Brick Vittal Rukmini Devotees
Nimbaraja
Shaikh Muhammad, Ganeshnath, Bodhia, and the well known Nimbraja, Santoba Powar, these Vaishnava bhaktas came there to visit Him. Cymbals, vinas and drums were sounded, and the Vaishnavus sang in love. Banners were beautifully unfurled amongst which shone those with the
emblems of the eagle. All the people prostrated them- selves on the ground when the Life of the world said to Rakmini : ' Nimbaraja has coma rolling on the ground thus far; and so he musk be very fatigued. Therefore I musk give him some suitable boon.
* At this paint the listeners may have a doubt, and with love raise question. They may ask ' Who is this Nimbaraja, and to what place does he belong? Describe him in detail. they thus question, the mind of the speaker is filled with delight. The question is like the moon to the chakor bird, or like a sudden shower of neclar to a hungry person as a result of good fortune; or as when a wish-cow
comes and stand in the yard of a pauper, or as when a parts ( touchstone ) by chance falls into a box of iron; or as when a cloud showe» on a crop about to ripen, then the kernels increase twofold ( fortunate are they who obtain tblB); in the same way the speaker feels happy at heart at the question of the listeners, and replies: 'Listen with love to
the detailed life of Nimbaraja.
In our own country there is a town called Devadaithan, and Nimbaraja was by a very old inheritance the accountant there. Although he had children and others in his family, yet Nimbaraja called himself a Veushnava bhakta, and as he was in the habit of worshipping the saints with devotion, repentance
arose in his mind. Then he said, ' Enough of this worldly life ; the maya of God is uncontrollable, and all life is wasted when carrying on worldly affairs.' NIMBARAJA VISIT THE JYOTIRLINOAS
With repentance at heart, he started out to visit sacred places. On visiting the twelve Jy(airlingas*'hii mind was comforted. He visited all the beautiful sacred places on earth, hfird to travel to ; then after visiting the seven* salvation-giving sacred towns he went into the Himalayas.
To describe the glory of the travel, the story would be far too long drawn out, therefore I will abbreviate.Let the listeners understand it. Thrice he took a kavadi (sling) full of the water of the Bhagirathi, and in it bathed the god Rameshwar with love. Thus accumulating good deeds, be returned quickly home. Now he wished to utter the names of Hari with his lips, and with this long-
ing at heart he kept on repeating Qod's names. One who has performed religious rites and austerities without the desire of their fruit, he alone out of repentance gives himself up with love to the praise of Shri Hari. Visits to sacred places, performance of sacrifices, and the study of the Vedas, fructify only when one sings of the good qualities of Shri Hari with an unreserved mind,
NIMBABUA'S BOON
Now enough of this lengthy talk. The Vmshnavas know the lovely secret. They abandon all sense of honour and didionour, and sing the praises of God day and night, When one does not give himself up solely to singing the praise of Shri Hari all other means become useless as a deep well without water ; or as in a grain field there are a large number of ears without kernels ; or as when a village officer is successful in acquiring a hereditary office, but is without an issue; or as though one should study a good deal, but is not able to make a timely use of it ; or as the sitting of a king on a throne is vain
without power ; or as pli^es with various kinds of dainty food without any ghee ( melted butter } on them ; so all religious means become useless without the description of Shri Hari's doings. Therefore Nimbaraja had a desire to sing the praise of God. So one day the Lord of Pandhari gave a command to Gajavadana ( Gkinpati ). Said He, 'Give Nimbaraja the boon that ^ith inspira- tion he will sing My praise.' As the Husband Of Rukmini gave this order, Ganpati replied ' Verily, verily.* . One night while Nimbaraja was asleep, the son of Parvati appeared to him in a dream in the guise of a Brahman.
He stroked him to rouse him and said, 'Accept this boon of mine.' Saying this He put on his palm a vida ( rolled betelnut leaves }. Nimbaraja in a drowsy state threw it into his mouth. Then Gajavadana (Ganpati) said : 'This is an everlasting boon. Now without study you will be able to delineate Hari's good actions. The genius of pleasure will everlastingly be present at your performance.' The son of Parvati offered this boon and at once disappeared. When Nimbaraja awoke he brought to his mind the dream. He did not see the 'Brahman near him, but Qiere was the vida in his mouO. He swallowed it, and got up and si^ down. As he looked at his palm he found on it a red stain. He tried to wash it with water, but oould not get rid of it; just as the ocean supplies the well with water and it does not
set dry even in a drought or as a person with divine knowledge satisfies a Yo^ and he is no raore troubled with the hunger; or as iron with the touch of the parts (touchstone) becomes gold, and no more can rust remain; or as when the Ganges accepts an insignificant rivulet, it hecomes sacred to all; or if Brahmadeva gives one a long life, he is unhindered by fear and disease; or if a prince supports a pauper, his fortune knows no decrease; or when the sun gives one a physical lustre, how can it be impaired by cold ? So the stain of the vida could not be washed off. From that day Nimbaraja began to perform kirtans. The Vaishnavas who listened to him were engrossed. Having given up all idea of shame, honour, and social etiquette, and having forsaken all ties of hope, and discarded all differences, he enjoyed the pleasure of the love of God.
RUKMINI OFFERS A FORTUNE TO NIMBARAJA
In this natural state of mind, Nimbaraja went to Fandhari. The listeners should remember that it was at this point that they questioned me. The Life of the world said to Eukmini, 'Give some boon to Nimbraraja.' At this the Mother of the world was astonished. The Mother of the universe took the form of a female gardener and sat on the way with a basket full of carrots cut into pieces. As Nimbaraja was returning from the temple she said to him in a gentle tone, ' My child is crying at
home; I must go and fetch it. So do me a kindness and sit here for a while. I will bring my babe and return immediately. If you do not grant my request, who will take care of my carrots ? Many men are wandering in the bazar and they might take them away .' As the Mother of the universe said this, his mind was filled
NIMBARAJA TESTED
with pity and he said, 'I will sit here, but return quickly.' The female gardener gave the basket in his oustody and going to the temple, did not return for three long hours. Then as Nimbaraja removed the cloth from the basket and looked into it he saw lumps of gold and not a simple carrot. 134. He was astonished and said, * The Primal Mother ( Lakshmi } wants to put me into temptation. This cannot be called gold but a great calamity. So it seems to mo.' Disgust arose in his mind, just as a Brahman on entering a Mahammadan's house will feel sick at the sight of the flesh there; or as a beautiful person will not look at a leper; or as at the sight of liquor in front of him a repentant man will walk away from the place; so when Kimbaraja saw the gold inside the basket his mind felt disgust. Then he returned to the temple and prostrated himself reverently before God. He joined his hands palm to palm and pleaded, ' O God, why dost Thou put me into temptation ? I wish Thy favour, and no fortune or wealth.' Then he made a namaskar to Rukmini and returned to his lodging, and began lovingly to repeat the names of Hari without interruption. Here in the temple Rukmini said, 'Oh Life of the world, I obeyed your order and gave gold to Nimbaraja, but his mind does not teike to it.' The Pervader of the world {smiled and said, ' My bkaktas are pleased with my worship. Tempta-
tion, greed and avarice have no effect on them. The showers of rain do not penetrate a mountain; and the sky cannot be painted black; nor does cold affect the sun; and heat has no effect on the moon; thirst does not trouble the ocean, and food does not trouble fire. O you wise one, how can wind be shut up in a gaol ? So my bhaktaa are indiffereiit; snares of temptation do not affect them.'
NIMBARAJA AT THE CHANDRABHAOA
While the Lord of Vaikuntih thus spoke, Rukmini greatly wondeted in her mind. The next morning the saints started for the Obandrabhaga to bathe, with Nimbaraja in their company. Then the Lord of Pandhari thought to himself, * I must give Nimbaraja some imperishable re-ward by which in full love he will be engrossed in my praise.* Saying this. He who was as dark as theiamcU leaf took Ihe garb of a Brahman, put garlands of tuim around His neck and arrived there. He had a cap on his head and a belt around His loins, on His forehead was the odorous black powder ( buha }. Listen to what the one dark as a cloud said to Nimbaraja at that time: 'lam going to bathe in the Bhimarathi ; thieves are wandering here and there in the fair, therefore keep with you the belt, the cap,and the garland.' Saying this, the Husband of Rukmini handed over to him His ornaments and in the twinkling of an eye disappeared. As Nimbaraja looked about he could nowhere see the Brahman. For three hours he sat waiting for him. Still he did not return. Then he communicated the news to the saints t 'A Brahman came here and listen to what he said. Said he, " I am going to bathe, so keep my ornaments
with you. " Then he took off his garland, cap and belt, and handed them over to me. Within the twinkling of an eye he disappeared then and there and I have been anxiously waiting for him. He has not as yet returned ; so please tell me what should be done now. The saints wondered as they heard this. All the VcUshnava bhaktas said, ' He is not a Brahman but the Husband of Eu&mini. He gave you these as a reward and disappeared. Therefore without any scruple in your mind, wear these ornaments. ' As the saints thus spoke he prostrated himself before them. Then the saints fastened the belt on his loins and around his neck put the beautiful garland of tulsi and the cap on his head.
NIMBABAJA'S KIRTAN
On his forehead they applied the black powder. The bhaktaa gathered in the sandy bed and said to Nimbaraja> VcmamaiU ( Krishna ) has given you a reward, and has created a festival as delightful as Divcdi to the pious. Therefore, you perform a Idirtan on this bed of sand. Our eani are eager to hear you, please satisfy them. Then the vina was set in tune with the drura. Collecting cymbals quickly, they unfurled the banners. Brahmans well versed in the Vedaa, Shcatras and Puramu, many saints and Mahants and Vaishnavas, and men of all the eighteen castes came there to listen.
At sunset the kirtan began. Nimbaraja sang the obeisance with the clapping of hands and re-peating the names of Vitthal. As he thought of the Husband of Rukmini in his mind, tears of joy flowed from
his eyes. The gods came there on their chariots of light to watch the wonderful event. As people listened to his simple and loving singing their hearts were touched. Knowers and critics were absorbed in it. When the speaker has only love in his mind, there the supreme Being finds comfort. Skill, cleverness and wisdom are unessential. Singing without love is as the body without life, or as food cooked without salt. It does not give any taste at all. Of what value is musk without fragrance ? It should be thrown into the fire. A beautiful woman without a child cannot truly be called a mistress
of the house. Of what use are the fair complexion and a beautiful face without a nose ? So also it cannot be a real kirian in which the singing is without love. 'O Krishna, Bama, Meghashyama, Govinda, Qopala, Purushottama, Achyuta, Narahari, and Atmarama, give me love in Thy worship.' Nimbaraja uttered these names and danced. Garudadhvaja ( the eagle-bannered one, Vishnu ) was pleased, and what did He do then . Shripati became a child, took peacock feathers in His hand, and did a very won erful thing, which you listeners should listen to with reverence. Shri Hari stood on
the shoulders of Nimharaja and waved with His own hand the wisp. Listen to this, O devout listeners. . He Who dwells in the ocean of milk. Who reclines on the serpent Shesha, Who is the very life of the Daughter of the ocean ( Lakshmi ), He, the Life of the world, waved the wisp lovingly on His bhakta. Although Yogia with per-severance sit on the txyraaana (the bed of iron spikes ) still He does not show Himself to them. He stands on the back of Nimbaraja and waves the wisp of peacock feathers.
He is not attainable to those spiritual aspirants who perform many sacrifices, religious rites and heaps of austerities. He, the Merciful to the lowly, Hrishikeshi ( the Lord of the heart ), reveres His bhaktas. . He whom the god Sbiva ( Virupaksha ), restraining His mind contemplates in solitude. He the Ornament of His bhaktas, the Husband of Rukmini, pays respect to His servants. In a Mrtan where the One who is like a cloud is present, there the sixty-four arts and fourteen sciences are favourable. This the wise can discern. The audience looked on steadily; the Tartan lasted for four watches, but no one felt sleepy or wearisome.
The Ocean of milk knows no famine, and with nectar there can be no disease. Wise listeners, how can dark- ness visit the house of the sun ? In the same way in the Mrtan of the loving, sleep and sloth do not come. All forget caste-differences and become one. The ■audience in supreme Brahman joy clapped hands in tune with the sound of cymbals and mridang. They forgot all differences and dualities and rocked themselves as they repeated God's names.
KRISHNA ON NIMBARAJA'S SHOULDERS
AMien there still remained four ghatikas of the night a wonderful event took place. The wife of a rich
person covered with a cloth was going to bathe. She suddenly saw before her the Lord of Pandhari Himsslf. Then running quickly she arrived at the kirtan. As she oame near Nimbaraja, and began to look for the Husband of Rukmini, He disappeared, at which she wondered. She wept loudly and clasped the feet of Nimbaraja. The people asked her as to why she came running there. ' What wonderful sight did you see ? Tell us at once. ' She bowed to all. Listen to what she said, ' Just now I saw Shri Hari on the shoulders of Nimbaraja, waving the wisp of peacock feathers lovingly with His own hand. So I came running, but I don't see Him here now. I certainly do not know where
the Husband of Rukraini has gone. I wanted to see once more the beautiful and tender Lord of the world, there- fore I am sorry at heart that He does not grant me this sight. The people wondered and exclaimed , ' This wonder- ful event cannot be explained. ' The wise ones came near, desiring to see some evidence of the event. Chakrapam (Krishna) bad disappeared from theshoulders of Nimbaraja.
But on the black powder which the good people had thrown the tiny feet ( of Krishna ) were impressed. 193. Notic-ing this evidence, saints and other good people wondered. Embracing one another they prostrated themselves on the ground. They bowed to the lady who had seen the
Lord of Pandhari and said, ' Because you were in posses-sion of some good deeds ( in your former births ), you saw the Husband of Rukmini. ' As the men and women were singing in this way the sun arose. Then Nimbaraja waved lights over the Holder of the Sharang bow (Krishna).
http://bvrd.blogspot.com/search/label/Bhaktavijaya
emblems of the eagle. All the people prostrated them- selves on the ground when the Life of the world said to Rakmini : ' Nimbaraja has coma rolling on the ground thus far; and so he musk be very fatigued. Therefore I musk give him some suitable boon.
* At this paint the listeners may have a doubt, and with love raise question. They may ask ' Who is this Nimbaraja, and to what place does he belong? Describe him in detail. they thus question, the mind of the speaker is filled with delight. The question is like the moon to the chakor bird, or like a sudden shower of neclar to a hungry person as a result of good fortune; or as when a wish-cow
comes and stand in the yard of a pauper, or as when a parts ( touchstone ) by chance falls into a box of iron; or as when a cloud showe» on a crop about to ripen, then the kernels increase twofold ( fortunate are they who obtain tblB); in the same way the speaker feels happy at heart at the question of the listeners, and replies: 'Listen with love to
the detailed life of Nimbaraja.
In our own country there is a town called Devadaithan, and Nimbaraja was by a very old inheritance the accountant there. Although he had children and others in his family, yet Nimbaraja called himself a Veushnava bhakta, and as he was in the habit of worshipping the saints with devotion, repentance
arose in his mind. Then he said, ' Enough of this worldly life ; the maya of God is uncontrollable, and all life is wasted when carrying on worldly affairs.' NIMBARAJA VISIT THE JYOTIRLINOAS
With repentance at heart, he started out to visit sacred places. On visiting the twelve Jy(airlingas*'hii mind was comforted. He visited all the beautiful sacred places on earth, hfird to travel to ; then after visiting the seven* salvation-giving sacred towns he went into the Himalayas.
To describe the glory of the travel, the story would be far too long drawn out, therefore I will abbreviate.Let the listeners understand it. Thrice he took a kavadi (sling) full of the water of the Bhagirathi, and in it bathed the god Rameshwar with love. Thus accumulating good deeds, be returned quickly home. Now he wished to utter the names of Hari with his lips, and with this long-
ing at heart he kept on repeating Qod's names. One who has performed religious rites and austerities without the desire of their fruit, he alone out of repentance gives himself up with love to the praise of Shri Hari. Visits to sacred places, performance of sacrifices, and the study of the Vedas, fructify only when one sings of the good qualities of Shri Hari with an unreserved mind,
NIMBABUA'S BOON
Now enough of this lengthy talk. The Vmshnavas know the lovely secret. They abandon all sense of honour and didionour, and sing the praises of God day and night, When one does not give himself up solely to singing the praise of Shri Hari all other means become useless as a deep well without water ; or as in a grain field there are a large number of ears without kernels ; or as when a village officer is successful in acquiring a hereditary office, but is without an issue; or as though one should study a good deal, but is not able to make a timely use of it ; or as the sitting of a king on a throne is vain
without power ; or as pli^es with various kinds of dainty food without any ghee ( melted butter } on them ; so all religious means become useless without the description of Shri Hari's doings. Therefore Nimbaraja had a desire to sing the praise of God. So one day the Lord of Pandhari gave a command to Gajavadana ( Gkinpati ). Said He, 'Give Nimbaraja the boon that ^ith inspira- tion he will sing My praise.' As the Husband Of Rukmini gave this order, Ganpati replied ' Verily, verily.* . One night while Nimbaraja was asleep, the son of Parvati appeared to him in a dream in the guise of a Brahman.
He stroked him to rouse him and said, 'Accept this boon of mine.' Saying this He put on his palm a vida ( rolled betelnut leaves }. Nimbaraja in a drowsy state threw it into his mouth. Then Gajavadana (Ganpati) said : 'This is an everlasting boon. Now without study you will be able to delineate Hari's good actions. The genius of pleasure will everlastingly be present at your performance.' The son of Parvati offered this boon and at once disappeared. When Nimbaraja awoke he brought to his mind the dream. He did not see the 'Brahman near him, but Qiere was the vida in his mouO. He swallowed it, and got up and si^ down. As he looked at his palm he found on it a red stain. He tried to wash it with water, but oould not get rid of it; just as the ocean supplies the well with water and it does not
set dry even in a drought or as a person with divine knowledge satisfies a Yo^ and he is no raore troubled with the hunger; or as iron with the touch of the parts (touchstone) becomes gold, and no more can rust remain; or as when the Ganges accepts an insignificant rivulet, it hecomes sacred to all; or if Brahmadeva gives one a long life, he is unhindered by fear and disease; or if a prince supports a pauper, his fortune knows no decrease; or when the sun gives one a physical lustre, how can it be impaired by cold ? So the stain of the vida could not be washed off. From that day Nimbaraja began to perform kirtans. The Vaishnavas who listened to him were engrossed. Having given up all idea of shame, honour, and social etiquette, and having forsaken all ties of hope, and discarded all differences, he enjoyed the pleasure of the love of God.
RUKMINI OFFERS A FORTUNE TO NIMBARAJA
In this natural state of mind, Nimbaraja went to Fandhari. The listeners should remember that it was at this point that they questioned me. The Life of the world said to Eukmini, 'Give some boon to Nimbraraja.' At this the Mother of the world was astonished. The Mother of the universe took the form of a female gardener and sat on the way with a basket full of carrots cut into pieces. As Nimbaraja was returning from the temple she said to him in a gentle tone, ' My child is crying at
home; I must go and fetch it. So do me a kindness and sit here for a while. I will bring my babe and return immediately. If you do not grant my request, who will take care of my carrots ? Many men are wandering in the bazar and they might take them away .' As the Mother of the universe said this, his mind was filled
NIMBARAJA TESTED
with pity and he said, 'I will sit here, but return quickly.' The female gardener gave the basket in his oustody and going to the temple, did not return for three long hours. Then as Nimbaraja removed the cloth from the basket and looked into it he saw lumps of gold and not a simple carrot. 134. He was astonished and said, * The Primal Mother ( Lakshmi } wants to put me into temptation. This cannot be called gold but a great calamity. So it seems to mo.' Disgust arose in his mind, just as a Brahman on entering a Mahammadan's house will feel sick at the sight of the flesh there; or as a beautiful person will not look at a leper; or as at the sight of liquor in front of him a repentant man will walk away from the place; so when Kimbaraja saw the gold inside the basket his mind felt disgust. Then he returned to the temple and prostrated himself reverently before God. He joined his hands palm to palm and pleaded, ' O God, why dost Thou put me into temptation ? I wish Thy favour, and no fortune or wealth.' Then he made a namaskar to Rukmini and returned to his lodging, and began lovingly to repeat the names of Hari without interruption. Here in the temple Rukmini said, 'Oh Life of the world, I obeyed your order and gave gold to Nimbaraja, but his mind does not teike to it.' The Pervader of the world {smiled and said, ' My bkaktas are pleased with my worship. Tempta-
tion, greed and avarice have no effect on them. The showers of rain do not penetrate a mountain; and the sky cannot be painted black; nor does cold affect the sun; and heat has no effect on the moon; thirst does not trouble the ocean, and food does not trouble fire. O you wise one, how can wind be shut up in a gaol ? So my bhaktaa are indiffereiit; snares of temptation do not affect them.'
NIMBARAJA AT THE CHANDRABHAOA
While the Lord of Vaikuntih thus spoke, Rukmini greatly wondeted in her mind. The next morning the saints started for the Obandrabhaga to bathe, with Nimbaraja in their company. Then the Lord of Pandhari thought to himself, * I must give Nimbaraja some imperishable re-ward by which in full love he will be engrossed in my praise.* Saying this. He who was as dark as theiamcU leaf took Ihe garb of a Brahman, put garlands of tuim around His neck and arrived there. He had a cap on his head and a belt around His loins, on His forehead was the odorous black powder ( buha }. Listen to what the one dark as a cloud said to Nimbaraja at that time: 'lam going to bathe in the Bhimarathi ; thieves are wandering here and there in the fair, therefore keep with you the belt, the cap,and the garland.' Saying this, the Husband of Rukmini handed over to him His ornaments and in the twinkling of an eye disappeared. As Nimbaraja looked about he could nowhere see the Brahman. For three hours he sat waiting for him. Still he did not return. Then he communicated the news to the saints t 'A Brahman came here and listen to what he said. Said he, " I am going to bathe, so keep my ornaments
with you. " Then he took off his garland, cap and belt, and handed them over to me. Within the twinkling of an eye he disappeared then and there and I have been anxiously waiting for him. He has not as yet returned ; so please tell me what should be done now. The saints wondered as they heard this. All the VcUshnava bhaktas said, ' He is not a Brahman but the Husband of Eu&mini. He gave you these as a reward and disappeared. Therefore without any scruple in your mind, wear these ornaments. ' As the saints thus spoke he prostrated himself before them. Then the saints fastened the belt on his loins and around his neck put the beautiful garland of tulsi and the cap on his head.
NIMBABAJA'S KIRTAN
On his forehead they applied the black powder. The bhaktaa gathered in the sandy bed and said to Nimbaraja> VcmamaiU ( Krishna ) has given you a reward, and has created a festival as delightful as Divcdi to the pious. Therefore, you perform a Idirtan on this bed of sand. Our eani are eager to hear you, please satisfy them. Then the vina was set in tune with the drura. Collecting cymbals quickly, they unfurled the banners. Brahmans well versed in the Vedaa, Shcatras and Puramu, many saints and Mahants and Vaishnavas, and men of all the eighteen castes came there to listen.
At sunset the kirtan began. Nimbaraja sang the obeisance with the clapping of hands and re-peating the names of Vitthal. As he thought of the Husband of Rukmini in his mind, tears of joy flowed from
his eyes. The gods came there on their chariots of light to watch the wonderful event. As people listened to his simple and loving singing their hearts were touched. Knowers and critics were absorbed in it. When the speaker has only love in his mind, there the supreme Being finds comfort. Skill, cleverness and wisdom are unessential. Singing without love is as the body without life, or as food cooked without salt. It does not give any taste at all. Of what value is musk without fragrance ? It should be thrown into the fire. A beautiful woman without a child cannot truly be called a mistress
of the house. Of what use are the fair complexion and a beautiful face without a nose ? So also it cannot be a real kirian in which the singing is without love. 'O Krishna, Bama, Meghashyama, Govinda, Qopala, Purushottama, Achyuta, Narahari, and Atmarama, give me love in Thy worship.' Nimbaraja uttered these names and danced. Garudadhvaja ( the eagle-bannered one, Vishnu ) was pleased, and what did He do then . Shripati became a child, took peacock feathers in His hand, and did a very won erful thing, which you listeners should listen to with reverence. Shri Hari stood on
the shoulders of Nimharaja and waved with His own hand the wisp. Listen to this, O devout listeners. . He Who dwells in the ocean of milk. Who reclines on the serpent Shesha, Who is the very life of the Daughter of the ocean ( Lakshmi ), He, the Life of the world, waved the wisp lovingly on His bhakta. Although Yogia with per-severance sit on the txyraaana (the bed of iron spikes ) still He does not show Himself to them. He stands on the back of Nimbaraja and waves the wisp of peacock feathers.
He is not attainable to those spiritual aspirants who perform many sacrifices, religious rites and heaps of austerities. He, the Merciful to the lowly, Hrishikeshi ( the Lord of the heart ), reveres His bhaktas. . He whom the god Sbiva ( Virupaksha ), restraining His mind contemplates in solitude. He the Ornament of His bhaktas, the Husband of Rukmini, pays respect to His servants. In a Mrtan where the One who is like a cloud is present, there the sixty-four arts and fourteen sciences are favourable. This the wise can discern. The audience looked on steadily; the Tartan lasted for four watches, but no one felt sleepy or wearisome.
The Ocean of milk knows no famine, and with nectar there can be no disease. Wise listeners, how can dark- ness visit the house of the sun ? In the same way in the Mrtan of the loving, sleep and sloth do not come. All forget caste-differences and become one. The ■audience in supreme Brahman joy clapped hands in tune with the sound of cymbals and mridang. They forgot all differences and dualities and rocked themselves as they repeated God's names.
KRISHNA ON NIMBARAJA'S SHOULDERS
AMien there still remained four ghatikas of the night a wonderful event took place. The wife of a rich
person covered with a cloth was going to bathe. She suddenly saw before her the Lord of Pandhari Himsslf. Then running quickly she arrived at the kirtan. As she oame near Nimbaraja, and began to look for the Husband of Rukmini, He disappeared, at which she wondered. She wept loudly and clasped the feet of Nimbaraja. The people asked her as to why she came running there. ' What wonderful sight did you see ? Tell us at once. ' She bowed to all. Listen to what she said, ' Just now I saw Shri Hari on the shoulders of Nimbaraja, waving the wisp of peacock feathers lovingly with His own hand. So I came running, but I don't see Him here now. I certainly do not know where
the Husband of Rukraini has gone. I wanted to see once more the beautiful and tender Lord of the world, there- fore I am sorry at heart that He does not grant me this sight. The people wondered and exclaimed , ' This wonder- ful event cannot be explained. ' The wise ones came near, desiring to see some evidence of the event. Chakrapam (Krishna) bad disappeared from theshoulders of Nimbaraja.
But on the black powder which the good people had thrown the tiny feet ( of Krishna ) were impressed. 193. Notic-ing this evidence, saints and other good people wondered. Embracing one another they prostrated themselves on the ground. They bowed to the lady who had seen the
Lord of Pandhari and said, ' Because you were in posses-sion of some good deeds ( in your former births ), you saw the Husband of Rukmini. ' As the men and women were singing in this way the sun arose. Then Nimbaraja waved lights over the Holder of the Sharang bow (Krishna).
http://bvrd.blogspot.com/search/label/Bhaktavijaya
Lohadanda
Lohadanda Tirtha
This holy place is on the chandrabhaga river in front of pundalik temple..it is said that.stone boat floats on river in this place . story about this holy place is as follows – Lord Indra took the appearance like gautam rishi and violated his wife Ahalya’s chastity. Gautam rishi cursed his wife into a stone and cursed Indra to suffer from disease all over his body. Ahalya became free from curse by the touch of lord Ramchandra’s feet. Indra approached bhagvan Vishnu for help. Bhagvan Vishnu gave a iron rod in the hand of Indra and told him to go for a pilgrimage. Bhagvan Vishnu also blessed him “The holy river in which this rod will float,that will give you relief from this disease . After traveling lots of holy place Indra reached this place. In this place the iron rod floated and Indra took bath here . After taking bath Indra became free from curse and disease. In this way this the place got the name as LOHADANDA TIRTHA.
Lakhubai Temple
This temple is rukmini’s temple. This is a place where she performed tapasya being unhappy with Lord Krishna at Dwarka. This place is also known as dindirvan.
Lord Ram Temple
This temple is built to remind of Lord Rama’s visit to Pandharpur in his exile while he was searching for mother Sita.
Mallikarjun Temple
This pastime is even before Lord vitthal came here. Once a great demon of the name dindirav after getting blessings of many gods started troubling all directions. All the gods pleaded to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu appeared as Mallikarjun, the son of king shri Chandra. Shri Chandra performed tapasya to lord shiva wanting to have a son like Lord Vishnu. In answer to his prayers Lord Vishnu came as child Mallikarjun. at the age of 20,Lord came to this forest for hunting and was challenged by demon Dindirav. The fight lasted for thousand years. Lord then took a mace of iron rod (loha danda) and hit demon on head. while dying demon chanted unknowingly “Hari Hari”. Being pleased with him lord asked him to ask for a benediction.
Dindirava demon asked “since I was killed by a iron rod (Loha danda),let this place be called as LOHADANDA TIRTHA and this forest gets my name as DINDIRAVAN
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lohadanda
This holy place is on the chandrabhaga river in front of pundalik temple..it is said that.stone boat floats on river in this place . story about this holy place is as follows – Lord Indra took the appearance like gautam rishi and violated his wife Ahalya’s chastity. Gautam rishi cursed his wife into a stone and cursed Indra to suffer from disease all over his body. Ahalya became free from curse by the touch of lord Ramchandra’s feet. Indra approached bhagvan Vishnu for help. Bhagvan Vishnu gave a iron rod in the hand of Indra and told him to go for a pilgrimage. Bhagvan Vishnu also blessed him “The holy river in which this rod will float,that will give you relief from this disease . After traveling lots of holy place Indra reached this place. In this place the iron rod floated and Indra took bath here . After taking bath Indra became free from curse and disease. In this way this the place got the name as LOHADANDA TIRTHA.
Lakhubai Temple
This temple is rukmini’s temple. This is a place where she performed tapasya being unhappy with Lord Krishna at Dwarka. This place is also known as dindirvan.
Lord Ram Temple
This temple is built to remind of Lord Rama’s visit to Pandharpur in his exile while he was searching for mother Sita.
Mallikarjun Temple
This pastime is even before Lord vitthal came here. Once a great demon of the name dindirav after getting blessings of many gods started troubling all directions. All the gods pleaded to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu appeared as Mallikarjun, the son of king shri Chandra. Shri Chandra performed tapasya to lord shiva wanting to have a son like Lord Vishnu. In answer to his prayers Lord Vishnu came as child Mallikarjun. at the age of 20,Lord came to this forest for hunting and was challenged by demon Dindirav. The fight lasted for thousand years. Lord then took a mace of iron rod (loha danda) and hit demon on head. while dying demon chanted unknowingly “Hari Hari”. Being pleased with him lord asked him to ask for a benediction.
Dindirava demon asked “since I was killed by a iron rod (Loha danda),let this place be called as LOHADANDA TIRTHA and this forest gets my name as DINDIRAVAN
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lohadanda
Faith
warkari: 80 years
journalist: since how long you are visiting this pandarpur
warkari: since 70 years.
Journalist: have you seen vithoba once, Atleast once.
Warkari: no beta, not yet.
Journalist: then why do you come every year, do you believe He is there?
Warkari: can I ask you a question, from where you have come
reporter: from Pune.
Warkari: do people keep pet dogs in Pune, have you seen any?
Reporter: ya, each house has a dog
Warkari: in village also we keep dogs, that follows us to our farm to protect from thieves. At the dead of night one dog sees the thief it starts barking, by hearing this dog another starts barking, like ways all around surrounding 100s of dogs starts barking but among the hundred dogs 99 have not seen the thief but keeping the faith in this 1st dog they start barking.
Likewise Thukaram ji, Sant Jnaneshwar, Namdev,they have seen the vithoba so I have faith in them.one day I can also have darshan of vitthal. If animals can keep their faith in another animal, being a human being why can't we have faith in another human being?
Chokhamela
http://web.iiit.ac.in/~sarvesh.ranadeug08/project/saints/Saint%20Chokhamela.html
http://ravikhangai.blogspot.in/2012/07/chokhamelathe-lower-caste-bhakti-saint.html
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Chokhamela
http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=Chokhamela
Loknath
The Supreme Father :
Hence Tukaram Maharaj exclaimed..what did he say? “I’m going..” Where are you going? “I’m going back to my village!” (आम्ही जातो आमुच्या गावा) The villagers were thinking his village is nearby, what’s the need to go by airplane? by walking one can reach there within minutes. The villagers were taking Dehu as his village.
But what was Tukaram Maharaj thinking? My village is the village of my father, one who is the supreme father. The father of.. father of…everyone’s father. Lord said, ‘aham bija-pradah pita mata dhata pitahamah’. Where Lord resides that is only our country, our village, our mother-land father-land.
Who is our mother? who is our father? Say quickly! Think properly. Instantly one recalls his parents…what will happen to them? But we have born number of times with thousands and lacs of sets of such parents, then who is father and who is mother…who is who??
We have married number of times and borne number of children. Grand total will be enormous. But there is arrangement so that we should forget everything; we are compelled to forget everything. It is the serious matter, not a laughing one.
-HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
(Lecture, Gour Purnima festival @Solapur, 23 March 2016)
(Lecture, Gour Purnima festival @Solapur, 23 March 2016)
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