Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 7

The children returned to Alandi and met Gangadhar Shastri with the date for performing the sacred thread ceremony. Gnandev handed over the letter of Mahashasthri of Paitan,  Shasthriji received the children with great respect and offered the seat.  Soon the haughty wealthy man of the village, father of Radha brought all the Bhramins of Alandi with an intention to insult Shashthriji who received the children with great respect.  The people of the village blamed Shathriji for receiving the children born to a Sanyasin who did not follow his dharma and returned to Grihasthashrama, they called the children as Chandala, they threatened Shasthriji that they will discard him from society.  Shashthriji tried to convince the raged villagers about the seriousness of the situation, that the Mahashasthri of Paitan has given permission to perform a sacred thread ceremony for the children.  The Brahmins of Alandi laughed at the letter of Mahashasthri of Paitan, which mentioned that Gnandev is not an ordinary child, he is an incarnation of the supreme Lord.

Gnandev came out of the cottage of Gangadhar Shasthriji and asked the reason for people creating such a loud noise; Shasthriji said, “These people are not willing to accept you as Brahmin.” The children said collectively “We are Bhramin by birth, Karma, and Dharma.  Brahmin is who has the knowledge of Supreme Bramham.” The villagers forcefully removed the children from the cottage of Gangadhar Shashthriji could do nothing but witnessing the unruly crowd.  They ill-treated the children, dragged them out of the village.  Gnandev felt miserable,  he wanted to follow the footsteps of his parents, he was deeply troubled by the arrogance of the villagers, he locked himself in the house, three of his siblings were continuously knocked the door and warned Gnandev that he should  listen to Nivriththinath who is not only an elder brother but also his preceptor from childhood.  Gnandev immediately opened the door and asked Nivriththinath to forgive him, later he was pacified by Muktha, Nivriththinath and Sopandev.    Nivriththinath advised his brother “ Gnandev, we do not require any auspicious date to perform the sacred thread ceremony,  control your emotions, it is our responsibility to lead the people to the path of liberation,  therefore  write Bhagavad Gita in Marathi and impart the knowledge of Gita to people.”  Thus Gnandev wrote the glorious verse Gnanehwari, it took several years to complete, by the time all of the four were had grown up to a young adult.

Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 6

The children arrived in the assembly of Bhramins in Paitan.  They handed over the letter given by Gangadhar Shashtri from Alandi.  The Mahashasthri asked their purpose of visit, the children earnestly introduced themselves as a native of Alandi before the assembly, further they requested is there anything mentioned in the scriptures about the atonement of a Sanyasin who returned to Grihasthashrama.  Mahashathri replied that there is no atonement required for a Sanyasin who return to Grihasthashram, they detailed about the Brahmins of Alandi who imposed punishment on their parent's death as atonement.   Mahashasthri said that it was a wholly unfair verdict imposed on their parents and it is not possible for him to reprimand those Bhramins who imposed punishments on their parents.  Gnandev requested Mahashasthri “ Our parents have sacrificed their lives for getting an auspicious day to perform sacred thread ceremony for us, we have been taught scriptures and sacred hymns all these years, kindly consider our plea.”  Finally, the great assembly of Bhramins confirmed that the children are deserved to receive an auspicious day to perform the sacred thread ceremony.  Mahashasthri advised the children to keep celibacy as a vow, strictly follow the Bhraminic rites, and follow the Varnna Ashrama dharma and maintain distance from lower castes.   Gnandev was agreed for all the above conditions but he was not willing to follow keep distance from the lower caste.  The Brahmins of Paitans have become unpleasant, Gnandev explained his viewpoint, “ we have a common rule not to harm the animals, how can we mistreat the people of low caste and declare them as untouchables? We have to leave hatred and misconception, Lord Ram consumed the fruit given by Shabari and gave her Moksha, there is supreme Lord resides as Jeevathma in Shudra, animals, Brahmins, and all the living and non-living things,  therefore we have to follow the supreme concept "Oneness in  all", same as the reflection of Sun in all the ponds.”  The Brahmins were laughed at the explanation of little Gnandev, while the discussion continued, suddenly they have seen a buffalo passing on that way, the Bhramins teased him if the soul is all-pervading, then the buffalo should be able to recite Veda, Gnandev replied “If that was the wish of Lord, definitely, the buffalo will recite Veda.” Gnandev arrived at the place where the buffalo was standing, the place was packed by villagers and Bhramins, Gnandev recited Vedic chants and the buffalo repeated the same.  The people assembled were shocked; Mahashasthri of Paitan rushed to Gnandev and received the children with great respect.  The Mahashasthri of Paitan took Gnandev in his chamber and made him seated on his throne, with tears said “ Prabho,  how can we issue date for performing a sacred thread ceremony to a Bhramam who is the knower of All, we are not qualified to do that, you are supreme Bhramam, kindly forgive us for our demeanor.”

Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 5

One day Radha was playing with the pets in front of Shasthriji’s home, he joined with her and told her “we should not mistreat animals; I will bring some milk to feed them.”  This statement echoed in Radha’s mind thoroughly, she brought Gnandev, Nivriththinath, Sopan Dev and Muktha to Shathriji’s home and said: “ Baba, you have advised me that we should treat everyone with kindness, why do not you give an auspicious date to perform the sacred ceremony for these three boys.”  Shathriji replied “ Daughter, I have no right to issue a date for the sacred thread ceremony, it is the responsibility of great scholars of the village of Paitan.”  She requested an introductory letter from Shasthriji to the scholars of Paitan so that it would be easy for the children to receive an auspicious date for the sacred ceremonies. Shasthriji agreed and issued a letter to the scholars of Paitan, the children thanked the Shasthriji and left the place.

Nivriththinath, Gnandev, Sopandev and Mukthabhai left their village to Paitan, they walked several miles through the agricultural fields, suddenly they saw a bullock cart stuck in the muddy field and the cartman was trying hard to pull out the wheels from the mud.   Soon the children also joined hands with him and got the wheel out of the muddy land, they introduced themselves as orphans, they are going to Paitan by foot, and the cartman discouraged the children to walk on the scorching heat to Paitan which is far off from their village Alandi.  They revealed the purpose of visit to Paitan to meet Mahashathris to get the dates for performing the sacred thread ceremony.  The cartman felt so saddened hearing the ill-treatment on the children in their own village; finally, he advised the children to get into the cart and agreed to drop them in Paitan.

Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 4

In the middle of the night Gnaneshwar got out of sleep abruptly, he found his parent's attic was empty; the children were shocked to know that their parents are not at home.  The little girl Mukthabai was alarmed, soon her brothers took hold of her and calmed.  Somehow they have patiently waited for the daybreak.  As soon as the sun raise they ran out in search of parents in different directions.  The villagers were not at all considerate; they did not provide any help for these children who were running out in search of their parents.  They got back home wearied with extreme agony and grief.  Gnanadev’s childhood mate Radha who was the daughter of a wealthy man in the village arrived, Gnandev sadly told her “ Radha, our parents are missing, we have been conducting thorough search all through the village, but did not find any trace of them.”  Radha said “ Gnandev, you will not able to locate them, Yesterday they went to meet the Bhramin Sabha of the village to get an auspicious date to perform sacred thread ceremony of three of you.  The Brahmins of the Sabha asked him to perform the atonement for the sin, after that they will consider whether to give the date for the performance of sacred thread ceremony or not.  They asked your father to give away life as atonement for the sin committed.” The children were shocked and inconsolable to hear death punishment to their parents.  Radha said, “ I think your parents accepted the death punishment.”  The children were miserable, they wept bitterly. 

They had nothing at home left to eat, they go out begging for alms, but the villagers were refused to give anything as alms and abused the children.  They returned home tired of hunger and thirst, suddenly Sopan Dev fallen unconscious, the children were worried, Gnandev rushed out of the home to fetch water from the pond.  He filled water in a mud vessel, soon the wealthy man and a group of Bhramins arrived and blamed Gnandev spoiled the sanctity of the water which was meant for the ablution of Brahmins.  Gnandev said “ Sopandev’s life is in danger without a drop of water at home.  Therefore, kindly allow me to take some water to save his life,  water cannot be impure with the touch of a person of low caste,” The arrogant wealthy man ordered to thrash the mud pot Gnandev was carrying on his head.  He returned home humiliated and all wet, he squeezed out water from his wet clothes on Sopan Dev, soon he regained consciousness.  Muktha took a torn cloth which was used by his mother to pack the flour, she removed the remains of the dust of flour from it, with her tears she made of dough and spread it as Rotis, but there was no fire left at home, Gnandev asked her to keep the Roti on his upper back to get it cooked with the heat of his body out of anger and frustration.  That night the children were happily filled their stomach with the pieces of a single Roti.

Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 3

One day, Vittal Panth came to meet the Shashthri/chief scholar of the village to obtain an auspicious date to perform a sacred thread ceremony of the children.  But the Brahmins of the village refused to give an auspicious day to perform the ceremony.  Vittal Panth tried all his efforts to convince the Bhramins and scholars that his children have already learned the scriptures and Veda.  But the Brahmins refused to give an auspicious date, moreover, they abused Vittal Panth a sinner, his children are born to a sinner, therefore, the children have no right to have sacred thread ceremony.  They blamed Vittal Panth for embracing Sanyasashrama while he was in wedlock, and discarded the Sanyasashrama and returned to wedlock.  Vittal Panth respectfully described the situation, he had embraced Sanyasashrama with the permission of his wife and returned to wedlock at the order of his preceptor, therefore neither he nor his children have made any sin.   They discarded Vittal Panth and his family from the society of twice-born and called him lower than a Shudra.  Finally, the assembly of scholars announced that Vittal Panth and his family will not be treated as Bhramins anymore, and the children will not be eligible to perform the sacred thread ceremony.   Further, they have released an order, if Vittal Panth gives up his life as atonement for the sin he had committed, the children may be qualified to perform a sacred thread ceremony.  Rukmini was inconsolable, “How a Bhramin could advise death as atonement? The suicide is considered as severest sin, Do you think these Bhramin will allow the children to live in peace after your death?”  Vittal Panth was adamant, he said “ Rukmini, I will go to any extent to save the future of my children.  I want my children to be known as Brahmin, I want my children to attain the greatest of knowledge of Bhramam.  Therefore, I am willing to give up my life.  I cannot heed to your words.”  Rukmini said “ I am your wife, these children are mine as well.   If you have decided to follow the verdict of Bhramins, I am also equally responsible for the sin, hence I will follow you in whatever you feel right.”  Vittal Panth was worried about his children in their absence, Rukmini pacified saying “ Our children will be taken care of by the Supreme Lord who was doing that all these years, and will do that in the future too.  The Supreme Lord is the cause and effect as well, we give up our lives and accept death punishment as the verdict of the Supreme Lord.” On that night, Rukmini put off the hunger of the children with the recitation of Bhagavanama and a cup of water that was the only thing available in the house.  Soon, the children were fallen asleep, the couple moved out of the home heavy heartedly with the tears overflowing.  They arrived in a nearby pond and embraced Jalasamadhi.

Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 2

Vittal Pant and Rukmini returned to their village Alandi, this couple had to face many hardships while they were in the village, Vittal Panth was not welcomed by the villagers as he was returned from Sanyasa  to Grihasthashrama.  In due course of time, Rukmini gave birth to four children Nivriththinath,  Gnaneshwar, Sopan Dev and  Mukthabhai.

This couple was suffering from extreme poverty, Vittal Panth had to feed the children on alms, the village people refused to give alms, the Bhramins disgraced him and refused to give any alms, the people of  lower caste are willing to offer alms but the Brahmins discouraged them.  Vittal Panth and his family had to starve, children were tired of hunger and thirst, they forgot to play and enjoy like any other children of their age.  Vittal Panth felt that he is responsible for the miseries in the family; if he had proceeded with Sanyasashrama none of this would have happened.

Once, Nivriththinath had a dream in that he had the Dharshan of Yogi Geheninath who was the disciple of Yogi Gorakhnath Maharaj.  The little boy Nivritththinath was mystified to meet the Yogi Gehninath in his dream, he described Gorakhnath Maharaj was the disciple of Mathsyendhranath who was the devoted disciple of Lord Mahadeva.  Nivriththinath was surprised why he was invited to meet Geheninath in his dreams, Yogi Geheninath replied: “ Vathsa, it is the command of my preceptor to give you Dheeksha according to Nathpankthi Sampradaya.”  Nivriththinath replied “ Maharaj, my parents are devotees of Lord Vishnu.” Nivriththinath received Deeksha from Geheninath in his dreams and attained highest of the knowledge of Bhramam which has no specific form.  Later, Nivriththinath described the beautiful dream he had to his siblings who were equally in a state of awe.  Years passed in utter poverty,  but the couple did not leave their courage, Vittal Panth taught his children scriptures and Bhagavad Gita. 

Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Gnaneshwar Maharaj!

Chapter - 1

Sant Gnaneshwar /Gnanadeva/Mavuli was a Marathi saint, religious poet, philosopher, and a great Yogi, he is the author of illustrious works Gnaneshwari and Amruthanubhav.  He was born in the year 1275, to a pious couple Vittalpanth and Rukmini in a village called Alandi, Maharashtra.  His siblings are Nivriththinath, Sopandev, and Mukthabhai.  Vittalpanth was leading a life of an ascetic, once Lord Vittobha appeared in his dream and instructed to marry Rukmini who was the daughter of a head priest Siddheshwar in Alanadi.  Siddheshwar also had the same dream in that Lord Vittobha instructed him to give her daughter’s hand to Vittalpanth.  The couple lived together for a short period of time, Vittal Panth was not at all interested in worldly matters, his spiritual life took him to Kashi, where he met Swami Sri Ramanand who was the preceptor of Sant Kabirdas, eventually he attained Deeksha from Swami Ramanand and embraced Sanyasa.

After a few years, Saint Ramanand arrived in the village Alandi during the spiritual journey to Rameshwaram, he blessed many of the devotees and pious people.  In that crowd Rukmini also attained the blessings of Swami Ramanand, he blessed her to have offspring and happy married life, without knowing the fact that Rukmini was living a life of an unmarried, although she was married to Vittalpanth.  Rukmini shed tears of grief informed Swami Ramanand about her husband who left her immediately after the marriage and embraced Sanyasa.  Swami Ramanand found that it was Vittal Panth, husband of virtuous Rukmini.   She was living a chaste life all these years, patiently waiting for the return of her husband.  Swami Ramanand did not proceed for further journey to Rameshwaram.  He returned to Vittal Panth who did not mention anything about his married life while obtaining Sanyasa Deeksha.  Swami Ramananda advised Vittal Panth that a Grihasthashrama is a superior Dharma, in that a person performs all the righteous and religious deeds being in the wedlock, he performs his responsibilities towards his elderly parents as well as his family, a Sanyasin strive for Moksha for himself, but a Grihastha performs all the religious and spiritual deeds remaining himself in the vow of marriage, ultimately attain Moksha.  Swami Ramanand was very unhappy about Vittalpanth’s deed, he ordered Vittalpanth to return to his married life once again.  Those days it was considered as a sin to return to Grihasthashrama after embracing Sanyasa, but Vittal Panth was in a dilemma, he had no other choice, he had to follow the order of his preceptor. Swami Ramanand blessed Vittal Panth and Rukmini “you will be blessed with three virtuous sons and a daughter, Gyaneshwar will be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, highly scholastic and storehouse of wisdom and virtues.”