STRESS AND SHRI GURU CHARITRA: DR. SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

Anything that helps us blossom our consciousness and conscience is PUNYA and anything that deters us from growing in consciousness is PAPA.

PRAYASHCHITTA is reversal of the effects of PAPA.

In Hindu (SANATANA) Dharma or culture one of the ways of rising in consciousness is reading of scriptures.

One such scripture is SHRI GURU CHARITRA.

Written by Saraswati Gangadhara and described in the form of dialogue between an enlightened soul viz. Siddhamuni and the seeker viz. Namadharaka, this is a biography of Narasimha Saraswati (1378 – 1458); born in Karanja, Maharashtra State.

This scripture is being read piously for centuries in many states through generations.

The absolute consciousness or super consciousness or God is personified in Narasimha Saraswati and this book which is His biography; helps us “see” and “sense” the glimpse of that super consciousness.

Apart from the facts of the life of Shri Narasimha Saraswati, this book highlights the development of universe, epochs, importance of pilgrimage, the conduct of Brahmins, various VRATAS and most importantly the sublime relationship between GURU and SHISHYA. If we go by the literary meaning; and by the details; without reference to social conditions; the formation of universe, conduct of Brahmins, VRATAS etc may appear outdated and/or absurd.

But we have to carefully study and find out if the mythology (philosophy, cosmic phenomena, the deities and the VRATAS); broadly (and not necessarily exactly) embodies ‘cosmic physiology’ (in different and literary semantics) and corroborates with physiology; and also; if SHRI GURU CHARITRA frees us; from the stress of mundane matters and establishes us in NAMASMARAN.