Sant Gorakumbhar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakumbhar Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

One day there arrived a young couple seeking pottery work to Goraba, this couple introduced themselves coming from nearby villages seeking a livelihood.  Goraba invited them to stay with him and do the potteries.  Thus this couple started living with the family of Goraba, they devoted their time to producing potteries; the house became lively as it was before, this couple without any hesitation did all the potteries.  It was the season of Varkari Yathra to Pandharpur, during this time of the year people in large numbers conduct journey by foot to the famous shrine of Lord Panduranga.   This couple expressed their desire to join with the devotees to Pandharpur.  Goraba wished to conduct the journey with his family also joined with this couple and decided to go for Pandharpur.   On their way, they had an opportunity to listen to the passionate lectures of Sant Namdev Maharaj “ The supreme Lord is selfless, he is the protector, he provides the necessities of our lives, he never asks anything in return.  He has given us the form of human after several births, he showers boundless mercy upon us, and therefore it is our prime duty to remember him always.  The devotion to the supreme Lord is like wet clay,  you can envision Lord whichever form you want to witness, for that we need to have pure eyesight and sincere devotion, he is attainable to his staunch devotees.  Whoever constantly remembers him and utters his sacred names, it is definite that he will never leave them.  The person who tastes the nectar-like sacred names of the Lord will not leave the taste of it.  It is difficult to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence which is full of miseries and sorrows.  It can be easily crossed with the ferry of Harinama,  Namasmarana is the easiest way to attain Lord.  It can provide eternal bliss and serenity.”  The group of Varkari saints immersed in the speech, Gorakumbhar was completely wrapped in the Namasmaran, without even sensing the arms which were cut off years ago, back as it was before.  He rushed to the sanctum followed by his wives; he cried before the idol of Lord Vittala and promised to utilize the hands received with the grace of Lord Vittala for the service of Lord.  Lord Panduranga appeared before the couple and blessed them, Goddess Rukmini returned the child safely to the couple that was thrashed and died under the legs of Garba.  Once again, peace and happiness were restored in the life of Sant Gorakumbhar.    It was the intense devotion of Goroba which brought the supreme Lord Vittala as a potter couple who served this family at the time of distress.  

Sant Gorakumbhar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakumbhar Maharaj!

Chapter – 2

Goraba’s wife heartily wished to bring him back in her life, and start a new life but that was impossible to happen.  He spends most of the time in solitude and in utter despair, after several attempts she gave up the idea to bring Goraba back in her life.  She urged Goraba for a re-marriage with her sister.  The people of the village were not happy with this news, even her father was not agreed to the idea of re-marriage of Goraba who was a sincere and devoted husband to his elder daughter all these years.   The villagers expressed their qualms about the future of the re-marriage.   Goroba is a saintly man who has no clear cut idea of life, there was no hope that he would stick with the family life or he may take refugee with the saints.   Goraba’s wife pleaded to her father for the re-marriage with her own sister, saying that she wanted to see a child back in their life.  Finally, her father gave permission to marry off his second daughter to Goroba who had no choice other than listening to his wife and his father-in-law.   The marriage of Goroba with his sister-in-law took place in a simple manner.

Goraba was leading a life of an ascetic even after the marriage.  He sincerely followed the instruction of his wife and his father-in-law, but he has already devoted his life to Lord Panduranga.  He had no interest in worldly matters.  The newly wedded husband and wife kept a distance, his first wife thought she should bring back Goroba back to Grihathashmra, otherwise it would be an injustice to her sister.  On that night both the wives went close to Goraba on the bed.    Goraba was taken aback seeing his two wives on his bed, he considered it as sin being with wives on the same bed after taking promise on Lord Vittala,  he chopped off his two hands.  This news spread all over the village, the people called Goroba a mad fellow who crushed his infant under his leg without the knowledge and cut off his arms without the sense of his livelihood, some called him a saintly and irresponsible. 

Sant Gorakumbhar

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakumbhar Maharaj!

Chapter – 1

Gorakumbhar Maharaj was lived between 1267 and 1317, in Goraba Ter, Osamanabad District, Maharashtra.  He was a potter by profession and a staunch devotee of Lord Vittobha.  He wrote several verses in Marathi praising the Lord Vittobha, which are famously known as Abhang.  He inspired several thousands of people to walk through the path of devotion, he enthused people to perform their household tasks with the constant remembrance of  Lord Vittala who is the protector of living beings.

Once, Grakumbhar Maharaj was immersed in the work of mixing clay for making pots and reciting the names of Lord Vittala, gradually he was transported to a state of bliss,  could not aware of the happenings around him.  His wife put their only infant to sleep and went to fetch water from the pond.  Goraba was absorbed in a state of ecstasy, could not notice the child’s cry, slowly the child moved to the place of a heap of mud where Goraba was thrashing it with his leg, eventually, the child took a seat under the legs of Goraba.  He was not aware that his infant is crushed under his legs; he continued to sing in praising of Lord Vittal.  When his wife returned home, she was alarmed to see Gorakumbhar soaked in blood and flesh instead of clay.  She shrieked out of fear, it brought Goraba back to normalcy, found that he was smashing his own child under his feet.  He was extremely frightened,  heartbroken; he could not resist the grief thinking that he had committed severest sin, cried heart out before Lord Panduranga.  After this grave incident, Goraba never returned to a normal state, he forgot hunger and sleep.  The couple had to go through intense grief and misery, it reflected in their relationship as well.  The people of the village blamed Goraba for his carelessness and mocked at him.  Goraba took shelter in shrines and immersed at the thoughts of his beloved Lord.

Significance of Pithrupaksha – Mahalayapaksha

The Hindu Sanathana Dharma believes that the Mahalayapaksha/Pithru Paksha is an auspicious occasion to please one's ancestors who arrive on the Earth to bless their lineage.   The people who worship Pithrus and meticulously perform ancestral rites would be blessed with happiness and peace in their life.  The people who does not perform any of these ancestral rites, would   compel their ancestors to return to their abode with the hunger and thirst, they get so disappointed and displeased by this act and return to their abode, due to this the family may have to undergo constant conflicts, unexpected and accidental death, lack of peace and prosperity, mental agony, and physical ailments.  Therefore, it is highly propitious to perform charities, contributions, ancestral rites, etc.. are during these days.

There is a legend of two brothers Jogi and Bhoge, who lived with their families in different houses. The elder one Jogi was rich and the younger was poor, but these two brothers were too close to each other.  The wife of Jogi was proud of her wealth, but Bhoge’s wife was pleasant and modest. The auspicious Pithru Paksha arrived Jogi’s wife requested her husband to perform the ancestral rites, Jogi was not interested in it.  Jogi’s wife felt if her husband did not perform the rite, the villagers may talk about it and spread rumors.  She informed her husband that she can make all arrangements with the help of the wife of Bhoge, so it is not a matter for her to cook and serve the guests.  She planned to be with her parents and one of the best opportunities to invite her parents for a meal and spend a good time with them.    Jogi thought it would be fine, so he sends his wife to invite her parents.   As planned by Jogi’s wife, on the day of Pithrupaksha, she invited the wife of Bhoge to work in the kitchen, so that she cooks sumptuous meals for the entire family. Bhoge’s wife arrived early in the morning and started preparing the meal, she cooked various sweets and savories, after that returned to her home to prepare for the ancestral rite.  During the afternoon, Joge’s Pithrus arrived in his home and found his in-laws, there was no enthusiasm to perform the rite in the family, so the Pithrus arrived in Bhoge’s house.  Bhoge was sincerely performing the ancestral rites, simple offerings were given to Pithrus,  there was no elaborate cooking to serve the Bhramin because  Bhoge was extremely poor.  The Pithrus felt sorry for Bhoge who has nothing much to offer for his ancestors, they wished If Bhoge had wealth, he would have performed the ancestral rites with a sumptuous meal, they blessed Bhoge with an abundance of wealth.    Soon, Bhoge attained all those comforts and wealth with the blessing of Pithru, but he did not leave his simplicity and virtues.  The next year Pithrupaksha arrived, Bhoge performed elaborately the ancestral rite  with grand meal and charities, he served the Brahmins and offered generous contributions.  The Pithrus were immensely pleased with the deeds of the couple and blessed him with an abundance of wealth and happiness.

Significance of Pithrupaksha – Mahalaya Paksha

There are a few legends from scriptures emphasizes the importance of Pithrupaksha and performance of ancestral rites on these days.  The Shraddha rituals performed in these days would provide an abundance of meritorious reward to the performer, material well-being, including virtuous offspring, wealth, happiness, prosperity, and peace.

It was believed that homage to the ancestors/Shraddha ceremony was initiated on the Earth by the valorous and righteous King Karna of Mahabharath.  He was an ardent devotee of Lord Surya, who performs the sun worship and gives an abundance of charities to the poor and needy in the form of grains and precious gems, gold, etc.  After the great war of Kurukshetra, Karna was killed on the battlefield and attained heavenly abode.  He was received in the abode of Indra with great honor for his righteous deeds.  During the time of the meal, he was served with an abundance of gold, gems and precious ornaments.  He was shocked to see the precious gems in place of a sumptuous meal.  He asked Lord Indra “ Oh! Lord, why are you serving me with gems and gold ornaments in place of an ordinary meal, while others are having normal food in the heavenly abode.”  Lord Indra said “ Oh! Karnna, you were one of the most valorous and righteous rulers who perform an abundance of charities on the Earth.  None was left without serving properly with the grains and gold coins from your doors.  Unfortunately, you have not performed the ancestral rite in your lifetime and you did not serve your ancestors with a morsel of grain.  All your subjects were highly pleased with your charity, but your ancestors are not satisfied yet.  Hence, you have served here with all those things you have offered as a charity on the Earth.”  Karnna enquired Lord Indra how to resolve the issue and to please his ancestors; Lord Indra advised Karnna to go to Earth and perform Shraddha/homage to ancestors and make them satisfied.  Karnna sincerely followed the instruction of Lord Indra.  He arrived on the Earth and performed the ancestral rites during the sun was on Kanyarashi/Sun transition period on the constellation Virgo, it is believed that during this period of time the moon gets closer to the Earth, which is known as the abode of Pithrus.  During these days, the ancestor expects their offspring to offer food and water to wave off their hunger.   The meals prepared following strict austerities are offered to Pithrus and the remaining are served to Bhramins, people in need and cows so that it will reach the Pithrus who appears in the subtle form on the Earth.  Thus Karnna initiated the practice of performance of homage to ancestors for the first time on the Earth.

Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 4

Sadhashiva Malagujar was deeply hurt and disappointed to know that young Kanhopathra left Mangalweda forever.  He wanted to take revenge upon the courtesan girl who refused his proposal.  He sought the help of the ruler of Bidar.  He persuaded the King to bring back the celestial Apsara like courtesan girl Kanhopathra back to Mangalweda.  The King heard of  incomparable beauty of Kanhopathra wanted to keep her as a concubine.  He sent his men to bring back Kanhopathra from Pandharpur forcefully.   Kanhopathra took shelter in the sanctum of Lord Panduranga, she took refuge at the lotus feet of Panduranga.  The King’s men threatened to destroy the temple if Kanhopathra did not heed the orders of the King.  She appealed for the last meeting with her beloved Lord Vittobha, and took last breathe at the feet of Lord Panduranga.  There are different opinions about the death of Sant Kanhopathra, she merged the form of light with the Lord Panduranga, and her mortal coil was buried near the southern part of the temple.

Kanhopathra greets Lord Narayana, Lord Srihari, Lord Lakshmipathi, Lord Manmatha, Lord Sripathi, Lord Krishna, as the savior of distressed people.  She expresses her concern and insecurities of life all through the poems as she was born in the clan of a courtesan; she was completely surrendered at the lotus feet of Lord Vittobha.  She emphasizes the significance of utterance of sacred names of Lord Hari which keeps the Lord of death away, purified the sins of Ajamila, a hunter turns out a great sage Valmiki, Pingala attained Moksha.   In this way, she was hoping to attain the lotus feet of Narayana.  She sang praising the virtues of Sant Gnandev and his siblings.   As a daughter of courtesan, she was always been under threat of men of high rank, felt insecure in the society; she took the shelter at the feet of Lord Panduranga to protect her from the evil eyes of the men in the society, when she was forced to be a concubine of King of bidar, she sincerely prayed to Lord Vittobha to protect her otherwise it would be a stain on his name .

Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 3

Kanhopathra was not willing to pick up the traditions of the courtesan as a profession, so she has the only choice left to marry somebody and lead an ordinary life.  She did not find her choice; she wanted her groom more attractive than her with good character, and loving.   But that was something which impossible to happen, she was the loveliest woman like celestial Apsara.

There are two legends about Kanhopathra’s journey to the path of spirituality.   One is that there was a female servant Hausa who was the care-taker of Kanhopathra cultivated the essence of devotion in Kanhopathra.  The other legend describes, once it was Ashada Shuklapaksha Ekadashi, a group of Varkari saints was conducting a pilgrimage to the famous shrine of Panduranga.  These huge numbers of devotees walking several miles by foot from their hometown took rest in Mangalweda.   They continued singing and praising Lord Panduranga in the whole night, it enthused the devotion and love for Panduranga in Kanhopathra, the reverberating sounds of musical instruments which she was used to singing and dance with did not bring any happiness all these years were surprisingly sounded nectar to her ears, the whole atmosphere was mesmerizing with the devotion to Lord Panduranga brought her in a state of supreme bliss.  She left home in the dark, joined with the group of Varkari saints, she had a conversation about Lord Vittobha with them, they briefed Lord Vittobha excels the loveliness of Goddess Mahalakshmi who is the epitome of beauty.  Kanhopathra enquired, will Lord Panduranga accept her as she was born in the family of a courtesan.  They said if Panduranga accepts Kubja, Ajamila, and devotees belong to untouchables, he would definitely accept her as his devotee.  It inspired her to conduct a journey in search of Panduranga who resides in the Srikshethram.  That night, she joined with the Varkari saints singing and praising the glories of Lord Panduranga.   She marvelously sang and danced, praising the Leela/pastimes of Lord,  Kanhopathra soaked in tears singing the separation of Lord Krishna from his beloved Radharani,  she spent the whole night in this way and returned home to get permission from her mother to leave to Pandharpur.  The mother and daughter argued for hours, finally, she sneaked out of the home in the darkness.  She joined with the Varkari saints and walked several miles by foot singing in praise of Lord and arrived in the shrine.   She has envisioned the unparalleled beauty of Lord Panduranga, she found all those virtues she  was seeking in her groom; she wedded Panduranga as her husband and spent the rest of the days in Pandharpur.  She spent her days sung in praise of glories of Lord Vittobha, she merrily danced before him, she cleaned the shrine and she has completely withdrawn herself from the worldly matters and lived a life of an ascetic.   She sang and danced before Panduranga in a state of ecstasy.  The people of Pandharpur praised her intense devotion and virtues, thus she had earned huge respect among the people.