Bhakta Sangam

Namadev during pilgrimage to sacred places, arrived at Hastinapur (Delhi). Nama, driven by his love for God, sang of His goodness. As he approached the city, all eyes were upon him. As people listened to Nama's extraordinary expression of love, they prostrated themselves before him. They grabbed cymbals, veenas, and drums, dancing and singing songs of praise. News of Nama's kirtans spread, attracting a vast number of people who gathered with musical instruments and banners, organizing a grand assembly. Flags with eagle designs were waved, and the sound of musical instruments filled the air. Hastinapur was filled with joy as cries of "Victory, victory!" resounded, loudly proclaiming the names of God.

The Muhammadan king, residing in the city, learned of this affair. He was informed that the devotee Nama, on his way to visit sacred bathing places, had arrived from Pandhari and was performing kirtans in the city, captivating the attention of men and women alike. Upon hearing this, anger surged in the king's heart, like thieves cursing the moon in their hearts upon its rise, or like evil spirits becoming enraged at the sight of the radiant sun, or like heretics cursing in their minds after listening to Vedic knowledge. An intense hatred gripped the king, but he thought to himself, "I must go and witness Nama's recitation of Hari's deeds. If I am not convinced, I will deem it heretical." With such thoughts, the king, harboring evil intentions, attended the kirtan, disrupting the harmonious gathering, much like an outcast intruding into a gathering of Brahmins, or a dog entering a Brahman's kitchen and touching his food, or a dreadful disease afflicting a person in their prime. The king, with his malicious nature, abruptly sat down amidst the kirtan.

At that moment, Nama was engulfed in a profound love as he described the attributes of Shri Hari. The sky resonated with the sounds of cymbals, drums, and veenas, accompanied by fervent hand clapping. The enthusiasm knew no bounds. However, in the midst of this passionate kirtan, what did the Muhammadan king do? He killed a cow. He then confronted Nama, questioning, "What is it you are singing, you heretic? If you can bring this cow back to life, I will acknowledge the truth of your songs. But if you fail, I will kill you with my own hands." These words struck fear and confusion into the hearts of the audience, dampening their enthusiasm and love. It was as if poison had suddenly tainted a plate of delicacies, or a moth had extinguished the light while reading a book. The listeners were overcome by the disarray caused by the arrival of death during an auspicious ceremony, or the intrusion of the monster Rahu while the chakor bird gazed at the moon. All the devotees sat in silence, unable to act in the presence of the king.

Addressing Nama, the Muhammadan king demanded, "When will you revive this cow? Provide me with evidence of your truthfulness, and then continue your praises of Hari." Upon hearing the king's words, the noble Vaishnava replied, "O king, it will indeed take me four days from today to accomplish that." Having said this, the king returned to his palace. Nama turned his thoughts to Hari, fervently invoking His aid. "Victory to You, Merciful to the lowly, Purifier of sinners, Lover of Your devotees, Compassionate Cloud, Witnesser of thoughts, Source of goodness, Adornment of Your bhaktas, Govinda. Victory to You, Father of Brahma, Dweller on the ocean of milk, You whose form bears divine attributes, Lord of hearts, Bestower of blessings upon Pundalik, Lord of Pandhari, Victory to You, the Indestructible, the Guru of the world. Victory to You, Ram, Slayer of Ravana, Bestower of joy to Nand, Slayer of Kansa, Destroyer of the pride of the Kauravas, Protector of the Pandavas, Shri Krishna. Victory to You, Ocean of goodness, Cloud of joy, Protector of Draupadi from shame, Husband of Rukmini, lotus-eyed One, Adornment of Your devotees, Pandurang." Filled with love and enthusiasm, Nama poured out his heartfelt thoughts amidst the kirtan. His voice choked with emotion, and tears streamed from his eyes. The vast assembly of listeners was moved to tears as well. They sat there for a whole day, and when the sun rose, they returned to their homes, just as hypocritical donors send away those who seek their help during times of famine, or as pleasure-seekers abandon sensual pleasures when their senses become weakened, or as contractors flee from impending losses, deserting their provinces and countries. Similarly, when the cool season arrives, the clouds vanish from the sky, or when sunlight fades the color of patang wood, or when a king falls on the battlefield, his army abandons him and disperses, or when a creature nears death, it must leave its body, or when a poor man approaches a wealthy man, evil-minded relatives send him away, or when old age arrives, the senses of a person no longer function properly. Thus, as the attendees listened to Namdev's kirtan and witnessed his extreme distress, they all rose and departed.

Nama took the severed head of the cow and cradled it in his lap, weeping. He cried out, "O Lord of Pandhari, Shri Hari, come quickly to my aid. Have You been sleeping beside Rukmini, causing a delay in Your arrival? Or have You been engrossed in listening to the kirtans of God-loving bhaktas? Or, Krishna, have You become entangled in the thoughts of yogis? Or has someone caused difficulties for You, keeping You entangled in them? Or, O Vishnu, have You been accepting the worship of those who perceive You as possessing attributes? Has Indra taken You along to drink nectar? Or have pilgrims, belonging to Your devotees, arrived at Pandhari to see and worship You? Is that why, O Lord of hearts, You have delayed coming to my aid? Wealthy people worship You, offering various ornaments, garments, and adornments. Perhaps absorbed in such offerings, You have forgotten about me." For four days and nights, Nama called out to God, beseeching Him for help. The tears that streamed from his eyes sprinkled the earth. He cried, "O God, hasten quickly, for death (kal) has arrived to claim Your Nama. I am overwhelmed with concern, like a fish out of water."

Upon hearing these heartfelt words, the Holder of the disc, Krishna, immediately manifested Himself in Nama's heart. He revived the cow, bringing it back to life, and then instructed Nama, "Awaken to consciousness." Nama tightly seized Krishna's feet, and this is what he said: "O God, what business have You been involved in? O One with the Garuda banner, You have put me through an extreme test for four days. God replied, 'O Nama, it was you who made an unnecessary promise. Why did you needlessly state that it would take four days to revive the cow? If you had simply replied to the king that you would immediately bring the cow back to life, I would have rushed to your aid. It is your own mistaken thought that has come to fruition. Why do you unjustly blame Me? For I, God, am subject to you, and I naturally act through My love for you. I accept as My duty the words that fall from the lips of My devotees. Just as Valmiki's prophetic words compelled Me to follow them, when a seer looks into a mirror, he sees himself as he truly is. Likewise, when a person envisions Me in their heart, I, the Savior of the world, am exactly as they conceive Me to be. Just as a crystal takes on the color of the object placed upon it, I, who am subservient to My devotees, become exactly as they desire Me to be." Having spoken thus, Krishna, the Holder of the disc, disappeared from sight. Nama opened his eyes and saw that the cow was sitting there, fully revived. The people who witnessed this extraordinary event promptly informed the king. Upon hearing this news, the Muhammadan king hurried to the scene. When he saw the cow, whose head he had severed, now alive again, the king paid his respects to Nama. The people rejoiced and exclaimed, "Blessed is Vaishnava Nama, whose love for God cannot be fully described, nor can his devotion to Brahmadev and the multitude of other gods." The sound of clapping hands filled the air as shouts of "Victory, victory!" resonated throughout the assembly of devotees. Nama then rose and offered reverential worship to Vana.nali (Krishna). As the final hymns of praise were sung, everyone shouted, "Victory, victory!" Truly blessed is this noble Vaishnava, for he has made God, the wielder of the Sarang bow, subservient to him.