The form of yogi, seen in the dream, had left an indelible mark in the mind of Namadharaka. The eagerness to see the form Nijaroopa (in real) intensified. As he travelled some distance, a yogi, like the one seen in the dream, who was compassionate and beyond the dualities of the material world appeared in front of him. Namadharaka got goose bumps, his throat trembled and his eyes were filled with tears of joy. Ecstatically he bowed and asked “Swamy! The SatGuru! I am in great difficulties. All my ancestors were devotees of Shri Nrisimha Saraswati Swamy. As I earnestly worshipped Him, you came to be seen in my dream. Who are you Swamy? Where do you live? What do you do?”
That yogi said “Son! I am a disciple of the complete incarnation of Dattatreya, Shri Nrisimha Saraswati Swamy whose devotees attain livelyhood and liberation without fail and who is even worshipped by the yogis. I am called ‘Siddha’. I keep travelling for the welfare of the world.
“Then Namadharaka asked “Swamy! I have heard that the greatness of Shri Nrisimha Saraswati Swamy is very immense. All my ancestors are His devotees. But He has not favoured me though I am praying in hardship. Why? Why is he angry with me?” Siddhayogi replied with love “Son! Listen carefully to what I say. The SatGuru³ who is affectionate and loving to the devotees exhibits His kindness on all the living beings equally at all the times. It is surprising that your troubles have not gone away even though you have worshipped Him in such way. You must have doubted Him. That is the reason for so many difficulties. Your devotion to Guru is not yet firm. One with no faith or belief is never accepted by anybody. Guru is the form of the trio of gods. Guru can save his devotee despite Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra’s curse. But if the Guru himself curses, there is no one who can save him. But He had never been angry with anybody.
Then Namadharaka asked “You said that SatGuru is the form of the Trio of Gods. How did he become?
“Siddhayogi said “Son! In the beginning there was only one Deity. He was supposed to be many and became this moving and non-moving universe. To uplift the living beings He himself incarnates in the form of SatGuru. As He bestowed philosophical wisdom on the disciples, to save from ignorance, He assumed the form of Trio of Gods, the very reason of creation-sustenance- destruction.
Namadharaka pleaded “Swamy! You told that Guru can save even if the deities get enraged. How is that possible? Is there any instance? Please clear my doubt and grant steadiness to my mind.” Siddhayogi was happy for his cleverness and said “Son! You are intelligent. You asked a good question. God who was one in the beginning had thought to be many. The very thought is this whole moving and non-moving universe. First a lotus from Vishnu’s navel arose, from that lotus Brahma was born. He followed the orders of Vishnu and created the universe as explained in the Vedas. He first created the Brahma-devout class of Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, Sanatsujatha, then Prajapatis, then the three worlds. First he summoned the Krita yuga, which is the very form of Truth, and ordered him to establish yugadharma on the earth for seventeen lakh twenty eight thousand years. The Krita yuga wears ornaments such as the sacred thread. Knowledge and absence of desires are the traits of this Krita yuga.
After that, he manifested Treta yuga and ordered him to establish yugadharma on earth for twelve lakh ninety six thousand years. The Treta yuga has a strong body and has materials of Yagna in the hand. This is the reason why everybody in this yuga knew the scriptures and followed sacrificial rituals.
Later, he brought into being Dwapara yuga and ordered to establish yugadharma on earth for eight lakh sixty four thousand years. Dwapara yuga holds sword, leg of a cot, bow and arrows. This is the reason for people to live with mixed feelings of peace and aggression, kindness and cruelty in this yuga.
Brahma then called for Kali. The Kali is tainted. He is fond of disputes. ‘Kali’ means ‘Dispute’. He came happily, hopping holding his genitals in his left hand and tongue in his right hand. Brahma looked at him and smiled and asked him what his ugly actions mean. Kali said “I will make all the people lustful, make them my slaves and not let them attain superior state. This is the meaning of my action.
“Brahma then ordered him to go to earth and implement his nature for four lakh thirty two thousand years. Kali shivering with fear asked “Swamy, I like sleep, disputes and laziness. I like false sages and people who con women after gaining their trust. How can I go to earth and conduct my nature where there are many righteous people?” Brahma said “O Kali! You cannot do anything to those who suppose Shiva and Keshava to be one and the same and pray, those who respectfully treat their mother, father, guru and deity, and those who devoutly follow their own morals. Everybody else would be under your control. Most importantly, you can do nothing to those who are engrossed in serving Guru.
“Kali then asked “You have specifically mentioned about Guru. What is the proof?” Brahma said “Guru is the form of ParaBrahma. All obstacles can be averted by the kind looks of the Guru. Listen to this story as a proof for this.”
Long time ago, there lived a saint Vedadharma, son of Paila, in Naimisharanya. There were many disciples to him. One day he wanted to test the devotion, faith, discipline and religious austere exercise of his disciples and summoned them all and said “Sons! I have wiped out the sins I committed in my past life by religious austerity and penance. A little portion has remained yet. I decided to endure that within this life itself. I will live like a leper, lame and blind for twelve years. Any of you who can wholly serve me properly for that can come with me.” Many have not agreed being afraid of lapses that might get into while serving the Guru. But a deciple named “Deepaka” came forward and said “Gurudev! Please pass on that sin to me. I will suffer.” Vedadharma said “Son! A person himself has to suffer for his sins and the results of his deeds. It is much more difficult for the people who serve the sinned ones than those who are enduring their sins. If you are interested, you can come.
“Vedadharma and Deepaka have gone to Kashi and took bath in the Manikarnika bathing ghat. As mentioned by Vedadharma he acquired leprosy, blindness and lameness.
Deepaka had built a small dwelling nearby and always engaged himself in serving the Guru. He did not even care for what his body required, he did not visit the deities in that holy place nor even Lord Vishwanatha and he was always engrossed in serving the Guru. Every day, he cleaned the dwelling of the Guru, neatly wiped the body of the Guru, went to seek bhiksha food, first offered to Guru and only then took for himself. As they say, people who have excessive sins go not only through difficulties but they also get wicked and Vedadharma behaved in such a way.
He used to throw aside the food saying that it was little, though good food was brought from bhiksha. At times he rebuked and hit Deepaka, reproaching “hey, you are not cleaning the pus on my body completely. So, flies are biting me.” At times he used to take him near and said “Son! You are going through hardship for me.” Just then he used to get angry for no reason. But Deepaka had not swerved and been engaged in serving the Guru. Impressed by the piety of Deepaka toward Guru, Lord Vishwanatha of Kashi appeared and asked him if he desired something. He said he had no wish but to serve the Guru. He went to the Guru and asked to lessen his sins by virtue of the boon granted. Vedadharma said “If destroyed by virtue of a boon in this life, I will have to endure in the coming life. If serving me is so difficult for you, you may leave.” Deepaka went to Lord Kashi Vishwanatha and told him that he did not want the boon. Surprised, Vishwanatha went to the Nirvana pavilion and narrated what had happened to Lord Vishnu in the presence of the deities. Lord Vishnu also appeared and asked Deepaka to seek for a boon in order to test his devoutness to Guru.
Deepaka then said “You should be appearing to great people who follow religious austerity desiring boons. But why are you appearing to me though I do not follow any renunciation?” Lord Vishnu said “Son! Disciples who consider Guru as God and serve him, chaste and virtuous wives who serve their husbands are considered to have been serving me. I am under the control of those best disciples. May you live in Kashi itself. The nine jewels of wisdom will be your servants. You will attain the eight supernatural powers” and blessed him. But Deepaka requested “to grant that faith in him for his Guru be ever improving.” Realising this, Vedadharma appeared in a disease-free body and said “Son! I have become sin- bearer in this way to test your devoutness to Guru. Chiranjeeva! You live in Kashi itself. You will attain the eight supernatural powers and the nine jewels of wisdom. If your name is taken with devotion or this story is remembered, devoutness in Guru will strengthen the devotees” thus completely blessed him.
Namadharaka! There are many events of Guru and disciple such as this. These will wipe out the faults of those who narrate and sins of those who listen.
Om Shri Dattatreya Guravey Namaha
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