(Translation)

(245 & 246) As the sinful 'Prarabhda' gets destroyed, stains of sin no more remain in mind. His soul illuminates like a lamp within his body. The Guru becomes the universe for him and (he feels) that the world has evolved from him . He experiences the Guru everywhere in the Maya (illusion) afflicted world.

(247) A pure devotee moves in the spiritual path in a blissful state of mind. With a feeling of dispassion, he treads along (in life) single mindedly .

Subtle hints(indications) from Guru

(248 & 249) Relationship between the Guru and the disciple gets established due to relationship of the past lives. The stream of consciousness of both is tied up in a single thread. When afar from the Guru, he continues to remember the Guru . The mind of such a devotee is ever engrossed in Guru (in his image).

(250 & 251) He sees Guru (both) in gross and subtle forms . Fulfillment of the wishes of Guru becomes the very meaning of his life (existence) . The good devotee, at the first stage (of spiritual practice) receives the instructions of Guru through dreams, indications or meditation and complies with the instructions.

**********

1

(Original Language)

Aadya Praarthanaa

(1)Shri Jagannaathanku sumari || Guru charana mane dhari

Lekhe Shri Guru Bhaagabata || Shri Gurunka dibya charita

(2)Bighnanaashaka Ganapati || Poojai taanku nitiprati

Praarthanaa kare baarambaara || Sakala baadhaa kara doora

(3) Maage hey prabhu Lingaraaja || Hruda kandare mo biraaja

Daake hey Aakhandalamani || Pabitrakara mo karani

(4) Shri Lokanaatha peetha puree || Parshuraama mahendragiri

Ksheera choraa Shri Gopeenaatha || Saakshee Gopaala jaae nitya

(5) Bhetichhi Baata Mangalaanku || Shrimandire Shri Bimalaanku

Kari Jaagulaai darshana || Pulakita hoichhi mana

(6) Aadishakti jaajapurare || Birajaanka payara dhare

Ghatagaan Taarineenku dhyaaye || Taaraataarineenku jagaae

(7)Dhyaanakare Samaleshwaree || Mahaadurgaa Shri Maaheshwaree

Dibya shakti kara sanchaara || Shudha bhaabanaa manebhara

(8) Shri Bhadra Kaalee bhadra kare || Shri Ambikaa baaripadaare

Kalaahaandi Maanikeshwaree || Bhanja kshetre keecha Keshwaree

(Translation)

Introductory Prayer

(1 & 2)Mentally invoking Lord Jagannath and holding on to the feet of Shri Guru, I write Shri Guru Bhagavat, which narrates the divine personality of the Guru. I always worship Lord Ganapati, the remover of all obstacles. I pray repeatedly to Him to remove all the hindrances (from the path of my writing Shri Guru Bhagavat).

(3 & 4)I beseech Lord Lingaraj to be seated in the inner most recess of my heart. I pray to Akhandalmani (a form of Lord Shiva) to sanctify my endeavors (actions). I have visited the holy temples of Shri Loknath at Puri, Parashuram of Mahendragiri and Shri Khirichora Gopinath (Lord Krishna) and Sakhigopal (at Puri)

(5 & 6)I have visited Bata Mangala (the Goddess on way to Jagannath Dhaam, Puri) and Shri Vimla (Goddess) in the precints of Lord Jagannath temple. I felt exulted while paying respect to Goddess Jagulai. I have touched the feet of Viraja, the Primordial energy form of the Universe at Jajpur. I meditate on Shri Tarini of Ghatgaon and I invoke Goddess Tara-Tarini.

(7 & 8)I meditate on Sambaleshwari (Goddess at Sambalpur) and Maha Durga Shri Maheshwari (Goddess) to awaken spiritual energy in me and fill my mind with pure thoughts. I have visited Shri Bhadrakali at Bhadrakh, Shri Ambika at Baripada, Shri Manikeshwari at Kalahandi and Shri Kichakeshwari in the land of the Bhanja Kings (Mayurbhanj).

2

(Original Language)

(9)

Shaaralaa Jhankadabaasinee || Chandee kataka nibaasinee

Sabu maataanka peethe jaai || Aasichhi pranati janaai

(10)

Jeebane karichhi bhramana || Aneka dibya peetha sthaana

Se sabu kshetrara maahaatmya || Shrabane jaagai aadhyaatma

(11)

Sabu peethara ishta deba || Hindu dharamara gauraba

Kichhi peetha ishtanka naama || Lekhuchhi kari mu pranaama

(12)

Himaalaye badrikaa dhaama || Jyotirpeetha ati mahaana

Jaaichhi anya tinisthaane || Dwaarakaa, kaanchee pureedhaame

(13)

Aadirooshinka dibya sthaana || Dekhichhhi mun Naimishaarnya

Mukhe dhari Shri Raama naama || Dekhichhi chitrkoota bana

(14)

Shri Raama naama mukhe dhari || Dekhili ajodhyaa nagaree

Banaarasa O kaashee dhaame || Shibapoojaa karichhi preme

(15)

Poojichhi kerala raajyare || Padmanaabha Bishnu peethare

Saabarimalaanka poojana || Meenaakshi debeenka darshana

(16)

Ishta-santha-kshetraku dhyaayee || Gurunku pranaama janaai

Daake mo kuladebataanku || Nrusingha roope Shri Bishnunku

3

(Translation)

(9 & 10)Visiting the holy places of Shri Sharla of Jhankada and Shri Chandi of Cuttack, I have offered my prayers. I have gone on pilgrimage to many holy places, so far in my life. When one merely listens about the greatness of these holy places, he becomes spiritually awakened (as is the belief).(All Gods and Goddess mentioned upto the ninth couplet are significant holy places of Odisha)

(11 & 12)The crown jewels of Hinduism reside at these holy places. Having paid obeisance at their feet, I write on some of the holy places in particular. I have visited places such as Badrika Dhaam and the famous Jyotir Peetha of the Himalayas. I have also visited three other Jyotir Peethas situated at Dwarka, Kanchi and Puri.

(13 & 14)I have seen Naimisharanya (a forest in North India), a holy place which used to be inhabited by ancient Indian Saints. Chanting the name of Shri Ram, I visited Chitrakoot and the city of Ayodhya. I have ardently worshipped Lord Shiva at the holy sites of Banaras and Kashi.

(15 & 16)I have worshipped Shri Padmanabha at the holy shrine of Lord Vishnu (at Kerala). I have also worshipped Sabrimala (son of Lord Shiva) and have seen Meenakshi Devi (Goddess at Madurai). Remembering all the Deities, Saints and Holy places and after prostrating at the feet of my Guru, I render prayers to Shri Vishnu in the form of Narasimha (incarnation), who happens to be my family Deity.

4

(Original Language)

(17) Kataka nagare mo janma || Batsa sa gotrare utpanna

Gokula Chandra pitranaama || Harashamani maataa mama

(18) Sheshare Shri Gurunku daaki || Naaraayananku rakhi saakshee

Lekhili 'Guru Bhaagabata' || Krupaakara hey Jagannaatha

Shri Guru CharitraSadaguru Mahima

(1) Guru Charitra krupaamaya || Guru Swarupa vishbamaya Gurunka bhaaba gunaateeta || Gurunka karma kaalaateeta

(2)Gurunka karma swaarthaheena || Gurunka aagyaa

dwandwaheenaGurunka gati swabhaabika || Gurunka baanee punyaatmaka

(3)Bhaktara paain krupaaghana || Kashtaru karanti taarana

Guru je gyaanara aadhaara || Guru sarba granthara saara

(4)Sarba roope Guru samartha || Kaatibaaku bhaktara paapa

Sabhien jadi chhaadi jibe || Guru hin saathire rahibe

(5) Gherile jagata janjaala || Mana hoithaae chanchala Bhakta hue adheera ati || Bhuli Gurunkara shakati

(6)Jeebane sankatare kshane || Thaae se Gurunka sharane

Mane thile drudha bishwaasa || Labhe Gurunka krupaashisha

5

(Translation)

(17 & 18)I was born in the city of Cuttack (in Odisha) in 'Bachhasa' Gotra. My father's name is (Shri) Gokul Chandra and (Smt.) Harshamani is my mother's name. At the end, invoking Shri Guru and keeping Shri Narayan (the Lord) as witness, I have written 'Shri Guru Bhagavat'. I pray Lord Jagannath to bless me (for the completion of this work).

The (Divine) Personality of SadguruThe greatness of Sadguru

(1 & 2)The most important attribute of Guru is His compassion. His true self pervades the entire Universe. His emotions are above & beyond the Gunas (the attributes of Sattwa, Raja & Tama). His activities are beyond the limits of time. His (divine) activities are selfless. His instructions are without any contradiction. His movements are spontaneous. His words are sacrosanct.

(3 & 4)He is the Cloud of Compassion for the devotees. He relieves them of all their miseries. He is the very basis of all knowledge. He is the essence of all scriptures. The all powerful Guru is capable of destroying the sins of the devotees. Even when (the devotee is) forsaken by everyone, only the Guru remains with him.

(5 & 6)When surrounded by worldly troubles (human) mind becomes restless. Oblivious of the powers of the Guru (at this stage) the devotee becomes restless. He, who takes shelter under the Guru with un-wavering faith in moments of crisis in life, receives the kind blessings of the Guru.

6

(Original Language)

(7)

Pathapradarshaka jeebane || Guru hin je saathi marane

Guru kaati praarabdha reena || Karaanti prabhunka darshana

Abadhoota Shri Sadaguru

(8)

Sadaguru jeebanamukta || Abadhoota praarabdhamukta

Thaai bi sansaara bhootale || Bhijanti naahin bhabajale

(9)

Prathama Guru Dattatreya || Dhaarana kale guna traya

Shri Dattatreya abadhoota || Brahmaa, Bishnu, Shiba milita

(10)

Jaahaabi heu baahya roopa || Antarmane sadaa nishpaapa

Dishile madhya bhayankara || Krupaamaya praana taankara

(11)

Shri Guru hele bi saguna || Karama taankara nirguna

Samasta karmara mulare || Karunaa thaae prachhannare

(12)

Jeeba je maayaara adheena || Maayaara urdhwe bhagabaana

Nara saathe prabhunka joga || Karaanti Guru mahaabhaaga

(13)

Pratyeka nara je jeebaatmaa || Shiba hin swaroope bishwaatmaa

E dui aatmaara sanjoga || Atai Abadhoota joga

(14)

Nitya, anityara bhitare || Rahanti Guru swarupare

Baahaare narara swabhaaba || Antare dhari Shiba bhaaba

7

(Translation)

(7)Guru is the path finder in life and is the only companion of the devotee at the time of death. The Guru neutralizes the debts of past lives (of the devotee) and leads him to God realization.

Avadhoot Shri Sadguru(8 & 9)

The Sadguru is beyond the cycles of life and death. In the Avadhoot state, He is free from the debts of the past lives. Even in their earthly existence, they don't get affected by the (mundane) waters of the world (worldly activities). Shri Dattatreya Avadhoot is the first Guru-manifesting in Him the combined attributes of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

(10 & 11)Whatever be their outward look, from within they are ever pure. Even when they look fearsome, they have a compassionate heart. Even when embodied in a human form, their activities are dispassionate. Hidden behind all their activities, is their compassion.

(12 & 13)A Jeeva (human being) is under the spell of Maya whereas God is beyond it. The Great Guru unites the Jeeva (human being) with God. Every human being is a Jeevatma (human soul). Shiva is actually the Vishwatma (the universal soul). The state of Avadhoot, implies union of the Jeevatma with the Shivatma.

(14)The Guru resides in a certain plane, which exists between the eternal Divine reality and the Relative existence (of the world). Externally, He manifests the features of a human being, while internally having the divine attributes of Shiva.

8

(Original Language)

Dibya Pathara Dwaarapaala

(15)

Dharaare koti koti bhakta || Poojaarchana karanti nitya Kete roopare aaraadhanaa || Aneka prakaara praarthanaa

(16)Janami bhinna bhinna sthaane || Laaganti je dharma paalane

Prabhunka krupaa maaguthaa'nti || Prabhu darshana

loduthaa'nti

(17) Aneka karanti saadhanaa || Joga, tantra baa upaasanaa

Karanti teerthara brhmana || Antare japi naarayana

(18) Gadhanti mandira baa matha || Lokakalyaana dharma peetha

Karanti poojaa, paaraayana || Naama-japa aau keerttana

(19)Padhanti dharma shaastra tattwa || Likhanti saankhya baa

niruktaKaranti je mantrochaarana || Saathire dharma prabachana

(20)Kete baa saadhu roopa dhari || Bhikshaa maaganti pathe ghuri

Aneka thaai gopanare || Laagithaa'nti saadhanaare

(21) E' maane sarbe dharmarata || Maatra na jaani dibya patha

Chaalithaanti dharmagalire || Pashibaaku raajapathare

(22)Prabhunka darashana paain || Se raajapathe jibaapaain

Asankhya koti naranaaree || Chaalichhanti je dhaadi maari

9

(Translation)

The divine sentinel in the Royal Path

(15 & 16)

Crores of people on earth daily worship and perform prayers. There are

various forms of worship and many types of prayers. Born at different

places they follow different religions. They always seek for the kindness

of God and yearn for God realization.

(17 & 18)

Many of them undertake spiritual practices like Yoga, Tantra and

Upasana (various forms of religious practices). They visit holy places,

reciting the name of Narayan from within. They build Temples, Shrines

and other Religious Institutions for the welfare of the people. They

undertake Worship, Parayan, Naam Jaap and also group recital of

hymns.

(19 & 20)

They gain knowledge in scriptural philosophy and the Sankhya and

Nirukta Schools of religious thought. They recite Mantras and perform

religious discourses. Attired in the garb of mendicants, some of them

roam about in the streets and beg. Some perform ritualistic practices in

secrecy.

(21 & 22)

All of them practice religion without any awareness of the real divine

path (that exists). They all tread along the lanes of religion, in order to

enter into the Rajpath (the grand road of spiritualism) which ultimately

leads to God. Thus, millions of men and women walk in queues to enter

into the path leading to God for self realization.

10