Dnyaneshwar

Dnyaneshwar realized the truth of the above and discussed the matter with Nivritti. He said, "Through this continually recited knowledge of the buffalo, the Way of Works will be destroyed. The deep inner meaning of the Vedas is a secret. If it is plainly divulged to people, it will drive away the misunderstandings of those devoted to the Way of Works. There will then be nothing left of sacrifices."

After explaining this to Nivriti, he made a namaskar to the Brahmans and, having asked their permission to take away the buffalo, they obtained leave from the Brahmans and started on their way. As they left the town, the Brahmans walked with them to see them off. Tears filled their eyes, and they lovingly embraced them. With hearts stirred with emotion, they conversed with one another.

The Brahmans remarked, "The time has been well spent in our association with Dnyaneshwar." The men and women of the town accompanied them for one mile. And then Dyaneshwar pleaded with them to return to their homes. They then made a namaskar and returned, while Nivritti, Sopan, Dnyaneshwar, and their sister Muktabai walked along the road full of joy. With love, they sang the praises of Hari (God) and composed wise verses containing the nine emotions.

When they arrived at the sacred town of Mahalaya (modern Nevasa), they remained there. They bathed in the sacred waters of the Pravara river and there met with the Lord of Mohani. There Dnyaneshwar composed his Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita and showed an easy way for the dull-minded, fools, and all ignorant persons. To begin with, it is like the brilliant gold on which is the setting for diamonds. It is like dainty food prepared from grain to give the tongue a pleasant taste. It is like a golden ornament that adorns a beautiful body. It is like the scattering of very small seeds that finally show their beauty in flowers and fruit. It is like the power of the wish-tree, which appears beautiful through the imagination. It is like the full moon raining down nectar for the chakor bird. Dnyandev composed this Marathi book to make plain the deep meaning of the Bhagavad Gita, so that the wise, God-loving, and pious men might have true knowledge.

Nivritti, who was Dnyandev's sadguru, said lovingly to him, "From your own thoughts on the subject, compose the Amritanubhav." Replying that he would do so, he placed his head at his sadguru's feet. Then, giving thought to his own spiritual experiences, he composed the Amritanubhav.

In order to destroy the pride of Brahmadev, Krishna created cows and calves, and Dnyandev composed the Amritanubhav to answer the proud heretics who talked in vain out of their own imaginations.

After having lovingly made a namaskar to the primal power, Mhalasa, the party hastened from there to return to their own part of the country. As the four walked along the path, they lovingly repeated the names of God. At night, they lodged in some town and performed a kirtan in honor of Hari. Leaving all thoughts of love and affection, honor and dishonor, and all pride of the body, they looked upon every creature, from Brahmadev to insects, as the same.

One day, while walking along the path, they encamped in the forest belonging to Alandi. Here, the animal that recited the Vedas died. Having placed it in a tomb, they caused it to reach the state of final deliverance. Saints are always merciful mines of compassion and givers of assurance. After worshiping the tomb, they smeared it with sindur. That place is still called Mhasoba.

From there, they hastened to return to the town of Alandi. Muktabai said to Nivritti, "We must see the place where we were born." When all arrived at Alandi, all the people there felt very happy. With feelings of love, they worshiped their feet and embraced them. The people had already heard what had happened at Paithan. In addition, Sopan showed the Brahmans the letter he had brought with him. Listening to it, all were amazed. It was clearly written in the letter that the three brothers were the avatars of the gods. Hearing this, the Brahmans were lost in wonder.

And so, after listening to the letter from Paithan, all the Brahmans accepted its contents and acted just as Indra and the other gods act in obedience to the command of Brihaspati, or as pandits acknowledge the authority of the Puranas uttered by the lips of Shri Vyas, or as a good disciple studies philosophical subjects at the command of his guru, or as clouds move in the same direction as the wind, or as our sense organs act in accordance with the desire of our minds, or just as a sunflower turns to wherever the sun may be, or as when water is in the form of a stream, it flows by reason of its fluidity. In whatever direction the wind blows, the banners wave, and musical instruments sing in harmony with songs sung, giving due attention to the stops. Just so, the Brahmans of Alandi worshiped the three brothers according to the suggestion of the Brahmans of Paithan. They said to one another, "Truly, three gods have descended as avatars."

And as they lovingly performed kirtans, all the people came to listen to them. They remarked, "These sadgurus have become avatars for our sake."