Dnyaneshwar

Vithoba turned to Sidhopant and said, "I wish to go to Rameshwar, but I will return quickly." Understanding his intention, Sidhopant granted him permission, saying, "Go ahead and perform the pilgrimage, and then come back to my home promptly." Vithoba first paid his respects to Pandurang and swiftly set off, visiting one holy place after another as described in the Puranas. He witnessed the majestic Mount Shaila, Mallikarjuna, and Nivritte Sangam, whose power is immeasurable. The mere sight of these places turned a heap of sins into ashes. As Vithoba hurried along the path, he kept the image of Vitthal in his mind and sang the praises of God's name with love on his lips.

He visited Ahobalam, Narsinha, Vasudev, Lord Venkateshwara in Mount Giri and Mount Arun, and worshiped at Chidambara. Afterward, he saw Gokarna, bathed at Hatakeshwar, and continued his journey. He witnessed the mountain from which Hanumant leaped in search of Sita and swiftly moved forward. Finally, after seeing Janardan, he reached Rameshwar. Having accomplished his purpose, he began his return journey. In Kolhapur, he bathed in the Panchaganga and worshiped Lakshmi before resuming his travel. He arrived at the Krishna River valley and bathed at Mahuli Sangam. From there, he made his way back to Alandi.

With immense love, Vithoba embraced Sidhopant and bowed down before him, touching his feet. After staying there for four nights, Vithoba expressed his desire to visit his parents. He said to Sidhopant, "I feel I should go and see my mother and father. If you grant me permission, I will go immediately." Sidhopant agreed and replied, "Go with your wife and visit your parents. I will accompany you to meet them." Sidhopant, along with his daughter and son-in-law, went to Apagaon, where they met Govindpant. Vithoba bowed to his mother and father, embracing them warmly. Sidhopant then narrated in detail the story of their son. Upon hearing this explanation, Nirabai, Vithoba's mother, was overjoyed. Seeing her son and daughter-in-law before her, she couldn't contain her happiness, much like Janak's daughter rejoiced when Ram returned to Ayodhya after his marriage, and Kausalya, upon seeing Shri Ram and Sita, was overwhelmed with joy. Vithoba's mother was extremely delighted to see her son and daughter-in-law.

To honor his parents, Sidhopant presented them with garments and ornaments. After taking their leave, he returned to Alandi. Some time later, Vithoba's parents passed away and ascended to the heavenly abode of Vaikunth. Vithoba never felt a sense of detachment towards his domestic duties. Just as people accept the arrival of the three seasons or how rivers in flood do not increase the water level in the ocean, Vithoba regarded both joy and sorrow with equanimity. Sidhopant came to know about Vithoba's state of mind and felt that he should visit him to provide comfort. Therefore, he returned to Apegaon and said to his son-in-law, "You may be indifferent to worldly matters, but in domestic life, one requires various things for daily and occasional necessities. Please do me the favor of coming with me to Alandi. Hari takes care of you, but your conduct goes against popular custom." Vithoba agreed, and Sidhopant, along with his daughter and son-in-law, swiftly returned to Alandi. Residing in this sacred city brought great solace to Vithoba's mind. He engaged in daily kirtans praising Hari and regularly interacted with sadhus.

On the eleventh day of the months Ashadh (July) and Kartik (November), Vithoba would embark on a pilgrimage to Pandhari. Many days passed, but they were unable to conceive a child. Vithoba expressed his dejection to his wife, saying, "My mind is filled with sadness. I want to go to Benares and join the order of the sannyasis. This is how I feel, and I seek your permission to go." Rakhumabai, troubled in her mind, didn't reply immediately. She hurried to her father and explained the situation to him. She said, "The love of my life seeks my permission to become a sannyasi." In response, Sidhopant warned her, "As long as a man has no child, he should never enter the order of sannyasis. It is the command of the Vedas. Be cautious and do not grant him permission." Having received this advice from her father, Rakhumabai became cautious of her words.

On a particular day, Vithoba asked his wife, "May I go and bathe in the Ganga?" Without much thought, she gave her consent. Satisfied with her response, Vithoba left for Anadavan (Benares). It was as if a cobra escapes from a juggler and hides in an ant hole in the forest, or a parrot flees from its cage and perches on a tree, or a sadhu finds solace in leaving a gathering of deceitful individuals. Similarly, Vithoba, with contentment in his heart, arrived in Benares. He bathed at the Triveni Sangam, experiencing repentance in his heart. After worshipping Madhav (Krishna), he went to Prayag in the month of Magh (February) for another sacred bath. Upon returning, he visited Pushkar, a holy place in Rajasthan, where countless saints, sadhus, and Vaishnavas resided. While listening to the explanations of the Bhagvadgita, he became acquainted with the principles of the sannyasi order. He pondered, "Maya creates immense difficulties. I must find a way to escape the cycle of birth and death." As a humble supplicant, he approached a sannyasi named Shri Ramashram. Vithoba embraced his feet and requested, "Please initiate me into the order of sannyasis." The sannyasi inquired about his previous commitments, whether he had a wife, children, brothers, or other relatives. Vithoba replied, "I am alone. I have no wife or children. Thus, as soon as I experienced repentance, I came with utmost reverence to seek initiation from you, my swami." Recognizing the detachment in this seeker, the noble guru agreed and bestowed upon him the initiating mantra, formally admitting him into the order of sannyasis.

News of Vithoba entering the fourth stage of life in Benares indirectly reached Sidhopant's ears. Upon learning that her husband had become a sannyasi, Rakhumabai became deeply distressed. She cried out, "O love of my life, why have you abandoned me in the wilderness of this world?" Her anguish resembled the separation felt by Draupadi from the Pandavas, or the tears shed by Damayanti when separated from Nal, or the burning sorrow experienced by Taramati when she found herself without Harischandra. It was akin to the despair that gripped Savitri when death approached Satyavan, or the fainting spell that overcame Padmavati upon hearing of Jayadev's demise. Yet, with the support of her parents, Rakhumabai mustered the strength to restrain her emotions.