SriGuru Charitra-some musings--Part 1

[Guest guest]

Dear R,

Jayagurudeva Datta!Shree Gurudeva Datta!

 

Last night was spent in some animated conversations with my friend in Dallas regarding the significance of Sri Guru Charitra.Though my soul has been worshipping Srividya Devi, I have found significant spirituality and spent my young days in the glory of Dattatreya and in the lap of Sri Swaprakashanandaji.

(Swaprakashananda Garu of Anakapalli)

He was a true Upasaka of Dattatreya. He hated ostentation in the most vehement terms and was quite rude when his disciples crossed their limits.

"Dattuduni taluchuko ra Ramaaa!"(Think of Datta, Ram!)

Still rings in my ears as a mellifluous tune reminding me of the ephemeral nature of this world.

His precepts were simple.

1. Secrecy--Maintain secrecy in your spiritual dealings. I run this and the other group(Rajarajeshwari Kalpataru) but meet very rarely any group member.

2. Serve--Both deity and the devotee(not to forget one's deshika).

3. Smarana--Of the nama of the Lord.

4. Satsangha--Conversing with spiritually minded folks.

5. Sadachara--Good behavior.

6. Shravana--Hearing the stories of Lord Dattatreya.

Of these the last is very important, he used to say.

Why? Most of the people in Kaliyuga(why most almost 100%) are blabbermouths beause of their inherent ego. They either think they are great or think others are inferior.Both ways ego predominates their flush of thinking.So the first one is difficult.Even if a person shows just agarbatthi to the lord he proudly says "Iam just showing agarbatthi thats all I dont read any Gurucharitra or do any japa." This is a show-off of his/her simplicity. Why even say this? Better to keep quiet. But alas, the toungue wags...

Serving,smarana,satsangha and sadachara are equally difficult, then what is the marga for us when we are in super-kaliyuga with declining morals?

I asked the enlightened Guru of Anakapalli(Swaprakashananda Garu)

 

"Akharina cheppindhi marachipoku. Shravanamuraa dattu!(dattu was my pet name). Guru Charitralo unna kathalu vinu. Dattudu prasannam avuthaadu. Nuvvu daanni chadavakkarledhu, vinte chaalu. Nuvvu nijaayithigaa undu. Evvarru ninnu kopaginchinaa paravaaledhu...khere jhaat!!(that was his expression--for-' give a damn!').

Nee vaipu Sriguru unte' chaalu. Emi Arthamyyindhaa?"

(What I told you in the end ie., Shravana, dont forget. Listen to the stories of Guru Charitra, that is enough, you dont even need to read it. Lord Dattatreya becomes most happy with that. And you be honest in your dealings with everyone even if they get angry with you. Give a damn to this worldly people. When you have Sriguru on your side, it should suffice. Do you get me?)

I nodded my head and pestered my father to buy one Gurucharitra for me but unfortunately the telugu was hig-level for me for that small age. But with great difficulty I used to read one chapter per day(Iam talking of my days in 3rd standard) and ask every small word I did not understand my father for clarifications.He used to be patient and explain things to me beyond Gurucharittra too sometimes quoting from books like Dharmasindhu and Munibhavabodhini. I used to listen to Him in awe and wished I were born in that period.

Dattatreya marga is a yoga marga, Mr. R. It is not just something to do with bhajans and eating tasty prasadam! Yes, Bhajans bolster one's faith but one must delve deep into the ocean of yoga with the support of the chord called Datta-bhakthi.

Then Vasanakshayam happens(The elimination of sinful tendencies) and which leads to antar-chitta-shuddhi(Purity inside).

"Trikarana Shuddhi lenidhi e' pani cheyyakoodadhani shaastraalu ghoshithunnaayi"(Without purity of three kinds one should never do anything as promulgated by shaastras).

These days many people read stories of Avadhuthas like Shirdi Sai Baba and think that they know it all and laugh at pious people who follow shastras laying claim to the wisdom of Baba.

 

Baba did everything as per the Shastras, which surprises many when I say that.Though of a Fakiri lineage He is the greatest Yogi samraat of our times.He Himself used to encourage people to follow shastras.And even said to Sri Das Gunaji that what is said in Shastras are not stories but that they were true.

This being so the tendency of the people is to 'throw the baby out with the bath water'.

Essence is lost and spirituality is suited to their convinience. You might be surprised why I talk like this when sometimes I give an opinion that Iam a libertine when it comes to the topic of shaastraas.

 

Shaastras are like the weight placed on the papers when the papers fly according to the frailities of the wind. Mind is ever-fragile and wavering than the wind and Shaastras give the necessary discipline.

Shaastras have some drawbacks though as the practicality of it being implemented in Kaliyuga diminishes to a great extent. You see pollution all around you. Air,water,minds,spirituality,politics...everything is polluted.

So what is the solution?---Shravana--Shravana(or pathana -reading) of Sri Guru Charitra. Sri Guru Charitra will yield results when considered as a living entity and embodiment of Sri Guru Himself.

 

(To be continued...)

Yours yogically,

Shreeram Balijepalli

(para_anuloma Group Owner)

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Shree Ram GaaruJaya Guru Deva DattaMy heartfelt congratulations on running a great group in . A group without spam, a group of holy thoughts, a group where Datta devotees are interacting with each other.I had been a member of of different nature (from HR to Investments). The communications in any of these groups were not as interesting, as exciting and as blissful as the postings in the Smarthrugaami-Dattavaibhavam. As you have rightly pointed out, even the name chosen is so significant.I had the opportunity of reading Guru Charithra (of Pithapuram Samsthanam), Sri Shirdi Sai Charithra (published by Shirdi Sai Samsthan and the one written by Sri Ekkiraala Bharadwaj), Sri Paada Shree Vallabha Charithra (Pithapuram Samsthanam) and the life story of Sri Ganapathi Sacchidananda Swami (of Mysore). When you spoke about reading and listening to Guru Charithra repeatedly, to get the blessings of Lord Datta, certain

questions arose in my mind:1. Many of the rituals mentioned in Guru Charithra cannot be practised nowadays, though they are very scientific. Even to explain certain things to my children becomes difficult, as it is embodied in the Guru Charithra. 2. When the mind is disturbed, and when circumstances around the devotee do not permit the focussed reading of Guru Charithra, then what he or she should do?3.I certainly believe that the reading of Guru Charithra cleanses the mind, if not dramatically, slowly (but to some sadhakaas it may happen very fast) and as you mentioned in your musings the "thrikarana shuddhi" dawns upon the person. But again if the circumstances change and he/she goes back to the old state of mind, what should one do? In kali yuga, the forces (favourable and unfavourable and distracting) are many. Some individuals are burdened with many problems - domestic (health, disharmony), financial and career-related. Such persons feel lack of

achievement in life and if this state continues for long, they become bitter to the people around and either they go into a depressed state of mind or isolate themselves. I have practically come across some people, in spite of reading many holy books, doing paraayanas, japa of namaas (Vishnu, Lalitha sahasranaamas), chanting stothras like Rama Raksha manthra for 41 days or more, are yet to get any respite to their problems. The question arises whether, their life is designed that way, no prayer will change the circumstances of their lives. The proportion of such people is slowly increasing. Blessed are those, who have problems in one or two dimensions and can rebounce faster. Lord Datta has to bestow his benevolence (even one millionth part) on such devotees as well. If by Datta's grace there are positive events in such families, the amount of joy and the amount of gratitude shown to Datta would be immeasurable. It so happens, that the rich man gets richer and the

poor man becomes poorer. From the view point of a devotee, a poor man should also get rid of his problems, atleast to some extent, and now and then he should feel the grace of the Lord, so that the faith is revived and he sings and prays. Of course, Shirdi Sai, had clearly mentioned that he would first redress the material desires of his devotees, then he would elevate them spiritually.Just wanted to share with you, some of the thoughts that were welling up within me. I am very happy that I am a member of this Group and would like to say millions of thanks for running this Group.Where currently Sri Swaprakashanandaji is staying? Yes, you are really lucky to be his off-spring and at the same time get spiritual guidance.With regardss.sridharnitk., surathkalpara_anuloma <para_anuloma wrote: Dear R, Jayagurudeva Datta!Shree Gurudeva Datta! Last night was spent in some animated conversations with my friend in Dallas regarding the significance of Sri Guru Charitra.Though my soul has been worshipping Srividya Devi, I have found significant spirituality and spent my young days in the glory of Dattatreya and in the lap of Sri Swaprakashanandaji. (Swaprakashananda Garu of Anakapalli) He was a true Upasaka of Dattatreya. He hated

ostentation in the most vehement terms and was quite rude when his disciples crossed their limits. "Dattuduni taluchuko ra Ramaaa!"(Think of Datta, Ram!) Still rings in my ears as a mellifluous tune reminding me of the ephemeral nature of this world. His precepts were simple. 1. Secrecy--Maintain secrecy in your spiritual dealings. I run this and the other group(Rajarajeshwari Kalpataru) but meet very rarely any group member. 2. Serve--Both deity and the devotee(not to forget one's deshika). 3. Smarana--Of the nama of the Lord. 4. Satsangha--Conversing with spiritually minded folks. 5. Sadachara--Good behavior. 6. Shravana--Hearing the stories of Lord Dattatreya. Of these the last is very important, he used to say. Why? Most of the people in Kaliyuga(why most almost 100%) are blabbermouths beause of their inherent ego. They either think

they are great or think others are inferior.Both ways ego predominates their flush of thinking.So the first one is difficult.Even if a person shows just agarbatthi to the lord he proudly says "Iam just showing agarbatthi thats all I dont read any Gurucharitra or do any japa." This is a show-off of his/her simplicity. Why even say this? Better to keep quiet. But alas, the toungue wags... Serving,smarana,satsangha and sadachara are equally difficult, then what is the marga for us when we are in super-kaliyuga with declining morals? I asked the enlightened Guru of Anakapalli(Swaprakashananda Garu) "Akharina cheppindhi marachipoku. Shravanamuraa dattu!(dattu was my pet name). Guru Charitralo unna kathalu vinu. Dattudu prasannam avuthaadu. Nuvvu daanni chadavakkarledhu, vinte chaalu. Nuvvu nijaayithigaa undu. Evvarru ninnu kopaginchinaa paravaaledhu...khere

jhaat!!(that was his expression--for-' give a damn!'). Nee vaipu Sriguru unte' chaalu. Emi Arthamyyindhaa?" (What I told you in the end ie., Shravana, dont forget. Listen to the stories of Guru Charitra, that is enough, you dont even need to read it. Lord Dattatreya becomes most happy with that. And you be honest in your dealings with everyone even if they get angry with you. Give a damn to this worldly people. When you have Sriguru on your side, it should suffice. Do you get me?) I nodded my head and pestered my father to buy one Gurucharitra for me but unfortunately the telugu was hig-level for me for that small age. But with great difficulty I used to read one chapter per day(Iam talking of my days in 3rd standard) and ask every small word I did not understand my father for clarifications.He used to be patient and explain things to me beyond Gurucharittra too sometimes quoting from books like Dharmasindhu and

Munibhavabodhini. I used to listen to Him in awe and wished I were born in that period. Dattatreya marga is a yoga marga, Mr. R. It is not just something to do with bhajans and eating tasty prasadam! Yes, Bhajans bolster one's faith but one must delve deep into the ocean of yoga with the support of the chord called Datta-bhakthi. Then Vasanakshayam happens(The elimination of sinful tendencies) and which leads to antar-chitta-shuddhi(Purity inside). "Trikarana Shuddhi lenidhi e' pani cheyyakoodadhani shaastraalu ghoshithunnaayi"(Without purity of three kinds one should never do anything as promulgated by shaastras). These days many people read stories of Avadhuthas like Shirdi Sai Baba and think that they know it all and laugh at pious people who follow shastras laying claim to the wisdom of Baba. Baba did everything as per the Shastras, which surprises many when I say that.Though of a Fakiri lineage He is the greatest Yogi samraat of our times.He Himself used to encourage people to follow shastras.And even said to Sri Das Gunaji that what is said in Shastras are not stories but that they were true. This being so the tendency of the people is to 'throw the baby out with the bath water'. Essence is lost and spirituality is suited to their convinience. You might be surprised why I talk like this when sometimes I give an opinion that Iam a libertine when it comes to the topic of shaastraas. Shaastras are like the weight placed on the papers when the papers fly according to the frailities of the wind. Mind is ever-fragile and wavering than the wind and Shaastras give the necessary discipline. Shaastras have

some drawbacks though as the practicality of it being implemented in Kaliyuga diminishes to a great extent. You see pollution all around you. Air,water,minds,spirituality,politics...everything is polluted. So what is the solution?---Shravana--Shravana(or pathana -reading) of Sri Guru Charitra. Sri Guru Charitra will yield results when considered as a living entity and embodiment of Sri Guru Himself. (To be continued...) Yours yogically, Shreeram Balijepalli (para_anuloma (AT) (DOT) ca Group Owner)

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