Sant Narahari Sonar
Pranams at the lotus feet
of Sri Narahari Maharaj!
Chapter - 4
Finally, Narahari agreed to make the waist ornament for Panduranga according to
the measurement given by the merchant, followed by a condition that he should not find
fault in the work in the future. The merchant handed over the gold and gems for
the ornament and informed he will be back with the measurement. The villagers
started creating stories behind the back of Narahari, saying that Narahari is greedy of money, that is why he agreed to make waist ornament for Panduranga, all these
years he was pretending as a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. In due course
of time, an excellent piece of waist ornament was prepared by Narahari and
handed over to the merchant. The
merchant was highly pleased with the work of Narahari. He returned to offer the jewel to Panduranga. A grand celebration was
organized, the whole villagers were assembled, the initial offerings and
veneration were got over, the priest asked him to decorate the ornament on Lord, but
it was found too long to fix on the waist of the idol. The priest laughed
at the merchant sarcastically saying that Narahari is capable to make ornaments
for Lord Shiva, not for Panduranga. The
merchant came back to Narahari saying that the ornament is too long to adorn on the idol
and asked to cut short the length.
Narhari was surprised, the ornament was made exactly following the
measurement, both of them got confused, merchant thought he has made mistake
while taking the measurement. He returned to the temple premise, the whole atmosphere was reverberating
with the Namasankeerthan and packed with devotees, once again the merchant
adorned the ornament on the waist of Vittala, this time he found it is too
short. He rushed back to Narahari with frustration, he asked Narahari to
follow him to shrine and take measurements by himself. Narahari was too adamant, he was not willing
to visit the shrine, the merchant convinced that it is too shameful for him if he did not present an ornament at the right time,
therefore Narahari should leave his pride and visit the shrine. Narahari is a righteous man, agreed to find
a solution for the problem of the merchant, he has given the promise to create the
ornament so it is his responsibility to make sure that it serves the
purpose. Narahari said " Sethiji, I
have found a solution for your distress, at the same time I cannot worship any
other deities other than my Lord Mahadeva, hence you should blindfold my eyes
and take me to the shrine of Vittal, I will take the exact measurement of the
waist and produce the ornament." The merchant was extremely happy with
this decision.
While the whole villagers watching, Narahari was taken to the
shrine of Vittobha blindfolded by the merchant. Narahari entered the sanctum of the shrine and touched the waist of
Vittobha, he felt the presence of Rudraksha, bells, and skin of leopard on the waist, further he
moved hands upwards he sensed the presence of Trident and drum, etc.. He
could not believe, in utter shock he opened the blindfold, he could witness
Lord Vittobha's smiling face before him. He felt he had committed sin visiting
Panduranga instead of his favorite Lord Mahadeva. Narahari put back the blindfold and shed tears before the idol of Panduranga,
praying to forgive his sin, once again he opened the blindfold, saw his
beloved Lord Mahadeva before him. Narahari was mystified, realized his ignorance, he
sang praising the glories of Lord in Marathi famously known as Abhang in that he narrated there is no difference between
Lord Hara and Lord Hari. He poured out his heart saying that he had committed a grave sin by differentiating both of
them, with the tears overflowing he fell down at the feet of Lord Panduranga. The people assembled could hear a divine voice " Hari
is not different from Hara, I am Vittobha standing always on the brick in order
to protect my devotees, you have felt the presence of Hara in me because I adore
him."
