Panduranga - 8

Sakkubai – 4

Leelaananambujam adheeram udeekshamaanam

Narmmani venu vivareshu nivesayantham

Dolayamana nayanam nayanabhiramam

Devam kada nu dayitam vyathilokayishye!

           The Lord’s face resembles the lotus which Lakshmi devi is holding playfully in her hand.  His eyes are active running around in all directions!  He blows many secret feelings through the holes of His flute. When will I be able to set my eyes on the sweet Lord who is a feast for my eyes? Sri Leela Suka blurts thus in Sri Krishna Karnamritham.

Sakkubai’s heart ached like that to see her Vital. She has heard that the Lord’s looks has the power to entice anybody. She desperately wanted to experience that. The woman who came to help her also was describing the Lord. She shattered all the restrictions from her mind and ran madly. Yes she was mad of Panduranga! Vitala! She was not bothered about her family people any more. Her only concern was to go to Pandarpur and enjoy her Vital! Luckily she got into a good company. It is very important that we should be in the proper company. Others in the group should also have the same attitude for the Lord. If we fall into the wrong group then we will be led away from the Lord and pushed in to worldliness.

         The mahathmas in the group were surprised to see her midway. They saw she was bruised all over her body. When they enquired she told everything that happened. Seeing her truthfulness they took pity on her. The mahathmas could guess that it was Lord Panduranga Himself who has come to relieve her. So they were only happy to take the staunch devotee in their group. All of them now proceeded towards Pandarpur singing bhajans.  From a distance Sakkubai saw Chandrabhaga river. When she was told it was Chandrabhaga she swooned and fell down.  Gaining consciousness she ran towards it. They all took a dip in the river. She felt very much excited. Is it not the same river where great bhakthas like Namadeva have bathed? The same water runs over it now!  Tears welled in her eyes. After finishing the bath she began to run towards the temple chanting ‘vital! vital!’ She became mad in devotion. She inched through the crowd forwards. From the distance she could see the divine form. She shuddered at the first sight. Her excitement grew.  She desperately wanted to touch the Lotus feet.  Viraham tortured her. She was impatiently waiting for her chance to go near Him. All the devas from heaven were watching eagerly at Sakkubai.

         At last she came near Him. Her breathing stopped for a few seconds. She forgot the world itself and was drinking the divine form with her eyes. She couldn’t take her eyes off the deity. All the people were wondering at her bhava. What a bhakthi? They thought.  With trembling hands she touched the cool feet of the Lord. She felt she was losing herself in an ocean of indescribable bliss. Time stood still for her. The Lord gave her His divine darsan. She could see the actual form before her smiling at her. She forgot who she was, where she was, she forgot her husband and family, she forgot she has left another woman in her place she forgot everything. She could only see the lotus feet, lotus hands, coral lips which sported a sweet smile, the long and beautiful nose, the lustrous golden crown etc.

      She cried out to the Lord, ‘hey Panduranga! What have I don’t for this favour? Your mercy is limitless. Have I done any bhakthi to attain this? Oh Lord! You have showered your karunyam on this mean janma too. How can I ever repay you?’

Slowly as somebody pushed her forward she came to her senses. She forgot her whole past. She was now only aware of her Lord. She decided to settle there doing service to her Lord. Sakkubai’s life changed totally. Daily she would do kainkaryams such as cleaning the temple, making garlands for the Lord washing His clothes etc. She was enjoying her present life like anything.  So far she was doing all services for others thinking of her Lord. But now she was doing all her work for Him only. Her happiness knew no bounds.

       Meanwhile in Sakkubai’s house the fake Sakkubai was standing tied to the pillar. Her husband came in after sometime and asked her whether she would behave herself hereafter. She meekly said yes. ‘Will you ever say you want to go to Pandarpur again?

‘No my lord! Why should I want to go to Pandarpur now?’ she replied. Since there was plenty or work pending in the house he untied her.  Panduranga who had come as the maya Sakkubai now gave a beautiful smile. For reasons unknown Sakkubai’s husband was captured by that smile.  The Lord who took the mohini avatara could enticed the devas as well as asuras. There is no wonder if a mean human being as Sakkubai’s husband was attracted by the maya Sakkubai. He felt some kindness towards his wife. The maya Sakkubai did all the chores in the house meticulously. Somehow the food she prepared tasted more delicious. Every work she did impressed them all. They did not want to scold her anymore. Even the mother in law started liking her very much.

        God’s mercy is limitless we have heard mahans say. Here in Sakkubai’s story it is proved beyond doubt. The Lord of the Universe stooped down to such a low level as to do menial service to Sakkubai’s family. Other than doing all the house hold chores, the maya Sakkubai pleased her husband in the bed too. She even took over the pain of Sakkubai’s monthly periods.  Is there anything to equal this mercy of the Lord?  He will go to any extent for the love of His bhakthas! The whole family was feeling a divine peace in their hearts. They could not but love this maya Sakkubai. There was gradual change in them. Life was going on like this.  What quality those people had to have Panduranga in their life like this? Their only quality was their connection with Sakkubai. Sathsangam brings jeevan mukthi. The chanting she had done in that house gave them all such a fortune! Sakkubai’s chanting made Him do all things!

         In Pandaripuram the real Sakkubai was immersed in the new bliss and was not aware of any of these changes happening in her house. She never even remembered them. Now mother Rukmini started worrying. What is this strange leela of the Lord? Has He forgotten who He was? He seemed to have forgotten everybody including Rukmini for the sake of His dear bhaktha Sakkubai!  This is how our bhakthi should be. We must do such chanting to tie the Lord with our devotion. Do chant and wait for the next issue. Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Panduranga - 7

Sakkubai – 3

Paripalaya nah kripaalayethi asakruth jalpitham athma baandhavah

Murali mrudula svanaanthare vibhuh aakarnnayithaa kadaa nu?

       Radhekrishna! The above sloka is from Krishna Karnamritham by Sri Leela Suka.He cries out to the Lord, ‘hey the source of mercy! When you are playing sweet music in your flute (venu) how will you be able to hear our cries to save us from this samsara, world? We keep crying out again and again but can you hear our cries amidst the sweet music of your venu?’ The truth is the Lord is straining His ears to hear us calling out to Him even when He is engaged otherwise. We must have the full faith in Him to do that. Panduranga was listening to Sakkubai's calls with love!

         Sakkubai never doubted the Lord’s mercy. She believed the words of her guru and kept on chanting. She did all her work for her Panduranga only. She thought she was washing clothes for Panduranga. She cooked for her Vital only. She cleaned the house for her Panduranga’s comfort.  Her heart was fully dedicated to Panduranga only. People of the world could not understand her bhavam. Her in laws and husband started torturing her in many ways. But she never considered them as sufferings. She accepted everything as bhagavath prasadam only. So she was happy.

     One day when she was washing clothes in a pond she heard some people singing bhajans. She came up to the road and saw a group of  bhakthas with various musical instruments singing abhangs and moving forward very happily.  She was very much fascinated by their singing. She slowly approached one of them and enquired where they were going to.  The man replied that they are proceeding towards Pandarpur. She was thrilled to hear that. The desire to go to Pandarpur which she kept in her heart now jumped out. She became so excited and forgot everything. Till now she was enjoying her Vital in her heart. But now she wanted to see Him directly. She can even touch Him she thought.  “Can I also come with you?” she blurted out in excitement. The bhakthas saw her enthusiasm and eagerness. But since they thought she was a married woman they advised her to get permission from her husband.

         In the meantime some of her neighbours who did not like Sakkubai told her in laws that Sakkubai was flirting with some people on the way. The infuriated in laws received Sakkubai with harsh words mid way. Sakkubai was very happy to see her husband coming towards her and told him that some bhakthas are going to Pandarpur. She begged that they should also go with them. Her husband red with anger slapped her harshly.  By the unexpected reaction she fell down. She got up and again asked him whether they can also go with them. But the man had turned an animal and began to beat her in front of everybody.  The antharyami Lord in Sakkubai inspired her to ask him again. She felt she should go to Pandarpur now.  She again asked him to let her go at least for once. She wanted to see Panduranga once.

        Her husband got more irritated now. He pushed her down and began to draw her to their house. Her whole body was bruised. But she was adamant in her demand.  Her mother in law kept asking whether she had a secret lover in Pandarpur. Sakkubai shivered at her words. But some how she was obsessed with the idea of going to Pandarpur. All her in laws’ admonitions didn’t help at all. Whatever happened Sakkubai wanted Vital only! Her faith was so firm! At last her husband got tired and tied her to a pillar in the house. Sakkubai was hurt all over. They locked the room from outside. Sakkubai felt miserable. She was not bothered by the tortures to her body; her only concern was that the bhakthas might have left for Pandarpur without her. She wanted to go with them.  She prayed to her Vital whole heartedly. “Bhagavan! Are you not aware of my desire?  Is it wrong on my part to wish so? Don’t you think I too have the right to come and see you? I very much want to come and see you my Lord! I am not asking much. I am asking only to let me go to Pandarpur and see you. Can’t you do something? You are karuna sagara – ocean of mercy! Please hurry my Lord. Please I beg you to fulfill my life’s desire.” The Lord was moved by her sincere prayers.  The Lord never desserts His devotees.

           Suddenly a woman’s soft voice called out to Sakkubai 'why are you crying'? Startled she saw a woman standing by the window on the road looking at her. Sakkubai told her that she very much wanted to see Panduranga. Then the other woman asked her why she was kept tied to the pillar. Sakkubai replied that since she said she wanted to go to Pandarpur her husband has tied her up. The woman asked whether Sakkubai hasn’t seen Panduranga before. Sakkubai replied she has not. Then the woman said that it is a real loss that she hasn’t seen Panduranga. She started describing the Lord.  The elegant way He stands on the brick, His style of wearing the peethambara, the unique way of tilak on the forehead, long nose, lotus like eyes, coral lips all very enchanting, she said. Sakkubai’s desire flame was fanned by this woman. You must see Him at least once in your life said the woman. Hearing her Sakkubai broke down and cried. 'It is only asking for that I am suffering now' she said. What a loss for her! Such a beautiful chance slipped away from her! She couldn’t control her sorrow.

          The woman silently entered the room from the back door. She came to Sakkubai and dried her eyes. She tried to console her. Sakkubai told her that the only wish in her life cannot be fulfilled. For that the woman told her that to see Panduranga one can adopt any means. She can even cheat her family members! Surprised Sakkubai looked at her face. The woman now came near her and said both of them had strong resemblance. She would untie Sakkubai and help her get out of the back door to see Panduranga. Instead Sakkubai can tie the other woman in her place and slip away before anyone notices. If those people come, the woman herself will pretend to be Sakkubai till she comes back. Sakkubai couldn’t believe her ears and just kept staring at the woman’s face. The woman released her from rope and hurried her to do as she told. She repeatedly told Sakkubai that there was nothing wrong in that. Sakkubai somehow got convinced and did as she has told. She sent a thankful look at her and hurried out through the back door. She felt like a bird freed from its cage. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her in the direction of the devotees. Without long she could catch up with them. They were totally surprised at her appearance there. They happily took her in their group and they all proceeded towards Pandarpur loudly singing bhajans.

         You would be eager to know what happened to Sakkubai and the woman afterwards. We will be back with that in our next issue. Till then keep chanting the divine nama! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!    

Panduranga - 6

Sakkubai - 2

  Vyaamoha prasamaushadham muni mano vrithi pravruthyaushadham

Daithyendraarthi karaushadham thrijagatham sanjeevanaikaushadham

Bhakthaathyantha hithaushadham bhavabhaya pradhvamsanaika aushadham

Shreya praapthi karaushadham piba mana Sri Krishna divyaushadham!

       Radhekrishna! The great devotee Sri Kulasekhara Alwar in his Mukuntamala claims that the name of the Lord is a powerful medicine - aushadham! This medicine cures all sorts of diseases, like giving clarity to an enchanted mind, leading the minds of saints in the right path. It saves us from the troubles and difficulties caused by asuras. It  is the best medicine which revives the three worlds. This medicine is comforting for the bhakthas. This is the best remedy for worldly fears. It brings only good for mankind. So oh men! You please take the medicine of Sri Krishna nama! What more can anything else give than this? Great people have repeatedly highlighted the greatness of bhagavannama. We have to follow their advice and attain immortal happiness. 

       Such a valuable thing as nama is not easily attained. Only the merits of crores of births and the mercy of a sadguru will bring the nama to a person. Sadguru in his limitless mercy imparts the truth to a deserving disciple. Sakkubai was very fortunate to have met with a sadguru who gave her the precious mantra deeksha which is a remedy for all worldly and spiritual ailments. By the will of the Lord the little girl had full faith in what the mahan had told her. The mahan left her after giving her upadesa. From that moment the girl started chanting it with full faith. She never for a moment doubted the mahan's words.  As her mind was without any blemish it automatically caught on to the nama. Naturally she started enjoying the chanting.

        The gopis did chanting like that. They could never take Krishna off their mind. So chanting came to them spontaneously.  Even when they were doing their work like cleaning the house, churning the curd, cooking, bathing the babies, etc they chanted Krishna. They called out Govinda, Damodara, Madhava even when they went in the streets to sell butter and curd. Bhakthi should be like that. The mind must be attached to Krishna only and nothing else. By divine grace Sakkubai attained the same state of the gopis. She gradually lost interest in all other things. Most of the times she preferred to be aloof from others enjoying her chanting, meditating on the form of the Lord.

      Naturally the parents became worried as her devotion grew. Her devotion also developed in to madhurya bhavam or nayika bhavam. For her Vital became her lover, her everything. She kept this secret to herself. She envisioned Panduranga in various forms in her heart. As her love deepened it led to pangs of separation - viraha bhava! She flowered in to a beautiful damsel. 

       Now many marriage proposals came up for her hand. Many came to see her. But she looked lost somewhere in thoughts unmindful of the world around her. This made them hesitate to accept her. People talked that she was not normal. Nobody is normal in this world. Some are crazy about money, some for women, some for power etc etc. But the people think they are the only normal people. Sakkubai was crazy about her Lord. The parents became really worried now. Sakkubai was unmindful of everything.

          Can anybody change divine plans? We will have to accept whatever happens. Lord is only doing what is good for us! At last by divine will a boy came to see Sakkubai and was enchanted by her looks. The parents of the boy also liked her very much. So the marriage took place in her village. Sakkubai just accepted everything as Vital's wish and obeyed. She went to her husband's village with her in laws. For the first few days all was well. They all showed love to her and were very friendly. But as the days went on the mother in law noticed that Sakkubai had no interest in worldly gossips or such things. She did all her duties as the daughter in law of the house in a pleasant manner. But never indulged in wasteful talks with them. Even while doing her duties she kept quiet with her mind occupied with her Vital. 

      When her work was over she used to sit alone with closed eyes and do chanting. She was always happy with the thoughts of her Lord in her mind. She used to sing the Lord's glories while drawing water from the well or washing clothes. Sometimes she will laugh to herself thinking about Krishna's bala leelas while cleaning the vessels. Her mind was completely occupied with the Lord. This was very much misinterpreted by the family. Neighbours also talked ill of her. Her mother in law blamed that she was thinking of her paramour and has no interest in this family. Sakkubai did not mind their complaints at all. Her faith did not falter an inch. She did not try to prove herself. 

        Her patience only fired their hatred towards her. Her husband also started ill treating her. She considered everything as the leela of Vital only. Vital is playing with her in the form of her mother in law, father in law and husband, she thought. So she never felt sorry. She had heard about the stories of gopis. Whenever they get a new dress they would go to Krishna wearing it to ask about His opinion. Krishna would spray some mud over the dress and say now the design was good. The gopis enjoyed that too. Sakkubai was a gopi in the heart of her hearts. So she enjoyed whatever happened. Her family began to torture her now. What happened then? We will see in the next issue!

Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

      

Panduranga - 5

     Sakkubai

     Radhekrishna! Sakkubai is a great devotee of Panduranga. She was a simple woman who did intense bhakthi while attending to her household chores sincerely. Stories like such bhaktha's are a real inspiration for us who are immersed in  worldly matters. The whole mankind is in search of endless bliss. To attain 'paramananda' all are running madly after everything in vain. Bhakthi is a sure way to attain that 'paramananda' or ultimate bliss! But we are totally ignorant of how we should be in devotion. Hearing stories of great bhakthas who have lived an ordinary life like us will show and inspire us in the path of devotion. 

      Once a mahathma was going with a thampura in his hand singing the glories of the Lord. So occupied was his mind in the Lord that he did not notice a small sand fort in his path. It was a river bed and children were playing there. A little girl had built a sand fort and the mahan stepped over it by mistake. Immediately the girl cried out angrily 'hey nana'! He stood in his tracks and came to his senses. He asked the girl why she called him. The girl angrily replied that he had stepped on her sand fort. Only then did he notice what he had done and apologised to her that he had done unknowingly. The girl replied that whether he did it knowingly or unknowingly he has spoiled her fort. 

       The mahan totally agreed that she was absolutely right and said he forgot himself and made the mistake. The girl asked what was that made him forget himself. He was fascinated by her timidness and replied that he was singing the glory of the Lord which made him forget everything. The girl's name was Sakkubai. Now she began to attack the mahan with her questions.

Sakkubai:- "oh! Will the singing of the glories of the Lord make us forget everything?'

Mahan:- "Yes! It will make us forget the world itself!"  

Sakkubai:- "But you must find some solution for the mistake    
                you have done" 

Mahan:- "Tell me what should I do?"

Sakkubai:- You give me the tambura you are holding in your hand. 

The Mahan laughed at that and asked her whether his tambura and her sand fort are equal things. She smartly replied that for her the sand fort was as important as the tambura for him. Enchanted by her smart answer the mahan handed the tambura over to her. She tried to play it but couldn't do it properly. The mahan asked her what she was doing with it. The girl replied that she was trying do what he was doing. He had told her that singing the names of the Lord will give immense happiness. The mahan seemed very happy and content. She wanted to experience the same happiness so was trying to imitate him. 

            Immensely pleased with her reply the mahan touched her head with his hands. The girl now asked him whether she can also attain the same happiness by chanting the Lord's name. The mahan was taken aback by her straight forward approach. He could see a great devotee in her. He wondered at the strange leela of Panduranga. Only the Lord had directed him to come that way to meet this child. He gave the Lord's nama as upadesa to the girl in her ears!
Sakkubai:- Nana! What will I get by chanting this nama?

Mahan:- My child! You will get everything in your life.

Sakkubai:- Nana! Where are you going now?

Mahan:-  Pandarpur! To see my Lord there. 

Sakkubai:- Oh! How does he look?

Mahan:- He stands on a brick keeping His hands on His hip for     balancing Himself. He wears a peetambaram on His hip. His feet and hands resemble the lotus. His anklets are very  attractive. He wears a tulasi garland on his wide chest. His smile is very enchanting. His eyes are long and wide like a lotus petal. He wears an unique gopi mark on His forehead. The golden crown shines over His head.
      From toe to top the mahan described the lord. The form entered the innocent girl's heart. He told her that if she chanted the nama continuously she can see the form directly. He asked her to be devoted to the Lord to enjoy unlimited happiness. Sakkubai asked him when she can see him again. He replied that when she really wants to see him he will come. She returned the tambura to him saying that since she can get anything now by chanting the nama she did not need the mahan's tambura. The mahan was taken aback by the simple faith of this little girl. He blessed her with all his heart and moved away. Keep chanting until we meet in the next issue to know what happened to Sakkubai. Radhekrishna!

Panduranga - 4

Janabai

      Radhekrishna! We will continue from the last issue's story of Panduranga! Thus the Brahmin brought back the Lord whom we are now able to see in Pandarpur.The brahmin was none other than the great devotee Bhanudasa!  To this day all who enter the premises can go and touch the Lord. There is no discrimination of caste, creed, rich or poor, educated or illiterate. He stands there showering His grace on all without any reservation.

       Sri Namadeva was the rebirth of Sri Uddhava, Bhagavan Krishna’s minister and friend. He had a blemishless devotion to Lord Pandarinatha. He has sung innumerous abhangs on the Lord. His abhangs are sung by many till today. Even today we can see his house in Pandarpur. The sound of singing abhangs will be coming out of the house always. The devotion of the people of Maharashtra for Panduranga is unequalled. The chanting of Vitala, vitala fills the atmosphere. Nobody feels ashamed of chanting bhagavannaama. Those devotees have enchanted Him with their devotional chanting. 

Janabai  

        Once Namadeva happened to meet a girl in the street who was orphaned. He took her to his home and brought up her in the family. She was called Janabai! The whole family was immersed in devotion. Janabai did house hold chores chanting Vital nama. Nama deva used to sing bhajans till late hours of the night. Janabai enjoyed the bhajan. She too developed immense bhakthi in her heart. One night it was raining outside. Namadeva was unconscious of the world, singing abhangs. The house had mud walls. Slowly the mud walls began to be soaked by the heavy rains and started melting.  Namadeva was blissfully unaware of everything immersed in his bhajan. Panduranga rushed to Namadeva’s house and stood leaning on the mud wall supporting it. After finishing his bhajan Namadeva came out to have a look at the temple. He was totally surprised to see Panduranga himself standing outside supporting the wall. His peethambaram was soiled totally.

        Namadeva was very much moved by the mercy of the Lord. He invited the Lord inside his house. Together they put some wooden planks as support to the mud wall and entered the house. The members were overwhelmed with happiness seeing Panduranga in their house and welcomed Him. It was past midnight. Namadeva enquired whether the Lord would have food. Panduranga was only delighted to have. So Janabai hurriedly started making rotis for Panduranga. Meanwhile Namadeva requested Him to change His wet and soiled dress. Panduranga refused Namadeva’s dress saying it was small for Him. Immediately Janabai offered her long sari. Panduranga happily accepted and wore it. Janabai took the discarded peethambara inside for washing. In her intense love for the Lord she hugged the dress, smelt it kissed it and danced around holding it in her hand.

       Namadeva seated Panduranga and served the prepared rotis. Panduranga enjoyed the devotion with which the rotis were soaked in. All the members were given His left overs as prasadam also. Janabai was in the kitchen eagerly watching all these. Suddenly she felt sorry that she was deprived of Panduranga’s prasadam. Her heart ached much for it. After the untimely dinner Panduranga showed signs of sleepiness. So a comfortable bed was arranged for Him and He was put to sleep. All the members lay around the floor near Him.
     Inside Janabai was awake with a throbbing heart. How much she wanted to be with her Lord! How much she wished to touch Him! He is so near but still so away from her, she felt! All were fast asleep. The Lord got up slowly without making any sound at all and entered the kitchen. Janabai was sitting there longing for the Lord. Suddenly seeing the Lord in front of her she was totally surprised and cried out Panduranga. The Lord immediately pulled her towards her in a tight hug mumbling her cry to a soft sound. Tears were rolling down her eyes. She couldn’t stand the mercy of the Lord. He caressed her lovingly and dried her eyes. The Lord who had hugged Radhika Rani, Kuchela and others, hugged Janabai too. She was overwhelmed and kept crying. Panduranga asked her “why are you crying now?”

When I think of my guru Namadeva’s kripa tears keep coming” she replied. They kept talking with each other, singing, and dancing for a long time. Janabai’s devotion earned her these solitary moments with the Lord. The sounds of their laughter, and mumbled whisperings woke Namadeva’s mother. Thinking it was some third person who has entered Janabai’s room she came with a long stick and gave a blow to Panduranga. Panduranga cried out ‘Namadeva’ in pain. Seeing that Namadeva dissuaded his mother saying it was Panduranga blessing Janabai.

      Day dawned. Panduranga left Janabai  and hurried to His temple. The pujaris chanting mantras opened the sanctum door. They were astonished to see Panduranga wearing a worn out sari instead of His peethambara. They enquired within themselves how it has happened. Namadeva came in and with tears in his eyes told everyone that it was Janabai’s dress. He narrated everything that happened last night. People were stunned to know about Janabai’s devotion who never showed it to anyone. Thus the Lord through is divine leela proved the bhakthi of His devotee to the world. Panduranga is the form of simplicity, sowlabhya. For His devotees’ sake He would go to any extent. Numerous are the experiences of His devotees. Sakkubai was a simple woman who worshiped Him with great fervor. For her sake He once assumed her own form.We will see her story in the next issue. Radhekrishna!