Dnyaneshwar

Twelve years passed, and Vithoba and Rakhumabai were blessed with children - three sons and one daughter. The names of their children were Nivritti, Dnyandev, Sopan, and Muktabai. Just by hearing their names, even the ignorant and foolish would be purified. However, they faced revilement from others who scorned them, saying, "We should not even look at their faces. These children were born into a low caste and have brought shame to their Brahmanhood."

As the children grew day by day and reached their youth, their parents became concerned about their future. Rakhumabai expressed her worries to Vithoba, saying, "I have great concern in my mind. We should seek permission from the Brahmans and perform the sacred thread ceremony." Agreeing with his wife, Vithoba decided to gather a gathering of Brahmans and humbly plead for their guidance. With joined hands, he said, "Swamis, forgive me for my transgressions. I humbly request you to consult the Shastras, the sacred scriptures that contain religious principles, and prescribe a penance for us."

Vithoba prostrated himself on the ground before the Brahmans, seeking their guidance. Their eldest son, Nivritti, also spoke to them, saying, "Just by seeing you, we have already found freedom. Please prescribe a penance for the six of us." The learned pandits and esteemed Brahmans consulted their scriptures and replied, "There is no other penance for you except death. You must either put yourselves under a saw or burn yourselves to death with repentance. These are the prescribed penances for you."

Upon hearing this response, Vithoba felt deep remorse. He made a respectful gesture towards the Brahmans and quickly left, leaving behind his wife, sons, daughter, and home. He didn't even glance back, much to the astonishment of the Brahmans. They remarked, "He has burned away his sins by bathing in the sacred waters of repentance. The Shastras speak of no penance superior to repentance. Through the grace of his sadguru, he has become pure."

Nivritti then asked the Brahmans, "Tell us, what should we do? What penalty do the Shastras prescribe for us?" The Brahmans replied, "Go to Pratishthan (Paithan) and bring a letter from there declaring your purity." Nivritti questioned further, "What should we tell them? We have no authority to disclose our caste or family. We are neither Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, nor Brahmans. We are the imperishable, the ancient of days, the eternal, the self-knowing perfect ones. We are not to be identified with the elements of water, light, heavens, earth, wind, or the universe. We are not attendants of Shiva or celestial beings. We are not rishis or demons. We do not possess attributes, nor are we unchangeable. We should not be called formless."

Nivritti turned to Dnyandev and asked, "Given our ancestry, what should we tell the Brahmans in Paithan?" Dnyandev responded, "The scriptures teach that one who acts contrary to their commands deserves blame. Even though a person with knowledge attains liberation while living, they should not abandon the prescribed rules. Sadhus should show others the right path by walking on it themselves. To act contrary to the scriptures is the greatest fault. Each individual should perform their specific duties. This is what the learned Brahmans of the Vedas have said." Dnyandev offered this explanation based on their close friendship.

Sopan added, "What value does caste or family hold? Without devotion (bhakti), one can never attain the feet of Shri Hari. In which scripture are the noble families of Durvas, the sage Vasishtha, Gautama, Vyas, Valmiki, the great Agasti, and the Pandavas declared? Even if someone is born into a noble family and deeply studies the Vedas, it is all in vain without devotion. The scriptures do not praise such individuals. If one's devotion is directed towards God, what importance does high caste hold?"