The Shri Guru Charitra is a book based on the life of Shri Nrusimha Saraswati (a.k.a Narasimha Saraswati), written by the 15th-16th century poet Shri Saraswati Gangadhar.
The book is based on the life of Shri Narshimha Saraswati, his philosophy and related stories. The language used is the 14-15th century Marathi. The book is written as a conversation between Siddha (who is a disciple of Shri Narasimha Saraswati) and Naamdharak who is listening to Siddha.
Guru Charitra is divided into 3 parts: Dhyankand (Knowledge), Karmakand (Work) and Bhaktikand (Devotion). It has 53 Chapters in which, the 53rd chapter is also called as ′Gurucharitra Avatarnika′ which is the summary of the book.
The book is assumed to be written in a village in Karnataka known as Kadaganchi. The writer was Saraswati Gangadhar who was a poet and an extreme vanshaj of Sayandev Sakhare one of the disciples from four favorite disciples of Shri Narasimha Saraswati.
Concept and narration
Shri Guru Charitra begins with the story of a character called Naamdharak, who is a personification of a common man, buried with mundane burdens. Naamdharak is troubled with the worldly pains and sets out in search of a Guru for some spiritual guidance. During his journey, he first sees a yogi in his dream. He is wonderstuck to see the same yogi in real when he wakes up. The yogi introduces himself as Siddha, a disciple of Sree Nrusiha saraswati. This is the point where Naamdharam asks Siddha to narrate him the holy Guru Chartira.
At the start of each chapter, Siddha and Naamdharak converse on a question, a thought or on an incident from the past chapter. This is how the chapters progress into either a story or an incident-miracle or biographical anecdotes from the life of a holy Datta incarnation.
Structure
Shri Guru Charitra contains 53 chapters in total.
1 to 24 chapters are considered as ‘Gyana Kaand’
25 to 37 chapters are considered as ‘Karma Kaand’
38 to 53 chapters are considered as ‘Bhakti Kaand’
Chapter 4 celebrates the birth of Lord Dattatreya. From this chapter on the biography of Datta avatars start.
Chapter 5 to 10 has accounts of Sreepaad Sreevallabh, the first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. These chapters describe Birth, travels and miracles performed by Sreepaad Sreevallabh. However, Sree Guru Charitra presents a brief account of Sreepaad Sreevallabh. A more comprehensive biography of Sreepaad Sreevallabh is presented in another 17th century text named ‘Sreepaad Sreevallabh Charitra Amrut’
From Chapter 11, Sree Nrusiha saraswati's life is described. Nrusiha Saraswati is born in Karanja and at a very young, he adopts a nomadic life style, travelling to holy places across India. At Kashi Nrusiha accepted Krishna Saraswati as his guru and hence came to be known as Nrusiha Saraswati.
Since chapter 13, Guru Charitra chronicles the life journey of Sree Nrusiha Saraswati. He performs countless miracles, teaches the righteous path of dharma and karma. Chapter 23 describes an important event – establishment of Mutt at Gandgapur.
In chapters 25, 26,27 the essence of Vedas is encapsulated very accurately.
Chapter 31, 32 and 36 elaborate about code of conduct of a Woman, Widow and a Brahmin respectively.
Stories connected to Rudraksh, Bhasma (holy ash), Ashvatt tree, Karma, sins and Pryaschitta are also explained by Sree Guru himself.
Chapter 51 narrates the account of Sree Guru Nrusiha Saraswati ending his avatar.
Chapter 53 is a summary of all the chapters, known as ‘Guru Charitra Avatarnika’
Chronology
The chronology introduced in the Shri Guru Charitra of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswati is as follows:
The main events of Sri Narasimha Saraswati's life are given below. Possible years and dates are given according to descriptions of the lunar and stellar events calendar mentioned in the Shri GuruCharitra. Sha. 1300 (1378 CE): Birth Sha. 1307 (1385 CE): Upanayan Sha. 1308 (1386 CE): Left home Sha. 1310 (1388 CE): Took Sanyas Sha. 1338 (1416 CE): Arrived back home at Lad-Karanja Sha. 1340 (1418 CE): Travelled along the banks of the river Gautami Sha. 1342 (1420 CE): Stayed at Parali-Vaijanath Sha. 1343 (1421 CE): Stayed at Audumbar (near Bhilawadi) Sha. 1344-1356 (1422-1434 CE): Stayed at Narsobawadi (Narsobachi Wadi, Narasimhapur) Sha. 1357-1380 (1435-1458 CE): Stayed at Ganagapur (Gandharvapur) Sha. 1380 (14 January 1459 CE): Nijanandagaman at Shrishailasm Mountain The extreme 24 characteristics of Shri Gurumurti Narsahimha saraswati swami maharaj.