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.”   

The Sage of Kanchi

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Paramacharya!

Sri Paramacharya emphasizes the significance of Sun Worship/Sandhyavandhanam, which is considered as one of the most compulsory rites of a twice-born after the performance of sacred thread ceremony, any religious rites performed without sun worship would remain unfruitful.  All the religious and spiritual rite should be performed after the performance of sun worship to attain the meritorious reward mentioned in the scriptures.  Gayathri Mahamanthra is the essence of Rig, Yajur, Sama Veda, it is also known as 'Thripadha Gayathri', it has 24 sacred syllables which are divided as a set of eight into three.  It is highly propitious Mahamanthra which protects the intellect, virility, and energy of the worshiper who recites with intense devotion and faith.  Gayathri Mahamanthra is the mother of Veda, therefore recitation of this Mahamanthra would provide the piousness of the recitation of all the Vedic chants. The worshiper would attain all those Manthrasiddhi with the sincere worship of the Sun.  It is important that the worshiper should keep his body free from impurities to attain all those benefits of the performance of Sun worship.  The body is considered as a shrine which is the dwelling place of Paramathma in the form of soul.  It is our practice to keep the shrine free from impurities, in the same manner, the worshiper should keep his body free from impurities like addiction causing intoxicated and spirituous ingredients or consumption of meat, etc..

The temples follow particular disciplines and rules, shrine should be kept free from impurities.  At home we follow the different practices,  we do not observe all those strict practices followed in the temples.  The worship place and the living space should be kept separately in the homes, it is sad to note that nowadays people are not following any of the strictness in the homes.  It is the responsibility of the twice-born to practice religious rites and Vedic chants for the welfare of the Universe and its people, therefore he has to keep his body and mind free from impurities, he has to follow strict austerities and disciplines.  A twice-born should utilize his body for the welfare of the Universe and its people, the performance of religious rites, the recitation of Veda and protect Veda.  There was a time, the Kings and rulers were offered an abundance of wealth and grains as a charity for the performance of religious rites, and huge contributions were made to the Brahmins for the performance of religious rites.  Nowadays the situation has changed, people are not aware of the importance of religious or spiritual rites, either they are not willing to follow the custom or not aware of its importance.  Therefore, a twice-born has to work hard for earning money, that does not mean that he has to leave all his religious rites and accumulate wealth or engage in activities which are morally wrong.  It was believed that a twice-born should starve to attain knowledge, which promotes the welfare of the Universe and its living beings.  A twice-born need not cross the ocean to earn money and lead a comfortable life by leaving all his religious rites.  The primary duty of a twice-born is to protect Veda and perform religious and spiritual rites, which is capable to protect the entire Universe and its living beings.  A twice-born should be capable to alleviate the miseries of the people and protect the people from disaster with his Manthrasiddhi.  Unfortunately, in recent years twice-born has less interest in his duties and responsibilities, he got accustomed to the comforts, his mind, and body has become impure, even though he has a spark in him which he as attained from the piousness of previous births, if he put an effort to kindle the spark of worship of  Goddess Gayathri and Sun, it would protect him.   If he protects Veda and follows the religious rites,  it is definite that he will remain protected always,  when a person and his three generations stop performing sun worship would be considered as a Dhur-brahmin, he should  perform the atonement rites meticulously, even though it is impossible to regain the status of a twice-born.  It is the duty of a twice-born to recite Sahasra Gayathri whenever possible, and he should avoid consuming meals cooked other than in his home.

Sant Narahari Sonar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Narahari Maharaj!

Chapter - 5

The fame of Sant Narahari spread all over the village.  The people learned one of the greatest of the knowledge from Sant Narahari that Hara and Hari are same, it is absolute Bramham in different forms.  The villagers felt that it is their fortune to have holy men like Sant Namdev, Sant Gnaneshwar, and Sant Narahari, in Pandharpur.  They have realized that the association with the holy men only can relieve the sufferings of worldly bondage,  and lead to Moksha, people throng from the various places to listen to the lectures of Sant Narahari who spread devotion and faith in the supreme Lord.  Sant Narahari elaborated the significance of Nishkamya Karma, selfless service to the supreme Lord and his devotees would help the worshiper to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence,  whoever surrenders to Lord shall remain protected always.  The Supreme Lord is all-pervading, he resides as a soul in living beings, therefore everyone should practice simplicity, kindness, compassion, and love for each other.  In this Kali era, Namasmaran only can bring nearness to the supreme Lord.

One day his wife Ganga narrated the miracle happened to Narahari Maharaj,  as usual finishing her daily worship, she found golden coins before the sanctum, she was surprised and called out for Narahari Maharaj, he shed tears "Ganga, it is the blessings of Lord Mallikarjun, Panduranga and Ma Bageshwari," with tears overflowing he prayed " Ma, I am so fortunate to attain your blessings, I have Ramnama as golden coins with me, what I do with these golden coins, your grace itself gold for me," Ganga was too pleased and said " We will offer all these gold coins on her feet, " Later, it was decided to use the golden coins for making an idol of Lord Vittala,  while carving the idol of Lord Vittala, his inner voice put a sudden halt to his fingers, with tears overflowing he remembered " how did I fall pray for my desire to carve a golden idol of Panduranga? My devotion has not ripened yet. I have committed terrible sin I have to abandon the idol right away." he took the idol carefully covered in his upper clothe and dropped in the river and rushed to the shrine of Panduranga " Bhagavan, I have abandoned all my desires and illusions, I shall surrender at your lotus feet, kindly forgive me." he tightly embraced the idol of Panduraga with tears overflowing and left his mortal.   In this way, a great devotee Sant Narahari Maharaj left his mortal coil at the lotus feet of Lord Panduranga in the year 1313.

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.