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."

Sant Narahari Sonar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Narahari Maharaj!

Chapter - 3

Narahari continued the customs of the family in a sincere manner, even after the demise of his parents.   He had the firm belief that all that goodness was inherited from his parents, he continued to remain in the service of Lord and taken care of the family business.   He was one of the finest jewelry makers in the village of Pandharpur. He believed that it is his greatest responsibility/Dharma to take care of the family shrine of Lord Shiva and the profession was introduced by his father.

Once he was visited by the wealthiest merchant in the town and his wife, Narahari invited them with all respect and enquired their purpose of visit to Pandharpur.  They have replied " Narahari, we have come to  visit you." Narahari said " Great.  It is my pleasure to serve you.  I would achieve the pleasure of serving Lord Mahadeva." The merchant continued " Narhari, once I had everything in my life with the grace of Lord Vittal, other than an offspring.  Once a saint visited our village and advised us to undertake austerities and visit Pandharpur Sri Vittobha.  We sincerely followed his advice and blessed with a child.  It is the time to show our gratitude to Lord Vittala, we want to decorate Him with a marvelous waist ornament."  Narahari was happy and said " You are truly blessed by Vittobha, he protected your clan, you are blessed with a child to carry out your legacy.  "  The merchant said " Yes, I am truly blessed, I have come here to seek your help,  you have to make a marvelous waist ornament for Panduranga, there is no skillful goldsmith in Pandharpur other than you famous in making an exquisite piece of ornaments, I have brought gold and gems to create the piece."  Narahari was in dilemma, " Sethiji, I do not think I can take up your work, you can approach somebody who can help you with this proposal, I have devoted all my life to Lord Shiva, I am finding the essence of Lord Shiva in all living beings, how can I do the work for Vittal?" The merchant said " Narahari, Hari and Hara are the same and there is no difference between them, Vittal is Lord Mallikarjuna, therefore kindly treat Vittal as your Lord Shiva and perform my task, the whole Universe is the representation of Parambhrama who assumes different forms to please our eyes." Narahari amiably said " Sethji, maybe it is your opinion, I have not been to any shrine other than Lord Shiva, I have not offered any veneration to other deities in my life, how can I enter in the shrine of Vittal and make an ornament for him. I do not think I can make it."  The merchant was too adamant and said " Let it be my unbending opinion, you have to do it for me, you are performing this task for me,  your devotion to Lord Shiva will not get harmed, I can bring the measurement  to make an exquisite ornament."

Sant Narahari Sonar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Narahari Maharaj!

Chapter - 2

Thus, Narahari was agreed to the decisions of his parents, with a condition that his family life should not hinder the worship of Lord Shiva.  His parents convinced him that the bride Ganga will not create any obstacle in his worship, instead, she will take care of the family and all the responsibilities in a good manner.   Narahari got married to Ganga on an auspicious day.  She was a pious woman believed in the worship of  all the deities, unlike Narahari who had a firm belief that Lord Shiva is the supreme Lord, he is the creator, protector and destroyer of the Universe and its living beings, therefore he is most venerable, rest of the demi-gods are appropriate for the veneration only after Lord Shiva.  In this way, he revealed his firm devotion of Lord Shiva to his wife, though he was born in Pandharpur he had never been to the famous shrine of Vittobha, he did not even attend the lecture of Sant Namdev who invited him to listen to his speeches and Namasankeerthan, because Namdev was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu.  It was significant that Sant Namdev and Sant Gnaneshwar was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.  Ganga revealed her opinion " The worship of Lord Shiva leads to abandonment of worldly desires, and it is observed by Yogis who renounced worldly matters, we are ordinary people who are committed to Grihasthashrama,"  Narahari had highest of the truth to reveal her " Ganga, The Supreme Lord Shiva is the essence of Shiva and Shakthi, who are considered as divine couple represents Prakrithi and Purusha, all the living beings represent the eternal truth of Shiva and Shakthi."  Though this couple had different beliefs, they were highly devoted and immersed in pious activities.  The entire village was known about the firm the devotion of Narahari and Ganga, people praised about their selfless love to Supreme Lord.

Sant Narahari Sonar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Narahari Maharaj!

Chapter - 1

Sri Narahari Maharaj was a staunch devotee of Lord Mallikarjuna/Lord Shiva located on the southwest of Pandharpur, later he became one of eminent Varkari sect saint who enlightened the people with the supreme knowledge that there is no difference between Lord Hari and Lord Hara.   Lord Panduranga and Lord Parameshwara are one and the same, it is the different form of absolute Bhramam.  He was lived during the period of the 13th century.  He was born to a pious couple who were Goldsmith by profession and worshiped Lord  Shiva as the family deity.  Narahari was too devoted to Lord Shiva, immerses in the veneration, recitation of sacred scriptures praising the glories of Lord Shiva from the early years of childhood.  

Years passed Narahari was grown to an adult,  he continued the same kind of living and has less interest in the family business, it bothered the elderly parents who were not in a position to carry out the family business.  They have decided to perform the marriage of Narahari so that he will concentrate on taking up the responsibilities of the family.  His mother was too concerned about Narahari, she said to her husband " We have become too old, we have taught him to be devoted to Lord, in the same manner, we have to teach him to lead a life of Grihastha, he has long life ahead, therefore we have to convince him to get married.  Once, he enters Grihasthashrama he will come to know the responsibilities of the family.  I have found a suitable bride for Narahari, she would be a perfect match for him." his father replied " It is a great idea, he will learn to take care of the family and business as well.  Then do not waste time, better go ahead with the proceedings of the marriage."  His mother was little hesitant to proceed further, she wants to get the permission of Narahari beforehand, his father was confident that Narahari will not reject any of the decisions of his parents.

Sant Sri Namdev 

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Namdev Maharaj!

Chapter - 6

One day Namadeva entered in the shrine of Lord Shiva, he found a stranger in ragged clothes sleeping close to the Linga keeping his two legs on top of the Linga.  Namadeva was shocked to see this, he was furious and asked the stranger to remove his legs from the idol.  The stranger asked his whereabouts, Namadeva introduced himself as an ardent devotee of Lord Panduranga, the stranger said even the beggars utter the name of Lord for receiving alms, so there is nothing superior in this.  Namdev was angrily told the man to keep his legs down from the Linga, he refused to do so, instead, he revealed his pitiful state and has no strength to move his leg an inch,  he asked Namadeva to remove his leg from the Linga.   Namdev removed his leg from the Linga and prepared to keep on the floor, soon there appeared another Linga, in this way wherever he placed his leg there appeared Linga, Namdev was mystified.  Soon the stranger assumed the form of Vishoba Khecchar who was his preceptor.   Namdev reverentially prostrated before him.  He advised Namdeva that his Abangs are most powerful, he is beloved of Panduranga who consume offerings from his hand, he has to leave Pandharpur and take a journey all through the sacred lands of India and spread Namasankeerthana.  He blessed Namadeva that the people who intend to get Dharshan of Lord Panduranga would prostrate before him before they proceed for the Dharshan of the Lord, later it had become true.  At the instruction of his preceptor, Namadeva conducted a journey to Punjab to spread Namasankeerthana and inspired multitudes of people to engage in the selfless service to Lord and recite his glories.    Namadeva enthused people with his lectures and glorious verses of Abhang.  His nectar-like speeches about the significance of Namasankeerthana was " The utterance of sacred names of Lord would provide liberation from worldly existence, ultimately worshiper would reside in the abode of Sri Vaikundham.  The miseries of worldly existence can be fought with the weapon of Namasmaran.  Therefore, let everyone ride on the ferry of Namasankeerthan and cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence."

In the year 1350, at the age of eighty Sant Sri Namdev Maharaj attained the lotus feet of Panduranga.  After his demise, he assumed as a stepping stone in the shrine of Pandharpur so that he would stay in constant touch of the feet of innumerable saints and devotees of Lord.  Sri Namdev Maharaj composed 125 glorious poems praising Lord Vittala, which was known as Abhang and sixty-one of the verses are included in the holy Guru Granth Sahib as Namdevji Ki Mukhbani.  He lived twenty years in a village called Ghuman in Gurdaspur district in Punjab, in the early fifties he returned to Pandharpur and continued spiritual service till his demise.

Sant Sri Namdev 

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Namdev Maharaj!

Chapter - 5

Once Namdev took newly woven clothes for sale to market, on the way he took rest under a tree, he looked around to feed animals, but he did not find any,   there he found a big sized rock and assumed it is as Vittala.   He adorned the rock with all the clothes he has brought for sale, with an agreement that the next time when he visits the market the rock should pay money for the clothes.  Namadeva returned home without money or clothes, his father was worried about his way of dealing with customers and selling clothes without receiving money.  The next time Namadeva returned to the same place where he adorned the rock with the clothes, he found there were no clothes on it, he was so upset, he conversed with the rock that he has to pay money to Dhamshet for the clothes he had adorned on the rock, otherwise, he would take the rock home and it should give a proper answer to Dhamshet.  He rolled the rock all the way from its place to his home, he started speaking to it, the villagers assembled were mocked and laughed at him.  Soon his parents arrived, Namdeva introduced the rock as his customer who received huge loads of clothing from him.  His father got very angry, and his mother was too worried " Namadeva, does anyone make a trade with a rock?" Are you mad?" his father was furious beat the rock with his stick, soon the stick turned into gold.  The people assembled were so greedy crowded around the rock, one person said " This rock you have picked up from my place, so I should take it back. I will pay the money for the clothes you have adorned it." finally, Namdev received the money for his clothes, the person who bought the rock lamented over his foolishness without knowing the fact that it was Namadeva's intense devotion paid its fruits.

Sant Sri Namdev 

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Namdev Maharaj!

Chapter - 4

 As years passed Namdev grown up to an adult, he continued the practice of feeding Vittala singing praising the glories.  His parents were too old, his father was too ill to continue the family business, Namdev decided to take up the work of his father.  His father was a merchant used to carry woven clothes to market, his father was too happy to hear the decision of Namadeva.  Thus he spends his day taking clothes to market singing praise of Lord Panduranga.  His fame spread all over the village,  Janabai who was working in the house of Namadeva was one of the closest associates of him, she gained all those priceless devotion to Panduranga from Namdev,  but some of the scholars  were jealous of his firm devotion and fame.  Namadeva carry meal with him while visiting the market, but he finds it difficult to consume the meal without offering to Lord Panduranga, so he will feed all those creatures around him, he was too considerate  found the presence of his beloved Lord Panduranga in all those living and non-living things.

Once Namdev carried a good load of clothes to market for sale, and he returned home with empty-handed.  He had neither clothes nor money, his father was worried about his trading techniques, as usual, his mother was supportive of Namadev.  His parents were happy to note that Namdev involved in the ordinary way of living other than the worship of Lord Vittala.  Namdev's lectures were soul-stirring,  invites a large crowd to listen to those nectars like speeches.  " The Supreme Lord is the creator and protector as well.  He is the ocean of mercy, he is the giver, he does not ask for anything other than selfless service, we should always remember the Lord who has given us the life of a human.  He is all-pervading, he is too compassionate assumes any form the way we envision, he is attainable to virtuous and righteous people who have true love towards the supreme Lord.  Whoever recites his name and worship him would be blessed with his perpetual presence, whoever finds the taste of remembering the names of supreme Lord, could not live without it.  It is not easy to cross the ocean of worldly existence, therefore we have to use the ferry of Namasankeerthan to cross this unfathomable ocean of worldly existence.  In this Kali era Namasmaran is the easiest way to approach the Lord, which could provide supreme bliss and serenity to the worshiper."  The lectures and Namasankeerthana of Namdev Maharaj inspired villagers to walk through the path of devotion, they found immense joy and peace in the recitation of sacred names.