Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj
Pranams at the lotus feet
of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!
Chapter - 8
Nivriththinath, Gnandev,
Sopan Dev and Mukthabai took up the journey through the villages spreading
Namasankeerthana and giving lectures on scriptures. They arrived in a village and found a young
woman weeping near the lifeless body of her husband which was covered in white
clothing. She was surrounded by villagers and
her elderly parents, she was consoled by his father “ Daughter, it is one of
the pastimes of Lord, who are we to interfere in his amusements?” Gnandev felt
miserable watching the old parents and their daughter. He went near the dead body and asked the
elderly man “Baba, whose dead body is this? How did he die?” The old man replied
“ It is my son-in-law, Sacchidhanand, he was not well for the past two
days.” Gnandev moved closer to the dead body, touched on the forehead of the corpse and said “ Sath-Chith-Anand,
how death could win over bliss? Sacchidhanand, you have been sleeping for long
hours, wake up!” Soon Sacchidhanand
got out as if he was from a deep sleep.
The entire villagers stunned at the miracle, they cheered. Gnandev amiably said “ It was the miracle
performed by Lord Parameshwara. I am
obliged to follow the command of him. I
was following his instruction, Hail to Lord Parameshwara.” Sacchidhanand expressed his desire to follow
Sanyasashrama, but Gnandev discouraged him saying “ Sacchidhanand, you have to
serve your family and the society being in the wedlock, take pleasure in the
family life, you can perform all those spiritual and religious rites being in
the wedlock and attain Moksha. You need
not follow Sanyasa.” Sacchidhanand’s
wife approached Gnandev and said “ Prabho, I have learned the greatest lesson
from this grave incident, life on Earth is full of miseries, sorrows, and
illusion, you have given new life to my husband, I owe you a great lot, happiness
should be shared like knowledge, therefore kindly accept my husband
as your sincere attendant, and give him an opportunity to serve you.” Gnandev was surprised at the humble words of
her “ Ma, I am happy to hear the words of supreme wisdom from you, I am seeing a different form
of a woman who is the abode of kindness, chastity, love, sincerity, and
sacrifice. Today onwards your husband
will be known as Baba Sacchidhanand, he would take up the responsibility to
spread the essence of Gnaneshwari to the world.” Shortly, the fame of Gnandev
spread all over the village, people throng from different parts of Maharashtra
to visit him.
