The great Saint of Maharashtra - Sant Eknath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Eknath Maharaj!

Chapter – 8

Sant Eknath’s grandparents passed away, all the rituals of death were performed elaborately, charities were performed, and all the arrangements were made to feed the Brahmins of Paitan who were strict followers of religious rites.   A few of an outclass people were passing in front of his home was troubled with hunger and thirst, they were talking about the fragrances of a delicious meal coming out of his home, they were cursing their ill fate for not getting an opportunity to consume a sumptuous meal, Sant Eknath heard all their conversation.  He amiably said “ Wait for a minute, I will make arrangements to feed you all, you do one thing, go to your homes and bring your families here by that time I will keep everything ready to serve you all,”  Within a short period of time, his front portion of the house is filled with a large number of people from outclass, they were served with delicious meal.  The people assembled were immensely pleased and left the place.  Sant Eknath with the help of Uddhav cleaned the home and started preparing to serve the Bhramin of Paitan who was assembled on time.  They found that Sant Eknath has already served the people of low caste before serving meals to them.  It irked the Bhramins, they felt insulted and could not control the anger.  Sant Eknath prayed to them with folded hands “ It is true that I have fed the outclass people before your arrival, they were extremely tired of hunger and were enjoying the fragrances of the meal prepared, after serving them I have thoroughly cleaned the home and prepared meals for you all, there are no impurities in the home.”  The Pandits were in a rage said “ Don’t’ you feel ashamed of your act? Usually, people feed the Bhramins not to Shudras during the occasion of homage to Ancestors.  Do you think we will consume a meal the place where outclass were fed? You have fed the people from a low caste, therefore, your entire clan and your home have become impure.  In the future, none of the Bhramins will attend you.”  Sant Eknath begged the Bhramins to forgive, but it ended in vain.  Sant Eknath gravely remembered the incident happened in the life of Sant Gyandev.  He returned inside the home with a sad face, his wife asked what will happen next. Sant Eknath replied “ It must be the wish of Lord.  You need not worry.  Bring all the required ingredients; I will perform the Shraddha ceremony.  It is the wish of Lord Vittobha.”  Sant Eknath performed the Shraddha rituals invoking ancestors, there were no Bhramins to feed, other than his family members and one of his neighbors.  After the rituals the food was served to all the members’ presents, at that moment they could witness that his ancestors Bhanudas, Chakrapani, and Suryanarayan were present on the seats provided, and consuming meals.  It was one of the incidents which cannot be imagined for the ordinary people.  Soon this news was spread all over the village.   The Brahmins realized that Eknath is definitely not an ordinary person; he is one of the supreme ascetics who performs miracles.  They felt ashamed of their demeanor; they assembled before Sant Eknath and begged for forgiveness.  They have promised that they will not repeat the ill behavior in the future.