Bhakta Sangam

Nama and Dnyandev arrived at Nagnath. Namdev stood before the grand temple door and began a kirtan. He held cymbals and a vina in his hands and loudly chanted the names of God. With the image of Vitthal in his mind, he closed his eyes, losing all consciousness of his body. He let go of thoughts of honor, insult, and the pride of men. He abandoned all forms of desire and, in his love, performed the kirtan. He transcended all distinctions and dissolved the notion of duality. Breaking free from the bonds created by desires, he danced in joy and love. Accompanied by the sounds of cymbals, drums, and vina, he engaged in the kirtan with deep love. A large crowd of people gathered with the desire to listen. Just as the moon, the beloved of Rohini, appears beautiful in its various phases during the full moon, and the ocean swells with the joy of love upon seeing it, or when a wick is pushed forward and the flame grows, or during a Brahman's oblation the sun feels delighted, or when one drinks nectar and becomes immortal, or when a generous man distributes his wealth and beggars rejoice, or when rain falls and grass grows in desert places, or when Brahmans receive delicious food and become supremely happy, similarly, all good listeners became happy by listening to Nama's kirtan. Their tears of joy flowed as they listened to the virtues of God, and their throats choked with emotion. Their hair stood on end, and for a while, they lost all awareness of their bodies.

Meanwhile, Brahmans arrived from bathing, having covered their bodies with ashes. They wore garlands of rudraksha around their necks, their dhotis were wet, and they carried water and sixteen worship materials in their hands for the deity's bathing ritual. They approached the temple's grand door to bathe the god. At that moment, Nama was immersed in his kirtan, singing and dancing in the ecstasy of love. A massive crowd had gathered, making it difficult for the Brahmans to pass through. Outwardly, they had completed their rituals and ablutions, but their minds were tainted with impure thoughts. They said to the people, "Beware, or you might touch us. Move aside." A wicked person with anger in his heart sees everyone as impure. Fallen into the trap of wrong thoughts, he fails to recognize anyone as pure. In the kirtan of Hari, there is no concept of defilement by one another. So, when entering a gathering of Brahmans to worship Shiva and Vishnu, one should not consider defilement. Anyone who claims that reciting the Bhagavadgita or the Bhagwat is defiling by touch is steeped in sin. Those who find fault with the Vedanta should be regarded in the same light. However, these Brahmans, devoid of understanding, were consumed by envy. They became angry and spoke harshly to the people, shouting, "Why are you singing here needlessly, clapping your hands and shouting aloud? Such activities are appropriate only in Pandhari. Nagnath does not appreciate such things. Address everyone as they desire. Why mix salt in milk? Adding sugar to vegetables does not enhance their taste. A fragrance cannot be smelled by the ears. Why narrate stories to the eyes? Show a mirror to your tongue, and it cannot see itself. Your eyes cannot taste a sweet juice presented to them. Therefore, the Lord of Kailas (Shiva), the husband of Uma, does not fancy these kirtans honoring Hari. Go to Pandhari and dance there, casting aside all shame."

Upon hearing the Brahmans' words, the listeners replied, "You must understand that Hari and Hara (Vishnu and Shiva) are not different from each other, just as the water of a sacred bathing place is the same as ordinary water. Sweetness and sugar cannot be distinguished. A lamp and its light, a flower and its honey are not separate entities. The sun and its rays are indistinguishable. One should not say that a cloud and water are distinct. Brilliance cannot be separated from a jewel. How can one point out dissimilarity between delicious food and its taste? A musical instrument and its sound are always inseparable. Wise people consider Shiva and Vishnu as truly one. When the Slayer of Madan (Shiva) listens to praises of Vishnu, He lovingly nods His head in joy." The Brahmans, upon hearing the listeners' response, grew furious and said, "These lowly people, filled with pride, dare to preach to us, the Brahmans of the highest caste, who possess full knowledge and authority to interpret the Shastras. We do not agree with Nama's teachings. Now leave this place immediately, or else we shall punish you." No one replied to the Brahmans' threat. "Our worship of Shiva has already been delayed, and we have no way to enter the temple," said one person. Another added, "Drive Nama away at once. If any of these people touch us, we will have to bathe again with our clothes on." Saying this, two Brahmans forcefully pushed their way into the midst of the audience, just as unworthy individuals are driven away by envy when deserving ones receive gifts. They angrily said to Nama, "Why are you needlessly creating such a commotion here? We cannot make our way through the crowd to see and worship Shiva. You have abandoned bodily consciousness and influenced others to do the same. By imparting your teachings to these people, you have obstructed our rituals. Now go and stand at the back of the temple, where you can sing without shame." Upon hearing their demand, Namdev humbly bowed to the Brahmans and replied, "I will do as you say." The noble Vaishnava then left the scene, and the enthusiasm of the kirtan immediately waned, just as when intoxicating liquor is accidentally mixed with holy water, salt spoils milk, or garlic falls into sandalwood paste. Or, when asafoetida contaminates musk, it naturally diminishes the latter's fragrance. When the servant of Vishnu, Namdev, departed, the fervor of the kirtan dissipated. Witnessing this, the listeners felt deep sorrow in their hearts, just like when delicious food is served, and a crow snatches it away, or when a traveler returns from a journey and is robbed by thieves on the way. Troubled in their minds, the crowd departed from there, following Namdev.