Santh Jnaneshwar : The trip to Pandharpura - The begining of the tradition of the Varkaris

Om Sai Ram! There is nothing in this world, nay this universe, that can bring happiness and bliss upon one, as the contemplation and singing the glories of the Sadguru. Sadguru is our mother, father, our relative, our everything. Sadguru is verily Parabrahma. I seek to sing his glory and however incapable I might feel I am, I cling myself to the lotus feet of my Sadguru, and I know he will bestow his merciful glance towards me. It is he only who makes me write. All credits be to the sadguru and any faults are mine. The Sadguru is like the chintamani (A wish fullfilling stone can bestow whatever one desires) who can give one the ultimate realization that everyone yearns for! By placing my ego at the lotus feet of my Sadguru Sainath, I now proceed to narrate how the Varkari Sampradaya began.

In the last post I described how, the arrogant scholar Visoba became transformed into a saint after coming in contact with Santh Jnaneshwar. The number of people who came to visit the saint family swelled enormous. Also several other saints became acquainted with the saint family during their travel to several places. Notable among them are Santha Namadeva at Pandharpur, Ghora Kumbhara - the potter, Savta Mali - the gardener , Chokar Mela of Mangalveda, Janabai to name a few. They were divinity incarnate. It was as though the devas had descended on earth to help people lead the right way of life.

Let us now see how Santha Jnaneshwar met Santha Namadeva. Santha Namadeva had become famous as the favorite disciple of Lord Panduranga at Pandarapura. It was said that when Santha Namadeva sang, Panduranga danced. Panduranga came and accepted whatever food was offered by Namadeva and Namadeva only. Namadeva had completely surrendered to Lord Panduranga. It was said that his devotion was uneqalled.

The saint family in their travels decided to move to Pandharpur. It was their great wish to see the beautiful Swayambhu (Self originating) murthi (idol) of Lord Panduranga and Mother Rukmini. Singing the glory of Lord Panduranga and accompanied by many other saints alike they left for Pandharpur.

They reached the holy place near the river Chandrabhaga, and beheld Panduranga in all his grandeur. The priests came to welcome them. Santha Namadeva too came there. When Lord Jnaneshwar and Santha Namadeva beheld each other, they realized how much each had accomplished. Lord Jnanadeva was a fully accomplished yogi, brimming with the knowledge of brahman. Santha Namadeva was the very epitome of devotion. His love for Panduranga knew no limits at all. The saint family embraced Santha Namadeva. They had a wonderful talk.

After beholding the beauty of Panduranga, Lord Jnanadeva told all the people assembled there, "This place is verily bhoo(earth) vaikunta (The abode of Lord Vishnu). For it was here that Panduranga blessed his dear devotee, Santha Pundalika, and became embodied in the beautiful murthi. And indeed, how beautiful he is. Behold his form. The beautiful dusky complexion, the richly robed lord standing on a brick and smiling benignly. Look at the crocodile shaped ear-rings and the Kaustuba gem. We must behold him as often as we can. For the sake of maintaining good thoughts and doing good deeds, one must constantly behold the sight of the lord. Hence, let all the Vaishnavites, who wish to visit this temple, be called the Varkaris (Piligrims). Let them abstain from wicked thoughts and wicked deeds. Let them abstain from eating meat, tobacco and liquor. Let them come here, once a year at least. This will increase their devotion, for what is needed more than the sight of Panduranga. Those who follow this will be greatly benefited and will attain salvation. They should always repeat the Lord's name as "Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari". They must no no distinction of caste or creed. They are all part of one universal brotherhood, and they must consider the universe, their home." All the people assembled their bowed before Lord Jnanadeva and started singing his praise "Santha Jnaneshwar Maharaj ki Jai!" , "Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari" and "Jai Jai Vitoba Rukmai". All the assembled saints accented, and said "As said by Lord Jnanedeva, we shall follow the said routine. It will indeed benefit the future generation spiritually.

Santha Namadeva too was greatly pleased. He went to the temple, and there Lord Panduranga appeared before him and told him "Oh Namadeva, accompany Santha Jnanadeva and his family on the piligrimage that they are undertaking to the North. You shall be greatly benefited." When Namadeva heard this, he cried "Oh Lord, how can I leave you?". Then Panduranga said "You worry unnecessarily oh Namadeva! I am everywhere." and after saying thus, disappeared. Reluctantly Santha Namadeva decided to accompany the saint family on their piligrimage to the North. What they went through was beautiful and hard to describe.

However before they left, a beautiful incident occured. I shall narrate this in the next post.

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari.

Shree SatChitAnanda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!