The great Saint of Maharashtra - Sant Eknath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Eknath Maharaj!

Chapter – 5

One day, family priest of Sant Eknath arrived in the shrine where he was settled. He could instantly recognize  Eknath.  The priest informed his grandparents about the return of their grandson in the village, a saintly person giving lectures on Bhagavath in the shrine of Lord Shiva is none other than Eknath.  The priest took Chakrapani to the temple.  His grandfather was highly enthusiastic to receive his grandson after several years; he had several questions popped up in mind.  On their way, the family priest explained, once he had been to Dhaulatabad where he had the Dharshan of Swami Janardan, he came to know that Swami Janardan gave Deeksha to Eknath, those days Eknath was not with Swami Janardan,  he was undertaking pilgrimage at the instruction of his preceptor.  They made up mind to meet this saintly person and if it is not Eknath, they have to return home empty-handed.  They arrived in the shrine, Eknath immediately prostrated before the elderly people; Chakrapani was in a state of ecstasy seeing his grandson after so long.  Later, Eknath started living with his grandfather at his request.

One day his grandfather said “ Eknath, you should marry and get settled. I want to see you as Grihastha.” But Eknath was not happy with the idea of his grandfather; finally, the family priest involved and pacified his grandfather that he will take care of this matter.  The next day, the family priest arrived in Daulatabad and met Swami Janardan and informed everything about Eknath.  He also informed about the anxiousness of the elderly couple Chakrapani and Saraswathibayi about their grandson, he also said: “If Eknath is not married; the illustrious clan of scholars will come to an end, which is not a good idea to watch the end of the clan of well-known Bhanudas.”  Swami Janardan said “I will not let it happen, I will give you a letter in the name of Eknath. You kindly deliver to him, it is his responsibility to follow the instruction of his preceptor.”  The family priest returned with the letter and handed over to Eknath who had no choice other than agreeing to the proposal of his grandfather, he reluctantly agreed to the desire of his grandfather.  Sant Eknath married to Girijabayi who was a pious and caring woman, she was a perfect match for him, his grandparents and Eknath was extremely happy at the marriage.  Girijabayi  took good care of all the members of the family.  His daily routines were taking a holy dip in the Godavari, worship of Lord  Panduranaga and arrange Namasankeerthan at home in the evenings, and Girijabayi was a dutiful wife who assisted him in all his righteous deeds, most of the time he will be receiving holy men at home and serving them, spending hours in the lectures and debate with them.