Details of the Guru Charitra

Shri Guru Charitra is a holy book of Datta Sampradaya written by Sri Saraswati Gangadhar
Sakhare in 15th Century. The book recounts the Holy Life of Shri Dattatreya, Shripada Shri
Vallabha (around 1320 A.D 1350 A.D) and Shri Narasimha Saraswati (around 1378 A.D
1458 A.D), his philosophy and teachings. The Book also provides some of the other Important
Historical facts. The language used here is 14-15th century Marathi.
Sri Saraswati Gangadhar was a Descendant of Sri Sayamdev who was a Close Disciple to Sri
Narasimha Saraswati. Saraswati Gangadhar refers to himself as Namadharaka in the Book. The
book is written in the form of a conversation between Siddha Muni (who too was a disciple of
Shri Narasimha Saraswati) and Namdharak who is listening to Sri Siddha.
Namadharaka spent most of his Life at Kadaganchi, a village nearby Ganagapur. He meets Sri
Siddha Muni near Ganagapur and when he realizes that Sri Siddha Muni was a Disciple of Sri
Guru, he requests him to narrate the Holy Life of Sri Narasimha Saraswati. Sri Siddha Muni
takes Namadharak to Bhima-Amarja Sangam and then starts narrating Sri Guru Charitra.
Instructions / Rules and Procedure for Reading Shri Guru Charitra (Sri Guru Charitra Parayan
Vidhi)
Shri Guru Charitra contains many Mantras from Vedas, Shlokas and Stories from Various
Puranas and it is in itself the Life Story of Dattavatari Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Swami
Maharaj. So there are few regulations which have to be followed during its Reading. Shri Guru
Charitra can be read Daily or as a Saptah Parayana (7 days) or in 3 days.
Saptah Parayan must be read for 7 days dividing the Total Chapters (Adyays) into 1-9
Adhyays on 1st day, 10-21 on 2nd, 22-29 on 3rd, 30-35 on 4th, 36-38 on 5th, 39-43 on 6th and
44-53 on the Last Day.
3 Days Parayan must be read as 1-24 Adhyays (Jnana Kanda) on the 1st Day, 25-37 (Karma
Kanda) on the 2nd Day and 38-53 (Bhakti Kanda) on the 3rd Day.
It Must be read with Complete Physical and Mental Purity i.e at morning after the bath with
Fresh Mind with No worldly concern.
The Place of reading must be Cleaned and a Deepa must always be lit while Parayana.
One Should not Speak while reading and also maintain Brahmacharya during the Parayana
Days.
Eating of Onion, Garlic, Egg etc must not be done and if possible one must have food only
once and Fast in the Morning or Night.
One Must avoid Sleeping on the Bed and can use mat on floor
After the Parayan Samapti one Should offer Pooja to the Holy Book and perform Dampatya
Bhojan (Brahman and Suvasini).
The Reading of Guru Charitra can also be done through a Brahmin (Brahmana dwara) after
the required Sankalpam in the Name of Devotee. To Perform the Guru Charitra Parayana Seva at
Ganagapur one may Contact us at 09035479569
Benefits of reading Shri Guru Charitra or its Parayana:
Devotees who read Shri Guru Charitra or perform its Parayana experience a Spiritual Joy and

also Material Well Being. Some Devotees perform the Parayan for their Physical and Mental
Well Being. Numerous are the Instances in Sri Guru Charitra where we see different people from
across the Country who came to Shri Guru were cured by him by his mere Kind Glance. Even
today devotees experience his Blessings by reading Sri Guru Charitra repeatedly. There are
Specific Chapters (Adhyays) in Guru Charitra which are believed to cure Specific Problems in
Life. Here are few :Adhyay 8 for Birth of a Wise and Intelligent Child, Adhyay 14 for Solving Employment
Problems, Adhyay 17 for Development of Childrens, Adhyay 18 for Financial well being,
Adhyay 20-21 for Ghost or Bhoot Preta Badha, Adhyay 10 and 38 for Financial Upliftment,
Adhyay 13 and 45 for Health related Problems, etc.
Contents of Shri Guru Charitra :
Shri Guru Charitra Contains 3 Sections viz., Gnyanakanda (Section of Knowledge),
Karmakanda (Section of Work ) and Bhaktikanda (Section of Devotion). Chapter 1 is
Managalacharanam (Bowing to Various Deities), Chapter 2 to 4 are Datta Avatar Charitra (Life
of Dattatreya Incarnation), Chapter 5 to 10 are of Shripad Shri Vallabha Charitra (Life of Shripad
Shri Vallabha), Chapter 11 to 52 are of Shri Narasimha Saraswati Charira and Chapter 53 is
Avataranika or the Summary of the whole Book.
The Major Section of Sri Guru Charitra i.e., Chapter 22 to 52 deals with the Advent of Sri
Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj at Sri Kshetra Ganagapur.
Brief Description of all the Chapters (Adhyays) in Shri Guru Charitra (Click to read in Detail) .
Adhyay 1: - Namadharak is blessed with the vision of Guru Nath.
Adhyay 2: - The Power and Glory of Guru Bhakti. Story of Guru Veda Dharma and his
Disciple Deepak
Adhyay 3:- Maha Vishnu Saves King Ambrish and accepts Rishi Durwasa curse to take
Several Incarnations
Adhyay 4:- Trimurtis test the Pativratya of Mata Anasuya, Birth of Lord Dattatreya
Adhyay 5:- Birth of Shripada Sri Vallabha Swami Maharaj at Peethapuram
Adhyay 6:- Ravana receives Atma lingam from Lord Shiva, Birth of Sri Kshetra Gokarna
Adhyay 7:- Importance of Sri Kshetra Gokarna, Story of Ikshawaku King and Vashishta
Maharshi
Adhyay 8:- A Brahmin women who tried to commit suicide is Saved, Importance of Shani
Pradosh Vrata
Adhyay 9:- Rajaka (Washerman) blessed to become a King in his Next Birth , Shripada Shri
Vallabha Swami Concludes his Avatara.
Adhyay 10:- Shripada Shri Vallabha Swami revives Vallabhesh who was robbed and killed by
Dacoits
Adhyay 11:- Birth of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj and his Bala Leela as
Narahari
Adhyay 12:- Narahari accepts Sanyasa Diksha from Sri Krishna Saraswati at Kashi and
becomes Sri Narasimha Saraswati
Adhyay 13:- Sri Narasimha Saraswati visits Karanja, A Brahmin Cured of Severe Stomach
ache at Basara

 Adhyay 14:- Sayamdev visits Sri Guru and is saved from the Trouble of a Muslim King
Adhyay 15:- Importance of Various Teerthas explained, Disciples sent on Pilgrimage but Sri
Guru himself Stays at Parali Vaijanath
Adhyay 16:- Importance of Guru Bhakti explained, Story of Dhoumya Rishi and his
Disciples
Adyay 17:- A Dull Brahmin Boy becomes a Well Learned Pandit by the Grace of Sri Guru at
Audumbar (Near Bhillavadi)
Adhyay 18:- A Poor Brahmin at Amarapur blessed with a Pot of Gold by Uprooting the Plant
of Ghevada
Adhyay 19:- Shri Guru blesses 64 Yoginis and also a Farmer called Ganganuja at
Narsobawadi
Adhyay 20:- Shri Narasimha Saraswati Saves a Woman from a Brahma Pishachi who used to
kill all her issues immediately after their Birth. Sri Guru also blesses her with 2 Sons.
Adhyay 21:- Shri Guru in the disguise of a Sanyasi Consoles Women with lot of Philosophy.
The women goes to Narsobawadi and prays to Sri Guru Padukas. The Dead Child is revived to
Life at Night.
Adhyay 22:- Shri Guru Makes an Old Barren Buffalo at a Brahmins house give Milk when he
came to Ganagapur for Bhiksha (Alms).
Adhyay 23:- Brahmarakshasa liberated by Shri Gurus Grace, Establishment of a Math at
Ganagapur
Adhyay 24:- Shri Guru reveals his Vishwaroopa (Universal Form) to Sri Trivikrama Bharati
at Kumasi
Adhyay 25:- Two Arrogant Brahmins who troubled Sri Trivikrama Bharati are brought to Sri
Guru at Ganagapur
Adhyay 26:- Structure and Importance of the Holy Vedas is explained to the Arrogant
Brahmins
Adyay 27:- A Harijan is called upon and with the Grace of Sri Guru he starts discussing the
Vedas, the Brahmins give up but were eventually Punished
Adhyay 28:- Shri Guru asks a disciple to remove the Bhasma on Harijans body by Pouring
water, his Knowledge vanishes and he returns home
Adhyay 29:- Importance of Bhasma (Holy Ash) explained, Story of a Rakshasa and Sri
Vamadeva
Adhyay 30:- A Woman named Savitri who has lost her husband is consoled by Shri Guru in
disguise and is Explained the Impermanence of Life. (This Place can be still seen at Ganagapur
and is known as Sati Katta )
Adhyay 31:- Pativratya Dharma is explained to Savitri, Story of Agastya Muni and
Lopamudra
Adhyay 32:- Code of Behavior of a Widow is explained, husband Datta revived to Life
Adhyay 33:- Importance of Rudraksha explained, Story of King Bhadrasenas Son Sudharma
Adhyay 34:- Importance of Rudradhyaya explained, Kings son is saved by Parashara Rishi
Adhyay 35:- Kacha-Devayani Story is described along with Simantini Story to stress the
Importance of Somavar-Vrata.
Adhyay 36:- Karma-Marga is explained to a Brahmin and his Wife who made her Husband
break the Vrata of not taking Paranna Bhojana.
Adhyay 37:- Shri Guru continues to explain and elaborate on Many More Karmas to be
performed by a Brahmin.

 Adhyay 38:- Four Thousand People fed with the food sufficient only for 3 People, Bhaskara
Brahmana blessed by Sri Guru
Adhyay 39:- 60 Year Old Women begets Children by Worshipping Ashwattha tree at the
Bhima Amarja Sangam as directed by Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati.
Adhyay 40:- A Brahmin, Narahari cured of Leprosy after testing his Devotion, Story of
Shabaradut and his Devotion to Shiva & Guru
Adhyay 41:- Sayamdev Serves Shri Narasimha Saraswati by bringing Agni (Fire) from
Nirgun Math to Sangam.
Adhyay 42:- Importance of Kashi Yatra, Story of Twashta Brahma Kumara and his devotion
to his Guru
Adhyay 43:- Shri Guru asks Sayamdev to perform Ananta Vruta on Bhadrapada Shuddha
Chaturdashi, Story of Pandavas, Story of Koundinya and his wife Sushila
Adhyay 44:- A weaver (Tantuk) is taken to Shri Parvat (holy mountain Srisailam in Andhra
Pradesh) and brought back in a Day
Adhyay 45:- Nandi Brahmin worships Godesses at Tuljapur and Sannati but is finally Cured
by Shri Guru at Ganagapur
Adhyay 46:- Shri Narasimha Saraswati meets Narahari poet, a staunch devotee of
Kalleshwara at Hipparaga village and makes him his disciple
Adhyay 47:- During Diwali festival, Shri Narasimha Saraswati visits all his 7 disciples and
also stays at the Math in Ganagapur at the same time. This is known as Ashta Roopa Dharan of
Sri Guru
Adhyay 48:- A Poor Farmer is blessed with a Huge Yield by the Grace of Shri Guru
Adhyay 49:- Shri Guru takes all villagers for Ashta Teerth Snan, Importance of Punya
Bhoomi Sri Kshetra Ganagapur
Adhyay 50:- The Muslim King of Bidar (Rajaka in last birth) visits Ganagapur and is cured
of a Tumor on his Leg
Adhyay 51:- Shri Guru decided to leave for Kardali Van and assures that he will Stay at
Ganagapur forever in the Form of Nirguna Padukas
Adhyay 52:- Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj concludes his Incarnation, Disciples
gets Flowers as the Prasada
Adhyay 53:- Avataranika or Summary of all the Adhyays of Shri Guru Charitra
An Article by :
Ankur Pujari (09035479569)
Sri Kshetra Ganagapur-585212
Note : The Information Provided on the Website are Originally written by Us and is Copyright
Protected and hence its a Sincere Request to all the Devotees that the Articles Link can be
Shared but in no case the Article be Copied on any Similar Websites or other.

http://www.srikshetraganagapur.com/shri-guru-charitra.asp

Ganagapur - Darshaneeya Kshetra of Lord

Dattatreya
Guru Charitra
Shree Guru Charitra was first written by Shree
Gangadhara Saraswati in Marathi language. The eminent
scholar L.R. Pangarkar says that the first two incarnations of
Lord Dattatreya, Shree Shreepada ShriVallabha and Shree
Narasimha Saraswati, the two protagonists of the immortal
work, had flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries A.D. The
original text recount, in 53 chapters, the life and teachings of
the two incarnations in about 7000 verses. In the late
nineteenth century, Shree Vasudevananda Saraswati, a
famous saint of the Dattatreya tradition, translated the work
in Sanskrit verses of equal number.
Later, he was told in a vision by Lord Dattatreya that details
pertaining to matters of Hindu religious ritual, have infringed
on proper theme of work, and was directed to abridge it into
2000 verses.
As a backdrop to the marvelous account of the avatars of
Lord Dattatreya, Shree Guru Charitra presents a
comprehensive resume of the whole of ancient Indian
philosophy in life. Shree Guru Charitra affirms the caste
system of the Veda. The assurance of Shree Guru that he
would forever abide at Ganagapur and go round the village
for bhiksha at noon is literally true even today. It is
customary for devotees visiting the holy place to go for
bhiksha.

Identifying and contacting a SadGuru, a Perfect master, is the crux of the problem of spiritual evolution of man, both
collective and individual, especially in the present times, when the mass media and fanfare have made it more of a craze

than a serious pursuit.

Yet fortunately for the serious-minded, there is a hope and a clear way: The devout study of Shree Guru Charitra.
In This Kaliyuga "Guru Charitra" is believed as "Kamadhenu". Kamadhenu means the things which you wish you
get it immediately. The holy book Guru Charitra need to read with a pure heart and soul. Any one does the seva can get
fulfill of desires whatever they wish.
If anyone not able to read the Guru Charitra can inform any Brahmin which who are well versed of reading with it. Its
humble request to all the followers of Lord Dattatreya to read Guru-Charitra atleast once in a life time to understand the
concepts, traditions, importance of life. To feel the power of Guru Charitra and to understand what all the miracles done
by Shree Narasimha Saraswati in the time period when they were staying at Karanja, Narsoba wadi, and lastly at
Ganagapur.
Guru Charitra can be read in 3 types.
1 Day Parayan: This type of parayan is very rare and few people opt to do this, this type of Parayan called as "Eka
Parayan". It means starting parayan in a same day and completing on the same day. It will take approximately 15-16
hours to complete all the 53 chapters of Guru-Charitra. If anyone have reading as habit can read very fluently and fat
time may be consumed less and depends on the books which they choose to read. It's advisable to start the parayan in
the early morning by 4 to make it finish by evening 6.
3 Day Parayan: This type of parayan is done by few people who have little but more time in a day to complete approx.
20 chapters in a day. It will take approx. 4 hours/day to finish every day's reading.
7 Day Parayan: This type of parayan every one will go for it. As no of days are 7 it's called as "Saptaha Parayan". In
Saptaha parayan daily there will be almost 8-9 chapters in a day to read, it requires just 1-2 hour to complete and
depends on the size of book and reading speed as well. This type of parayan is very good and healthy as there will be no
pressure on reading as the target for a day will be minimal.
Rules to abide while doing for parayan:
>> Should follow ethics like Brahmacharatva and should have pure vegetarian food
>> Should have food for 1 time in day till parayan completes. Another time they can have light snacks
>> Shouldn't have Onion, Garlic, and Alcohol, Cigarettes, Gutkha and supari
>> Should sleep on the floor (Bed not allowed), can use Plastic matters, cotton cloth etc
>> Shouldn't use footwear (Can ignore as it's not avoidable as per the current days, if you can leave it, it will be good)
>> Shouldn't have outside food
>> Shouldn't leave the current place which they are staying. (Not going for any out of station)
Samapti Seva:
>> Once the parayan is completed the same day/next day can do the samapti seva
>> Can go to any Shiva temple and do the Rudrabhishek
>> Can offer food, Dakshina, and Vastra daan for a Brahmin and suvasini
>> Can do Anandaan in anywhere as per your convenience.

Importance: Guru Charitra Parayan is said to be as one of the formidably for any kind of works. If any one does
the parayan seva to get their wishes fulfilled it will be true in few days. Lord Dattatreya will not keep anything
on their part and more he will bless us through his power and leads us happy and satisfied.
Guru Charitra in Ganagapur:
In the current fast moving world it's very difficult to do the "Guru Charitra Parayan" in the cities as there are lot of rules
and regulations that need to abide and to keep some hours for it. In Ganagapur there are few Brahmins who can read the
Guru Charitra Parayan on behalf of other devotees. The tradition is of reading Guru Charitra for 3, 5, 7, 11, 21, 54 time
i.e. complete year is followed by most of the devotees. Once your said seva's are done Shree Prasadam will be sent
through Post/Courier services to your address.
PS: If you wish to do "Gurucharitra Parayan Seva" in Ganagapur, Can share their problem or the reason for
doing the seva can share the details so we can include those things/issues in the sankalp and start the seva's.
There are so many live examples which we saw to get their things done after doing the Parayan seva and in
samapti seva also done i.e. Abhishek, Annadan, & Brahman suvasini bhojan.

http://www.ganagapura.com/ganagapur_guru.html

Source: This information comes from my own knowledge.

bhargavi,
Shri GuruCharitra is the most influential book written in Marathi. Written by Shri Saraswati
Gangadhar, the 15th-16th Century poet. His full name is Saraswati Gangadhar Saakhare and
possibly stayed most of his life at Kadaganchi village, located now in Karnataka.

The book has mainly the life story of Shri Narasimha Saraswati , his philosophy and some
mythology stories. The book is important from the point of view of history as well since it
depicts the stories or events which took place around the 14th Century. The language is Marathi
of the 14-15th Century, but without any Urdu or Persian words. Shri Saraswati Gangadhar made
sure that there are no words taken from Urdu or Persian, but only from Sanskrit. However, this
does not make this book any terse. It is far simpler to understand and follow. This shows the
power of the poet and his command over the Marathi language. Moreover, this poet's mother
tongue is Kannada and not Marathi!
Gurucharitra has been very influential on the Maharashtrian culture due to its philosophy. Strictly
speaking this is an "aachaargranth" (book of behavior or life routine) for the Brahmins, written
by a Brahmin. It seems Saraswati Gangadhar was a Deshastha Brahmin.
The book has 51 Chapters originally, and the 52nd Chapter of "Avatarnika" (????????) was
introduced later in it over the centuries. This last chapter is basically the brief description of the
previous 51 chapters. In that sense it is the concluding chapter with summary.
The whole book is like a "Mantra" in itself and thus there are very strict rules for reading it and
they are to be followed strictly if one wants to read it with full faith. The power of this book has
been experienced by many who read this regularly. This book has utmost importance in Datta
Sampradaya and they consider this as their "ved".
Reading Instructions :
Since this whole book is like a Mantra by itself, it is a powerful book and should be read with the
following strict rules. These rules are given in the book itself. The book is to be read either in 7
days (called Saptaha) or in 3 days.
For 7 days 7-18-28-34-37-43-51 Chapters should be read.
For 3 days 24-37-51 Chapters should be read. Before starting to read, take clean bath. Clear and
clean the area where you will sit to read this.
While reading do not Talk.
No sex and no eating of Onion, Garlic, egg and non-vegetarian items for the period of Saptaha (7
or 3 days).
Sleep on the floor during this period of reading (no cozy bedding etc.).
After the end of Saptaha, pooja of the book to be performed and one couple should be called and
given food and dakshina.
Chapters 21-22 and 30-31-32 are NOT to be left half read. They should be completed always.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_G)

Please see these links for Shri GuruCharitra

http://www.floridashirdisai.org/Sai
http://www.saibaba.us/texts/gurucha
You can also see
http://www.ammas.com/q&a/Guru-Charitra-Sapthaha-Parayanamprocedures/q/153267