The Shri Guru Charitra, Chapter 43 (Part 1), describes the story of a weaver who received the vision of Lord Mallikarjuna through the grace of the Guru. This chapter explains that Guru-seva—serving the Guru with devotion—is itself the highest path and brings all spiritual blessings.
Long ago, saints like Tukaram Maharaj, Samarth Ramdas Swami, Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, Eknath Maharaj, and even Lord Krishna were born in physical form and lived on this Earth. They wrote spiritual literature for the benefit of future generations. Although their historical situations may guide us in different ways, their writings are immortal, because they themselves authored them. Today we may not have the fortune of meeting these divine personalities in person, but their words—the scriptures they left behind—continue to guide us fully and powerfully.
In the same way, Lord Dattatreya, who is the combined form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, incarnated on Earth to uplift humanity. Likewise, the Nine Nath Siddhas (Navnath) incarnated for the upliftment of mankind in Kali Yuga. The Shri Guru Charitra and Navnath Bhaktisaar were written by divine inspiration to uplift people. Similarly, the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) contains the direct teachings of Goddess Durga herself. All these texts help the soul cross the ocean of worldly life.
Samarth Ramdas wrote Dasbodh, Dnyaneshwar wrote the Dnyaneshwari, Eknath Maharaj wrote the Eknathi Bhagavat, and Lord Krishna narrated the Bhagavad Gita. Although we cannot meet these incarnations today, by reading their writings and their life stories with sincerity and reflection, we can easily find support for the progress of our life and soul. If we approach these scriptures with seriousness instead of casual reading, contemplate their meaning, and apply their teachings, then our mind finds peace and our life becomes meaningful.
Today, let us reflect on the special teaching about Guru-bhakti found in Chapter 43 of the Guru Charitra.
The scripture teaches that one must take daily darshan of the Guru, bow to the Guru with devotion, and serve the Guru with unbroken dedication. One should cultivate the inner resolve that “the feet of my Guru are my pilgrimage.” According to the principle ākaśāt patitaṁ toyaṁ yathā gacchati sāgaram tathā sarva-deva-namaskāraḥ keśavaṁ prati gacchati, all worship offered to any deity ultimately reaches the One whom we truly love and devote ourselves to. Therefore, if all devotion is offered to the Guru with full faith, then all deities are automatically pleased through Guru-seva.
The story in this chapter demonstrates that serving the Guru wholeheartedly leads to spiritual fruition.
Among the many devotees of Shri Guru, there was a humble weaver (a Koshti), who was deeply devoted. After finishing his daily work, he would go to the Guru’s monastery every evening, sweep the premises as an act of seva, and bow to the Guru from a distance. He did this regularly for many days.
As the festival of Maha Shivaratri approached, the weaver’s parents and other villagers decided to go on pilgrimage to Srisailam for the sacred darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna. They insisted that he join them, saying that great merit is obtained by visiting the shrine on Shivaratri. But the weaver replied, “I will not come. You are all ignorant. My Srisailam is right here. The Guru’s monastery itself is the sacred mountain, and the Guru himself is Mallikarjuna. Why should I leave the feet of the Guru to visit a stone temple?” People laughed at him and went on pilgrimage, while he remained behind to serve the Guru.
That evening he came, as usual, to sweep the monastery. Shri Guru asked him, “Your family and everyone else have gone to Srisailam. Why didn’t you go?” The weaver replied, “Swami, your lotus feet are my pilgrimage. When all holy places exist at your feet, why should I wander to distant shrines and look at stones?”
Shivaratri arrived. The weaver fasted, bathed at the river confluence, and took darshan of his Guru. Shri Guru asked again, “You stayed alone here? Have you ever seen Srisailam? Have you seen that pilgrimage?” The weaver answered, “Swami, your feet are my Srisailam. Through your darshan I receive the merit of all pilgrimages.” Pleased with his devotion, Shri Guru said, “Come, I will show you the pilgrimage. Hold tightly to my sandals and close your eyes.” The weaver did as instructed, and instantly, in a single moment, Shri Guru transported him to Srisailam.
When the weaver opened his eyes, he found himself standing on the sacred mountain in physical form. Shri Guru said, “Why are you staring? Go quickly, take darshan, perform your rituals, and bathe.” The weaver went toward the temple and saw his parents and fellow villagers there. They asked, “We invited you but you refused—so why did you secretly come later?” The weaver replied, “I did not come behind you. Shri Guru brought me here this afternoon. I arrived only now.” But no one believed him. They assumed he was lying.
After bathing, he gathered offerings for worship and entered the temple. At that moment, he saw Shri Guru seated directly upon the Shiva Linga. The people thought they were worshipping the Linga, but in truth they were worshipping Shri Guru’s divine form. Overwhelmed, the weaver said, “Swami, you are truly Shiva. You are Mallikarjuna himself. When you are present, why should anyone travel far? If you reside at the feet of the disciple, what is the need to seek God elsewhere?” Shri Guru replied, “It is true that the Supreme Lord is present everywhere. A seeker must learn from this that all spiritual attainment comes through unwavering Guru-seva.”
Remain immersed in Guru service; through Guru-seva, all spiritual goals are fulfilled.