which means his sins would be explained and he would be born as a Brahmin in the next birth.
The Matanga prayed that as he had already been transformed in to a Brahmin by the Grace of Guru Nath and was also endowed with spiritual knowledge, whereby he was able to win a contest with the pundits, Guru Nath should give him a recognition to him as a Brahmin and confer on him permanently Brahmin hood and that he would not like to wait for the next birth for becoming a Brahmin. Sri Narasimha Saraswati tried to explain to him that he was born in this birth from the womb of a chandal woman, even though he had now been endowed scriptural knowledge, he could not get recognition as a true brahmin. True Brahmin food, besides birth in a Brahmin family, needs certain Samskaras to be gone through and also certain disciplines and upbringing. Both are as much necessary, and that he would be merited for them in his next birth with his blessing. Sri Narasimha Saraswati further gave the illustration of Vishwamitra, who was born as a Kshatriya, and though through austerities and penance attained spiritual power and eminence, could not get recognition as a Brahmin, because of his birth. However, on the advice of Vasishtha Rishi, when he virtually burnt down his body by the hot rays of the sun and grew a new sun and body, he got recognition as a BrahmaRishi. The Matanga was however not reconciled and was still persisting Guru Nath that he should get recognition as Brahmin then and there itself.
At this juncture, the Matanga's wife, along with the children, came over there. She saw and went close to him. The Matanga started beating her. The woman started weeping and crying and prayed to Sri Narasimha Saraswati to make her husband stop beating her. The Matanga was not pacified and was trying to drive his wife away from there. At this, Sri Narasimha Saraswati asked one of the disciples to call one Lubdhak, a Brahmin without having any Vedic learning, and who was earning his livelihood by doing all sorts of lowly taste. Sri Narasimha Saraswati asked him to pour water over the body of Matanga and give him a full bath. When the water was poured on the Matanga, it washed out all the Bhasma (sacred ash) applied on his body earlier. Along with the Bhasma, the scriptural knowledge, which the Matanga obtained earlier also disappeared and was lost totally from his memory. The Matanga became the same size as he was before, the same unregenerate being he was earlier. He was sized and with Moha and delusion and, seeing his wife and children, ran to them, totally forgetting whatever had happened earlier.
Thus ends the Twenty Eight chapter of Sri Guru Charitra describing "Karma Vipaka Akhyanarm"
Glory to the All merciful, the Omnipresent and the ever responsive Guru Nath!
Siddhamuni told Namdharak that the Matanga, now blessed with Brahmic knowledge, asked Sri Narasimha Saraswati to let him know why he was born as a Chandala in this birth, while he was a Brahmin in his former life.
Guru Nath explained in great detail the rules governing Karma and its consequences (fruits as well as retribution). Trivikarma Bharati and all present were listening with rapt attention as this is a subject, as a profound science, which governs all creation and affecting every individual being's life. Guru Nath went on to say as follows.
The caste in which one is born is determined by his past Karmas (actions and conduct). Good actions lead to higher birth, births in higher castes; and sinful and bad actions lead to births in lower castes or even in sub-human species.
Brahmin is predominantly of Satwic (of pure, serene and tranquil) temperament; he has a special duty and role in society. He is the spiritual custodian of the people of all communities. He has the great responsibility for the material and general well being of all his younger brothers and sisters in the family. He has to observe the strictest disciplines; he has to perform all the prescribed rituals as per Vedic injunctions and his conduct should be a model and example to all others. His daily rituals are for the well being of all. For that purpose, the Brahmin has to consecrate his entire life. That was why Brahmins of yore were ranked as equal to Gods, and even the rulers (kings) used to honour them as such.
If a Brahmin fails in the discharge of his ordained duties, he will slide down to birth in the lower caste(s). Apart from the duties ordained, there are also actions prohibited. If a Brahmin indulges in any of the prohibited actions, he gets born in the lowest castes or even as an animal or may be even as a lowly creature. Guru Nath listed many acts of omissions and commissions which cause a Brahmin to be born as a Chandala. He told the Matanga that because he ill treated his parents in his previous life, he was born as a Chandala in this life. Among the many sins listed which cause the downfall of men (Duegati in contrast to Sadgati), especially of the Brahmins, the following are some:-
1) Forsaking the Guru and the parents and ill treating them.
2) Forsaking the wife and children.
3) Committing of adultery, theft, etc. (even sensuous thoughts about other women are as much a sin)
4) Killing of animals or inflicting of even the least suffering upon them.
5) Separating away the calf from it's mother.
6) Non-observance of injunctions regarding food.
7) Failure to perform the Shraddha ceremony to the departed souls (ancestors) and forbears of the family.
8) Indulging in slanderous talk, especially blasphemy against the Vedas, Deities and Gods.
9) Turning away the guests and not offering them food.
10) Refusing to give water to thirsty person.
11) Indulging in iconoclasm (breaking of idols) and causing damage to temples and places of worship, or fouling tanks, well and rivers.
12) Non-observance of the Nitya-Vidhis, the daily obligatory duties enjoined on one.
Guru Nath then explains the Prayaschita-Vidhis (methods of atonement) for the sins committed. He says as follows:-
Sincere and heartfelt repentance, prayer to the Almighty God who is the Karmaphaladata (dispenser of the results of Karma) for forgiveness, and abstinence from further sinful conduct, will mitigate to a large extent the retributive effect of sins. To absolve oneself completely from the consequences of the sins, Prayaschita rites are prescribed in the Shastras, but they will be effective only when they are performed in true spirit of repentance and with reformation and rectitude in the conduct of the person doing the Prayaschita. Guru Nath explained various Prayaschita rites, some of which are:-
1) Penitence, fasting and prayers.
2) Pilgrimages to holy places and bathing in holy rivers.
3) Giving gifts in charity like cow, gold, money, etc.
4) Kruchra and Chandrayana Vratas (observances)
5) Chanting of Gayatri Mantra (ten thousand times or chanting of Pavamana/Suthra etc)6) Rendering of service to others and specially to the Guru.
Kruchra Vow observance is like this: Fasting for 3 days, followed by sustaining oneself on milk for the next 3 days, on ghee for further 3days, etc. Those who are weak are permitted to eat ginger seeds; otherwise what is prescribed is water in which is soaked either Aswatha or Banyan leaves or Lotus flowers or Dharbha grass, etc.
The Chandrayana Vrata is like this: Beginning with fast on new moon day and taking one morsel of food the next day and increasing one by one morsel of food every day afterwards; from full moon day onwards again decreasing one by one morsel of food everyday and with total fast again on the new moon day.
Through Gayatri Homa and Veda Parayana also, as much merit is earned as by doing these Vratas.
With stay at Kashi for a month, all sins are absolved. A bath at Setu-Bandhan absolves sin of causing death of a Brahmin and the like. Sustaining oneself with one single and limited meal a day and reciting of Narayanopanishad, Vikas Sookta, etc. will absolve one of all the sins committed in countless of former lives.
Before starting to do the Prayashchita, one should begin by sipping Panchagavya, after fasting on the previous night. Panchagavya is a mixture of cow's milk, urine, dung, ghee, curds, in which added also water in which is dipped the Kusa grass, and which has been then sanctified by the chant of the mantras and preferably also blessed by the Guru/priest.
All the above rites are very potent means by which one can absolve his sins dome knowingly or in ignorance.
Guru Nath, after explaining the implications of Karma and the consequences, told the Matanga again, that as he, in the previous life, ill-treated his parents, he was born as a Chandala in the present life. He the advised him to go the Bhima - Amarja Sangam and take the purification there, by which means his sins would be explained and he would be born as a Brahmin in the next birth.
The Matanga prayed that as he had already been transformed in to a Brahmin by the Grace of Guru Nath and was also endowed with spiritual knowledge, whereby he was able to win a contest with the pundits, Guru Nath should give him a recognition to him as a Brahmin and confer on him permanently Brahmin hood and that he would not like to wait for the next birth for becoming a Brahmin. Sri Narasimha Saraswati tried to explain to him that he was born in this birth from the womb of a chandal woman, even though he had now been endowed scriptural knowledge, he could not get recognition as a true brahmin. True Brahmin food, besides birth in a Brahmin family, needs certain Samskaras to be gone through and also certain disciplines and upbringing. Both are as much necessary, and that he would be merited for them in his next birth with his blessing. Sri Narasimha Saraswati further gave the illustration of Vishwamitra, who was born as a Kshatriya, and though through austerities and penance attained spiritual power and eminence, could not get recognition as a Brahmin, because of his birth. However, on the advice of Vasishtha Rishi, when he virtually burnt down his body by the hot rays of the sun and grew a new sun and body, he got recognition as a BrahmaRishi. The Matanga was however not reconciled and was still persisting Guru Nath that he should get recognition as Brahmin then and there itself.
At this juncture, the Matanga's wife, along with the children, came over there. She saw and went close to him. The Matanga started beating her. The woman started weeping and crying and prayed to Sri Narasimha Saraswati to make her husband stop beating her. The Matanga was not pacified and was trying to drive his wife away from there. At this, Sri Narasimha Saraswati asked one of the disciples to call one Lubdhak, a Brahmin without having any Vedic learning, and who was earning his livelihood by doing all sorts of lowly taste. Sri Narasimha Saraswati asked him to pour water over the body of Matanga and give him a full bath. When the water was poured on the Matanga, it washed out all the Bhasma (sacred ash) applied on his body earlier. Along with the Bhasma, the scriptural knowledge, which the Matanga obtained earlier also disappeared and was lost totally from his memory. The Matanga became the same size as he was before, the same unregenerate being he was earlier. He was sized and with Moha and delusion and, seeing his wife and children, ran to them, totally forgetting whatever had happened earlier.
Thus ends the Twenty Eight chapter of Sri Guru Charitra describing "Karma Vipaka Akhyanarm"
Glory to the All merciful, the Omnipresent and the ever responsive Guru Nath!
