Bhakta Sangam

Dnyandev and Nama stayed near the bank of the Ganges for four months before retracing their steps. They visited Gaya and Prayag (Allahabad) and then continued their journey to Ayodhya. They made quick visits to Mathura and Gokul before finally arriving at Dwarawati. On their way back, they had to cross the Marwad desert and became overwhelmed with thirst. Desperately searching for water, they came across a deep well whose depth they couldn't determine.

Puzzled about how to get water, Dnyandev told Nama, "There is a method that I can try." Using his yogic powers, Dnyandev reduced his own size and descended into the well. After quenching his thirst, he quickly returned. Nama, still extremely thirsty, couldn't figure out how to get the water. Dnyandev reassured him, saying, "Why are you troubled? I will bring the water for you immediately. You know nothing of the mystic yoga power that allows one to reduce their size. Do not hold onto the feeling of duality and drink the water. Do not refuse to drink the water taken from my hand, for the soul, which is a cloud of intelligence, is one and pervades every living being."

Nama replied, "Vitthal is the soul in every heart, so, O Swami, why would he not take away my distress? Have patience for a moment and witness a miracle." He closed his eyes and brought Lord Krishna, the Lord of the Yadavas, to his mind. Nama imagined the image of Pandurang and prayed to him, saying, "Rush to my aid, O Husband of Rukmini. Why have you forsaken me? You alone are my mother, my father, my dearest friend, my brother, and uncle. You alone are my family deity. Why have you abandoned me today? You are my wealth and my property. You are my philosophical knowledge. You are my accomplishment of yoga. I recognize no other source. Hurry to my aid, lest you witness my end. O merciful One, Helper of the helpless, be the Helper of your humble servant."

As tears flowed from his eyes, Nama continued, "O God, my courage cannot hold out any longer. Without you, my life is in great trouble. I, your ignorant child, am yours in body, speech, and mind. I am overcome with thirst today. To whom shall I go for help? O Giver of blessings to Pundslik, O Husband of Rukmini, from birth I call myself one cared for by you. And now, O Cloud of mercy, if you forsake me, who will be the one to be ashamed? In the Vedas and Puranas, you are described as the Helper of the helpless, and if you forsake me, it will become evident that your noble reputation is false. When the crocodile seized Gajendra, you, O God, Lord of the heart, hastened to help him. Come to my aid today with the same speed. When Draupadi was in distress, you quickly came to her aid, but it seems you have forgotten all your compassion. O Husband of Rukmini, when you sent me to visit sacred bathing places, you entrusted me to Dnyandev's hands. Why are you disregarding me today, O merciful One, and refusing to come? O compassionate One, Lord of the earth, do not trouble me like this. Hurry to the aid of Nama, who is overcome with thirst and despondent without you. If you do not come today, all evil-minded men will laugh at me. So hasten to my help and care for me, your humble servant."

Thinking of Pandharpur, the heavenly abode where Lord Hari resides in His temple and where His love for His devotees remains eternal, Nama said, "Let us think of Pandharpur now. While this compassion was moving in His heart, the Lord of the earth said to Rukmini, 'If I can only see Nama once more, I will never separate him from me.'" Rukmini asked, "Dear God, why has this tender love come to you today? What trouble has befallen Nama that you are so sad?" Krishna replied, "Today my left eye throbs, and my left arm twitches. I feel concerned. I am greatly troubled, not knowing which of my devotees is in distress."

Upon hearing this, Rukmini paid close attention to her thoughts, and at that moment, she heard Nama's mournful cry. She said, "O God supreme, Nama is overcome with thirst and crying out to you for help. Rush quickly to his aid. Do not delay for a moment." As soon as Krishna heard her suggestion, He hastened more quickly than thought. Suddenly, the well filled with water with a rumbling noise and started overflowing.

Witnessing this miracle, Dnyandev thought to himself, "This is an extraordinary deed. I do not understand how Nama has made God indebted to him." Dnyandev then awakened Nama's consciousness, embraced him lovingly, and said, "Krishna has come to your aid and has shown us this seemingly impossible miracle. The monkey made stones float on the water, Vashishtha heated his staff, and Vishwamitra created a new world by his own power. Bhagirath made great efforts to bring the Bhagirathi river to the surface of the earth. Gautam, with Shiva's favor, brought down the Godavari river. But you, Nama, in a more wonderful way, revived a dead cow in Hastinapur, and now, in your thirst, you have brought the Ganga from the depths."

Dnyandev continued, "In saying this to Nama, his consciousness began to return. Nama drank the water freely and said to Dnyandev, 'God always supplies that which I earnestly request of Him. Only when I see the dark Lord do my eyes become cool.'" Dnyandev replied, "I have seen yogis sitting in contemplation, but my mind never attained a sense of peace by seeing them. My love for you alone has become infinite. I cannot think of anything else but you. You, a devotee of Vishnu's personification of love, have made the Husband of Rukmini subject to yourself. Krishna, the Supreme Spirit, is beside you. Blessed, O Nama, is your family line. I feel the same happiness that a cow feels on seeing its little calf. Seeing your noble qualities, my mind is filled with the joy of love. I no longer care for pilgrimages and sacred places as I listen to your praises of God. The Vedas, Smritis, and Puranas are completely enamored by the qualities of Hari. And seeing your love, the yogis have abandoned their contemplation. The crowd of Rishis, Gandharvas, Brahmadev, Indra, and other deities sought to fathom the formless One with feelings of love, but they could not attain God. However, you have made Him subject to yourself."

Having said this, Dnyandev embraced Nama's feet. The well where Nama experienced intense thirst still flows today in the Marwad region. Pilgrims gather there in the month of Margashirsh (December).