संत साहित्य · Guru Charitra · Chapters
Chapter 14 — Muslim King Favors Sayamdev
Literal. Sayamdev is summoned by his cruel Muslim master who is known to kill a Brahmin annually. He fears for his life. Shri Guru places his palm on Sayamdev's head and assures him: go fearlessly; he will receive you well. Sayamdev goes, mentally reciting Shri Guru's name. The king sees him, turns away, falls into a sound sleep, dreams of being beaten by a Brahmin, awakes, prostrates at Sayamdev's feet, gives him gifts, and sends him back. Sayamdev returns to Shri Guru. Shri Guru tells him to wait 15 years; they will meet again in his next phase of work.
Symbolic. Mental recitation of the teacher's name as protective protocol in the face of unbreakable adversarial pressure. The dream-rewrite is the chapter's mechanism: external behavior changes because internal state changes; the king's hostility is dissolved before he wakes, by a process that operates outside ordinary causation.
Structural. Annual Brahmin-killing as an established ritual cruelty (concrete historical practice, possibly Bahmani-period). 15 years until reunion. The king's transition: hostile → drowsy → dream-corrected → prostrate.
Verse by verse
श्रीगणेशाय नमः ॥ श्रीसरस्वत्यै नमः ॥ श्रीगुरुभ्यो नमः ॥
śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ || śrīsarasvatyai namaḥ || śrīgurubhyo namaḥ ||
Salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa. Salutations to Śrī Sarasvatī. Salutations to the Śrī Gurus.
The chapter opens with the traditional triple invocation — to Gaṇeśa (remover of obstacles), Sarasvatī (goddess of speech and learning), and the lineage of gurus — asking their blessing before the telling begins.
Begin any important undertaking by first acknowledging what makes it possible, rather than plunging straight into the doing.
नामधारक शिष्य देखा । विनवी सिद्धासी कवतुका । प्रश्न करी अतिविशेखा । एकचित्तें परियेसा ॥१॥
nāmadhāraka śiṣya dekhā | vinavī siddhāsī kavatukā | praśna karī ativiśekhā | ekacittem pariyesā ||1||
Behold the disciple Nāmadhāraka; he entreats Siddha with delight, asks a question with great eagerness — listen with one-pointed mind.
The narrative frame resumes: the eager disciple Nāmadhāraka (holder of the Name) questions his teacher Siddha with single-minded attention — the posture of a true listener.
When you seek to learn something important, set aside distraction and give it your whole attention.
जय जया योगीश्वरा । सिद्धमूर्ति ज्ञानसागरा । पुढील चरित्र विस्तारा । ज्ञान होय आम्हांसी ॥२॥
jaya jayā yogīśvarā | siddhamūrti jñānasāgarā | puḍhīla caritra vistārā | jñāna hoya āmhāmsī ||2||
Victory, victory to the lord of yogis, embodiment of realization, ocean of knowledge; expand the story that follows so that knowledge may come to us.
Nāmadhāraka praises his teacher as a boundless ocean of knowledge before asking for more of the story — praise precedes the request, gratitude before asking.
When you ask someone for their time or wisdom, open with genuine appreciation, not just the request.
उदरव्यथेच्या ब्राह्मणासी । प्रसन्न जाहले कृपेसीं । पुढें कथा वर्तली कैसी । विस्तारावें आम्हांप्रति ॥३॥
udaravyathecyā brāhmaṇāsī | prasanna jāhale kṛpesīm | puḍhem kathā vartalī kaisī | vistārāvem āmhāmprati ||3||
To the brāhmaṇa suffering from stomach pain, he became gracious in compassion; what happened in the story after that — please expand it for us.
Nāmadhāraka recalls the earlier episode of the brāhmaṇa healed of his ailment by Śrī Guru's grace, and asks what followed — the story continues thread by thread, each episode building on the last.
Follow a story or a task through to its next chapter rather than leaving loose threads unattended.
ऐकोनि शिष्याचें वचन । संतोष करी सिद्ध आपण । गुरुचरित्र कामधेनु जाण । सांगता जाहला विस्तारें ॥४॥
aikoni śiṣyācem vacana | samtoṣa karī siddha āpaṇa | gurucaritra kāmadhenu jāṇa | sāmgatā jāhalā vistārem ||4||
Hearing the disciple's words, Siddha himself became pleased; know the Gurucaritra as a wish-fulfilling cow — he began to tell it at length.
The teacher's joy at a sincere question is itself part of the teaching; the Gurucaritra (Guru's life-story) is likened to kāmadhenu, the wish-granting cow — it yields whatever the listener truly needs.
Take joy in answering someone who asks in earnest — their sincerity deserves a generous response.
ऐक शिष्या शिखामणि । भिक्षा केली ज्याचे भुवनीं । तयावरी संतोषोनि । प्रसन्न जाहले परियेसा ॥५॥
aika śiṣyā śikhāmaṇi | bhikṣā kelī jyāce bhuvanīm | tayāvarī samtoṣoni | prasanna jāhale pariyesā ||5||
Listen, crown-jewel of disciples: in whose house he took alms, being pleased with that man, he became gracious to him — listen.
Siddha begins the new episode: Śrī Guru, having accepted alms (bhikṣā) in a certain house, was pleased with his host and blessed him — even a simple meal offered with devotion draws grace.
Offer hospitality wholeheartedly; a small act of generosity, given sincerely, can matter more than you know.
गुरुभक्तीचा प्रकारु । पूर्ण जाणे तो द्विजवरु । पूजा केली विचित्रु । म्हणोनि आनंद परियेसा ॥६॥
gurubhaktīcā prakāru | pūrṇa jāṇe to dvijavaru | pūjā kelī vicitru | mhaṇoni ānamda pariyesā ||6||
That excellent brāhmaṇa knew fully the manner of devotion to the guru; he performed worship in a wondrous way — hence, know, there was great joy.
The host brāhmaṇa, Sāyamdev, understood true gurubhakti (devotion to the teacher) and worshipped with such care that Śrī Guru was delighted — devotion shows itself in the quality of one's care, not just its outward form.
Do not just go through the motions of respect — bring real attentiveness and care to how you honor those who guide you.
तया सायंदेव द्विजासी । श्रीगुरु बोलती संतोषीं । भक्त हो रे वंशोवंशीं । माझी प्रीति तुजवरी ॥७॥
tayā sāyamdeva dvijāsī | śrīguru bolatī samtoṣīm | bhakta ho re vamśovamśīm | mājhī prīti tujavarī ||7||
To that brāhmaṇa Sāyamdev, Śrī Guru spoke with pleasure: 'Be my devotee generation after generation; my love is upon you.'
Śrī Guru names the brāhmaṇa Sāyamdev and promises that his devotion, and the guru's love in return, will extend down the generations — grace given to one household becomes a lasting bond.
Value the relationships you build with mentors or elders as something to be carried forward and passed on, not just enjoyed in the moment.
ऐकोनि श्रीगुरुचें वचन । सायंदेव विप्र करी नमन । माथा ठेवून चरणीं । न्यासिता झाला पुनःपुन्हा ॥८॥
aikoni śrīgurucem vacana | sāyamdeva vipra karī namana | māthā ṭhevūna caraṇīm | nyāsitā jhālā punaḥpunhā ||8||
Hearing Śrī Guru's words, the brāhmaṇa Sāyamdev bowed; placing his head at his feet, he prostrated again and again.
Sāyamdev's response to being blessed is repeated praṇāma (prostration) — receiving grace calls forth humility, not pride.
When you are honored or given something valuable, let your first response be gratitude expressed humbly, not self-congratulation.
जय जया जगद्गुरु । त्रयमूर्तीचा अवतारू । अविद्यामाया दिससी नरु । वेदां अगोचर तुझी महिमा ॥९॥
jaya jayā jagadguru | trayamūrtīcā avatārū | avidyāmāyā disasī naru | vedām agocara tujhī mahimā ||9||
Victory, victory to the teacher of the world, incarnation of the three deities; through the illusion of ignorance you appear as a man, yet your glory is beyond the reach of the Vedas.
Sāyamdev's hymn of praise: Śrī Guru appears human only through māyā (the veil of illusion), but is in truth the incarnation of the divine triad — the ordinary form hides an extraordinary reality.
Look past the plain, ordinary appearance of the people who help you; their impact on your life can be far greater than how they look on the surface.
विश्वव्यापक तूंचि होसी । ब्रह्मा-विष्णु-व्योमकेशी । धरिला वेष तूं मानुषी । भक्तजन तारावया ॥१०॥
viśvavyāpaka tūmci hosī | brahmā-viṣṇu-vyomakeśī | dharilā veṣa tūm mānuṣī | bhaktajana tārāvayā ||10||
You alone pervade the universe — Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva of the matted hair; you have taken a human form to save your devotees.
The praise continues: the guru's human form is a deliberate descent for the sake of devotees, not a limitation — divinity puts on an accessible face so it can be reached.
Meet people where they are; make yourself approachable if you truly want to help them.
तुझी महिमा वर्णावयासी । शक्ति कैंची आम्हांसी । मागेन एक आतां तुम्हांसी । तें कृपा करणें गुरुमूर्ति ॥११॥
tujhī mahimā varṇāvayāsī | śakti kaimcī āmhāmsī | māgena eka ātām tumhāmsī | tem kṛpā karaṇem gurumūrti ||11||
Where is the power in us to describe your glory? I will now ask one thing of you; grant it in your grace, embodiment of the guru.
Sāyamdev admits his own words fall short of describing Śrī Guru's greatness, and instead asks for a boon — true praise gives way to a humble request.
Don't get stuck trying to find perfect words of gratitude; instead, ask plainly for what will truly help you and those you love.
माझे वंशपारंपरीं । भक्ति द्यावी निर्धारीं । इह सौख्य पुत्रपौत्रीं । उपरी द्यावी सद्गति ॥१२॥
mājhe vamśapāramparīm | bhakti dyāvī nirdhārīm | iha saukhya putrapautrīm | uparī dyāvī sadgati ||12||
Grant devotion, firmly, down through my family's generations; grant worldly happiness to my sons and grandsons, and beyond that, grant liberation.
Sāyamdev's request has three parts — enduring faith for his descendants, happiness in this life, and sadgati (a good final passage) after death — a complete prayer covering this world and the next.
When you plan for your family's future, think beyond material comfort to the values and faith you hope to pass on as well.
ऐसी विनंति करुनी । पुनरपि विनवी करुणावचनीं । सेवा करितो द्वारयवनीं । महाशूरक्रूर असे ॥१३॥
aisī vinamti karunī | punarapi vinavī karuṇāvacanīm | sevā karito dvārayavanīm | mahāśūrakrūra ase ||13||
Having made this request, he entreats again in words of sorrow: 'I serve at the court of a Muslim king who is exceedingly fierce and cruel.'
Sāyamdev now voices his real fear — his livelihood binds him to serve a violent ruler at the palace gate — showing that even a devotee's outer life is full of hard circumstance.
It is natural to bring your daily fears and difficult circumstances to those you trust; do not hide your real troubles out of false composure.
प्रतिसंवत्सरीं ब्राह्मणासी । घात करितो जीवेसीं । याचि कारणें आम्हांसी । बोलावीतसे मज आजि ॥१४॥
pratisamvatsarīm brāhmaṇāsī | ghāta karito jīvesīm | yāci kāraṇem āmhāmsī | bolāvītase maja āji ||14||
Every year he kills a brāhmaṇa; for this very reason he has summoned me today.
Sāyamdev explains the danger plainly: the king's yearly custom of killing a brāhmaṇa, and today it is his own turn to be summoned — the threat is immediate and personal.
Name your fear plainly to someone you trust rather than carrying it silently.
जातां तया जवळी आपण । निश्चयें घेईल माझा प्राण । भेटी जाहली तुमचे चरण । मरण कैंचें आपणासी ॥१५॥
jātām tayā javaḷī āpaṇa | niścayem gheīla mājhā prāṇa | bheṭī jāhalī tumace caraṇa | maraṇa kaimcem āpaṇāsī ||15||
If I go near him, he will surely take my life; but having met your feet, how can death come to me?
Sāyamdev voices both his terror and his trust in the same breath — having taken refuge at the guru's feet, he believes death itself is now powerless over him.
Let your trust in what you hold sacred steady you even while you are honestly afraid.
संतोषोनि श्रीगुरुमूर्ति । अभयंकर आपुले हातीं । विप्रमस्तकीं ठेविती । चिंता न करीं म्हणोनियां ॥१६॥
samtoṣoni śrīgurumūrti | abhayamkara āpule hātīm | vipramastakīm ṭhevitī | cimtā na karīm mhaṇoniyām ||16||
Pleased, Śrī Guru placed his hand, the giver of fearlessness, upon the brāhmaṇa's head, saying, 'Do not worry.'
Śrī Guru answers fear not with argument but with touch and reassurance — the hand of abhaya (fearlessness) placed on the head is itself the blessing.
When someone comes to you afraid, a steady, reassuring presence often does more good than any explanation.
भय सांडूनि तुवां जावें । क्रूर यवना भेटावें । संतोषोनि प्रियभावें । पुनरपि पाठवील आम्हांपाशीं ॥१७॥
bhaya sāmḍūni tuvām jāvem | krūra yavanā bheṭāvem | samtoṣoni priyabhāvem | punarapi pāṭhavīla āmhāmpāśīm ||17||
Cast off fear and go; meet the cruel king. With affection and pleasure, he will send you back to us again.
Śrī Guru instructs Sāyamdev not to avoid the danger but to walk into it without fear, promising the outcome will in fact be good — courage grounded in faith, not avoidance, is the path forward.
Face the difficult meeting or task you are dreading directly, trusting that preparation and right intent will carry you through.
जंववरी तूं परतोनि येसी । असों आम्ही भरंवसीं । तुवां आलिया संतोषीं । जाऊं आम्ही येथोनि ॥१८॥
jamvavarī tūm paratoni yesī | asom āmhī bharamvasīm | tuvām āliyā samtoṣīm | jāūm āmhī yethoni ||18||
Until you return, we will remain here in assurance; once you come back rejoicing, we will leave this place.
Śrī Guru promises to wait for Sāyamdev's safe return before moving on — a guru's word of presence is itself a form of protection.
When someone you care for faces a difficult task, tell them plainly that you will be there when they return — that promise itself gives courage.
निजभक्त आमुचा तूं होसी । पारंपर-वंशोवंशीं । अखिलाभीष्ट तूं पावसी । वाढेल संतति तुझी बहुत ॥१९॥
nijabhakta āmucā tūm hosī | pārampara-vamśovamśīm | akhilābhīṣṭa tūm pāvasī | vāḍhela samtati tujhī bahuta ||19||
You are our true devotee, generation after generation; you shall obtain all you desire, and your progeny will multiply greatly.
The blessing widens from protection to lasting prosperity and lineage — grace, once given, is not a single rescue but an ongoing relationship.
When you help someone in a moment of crisis, let your care extend beyond that single moment into an ongoing relationship.
तुझे वंशपारंपरीं । सुखें नांदती पुत्रपौत्रीं । अखंड लक्ष्मी तयां घरीं । निरोगी होती शतायुषी ॥२०॥
tujhe vamśapāramparīm | sukhem nāmdatī putrapautrīm | akhamḍa lakṣmī tayām gharīm | nirogī hotī śatāyuṣī ||20||
In your family line, sons and grandsons will live happily; unbroken prosperity will be in their homes, and they will be healthy and live a hundred years.
The blessing is spelled out concretely — happiness, wealth, health, and long life for the family — showing how thoroughly Śrī Guru's grace answers Sāyamdev's earlier three-part prayer.
Wish for those you love not just a single good outcome but sustained wellbeing across health, security, and happiness.
ऐसा वर लाधोन । निघे सायंदेव ब्राह्मण । जेथें होता तो यवन । गेला त्वरित तयाजवळी ॥२१॥
aisā vara lādhona | nighe sāyamdeva brāhmaṇa | jethem hotā to yavana | gelā tvarita tayājavaḷī ||21||
Having received such a boon, the brāhmaṇa Sāyamdev set out; he went quickly to where the king was.
Fortified by the blessing, Sāyamdev now acts — faith is completed by the willingness to walk into the very danger one feared.
Once you have gathered your courage and support, don't delay — go do the hard thing.
कालांतक यम जैसा । यवन दुष्ट परियेसा । ब्राह्मणातें पाहतां कैसा । ज्वालारुप होता जाहला ॥२२॥
kālāmtaka yama jaisā | yavana duṣṭa pariyesā | brāhmaṇātem pāhatām kaisā | jvālārupa hotā jāhalā ||22||
Like Yama, the ender of time, so was that wicked king; on seeing the brāhmaṇa, he turned into a form of blazing fire.
The king's fury is described as literal flame — the story dramatizes just how mortal the danger truly was before showing how it is overcome.
Do not underestimate real danger or hostility you face; take it seriously even as you move through it with courage.
विमुख होऊनि गृहांत । गेला यवन कोपत । विप्र जाहला भयचकित । मनीं श्रीगुरुसी ध्यातसे ॥२३॥।
vimukha hoūni gṛhāmta | gelā yavana kopata | vipra jāhalā bhayacakita | manīm śrīgurusī dhyātase ||23|||
Turning away, the king went into his house in anger; the brāhmaṇa, terrified, kept Śrī Guru in his mind.
Even as the danger continues, Sāyamdev's response is inward remembrance of his guru — dhyāna (meditative recollection) becomes the anchor amid fear.
In a frightening moment, return your mind to whatever steadies you rather than letting panic take over.
कोप आलिया ओळंबयासी । केवीं स्पर्शे अग्नीसी । श्रीगुरुकृपा होय ज्यासी । काय करील क्रूर दुष्ट ॥२४॥
kopa āliyā oḷambayāsī | kevīm sparśe agnīsī | śrīgurukṛpā hoya jyāsī | kāya karīla krūra duṣṭa ||24||
When anger comes upon a lit wick, how can fire touch it? One who has Śrī Guru's grace — what can a cruel wicked man do to him?
A vivid image — a wick already alight cannot be burned by outside fire — illustrates that one already held in the guru's grace is beyond the reach of another's cruelty.
Draw on whatever inner steadiness you already carry; it can protect you even when the threat outside is real.
गरुडाचिया पिलियांसी । सर्प तो कवणेपरी ग्रासी । तैसें तया ब्राह्मणासी । असे कृपा श्रीगुरुची ॥२५॥
garuḍāciyā piliyāmsī | sarpa to kavaṇeparī grāsī | taisem tayā brāhmaṇāsī | ase kṛpā śrīgurucī ||25||
How can a serpent swallow the young of Garuḍa? Such was the grace of Śrī Guru upon that brāhmaṇa.
A second image reinforces the first — Garuḍa's chicks are safe from serpents by birthright; likewise Sāyamdev, protected by the guru's grace, is beyond harm.
Trust that the protection you have earned through right relationships and right conduct is real, even when the danger looks large.
कां एखादे सिंहासी । ऐरावत केवीं ग्रासी । श्रीगुरुकृपा होय ज्यासी । कलिकाळाचें भय नाहीं ॥२६॥
kām ekhāde simhāsī | airāvata kevīm grāsī | śrīgurukṛpā hoya jyāsī | kalikāḷācem bhaya nāhīm ||26||
Or how can an elephant swallow a lion? One who has Śrī Guru's grace has no fear even of the age of Kali.
A third image drives the point home — the smaller creature cannot devour the greater; grace makes even the darkest age (kaliyuga) powerless against the devotee.
Let a well-grounded faith give you confidence to face even the worst circumstances of your times.
ज्याचे ह्रुदयीं श्रीगुरुस्मरण । त्यासी कैंचें भय दारुण । काळमृत्यु न बाधे जाण । अपमृत्यु काय करी ॥२७॥
jyāce hrudayīm śrīgurusmaraṇa | tyāsī kaimcem bhaya dāruṇa | kāḷamṛtyu na bādhe jāṇa | apamṛtyu kāya karī ||27||
One who holds remembrance of Śrī Guru in his heart — what terrible fear can touch him? Timely death does not afflict him; what can untimely death do?
The claim is generalized: it is the constant inner remembrance (smaraṇa) of the guru, not any external circumstance, that removes fear of death itself.
Build a daily habit of remembering what steadies you, so that fear has less room to take root.
ज्यासि नाहीं मृत्यूचें भय । त्यासी यवन असे तो काय । श्रीगुरुकृपा ज्यासी होय । यमाचें मुख्य भय नाहीं ॥२८॥
jyāsi nāhīm mṛtyūcem bhaya | tyāsī yavana ase to kāya | śrīgurukṛpā jyāsī hoya | yamācem mukhya bhaya nāhīm ||28||
One who has no fear of death — what is a king to him? One who has Śrī Guru's grace has no great fear even of Yama.
The teaching narrows to its core point before the scene resumes: grace dissolves the deepest fear, of death itself, and lesser fears fall away with it.
Work on your biggest underlying fear first; smaller worries often shrink once that one is addressed.
ऐसेपरी तो यवन । अंतःपुरांत जाऊन । सुषुप्ति केली भ्रमित होऊन । शरीरस्मरण त्यासी नाहीं ॥२९॥
aiseparī to yavana | amtaḥpurāmta jāūna | suṣupti kelī bhramita hoūna | śarīrasmaraṇa tyāsī nāhīm ||29||
Meanwhile the king went into his inner chamber and fell into a deep, disturbed sleep, losing all awareness of his body.
The story returns to the king, who collapses into a troubled sleep and loses bodily awareness — a sign that forces beyond his control are already at work.
Notice when events start moving beyond anyone's control; that is often the moment for patience rather than more effort.
ह्रुदयज्वाळा होय त्यासी । जागृत होवोनि परियेसीं । प्राणांतक व्यथेसीं । कष्टतसे तये वेळीं ॥३०॥
hrudayajvāḷā hoya tyāsī | jāgṛta hovoni pariyesīm | prāṇāmtaka vyathesīm | kaṣṭatase taye veḷīm ||30||
A burning arose in his heart; waking up, listen, he suffered agony as if at the point of death.
The king wakes in agonizing inner fire — the cruelty he intended toward the brāhmaṇa turns back upon himself as physical torment.
Remember that harming others rarely leaves the wrongdoer untouched, even when the harm intended never lands.
स्मरण असें नसे कांहीं । म्हणे शस्त्रें मारितो घाई । छेदन करितो अवेव पाहीं । विप्र एक आपणासी ॥३१॥
smaraṇa asem nase kāmhīm | mhaṇe śastrem mārito ghāī | chedana karito aveva pāhīm | vipra eka āpaṇāsī ||31||
He had no memory of anything; he says, 'A brāhmaṇa is striking me hard with weapons, cutting off my limbs before my eyes.'
In his delirium the king experiences a vision of being attacked and dismembered by a brāhmaṇa — his own violent intent is mirrored back to him as terror.
Pay attention when your own conscience turns your intended wrongs into unease — it is worth heeding, not dismissing.
स्मरण जाहलें तये वेळीं । धांवत गेला ब्राह्मणाजवळी । लोळतसे चरणकमळीं । म्हणे स्वामी तूंचि माझा ॥३२॥
smaraṇa jāhalem taye veḷīm | dhāmvata gelā brāhmaṇājavaḷī | loḷatase caraṇakamaḷīm | mhaṇe svāmī tūmci mājhā ||32||
Then he came to his senses; he ran to the brāhmaṇa, rolled at his lotus feet, saying, 'You alone are my lord.'
Terror turns the king into a supplicant — he who summoned Sāyamdev to kill him now falls at his feet, a complete reversal brought about by grace working unseen.
Be ready to change course completely when you recognize you were wrong, without letting pride stand in the way.
येथें पाचारिलें कवणीं । जावें त्वरित परतोनि । वस्त्रें भूषणें देवोनि । निरोप देतो तये वेळीं ॥३३॥
yethem pācārilem kavaṇīm | jāvem tvarita paratoni | vastrem bhūṣaṇem devoni | niropa deto taye veḷīm ||33||
'Who summoned you here? Go back at once.' Giving him garments and ornaments, he sent him off at that time.
The king, humbled, disowns his own summons and instead honors Sāyamdev with gifts before sending him home — fear has turned into reverence.
When you have wronged someone, correct the harm generously, not grudgingly.
संतोषोनि द्विजवर । आला ग्रामा वेगवक्त्र । गंगातीरीं असे वासर । श्रीगुरुचे चरणदर्शना ॥३४॥
samtoṣoni dvijavara | ālā grāmā vegavaktra | gamgātīrīm ase vāsara | śrīguruce caraṇadarśanā ||34||
Rejoicing, the excellent brāhmaṇa returned swiftly to the village, where Śrī Guru was staying by the Gaṅgā's bank, to have sight of his feet.
Sāyamdev, safe and honored, hurries back not simply home but to Śrī Guru's presence — his first thought after deliverance is gratitude, not rest.
After surviving a hard trial, make it a priority to thank the ones who helped carry you through it.
देखोनियां श्रीगुरुसी । नमन करी तो भावेसीं । स्तोत्र करी बहुवसीं । सांगे वृत्तांत आद्यंत ॥३५॥
dekhoniyām śrīgurusī | namana karī to bhāvesīm | stotra karī bahuvasīm | sāmge vṛttāmta ādyamta ||35||
Seeing Śrī Guru, he bowed with devotion, offered abundant praise, and told the whole story from beginning to end.
Sāyamdev's return is marked by full disclosure — bowing, praising, and recounting everything — nothing withheld from the one who protected him.
Report back honestly and in full to those who supported you through a difficulty, rather than a brief, incomplete thanks.
संतोषोनि श्रीगुरुमूर्ति । तया द्विजा आश्वासिती । दक्षिण देशा जाऊं म्हणती । स्थान-स्थान तीर्थयात्रे ॥३६॥
samtoṣoni śrīgurumūrti | tayā dvijā āśvāsitī | dakṣiṇa deśā jāūm mhaṇatī | sthāna-sthāna tīrthayātre ||36||
Pleased, Śrī Guru reassured the brāhmaṇa, saying, 'We shall go to the southern land, from place to place on pilgrimage.'
Having settled Sāyamdev's crisis, Śrī Guru announces his own onward journey — a teacher's work with one devotee complete, the wider mission continues.
Once you've helped someone through their immediate need, don't feel obliged to stay forever — trust that your larger work continues elsewhere too.
ऐकोनि श्रीगुरूचें वचन । विनवीतसे कर जोडून । न विसंबें आतां तुमचे चरण । आपण येईन समागमें ॥३७॥
aikoni śrīgurūcem vacana | vinavītase kara joḍūna | na visambem ātām tumace caraṇa | āpaṇa yeīna samāgamem ||37||
Hearing Śrī Guru's words, he entreated with joined palms: 'I cannot now bear to be apart from your feet; I myself will come along.'
Sāyamdev, overwhelmed with love, wants to leave everything and follow — the pull of devotion, once tasted fully, resists separation.
It's natural to want to cling to what has given you strength and comfort; notice that wish even if it can't always be granted.
तुमचे चरणाविणें देखा । राहों न शके क्षण एका । संसारसागरतारका । तूंचि देखा कृपासिंधु ॥३८॥
tumace caraṇāviṇem dekhā | rāhom na śake kṣaṇa ekā | samsārasāgaratārakā | tūmci dekhā kṛpāsimdhu ||38||
Without your feet I cannot remain even a single moment; you alone, ocean of compassion, are the one who ferries us across the sea of worldly existence.
Sāyamdev names Śrī Guru directly as the one who carries devotees across saṃsāra (the cycle of worldly life) — his plea is not mere sentiment but a statement of what the guru means to him.
Recognize plainly, and say aloud, who has truly helped carry you through hard times.
उद्धरावया सगरांसी । गंगा आणिली भूमीसी । तैसें स्वामीं आम्हांसी । दर्शन दिधलें आपुलें ॥३९॥
uddharāvayā sagarāmsī | gamgā āṇilī bhūmīsī | taisem svāmīm āmhāmsī | darśana didhalem āpulem ||39||
To save the sons of Sagara, the Gaṅgā was brought down to earth; likewise, my lord, you have granted us your own sight.
Sāyamdev compares receiving Śrī Guru's darśana to the descent of the Gaṅgā, brought to earth to redeem King Sagara's sons — an unearned gift given for another's redemption.
Treat the presence of a good teacher in your life as an unearned gift, not something you were owed.
भक्तवत्सल तुझी ख्याति । आम्हां सोडणें काय निति । सवें येऊं निश्चितीं । म्हणोनि चरणीं लागला ॥४०॥
bhaktavatsala tujhī khyāti | āmhām soḍaṇem kāya niti | savem yeūm niścitīm | mhaṇoni caraṇīm lāgalā ||40||
Your fame is that of one who loves your devotees; how is it right to leave us? 'I will surely come along,' he said, and clung to his feet.
Sāyamdev presses his case again, appealing to Śrī Guru's own reputation for tenderness toward devotees — even a rightful teaching may be resisted out of love.
It's fine to make your case honestly when you want to stay close to someone or something important — sincerity in asking is not wrong, even if the answer is no.
येणेंपरी श्रीगुरुसी । विनवी विप्र भावेसीं । संतोषोनि विनयेसीं । श्रीगुरु म्हणती तये वेळीं ॥४१॥
yeṇemparī śrīgurusī | vinavī vipra bhāvesīm | samtoṣoni vinayesīm | śrīguru mhaṇatī taye veḷīm ||41||
In this way the brāhmaṇa entreated Śrī Guru with devotion; pleased at his humility, Śrī Guru then spoke.
Śrī Guru is not annoyed by the repeated pleading but pleased by the humility behind it — sincerity, even when it presses, is received with warmth.
Don't be put off by someone's persistent asking if it comes from real sincerity; respond to the feeling behind it, not just the repetition.
कारण असे आम्हां जाणें । तीर्थे असती दक्षिणे । पुनरपि तुम्हां दर्शन देणें । संवत्सरीं पंचदशीं ॥४२॥
kāraṇa ase āmhām jāṇem | tīrthe asatī dakṣiṇe | punarapi tumhām darśana deṇem | samvatsarīm pamcadaśīm ||42||
We have reason to go; there are holy places in the south. We will grant you sight of us again in the fifteenth year.
Śrī Guru explains his departure has purpose — pilgrimage to sacred sites — and gives a definite promise of return, in fifteen years' time.
When you must leave someone who depends on you, explain your reason and give them something concrete to hold onto — a timeframe, a promise.
आम्ही तुमचे गांवासमीपत । वास करुं हें निश्चित । कलत्र पुत्र इष्ट भ्रात । मिळोनि भेटा तुम्ही आम्हां ॥४३॥
āmhī tumace gāmvāsamīpata | vāsa karum hem niścita | kalatra putra iṣṭa bhrāta | miḷoni bheṭā tumhī āmhām ||43||
We will surely settle near your village. Come to meet us together with your wife, sons, friends, and brothers.
The promise grows more specific and generous — not just a distant return, but settling nearby, with an invitation extended to Sāyamdev's whole family and circle.
When you make a promise to stay connected, make it specific enough that the other person can actually count on it.
न करा चिंता असाल सुखें । सकळ अरिष्टें गेलीं दुःखें । म्हणोनि हस्त ठेविती मस्तकें । भाक देती तये वेळीं ॥४४॥
na karā cimtā asāla sukhem | sakaḷa ariṣṭem gelīm duḥkhem | mhaṇoni hasta ṭhevitī mastakem | bhāka detī taye veḷīm ||44||
'Do not worry, be at peace; all misfortunes and sorrows have gone,' he said, placing his hand upon his head and giving his word at that moment.
Śrī Guru closes the encounter with both a blessing gesture — the hand on the head — and a plain promise that hardship is over; word and touch together seal the assurance.
When reassuring someone, back your words with a concrete gesture of care, not words alone.
ऐसेपरी संतोषोनि । श्रीगुरु निघाले तेथोनि । जेथें असे आरोग्यभवानी । वैजनाथ महाक्षेत्र ॥४५॥
aiseparī samtoṣoni | śrīguru nighāle tethoni | jethem ase ārogyabhavānī | vaijanātha mahākṣetra ||45||
Rejoicing in this way, Śrī Guru set out from there to where Ārogyabhavānī is, the great holy place of Vaijanāth.
The narrative moves forward with Śrī Guru's pilgrimage, naming the next sacred destination, Vaijanāth, home of the goddess Ārogyabhavānī — the story keeps its geography as concrete as its spiritual meaning.
When you set off toward a new goal, be clear about where exactly you are headed.
समस्त शिष्यांसमवेत । श्रीगुरु आले तीर्थे पहात । प्रख्यात असे वैजनाथ । तेथें राहिले गुप्तरुपें ॥४६॥
samasta śiṣyāmsamaveta | śrīguru āle tīrthe pahāta | prakhyāta ase vaijanātha | tethem rāhile guptarupem ||46||
With all his disciples, Śrī Guru came viewing the holy places; Vaijanāth is renowned, and there he stayed in a hidden form.
Śrī Guru travels with his full company of disciples but chooses to remain unrecognized at Vaijanāth — greatness that does not need to announce itself.
You don't always need recognition for the good you do; sometimes quiet, unassuming presence serves better.
नामधारक विनवी सिद्धासी । काय कारण गुप्त व्हावयासी । होते शिष्य बहुवसी । त्यांसी कोठें ठेविलें ॥४७॥
nāmadhāraka vinavī siddhāsī | kāya kāraṇa gupta vhāvayāsī | hote śiṣya bahuvasī | tyāmsī koṭhem ṭhevilem ||47||
Nāmadhāraka asks Siddha: 'What was the reason for becoming hidden? There were many disciples — where were they kept?'
Nāmadhāraka's curiosity resurfaces, asking practically about the disciples' fate — a natural listener's question that will open the next episode.
Don't hesitate to ask a practical follow-up question when a story or explanation leaves a gap — good understanding depends on it.
गंगाधराचा नंदनु । सांगे गुरुचरित्र कामधेनु । सिद्धमुनि विस्तारुन । सांगे नामकरणीस ॥४८॥
gamgādharācā namdanu | sāmge gurucaritra kāmadhenu | siddhamuni vistāruna | sāmge nāmakaraṇīsa ||48||
The son of Gaṅgādhara tells the Gurucaritra, the wish-fulfilling cow; the sage Siddha, expanding it, tells it to Nāmakaraṇī (Nāmadhāraka).
The verse names the author, Sarasvatī Gaṅgādhar, and signals that Siddha will now answer at length — the frame of storyteller within storyteller continues.
Give credit to the source of a teaching you pass along, rather than presenting it as entirely your own.
पुढील कथेचा विस्तारु । सांगतां विचित्र अपारु । मन करुनि एकाग्रु । ऐका श्रोते सकळिक हो ॥४९॥
puḍhīla kathecā vistāru | sāmgatām vicitra apāru | mana karuni ekāgru | aikā śrote sakaḷika ho ||49||
The extent of the story that follows is wondrous and boundless to tell; make your mind one-pointed, O listeners all, and hear it.
A closing invitation to the audience to keep listening with focus, marking the chapter's end while promising more wonder ahead.
Approach the next stage of any long undertaking with the same fresh attention you gave the beginning.
इति श्रीगुरुचरित्रामृते परमकथाकल्पतरौ श्रीनृसिंहसरस्वत्युपाख्याने सिद्ध-नामधारकसंवादे क्रूरयवनशासनं-सायंदेववरप्रदानं नाम चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः ॥१४॥
iti śrīgurucaritrāmṛte paramakathākalpatarau śrīnṛsimhasarasvatyupākhyāne siddha-nāmadhārakasamvāde krūrayavanaśāsanam-sāyamdevavarapradānam nāma caturdaśo'dhyāyaḥ ||14||
Thus, in the nectar of Śrī Gurucaritra, the supreme wish-fulfilling tree of stories, in the dialogue of Siddha and Nāmadhāraka in the tale of Śrī Nṛsiṁha Sarasvatī, ends the fourteenth chapter, named 'The Chastisement of the Cruel Muslim King and the Boon Granted to Sāyamdev.'
This is the traditional closing formula that marks the end of each chapter, naming both the wider text and this chapter's title — a marker of structure rather than new narrative.
When you complete a stage of work, mark its ending clearly before moving to the next, so nothing is left ambiguous.
श्रीगुरुदत्तात्रेयार्पणमस्तु ॥ श्रीगुरुदेव दत्त ॥
śrīgurudattātreyārpaṇamastu || śrīgurudeva datta ||
May this be offered to Śrī Guru Dattātreya. Śrī Gurudeva Datta.
A short dedication offering the chapter itself back to the divine teacher — the telling of the story is treated as an act of worship, not a finished possession of the teller.
Dedicate the fruits of your effort to something beyond your own credit; let the offering, not the applause, be the point.
( ओंवीसंख्या ४९ )
( omvīsamkhyā 49 )
(Ovī count: 49)
A scribal note recording the traditional count of verses in this chapter — copyists kept such counts to guard the text against loss or alteration over centuries of transmission.
Keep careful account of your own work as it grows, the way a diligent record protects something valuable from being lost.