Origin of Shri Guru Charitra Grantha and other Details
“Shri Guru Charitra”, hearing the words itself brings Tears of Joy in the eyes of many devoted Datta Bhaktas who have been doing the Parayan of the Grantham since decades. Shri Guru Charitra perhaps is very similar to Srimad Bhagavatam as its focus is more on the Bhakti Marga that is advocated in the latter. Shri Guru Charitra recounts in detail the Life History of Shri Dattatreya and his two incarnations namely, Shripad Shri Vallabha and Sri Guru Narasimha Saraswati. Shri Guru Charitra is the Main Grantham of Datta Sampradaya which was written by Sri Saraswati Gangadhar in 15th century (approx). It was written in the form of a conversation between Namadharaka and Sri Siddha Muni who keeps on answering to the questions put forth by the former. The Book contains more than 7000 verses divided into 52 Chapters dealing with Life and Teachings of Shripad Shri Vallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj. Originally written in Ovi form (a Metre) in Marathi, it was later translated into Sanskrit by Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Tembe Swamy) Maharaj, who is regarded by many as an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya and who lived about a hundred years ago. It has been later translated into several other languages also.
Sri Saraswati Gangadhar (or Namadharak as he styles himself in the book) was a descendant of Shri Sayamdeo who was one of the Direct Disciple of Sri Guru Narasimha Saraswati. Once, the boy Namadharaka sets out from his village (Kadaganchi) with a strong determination to seek an explanation for his sufferings inspite of his family being devoted to Shri Guru since generations. On his way he meets Siddha Muni and upon realizing that Siddha Muni was one of the Direct Disciple of Sri Narasimha Saraswati he starts questioning him. Sri Siddha Muni takes him to Sangam Kshetra and starts Narrating Shri Guru Charitra in detail.
It is an experienced fact that the reading of such literature gives mental peace to those who are worried due to different miseries of this worldly life and also encourages and guides them to go ahead on the path of self-emancipation by making their lives sublime and full of highest bliss.
It is an experienced fact that the reading of such literature gives mental peace to those who are worried due to different miseries of this worldly life and also encourages and guides them to go ahead on the path of self-emancipation by making their lives sublime and full of highest bliss.
Procedure for Sri Guru Charitra Parayan Seva at Home / Saptaha Parayan Vidhi
Shri Guru Charitra contains many Vedic Mantras, Shlokas and many Puranic Stories and is in itself the Holy Life History of Shripad Shri Vallabha and Sri Guru Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj. So there are few rules and regulations which should be followed during Parayan of the Grantham.
Shri Guru Charitra can be read on Daily basis or as a Saptaha Parayana (7 days) or even in 3 days.
One may start Shri Guru Charitra Parayan on any day as per convenience. Still one can start it on Saturday so that it concludes on Friday. Because Sri Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj concluded his Avatara on Friday.
Shri Guru Charitra can be read on Daily basis or as a Saptaha Parayana (7 days) or even in 3 days.
One may start Shri Guru Charitra Parayan on any day as per convenience. Still one can start it on Saturday so that it concludes on Friday. Because Sri Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj concluded his Avatara on Friday.
Fix a place where one can continue reading for all 7 days. The place should be ideal without any disturbances.
Sankalpam should be done before starting the parayan. One can do sankalpa for any particular wish also like Job Issues, Marriage, Santan Prapti etc
Akhanda Ghee Deepam should be lit beside parayan place while reading for all 7 days.
In case of Saptah Parayan reading must be for 7 days dividing the Total Chapters (Adyays) into 1 to 9 Adhyays on 1st day, 10 to 21 on 2nd, 22 to 29 on 3rd, 30 to 35 on 4th, 36 to 38 on 5th, 39 to 43 on 6th and 44 to 53 on the Last Day.
3 Days Parayan must be read as 1 to 24 Adhyays (Jnana Kanda) on the 1st Day, 25 to 37 (Karma Kanda) on the 2nd Day and 38 to 53 (Bhakti Kanda) on the 3rd Day.
Upon completion of Parayan, on the Samapti Day (3rd / 7th) or the next day a Samapti Pujan needs to be done by way of Grantha Puja, Naivedya and Aarti.
Conduct Brahman Suvasin Bhojan and they must be given Vastra Daan and Proper Dakshina.
Puja / Abhishek and perform Annadan at any Dattatreya Temple.
Sankalpam should be done before starting the parayan. One can do sankalpa for any particular wish also like Job Issues, Marriage, Santan Prapti etc
Akhanda Ghee Deepam should be lit beside parayan place while reading for all 7 days.
In case of Saptah Parayan reading must be for 7 days dividing the Total Chapters (Adyays) into 1 to 9 Adhyays on 1st day, 10 to 21 on 2nd, 22 to 29 on 3rd, 30 to 35 on 4th, 36 to 38 on 5th, 39 to 43 on 6th and 44 to 53 on the Last Day.
3 Days Parayan must be read as 1 to 24 Adhyays (Jnana Kanda) on the 1st Day, 25 to 37 (Karma Kanda) on the 2nd Day and 38 to 53 (Bhakti Kanda) on the 3rd Day.
Upon completion of Parayan, on the Samapti Day (3rd / 7th) or the next day a Samapti Pujan needs to be done by way of Grantha Puja, Naivedya and Aarti.
Conduct Brahman Suvasin Bhojan and they must be given Vastra Daan and Proper Dakshina.
Puja / Abhishek and perform Annadan at any Dattatreya Temple.
Rules and Restrictions to be followed while performing Sri Guru Charitra Parayan
Rise early in the morning and perform Nitya Karmas like Sandhya and Dev Pooja
Absolute Brahmacharya is to be practiced during all days of Parayan.
Outside (Hotels), Food, Onion, Garlic and other Tamasika food must not be consumed.
Sleeping on Floor using a mat and avoiding comforts like Bed etc
Fasting for One time a day preferably fast at night. One may have fruits, milk or Snacks without Onion or Garlic (like Poha / Upma).
Must not cross the city or village limits for 3 / 7 days
Sri Guru Charitra Parayan Seva can also be done through a Brahmin after the necessary Sankalpam on behalf of any individual and family. Devotees who wish to perform the seva can send us details like Names of Family members, Gotram (Rashi Nakshatra if known), Sankalpa (Purpose of Parayan) and Complete Residence Address with Pin Code for receiving the Maha Prasad after completion of Parayan Seva.
Absolute Brahmacharya is to be practiced during all days of Parayan.
Outside (Hotels), Food, Onion, Garlic and other Tamasika food must not be consumed.
Sleeping on Floor using a mat and avoiding comforts like Bed etc
Fasting for One time a day preferably fast at night. One may have fruits, milk or Snacks without Onion or Garlic (like Poha / Upma).
Must not cross the city or village limits for 3 / 7 days
Sri Guru Charitra Parayan Seva can also be done through a Brahmin after the necessary Sankalpam on behalf of any individual and family. Devotees who wish to perform the seva can send us details like Names of Family members, Gotram (Rashi Nakshatra if known), Sankalpa (Purpose of Parayan) and Complete Residence Address with Pin Code for receiving the Maha Prasad after completion of Parayan Seva.