Dnyaneshwar

After completing her household chores, it was Rakhumabai's routine to worship the Pimpal tree. Through her numerous penances, all her faults were eradicated. Shripad, the leader of the sannyasis who had initiated her husband into the order, happened to visit Alandi. When Rakhumabai saw him, she approached him respectfully to offer her respects. Shripad was seated at that time on the stone platform encircling the Pimpal tree. Rakhumabai greeted him with folded hands and a namaskar. In return, Shripad graciously blessed her, saying, "May you become the mother of eight sons and have a devoted husband." These words greatly astonished Rakhumabai. As she smiled to herself, Shripad questioned her about her reaction.

He said, "Mother, why do you find my words amusing?" She replied, "You blessed me with always having a husband and being a mother of sons. But, O chief of the sannyasis, how can this come to pass without my husband? My husband has abandoned me and, filled with remorse, joined the order of the sannyasis. Therefore, when you blessed me, I found it rather strange. It is like sowing seeds in a fireplace or expecting rain to fall on a rock. Your blessing was given to me without considering the circumstances. It is like showing a mirror to a blind man or singing to a deaf man or offering delicate food to a sick person without any thought or action. Just as it is futile to blow on a fire when there are no embers or to carry a lamp without oil, or as a beggar pleads with a miser in vain, or as planting seeds in dry soil without rain, or what use is it for a physician to administer medicine to a person who is destined not to live? Just as an astrologer would not allow a bride to marry when the moon is in its dark half or gifts offered in worship after the sun has set. Thus, your blessing amused me because it seemed futile."

As Rakhumabai spoke, Shripad felt immense surprise. He thought to himself, "I must impose a penance upon the one who admitted Vithoba into the order of the sannyasis. When a disciple abandons his young wife without any offspring and enters the sannyasi order, both the disciple and the guru incur a penalty according to the scriptures. Just as one hears an echo when speaking in a cave, my error has returned to me even though I inquired about his circumstances. It is like the moon mocking the stars while having spots itself, or the ocean blaming the Ganges while being salty, or a person finding fault with delicious food when their own mouth tastes bitter, or a person blind from birth reproaching the sun, or someone with a crooked nose getting angry at their reflection in the mirror, or a lamp that shines light for others while having darkness beneath it. I have done wrong and unfairly blamed others. I believe that the harm I have caused her will nullify my good deeds."

Thus, he asked Rakhumabai, "Who are your relatives here?" Rakhumabai stood before him with folded hands and humbly replied, "I have a mother, father, brothers, and sisters, but due to my separation from my husband, I feel as though I have no protector." Shripad then instructed her to invite her father to meet him. Rakhumabai hurriedly returned home and brought Sidhopant. When he saw the great yogi, he prostrated himself before him, offered worship with flowers and perfumes, washed his feet, and ultimately fed him. Standing before Shripad with joined hands, he asked, "My swami, where have you come from and where are you headed? Kindly enlighten me."

Shripad replied, "My home is in Benares. I had intended to go to Rameshwar but have now arrived in this southern region. Your daughter has informed me about her situation. Therefore, I must promptly return to Benares." Shripad added, "According to the scriptures, my good deeds will be in vain due to the wrong I have committed against her. Bring Rakhumabai with you, and let us go to Benares." Hearing this, Sidhopant fell at Shripad's feet and said, "You are merciful. Let us hasten and go." He took his daughter's hand, and they set off.

Upon reaching Benares, Shripad went to his hermitage. He summoned Chaitanya (now known as Vithoba) and asked him once again about his past life. Shripad said, "Now tell me honestly. Did you have a wife when you were a householder? You previously lied to me. Hold nothing back and reveal the whole truth." As he spoke, he placed a reassuring hand on Vithoba. Upon hearing his sadguru's words, Vithoba responded timidly, much like a child confessing to its mother when scolded for a mistake. He confessed fearfully to his guru, as if a subject who has done wrong timidly reveals the truth to a punishing king. It was akin to a sick person admitting to eating indigestible food when questioned by an angry physician out of fear of further illness. Or as a daughter-in-law confesses timidly when caught by her mother-in-law while failing to fulfill her domestic duties. Vithoba's confession was filled with trepidation, as he feared the curse of this revered yogi.

He said, "I did indeed abandon my young wife before having any children." Upon hearing these words, Shripad called for Rakhumabai. He then said to Vithoba, "Take your wife back, return to your homeland immediately, and live according to the applicable rules. If you genuinely fear engaging in forbidden acts and have no doubts in your mind, my command is your authority to follow, and God will assist you." Upon receiving this blessing, Vithoba worshiped Shripad's feet, took his wife's hand, and began their journey back to their homeland. Just as the Vindhya mountain range obeyed Agasti's command and descended to the ground, Vithoba promptly followed his sadguru's wish.

Thus, Sidhopant returned home, accompanied by his daughter and son-in-law. When the news spread, the malevolent individuals among the people began to mock them. They said, "How is it that he has become a householder after joining the sannyasi order? He has acted improperly due to his flawed character." Another commented, "He must be inclined toward sensual pleasures." A third added, "He is a miser and a despicable, detestable person." Yet another remarked, "We should not even look at his face. Like someone who first drinks nectar and then consumes intoxicating substances, he has abandoned his association with the sannyasis and become engrossed in worldly matters. It is comparable to someone who studies the Vedas diligently but then indulges in obscene literature. He has forsaken the worship of Vishnu and sought favor with demons. It is as if one were to leave a holy city and settle in a miserable village or as if one were to forsake the company of Brahmins and instead befriend the untouchables. He has renounced the benefits of indifference to worldly matters and fallen into the labyrinth of domestic life."

Thus, everyone began to revile him, but Vithoba remained at peace. Just as a cloud does not wash away a mountain with its rain, an eagle is not frightened by a snake's presence, or an elephant is unperturbed by a barking dog, Vithoba was undisturbed by the waves of trouble that came his way. He quelled the stirrings of desire and anger, and his actions were extraordinary and unparalleled. The Brahmins expelled him from the caste, and his relatives abandoned him. He built a hut in the forest and lived there with his wife. To sustain themselves, he begged for food. Day and night, without ceasing even for a moment, he repeated the names of God. He spent his time listening to and contemplating the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam, his mind became perpetually serene.