Basara – A Datta Dham!

Jatin Kuberkar
Jatinkuberkar@hotmail.com

Everybody who had visited Basar Saraswati Temple, know that there is
also a Sri GuruDatta Mandir (under an Audumber tree) in the
premises. Many devotees don’t even visit the temple. Let me tell you a
little secret about it today. The statue of Sri Guru and his holy feet are
not an ordinary installation but carry a sacred story which is
mentioned in “Sri Guru Charitra”.

Sri Guru Charitra is an influential scared Marathi text describing

“Datta Avtars”, mainly the life of Sri Nrusimha Saraswati. Written in
14th century by Sri Saraswati Gangadhar, this book has stories of Sri
Guru’s travel from place to place. It has the mention of many south
Indian villages/towns/cities such as pithapuram, Srisailam, pandharpur
etc.

The following is an extract from 13th chapter Sholk 91 of Sri Guru

Charitra. The underlined sentence mentions Basara as “Vasara
Brahmeshwar”

The story as in Chapter 13 is as follows:-

Sri Guru left towards Trimbakeshwar, the place where Lord Siva,
impressed by Gautam muni’s penance, brought Godavari down to
earth. Sri Guru traveled by the banks of Godavari and reach “Vasara
Brahmeshwar”. Shri Guru saw a Brahmin who was trying to commit
suicide by drowning in to Godavari River. Shri Guru called him near
and asked,

“Dear Brahmin, why are you committing suicide? Don’t you

know that suicide is not the solution for freedom from worldly
existence? What made you think of such a gory act?”
The Brahmin realized that the person He is standing in front of is no
ordinary being. He fell unto Shri Guru’s feet and began to narrate his
problem. He said

“I am suffering with severe colic pain that does not allow me to

dine. I had dined last night after a considerable gap and look,
the pain is killing me. I felt it’s better to put an end to it at
once rather than dying minute by minute.

You look like divine incarnate. Can you please cure me of this
pain or let me die…”

Listening to the misery of the poor Brahmin Shri Guru looked

mercifully towards him and called a well to do Brahmin who was going
by his way and asked his whereabouts. The Brahmin solemnly replied,

“My name is Sayamdeo. I am serving as an officer at the

durbar of a Muslim ruler. I feel my self very fortunate to see
you. Please order me what can I do for you”

Shri Guru looked at the poor Brahmin, who was still yelling with pain,
and said

“All right, I have a medicine for you. Go with this gentleman

and have a full day meal at his home. Do not have doubts in
your mind. Eat stomach full and you will be cured”

Just then, Sayamdeo interrupted and said,

“O Divine Sir, this Brahmin suffers from a colic problem. If he

has food at my home and if some thing happens to him out of
pain, then I would be a victim of “Brahma-hatya”.

To this Shri Guru Said…

“Believe me! Do not have doubts…”

Sayamdeo agreed and further invited Shri Guru to visit his home and
have lunch to which Shri Guru gladly accepted the request.

That afternoon Sayamdeo was much pleased to see Shri Guru at his
home. He, with his family, offered worshipped to Shri Guru’s feet and
started to have lunch. The poor Brahmin had the meal of his life and
wonders of wonders! There was no mark of pain in his stomach. He
was completely cured. Everybody was wonderstruck with this leela and
hailing Shri Guru’s name.

After looking at this miracle, Sayamdeo put across his problem in front
of Shri Guru. He Said

“Guru Dev! I am working at the durbar of a cruel Muslim king.

He has no respect to any other religion other than Islam. He
makes fun of Hindu Veda’s and Kills one Brahmin every year.
He has summoned me today. I am scared if today would be the
last day of my life. Please protect me from the cruel king”

Shri Guru said,

“FEAR NOT my devotee! I am always there with you to protect
you. Just face the king and leave the rest to me”

Sayamdeo took blessings from Shri Guru and went to meet the King
the next morning. As soon as the king saw Sayamdeo, he rushed
towards him and said

“Sir, why did you take trouble of coming here…you would have
ordered me and I would have appeared before you.”

Sayamdeo was shocked, he asked the king about this change to this
the king replied

“Last night, an enlightened figure came into my dream. His

eyes were burning with anger and he warned me of my evil
deeds against Brahmins. I am sorry to cause inconvenience to
you. Please forgive me, O Brahmin”

There was every reason for Sayamdeo to be happy and thankful to

Shri Guru. He rushed towards the bank of Godavari and fell unto the
feet of Shri Guru and asked him to accept him as his disciple. Hearing
to a true and devout request Shri Guru said,

“I am going southwards. I shall reappear after 15 years. You

will be my disciple then”

Saying this, Shri Guru traveled towards south.

So, the Datta mandir and the Holi feet of Shri Guru are installed at
Basara to mark this historic and divine event. Next time when you go
to Basara, don’t forget to visit the Datta mandir. Devotees still get
enlightening experiences.

Jatin Kuberkar
Visit www.BasaraTemple.org
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