S h r e e   G u r u   C h a r i t r a - Chapter No : 42

Lord Vishwanath's grace on Twasta

Siddhamuni continues the narrative as under.

The Avdhut instructs the young celibate about the Kashi Yatra Vidhi - i) The Griha Yatra, ii) Dakshina Manasa Yatra, iii) Uttara Manasa and finally the Pancha-Krosa Yatra.

Early in the morning, after taking the bath in the Ganges, one should first offer worship Dhundi Raja and then offer his worship to Lord Vsihweswara. Ganga Snana confers the same merit which 'Dhyana' (meditation) did in the Krita Yuga, Tapas or penance in the Treta Yuga, yagnyas and yagas in Dwapara Yuga. In the Kali Yuga, Ganga Snana is the most meritorious rite and endows one with the Moksha Saamrajya (sovereignty / freedom of the spirit). As soon as one rises from bed, if he just thinks of Ganges three times, he will be purified of all sins. There is no easier saving path in the Kali agethan bath in the Holy Ganges.

Kashi is called as Avimukta Kshetra, Ananda Kaanana, Mahasmasana, Rudrageha etc., every bit, every inch of it most holy for 5 Krosas around Kashi. Within the sacred precincts of this 5-Krosa area, abide many sacred Lingas, Teerthas etc. Therefore whoever does this Pancha Krosa Yatra, will have had Darshan and will have done Pradakshinas of so many holy Lingas and sacred centres, and the merit which endows is limitless indeed.

Lord Vishweswara has conferred special merit on Manikarnika. It is as meritorious and sacred as the Vishwanatha Temple itself. One has to take bath in the Chakra Pushkarini, then perform oblations to Devas and Pitrus and offer charity /charities to Brahmins. Thereby, all his ancestors are redeemed and they attain Akshaya Punya Lokas (Eternal Life in Heavens / Divine Realms).

Everyday one has to do the Antargriha Yatra, and then the Dakshina and Uttara Manasa Yatras. One has to bathe in Jnanavapi and worship Sringara Gowri. On Tuesdays and Sundays especially, Bhairava has to be worshipped, which will endow great merit. On Ashtami, Navami and Purnima days, Mother Annapurna has to be worshipped. It will endow all good and auspiciousness. Vishnumurti, Dhundi Raju,Bindu Madhava are also to be worshiped. During the Sukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, everyday, in the prescribed way, all will have to bathe in the particular Teertha and worship the particular Lingas, doing the Abhisheka. One should stay as many days as possible in Kashi, and in his own name enshrine one Shiva Linga there. By doing this, and offering worship and Abhisheka to Lord Vishweshwara, one should get 'Sakshatkara' the direct vision of Lord..."

Thus the Avadhuta instructed the young lad, and disappeared.

Twasta realised that it was none else but the Guru of Gurus, the Adi Guru, Lord Vishweshwara Himself that had come in the form of the Avadhuta to help him.

Twasta devoutly followed all the instructions of the Avadhuta and took Darshan of all the shrines and performing all the Vidhis (religious ceremonies) Lord Vishweswara was very much pleased with the devotion of the boy, appeared before him and asked him to seek a boon. The Brahmachari prayed, that he blessed with the tasks set by his Guru and the Guru's family members and that thereby, he would be able to please them all. The Lord blessed him and granted him all the boons and asked him to return to his Guru's place. Twasta was able to fulfill all the tasks set for him, with Lord Vishweswara's grace and blessings. The Guru, his wife and children were pleased beyond all measure with the boy. The Guru imparted to Twasta all scriptural knowledge and spiritual wisdom. And Twasta became perfect in knowledge and an enlightened being. He became Vishwakarma, Master of all the arts and skills, and came to be know as Twasta Brahma. The GuruBhakti Mahima was thus related by Lord Shiva to Parvati, said Sri Narasimha Saraswati to Sayamdeo.

Sayamdeo thanked Guru Nath for enlightening him on GuruBhakti Mahima and started extolling him again "Oh Guru Nath! you are Lord Dattatreya, the Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara unified in one. You were the originator of the Vedas. Whenever Dharma starts declining, you incarnate in the world to destroy the wicked and to protect the good, and to resusciate dharma and to re-establish it again on earth. You were the ordainer of the Varnasrama Dharma for the upkeep of the giver of all auspiciousness and you are an ocean of mercy. You are always seated under the Aumdumber Tree, ever ready to receive your devotees and to offer them your divine and loving protection at all times. You are Bhaktavatsala. Lord! you are the Tree, I am the creeper nestling around you; you are the Kalpavrisha come on earth. Your mere Darshan is enough to destroy the accumulated store of sins of all our former lives; you are fulfiller of the four Purusharthas of life. Please permit me to stay at your Lotus feet, and bless me that I shall never be seperated from You".

Sri Narasimha Saraswati said that he (Sayamdeo) could bring his family and stay at Gangapur.

Sayamdeo had four sons, the eldest was Nagnath who became the most ardent devotee of Gurunath. He became very dear to Guru Nath and he was loved by him very much.
One day Guru Nath asked Sayamdeo to perform Ananta Padmanabha Vrata as it happened to be Anant Padmanabha Chaturdashi Day. Sayamdeo said the Guru Nath himself was his Lord Ananta and he would worship Guru Nath only. Guru Nath said that Ananta Padmanabha Vrata had very great significance and that by performing it, Kaundinya earned great merit and attained an eternal abode in the Starry Heavens. Sayamdeo requested Guru Nath to tell him how Kaundinya happened to perform the Vrata.
Thus ends the Forty second chapter of Sri Guru Charitra describing the "Kashi Yatra".

Glory to the All merciful, the Omnipresent and the ever responsive Guru Nath!

 
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