Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

by Justin E. Abbott | 1933 | 306,590 words

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Summary: This is the English translation of Bhaktavijaya which is a Marathi poem written by Mahipati in 40,000 lines. The text documents the legends of Indian saints from various backgrounds and extensively covers figures like Ekanath, Tukaram, and Ramadasa, highlighting their contributions to scholarship, philosophy, poetry, and social reform. The Bhaktavijaya further details their efforts in promoting the Bhakti movement, fighting social discrimination, and eliminating religious malpractices.

Source 1: motilalbanarsidass.com
Source 2: archive.org

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Foreword to first part (By J. F. Edwards)

Foreword to second part (By J. F. Edwards)

Chief Author’s Preface

Pandit’s Preface

Introduction—Mahipati: The Biographer of the Poet Saints

Mahipati—A general survey (By Dr. G. V. Tagare)

+ Chapter 1 - Invocation

. 1.1: Obeisance

. 1.2: Sources and Encouragement

. 1.3: Evils of the Kali Yuga

. 1.4: Vishnu allots Avatarships

+ Chapter 2 - Jayadev [Jayadeva]

. 2.1: Obeisance

. 2.2: Jayadeva’s Gita—Govinda and King Satvik

. 2.3: Jayadev’s Marriage

. 2.3: The Pious Merchant

. 2.4: The Devout King of Kraunch [Krauncha]

. 2.5: Thieves who feigned as Saints

. 2.6: Padmavati, the wife of Jayadev

. 2.7: Nabhaji of Gwalior

. 2.8: Extra verses

+ Chapter 3 - The life of Tulsidas

. 3.1: Obeisance

. 3.2: Life story of Tulsidas (Introduction)

. 3.3: Tulsidas restores Jaitpal to life

. 3.4: Akbar sends for Tulsidas to test him

. 3.5: Maruti’s vengeance

. 3.6: Tulsidas goes to Mathura

. 3.7: Rama himself writes Tulsidas’ life

+ Chapter 4 - Life of Namdev [Namadeva]

. 4.1: Obeisance

. 4.2: Namdev and Kabir as Avatars of Uddhav and Shuka

. 4.3: The image of God eats Namadeva’s offering of food

. 4.4: Namdev’s marriage

. 4.5: Namdev and God converse

. 4.6: God disguised as Keshava shet

. 4.7: Gonai’s complaint to God

. 4.8: Gonai’s Appeal To Satyabhama And Kalindi

. 4.9: Gonai rebukes God

. 4.10: Namdev sickens at fortune’s sight

. 4.11: Namadeva distributes his fortune

. 4.12: Extra verses

+ Chapter 5 - Kabir’s Biography

. 5.1: Obeisance

. 5.2: Kabir as Avatar of Shuka

. 5.3: Kabir’s indifference to Worldly Things

. 5.4: Ram [Rama] weaves for Kabir

. 5.5: Miracle of the Shela (scarf)

. 5.6: God as a Brahman tests Kabir

. 5.7: God disguised as a Brahman reports to Kabir’s mother his indifference

. 5.8: Kabir’s mother punishes him

. 5.9: Rama (with Sita) manifests himself to Kabir

. 5.10: Extra verses

+ Chapter 6 - Kabir and his son Kamal

. 6.1: Obeisance

. 6.2: The happy home of Kabir

. 6.3: Kamal’s birth and pilgrimage

. 6.4: Pilgrimage futile without repentance

. 6.5: A merchant gives Kamal a diamond

. 6.6: Unworthiness of accepting gifts for Kirtans [Kirtanas]

. 6.7: Kabir and Kamal as robbers

. 6.8: Jonesty even in theft

. 6.9: Kamal asks His Father to cut off His head

. 6.10: Saints fed in Kabir’s home

. 6.11: Kamal’s body impaled

. 6.12: Kamal restored to life by the Saints

+ Chapter 7 - Kabir chooses Ramananda as his Guru

. 7.1: Obeisance

. 7.2: Kabir weeps at the sound of a grinding mill

. 7.3: Kabir consoled by Nipat Niranjan

. 7.4: One without Guru is without life

. 7.5: Ramanand tests Kabir

. 7.6: Kabir’s public persecution

. 7.7: Saints served by God in various forms of Kabir

. 7.8: Persecutors of Kabir repent

. 7.9: Theme of the next chapter

. 7.10: Extra verses

+ Chapter 8 - Dnyandev and His Grandparents

. 8.1: Obeisance

. 8.2: Dnyaneshwar’s Ancestry

. 8.3: Dnyaneshwar’s father Vithoba

. 8.4: Vithoba’s wanderings

. 8.5: Vithoba Marries The Brahman Sidhopant’s Daughter

. 8.6: Vithoba and Sidhopant go to Pandharpur

. 8.7: Vithoba visits Rameshwar

. 8.8: Vithoba returns to his Parents

. 8.9: Vithoba goes to Alandi with Sidhopant

. 8.10: Vithoba becomes a Sannyasi

. 8.11: Vithoba’s disloyalty to his Wife found out

. 8.12: Vithoba as householder again

. 8.13: The birth of Dnyandev

. 8.14: Mahipati as God’s drum

. 8.15: Extra verses

+ Chapter 9 - Life of Dnyandev (continued)

. 9.1: Benefits from the Stories of the Saints

. 9.2: Brahmans refuse to invest Vithoba’s children with the Sacred Thread

. 9.3: Dnyandev among Paithan Brahmans

. 9.4: Dnyandev makes a buffalo repeat the Vedas

. 9.5: Ancestors come to the feast at which they are worshipped

. 9.6: Dnyaneshwar writes his ‘Dnyaneshwari’ and ‘Amritanubhav’

. 9.7: Dnyaneshwar and his opponent Visoba Chati

. 9.8: Dnyaneshwar’s power of ‘yoga’

. 9.9: Extra verses

+ Chapter 10 - Life of Dnyandev (continued)

. 10.1: The stories of Saints Wweeter than Nectar

. 10.2: Dnyandev and Nama go together on pilgrimage

. 10.3: Namdev’s doubts and Dhyandev’s replies

. 10.4: Dnyaneshwar asks about ‘bhakti’ from Namdev

. 10.5: Namdev’s teaching to Dnyaneshwar on ‘bhakti’

. 10.6: Dnyaneshwar and Namdev visit Delhi

. 10.7: The Delhi king kills a cow which Namdev restores to life

+ Chapter 11 - Namdev, Kabir and Dnyandev (continued)

. 11.1: The stories of the Saints are like nectar

. 11.2: Kabir's wife and the repentant grocer

. 11.3: Kabir meets Dnyandev and Namdev

+ Chapter 12 - Namdev and Dnyandev (continued)

. 12.1: The stories of the Saints satisfy the heart

. 12.2: Dnyandev gets water from a deep well

. 12.3: Water comes in answer to Namdev’s prayer

. 12.4: Dnyandev and Nama on pilgrimage

. 12.5: Nama and Dnyandev at Nagnath

. 12.6: Brahmans angry with Nama

. 12.7: Nama’s prayer

. 12.8: The temple facing east turns west

. 12.9: Penitent Brahmans

. 12.10: Extra verses

+ Chapter 13 - Namdev's pilgrimage ends

. 13.1: God rejoices in the stories of his Bhaktas

. 13.2: Dnyandev and Namdev [Namadeva] go to Pandhari

. 13.3: Pandurang and Namdev meet

. 13.4: Nama told to give a feast to Brahmans

. 13.5: Krishna goes to invite Brahmans

. 13.6: God far away from all pride

. 13.7: Krishna’s gifts to Namdev

. 13.8: Ceremony at completion of pilgrimages

. 13.9: Joyous interdining of God and his Bhaktas

. 13.10: Namdev asks for the boon of love

. 13.11: Krishna shocks the Brahmans

. 13.12: Extra verses

+ Chapter 14 - Namdev’s Life (continued)

. 14.1: The rite completing Nama’s pilgrimages

. 14.2: Krishna accused of breaking caste

. 14.3: Krishna answers the accusation

. 14.4: Krishna’s glorification of Pandhari

. 14.5: Of Krishna obeying Vedic rules

. 14.6: Four kinds of bathing

. 14.7: Krishna undergoes a penance

. 14.8: Krishna returns to his temple

. 14.9: Narada visits Krishna

. 14.10: Radha perplexed by the charge against Krishna

. 14.11: Narad visits Satyabhama

. 14.12: Satyabhama’s doubt about Krishna dispelled

. 14.13: Krishna’s secrets revealed to Rukmini

. 14.14: Many languages but one meaning

. 14.15: Extra verses

+ Chapter 15 - Namdev’s Life (continued)

. 15.1: Bhaktavijaya is for lovers of Saints

. 15.2: Krishna and his Bhaktas meet

. 15.3: Krishna thinks of feeding Brahmans

. 15.4: Krishna and Nama converse

. 15.5: Krishna conforms to Ceremonial rites

. 15.6: Brahmans feasted by Krishna

. 15.7: Krishna worships his Bhaktas

. 15.8: Krishna dines with his Bhaktas

. 15.9: Brahmans converse about Krishna

. 15.10: God in his Saguna form

. 15.11: Krishna in his universal form

. 15.12: Bhakti all-powerful

. 15.13: Brahmans repent

. 15.14: Bhakti the Supreme Secret

. 15.15: Namdev’s life the cream of Bhakti

+ Chapter 16 - Kurmadas the cripple

. 16.1: Stories of Bhaktas the cream of good deeds

. 16.2: Kurmadas longs for Pandhari

. 16.3: Kurmadas crawls for four months to Pandhari

. 16.4: Kurmadas sends a message by pilgrims

. 16.5: Namdev’s kirtan at Pandhari

. 16.6: Krishna’s Bhaktas

. 16.7: Pilgrims convey the message of Kurmadas

. 16.8: Savata hides Krishna in his stomach

. 16.9: The human heart as God’s temple

. 16.10: Namdev’s anxiety about Krishna

. 16.11: Nama finds god in Savata

. 16.12: Why Krishna was charmed with Namdev

. 16.13: Krishna goes and meets Kurmadas

. 16.14: Extra verses

+ Chapter 17 - Raka and Gora the Potters

. 17.1: Bhaktavijaya is like Spring

. 17.2: Raka, Banka and Vanka

. 17.3: Raka’s concern over the Burning Kittens

. 17.4: Raka’s prayer heard and kittens saved

. 17.5: Raka and his wife Banka as foresters

. 17.6: Daughters of Raka and of Namdev quarrel

. 17.7: Gora the potter tramples his child to death

. 17.8: Gora and his childless wife

. 17.9: Gora marries his living wife’s sister

. 17.10: Gora’s hands and child restored again

+ Chapter 18 - Life of Namdev (Continued)

. 18.1: Bhaktavijaya depicts ninefold bhakti

. 18.2: Gora tests Nama

. 18.3: Need of a Guru

. 18.4: God chooses Visoba Khechar as Nama’s Guru

. 18.5: Parisa Bhagavat the Brahman

. 18.6: Kamalaja and Rajabai

. 18.7: Secret of the Touchstone disclosed

. 18.8: Namdev throws a touchstone into the river

. 18.9: Namdev turns pebbles into touchstones

+ Chapter 19 - Jagamitra Naga: God protects his own

. 19.1: A description of Pandhari

. 19.2: Jagamitra Naga’s revilers

. 19.2: Jagamitra’s home burnt up

. 19.3: Jagamitra refuses a gift of land

. 19.4: Persecuted by the Hawaldar

. 19.5: God appears as a Tiger

. 19.6: The panic-stricken Hawaldar

. 19.7: Extra verses

+ Chapter 20 - Joga Paramanand, Narahari the goldsmith and Namdev

. 20.1: The stories of the Saints and their influence for good

. 20.2: Joga Paramanand of Barsi

. 20.3: Joga and the silk garment

. 20.4: Joga’s self-inflicted suffering

. 20.5: Narahari the goldsmith

. 20.6: The lesson Narahari learned about the oneness of Krishna and Shiva

. 20.7: Narahari’s repentance

. 20.8: God tests Nama’s belief that god is in all creatures

. 20.9: God invites Nama to eat

. 20.10: Nama’s belief tested regarding the eleventh of the month

. 20.11: Kama’s resolve

. 20.12: People revile Nama

+ Chapter 21 - Namdev and Janabai

. 21.1: God the helper of his Bhaktas

. 21.2: Jani the little maid of Nama

. 21.3: Krishna repairs Nama’s hut

. 21.4: Krishna and Nama dine together

. 21.5: Jani’s grievance

. 21.6: Krishna eats the leavings with Janabai

. 21.7: Krishna disregards caste

. 21.8: Krishna helps Jani at grinding

. 21.9: Gonabai’s repentance

. 21.10: Krishna uses Janabai’s blanket

. 21.11: Jani suspected of theft

. 21.12: Jani threatened

. 21.13: Krishna writes down the verses of Jani

. 21.14: Krishna admires Jani’s verses

. 21.15: Krishna and Dnyandev go to Nama’s house

. 21.16: Jani introduced to Saints

. 21.17: Avatars of nama and Janabai

. 21.18: Krishna appoints writers of the Saints’ poems

. 21.19: Extra verses

+ Chapter 22 - Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath and Changdev

. 22.1: Stories of Saints lead to right feelings

. 22.2: The Guru ancestry of Dnyandev and Namdev

. 22.3: Birth of Matsyendra

. 22.4: Matsyendranath’s begging tours

. 22.5: Merchant’s wife discards Matsyendra’s favour

. 22.6: Matsyendra again at the Merchant’s door

. 22.7: The boy Gorakshanath comes out of dunghill

. 22.8: Gorakshanath’s pilgrimage

. 22.9: Gorakshanath’s pertinacity

. 22.10: Gorakshanath gives an eye for hot cakes

. 22.11: Gorakshanath regains his eyes

. 22.12: Lineage of the Nath sect

. 22.14: Story of Changdev

. 22.15: Changa and the God of death

. 22.16: Changdev’s letter to Dnyandev

. 22.17: Changdev visits Dnyandev

. 22.18: Changdev’s pride humbled

. 22.19: Extra verses

+ Chapter 23 - Chokhamela, Namdev, Jiva and Tatva

. 23.1: Pleasure from the stories of the saints

. 23.2: Chokhamela and his revilers

. 23.3: Krishna takes chokha into the inner shrine

. 23.4: Priests order chokha out of Pandhari

. 23.5: Insulted Brahmans excommunicate Chokhamela

. 23.6: Chokha in exile

. 23.7: Chokha restored to the temple

. 23.8: How god helps his Bhaktas

. 23.9: Krishna leads in Nama’s chorus

. 23.10: Bhakti makes Krishna forget himself

. 23.11: God’s presence creates enthusiasm

. 23.12: Jiva and Tatva defy orthodox custom

. 23.13: Kabir’s advice to disregard caste

. 23.14: Extra verses

+ Chapter 24 - Padmanabh and Kabir

. 22.1: The image of Krishna described

. 22.2: Kabir's bhakti

. 22.3: The Hopeless Leper

. 22.4: Failure of Remedies

. 22.5: The leper thinks of suicide

. 22.6: Padmanabh’s arrival at the crisis

. 22.7: Rama’s name heals the leper

. 22.8: Rama’s name heals the whole crowd

. 22.9: Padmanabh gave the whole of benares the form of Shri Rama

. 22.10: Ten thousand Vaishnavas as Kabir’s guests

+ Chapter 25 - Rohidas the shoemaker

. 23.1: A humble trade not blameworthy

. 23.2: Daily life of Rohidas

. 23.3: Leather (or skin) all over creation

. 23.4: The Brahman’s pride humbled

. 23.5: Extra verses

+ Chapter 26 - King Pipaji of Gademandal

. 26.1: Superiority of Vaishnava Saints

. 26.2: Vishnu’s superiority

. 26.3: Advised to obtain ramanand’s favour

. 26.4: Guru alone can meet a Bhakta with God

. 26.5: Pipaji goes to Dwarka with his queen

. 26.6: A tiger submits to Pipaji

. 26.7: Krishna pervades the Universe

. 26.8: The tiger becomes Narsi Meheta

. 26.9: Extra verses

+ Chapter 27 - Narsi Meheta

. 27.1: God’s fame indescribable

. 27.2: Birth and boyhood of Narsi

. 27.3: Narsi’s sister-in-law rebukes him

. 27.4: Narsi worships Shiva

. 27.5: Narsi pleads with God

. 27.6: Shiva pleased with Narsi’s devotion

. 27.7: The boon asked for by Narsi

. 27.8: Shiva’s fondness for Krishna’s ras dance

. 27.9: Stories of Bhaktas not imaginary

. 27.10: Shiva takes Narsi to Krishna’s dance

. 27.11: Krishna in the Kunjavan

. 27.12: Krishna’s ras dance

. 27.13: Krishna inquires about Narsi

+ Chapter 28 - Marriage of Narsi Mehta’s son

. 28.1: Puranic stories of God’s deeds

. 28.2: Vishnu’s avatars

. 28.3: Krishna's popularity explained

. 28.4: A merchant’s daughter married to Narsi’s son

. 28.5: Importance of good mediators

. 28.6: Narsi starts for his son’s marriage

. 28.7: Krishna as marriage guest

. 28.8: Krishna’s arrival

. 28.9: Narsi’s reception

. 28.10: Bride’s father feels his inferiority

. 28.11: Marriage described

. 28.12: Completion of the marriage

. 28.13: Bhaktavijaya likened to tulsi plants

+ Chapter 29 - Narsi Mehta’s cheque in God’s name

. 29.1: God’s names and epithets repeated

. 29.2: Keshav Bhat calls on Narsi

. 29.3: Story of Keshav Bhat

. 29.4: Goodness is valued because of badness

. 29.5: Keshav Bhat meets Narsi

. 29.6: God as trader

. 29.7: Narsi’s Cheque To Keshav Bhat

. 29.8: Keshav Bhat’s doubt about the cheque

. 29.9: Keshav Bhat’s at Dwarka

. 29.10: Revilers call Narsi’s cheque valueless

. 29.11: Krishna as a banker

. 29.12: Krishna sees Keshav Bhat

. 29.13: How can a servant be greater than his master?

. 29.14: Krishna dispels Keshav Bhat’s scruples

. 29.15: Keshav meets Narsi

. 29.16: Bhaktavijaya as ocean of milk

+ Chapter 30 - Maturity ceremony of Narsi’s daughter

. 30.1: Narsi Mehta indifferent to all earthly things

. 30.2: God provides Narsi Mehta with gifts to be given away

. 30.3: A list of gifts

. 30.4: Narsi’s plea

. 30.5: Krishna’s distribution of gifts

. 30.6: Krishna’s gifts to all the guests

. 30.7: People recognize Krishna as Narsi’s helper

. 30.8: Narsi persecuted

. 30.9: Krishna fond of abusive words from his Bhaktas

+ Chapter 31 - Ramdas of Dakur

. 31.1: Stories of the Saints burn up sin

. 31.2: Ramdas of Dakur as pilgrim to Dwarka

. 31.3: Krishna’s request to be taken from Dwarka

. 31.4: Ramdas, accused by Dwarka priests of theft, tells a lie

. 31.5: His offer to give gold in weight equal to the image

. 31.6: Hari’s might is able to remove his Bhaktas’ weakness

. 31.7: A new image installed

+ Chapter 32 - Kalyan and Niradhar the celibate

. 32.1: Kalyan and Niradhar as pilgrims

. 32.2: Niradhar nurses sick Kalyan

. 32.3: Niradhar’s kindness repaid by a marriage offer

. 32.4: Kalyan’s unfilial son and critical wife

. 32.5: Kalyan’s wife raises objections

. 32.6: Niradhar brings Krishna as witness

. 32.7: Krishna’s image as witness

. 32.8: Niradhar’s marriage

. 32.9: God the creator of his Bhakta's faith

+ Chapter 33 - Surdas the blind saint

. 33.1: Krishna’s wife Satyabhama, Akrur and Krishna’s curse

. 33.2: Akrur cursed by Krishna

. 33.3: Blind Surdas as Akrur’s avatar

. 33.4: Surdas’ sight restored

. 33.5: tansen and the king of ujjain

. 33.6: Surdas expert in singing

. 33.7: Krishna unites Surdas and the handmaid in his essential form

+ Chapter 34 - Sena the barber

. 34.1: A mean calling does not hinder devotion

. 34.2: Supplication destroys sins

. 34.3: The king’s rage at Sena

. 34.4: Krishna serves as barber

. 34.5: The king’s uneasiness

. 34.6: Sena at the palace

. 34.7: Association with saints

+ Chapter 35 - King Satvik and Karmabai

. 35.1: Satvik’s left hand

. 35.2: The king’s repentance

. 35.3: The culprit punished

. 35.4: The wrongdoer before god for decision

. 35.5: The story of Karmabai

. 35.6: Karmabai and the Saints

. 35.7: Bereaved Karmabai fondles Gopal’s image

. 35.8: Krishna beyond earthly rules

+ Chapter 36 - Janajaswant and Surdas Madanmohan

. 36.1: Janajaswant the merchant Saint

. 36.2: Janajaswant’s sons and the King conspire against him

. 36.3: Places fit to be avoided

. 36.4: Janajaswant to be drowned

. 36.5: God saves Janajaswant

. 36.6: The King’s penitence

. 36.7: Surdas Madanmohan as royal official

. 36.8: Surdas spends all money in charity

. 36.9: Accused of misappropriation

. 36.10: Summoned before the King

. 36.11: Surdas’ letter to Akbar

. 36.12: Surdas as vagabond

. 36.13: The backbiter punished

. 36.14: Return of Surdas

. 36.15: Words without actions worthless

. 36.16: Surdas passes his test

. 36.17: Krishna’s manifestation to Surdas

+ Chapter 37 - Rasik Murar

. 37.1: God’s assistance in writing these stories

. 37.2: A shirker detected

. 37.3: Secret of the holy water

. 37.4: Dayarnava’s villages confiscated

. 37.5: Rasik Murar at the confiscator’s town

. 37.6: Rasik in a predicament

. 37.7: Rasiks disciples desert him

. 37.8: The confiscator’s pride humbled

. 37.9: An elephant serves the saints

. 37.10: The King demands the elephant

. 37.11: The elephant captured by deceit

+ Chapter 38 - Mirabai

. 38.1: Bhaktavijaya as the full moon

. 38.2: Mirabai’s birth and childhood

. 38.3: Mirabai’s resolve to marry Krishna

. 38.4: Mirabai’s worship of Krishna

. 38.5: Mirabai’s revilers

. 38.6: Mirabai’s firm resolve

. 38.7: Mirabai poisoned

. 38.8: Colour or Krishna’s image changes

. 38.9: Image restored to former colour

+ Chapter 39 - Kanhopatra

. 39.1: Kanhopatra’s mother’s suggestion about marriage

. 39.2: Kanhopatra’s beauty

. 39.3: Kanhopatra’s death at Pandharpur

. 39.4: Miracle of the hair

. 39.5: King goes to Pandharpur to verify her death

+ Chapter 40 - Damajipant of Mangalvedhe

. 40.1: God’s readiness to help his Saints

. 40.2: God pleased when Saints are served

. 40.3: A Brahman’s grief

. 40.4: Starving Brahmans go to Damaji for food

. 40.5: A charge against Damaji

. 40.6: Damaji summoned by the King

. 40.7: Krishna’s disguise as a Mahar at royal court

. 40.8: Damaji’s vindication

. 40.9: Royal mandate

. 40.10: Damaji at royal court

. 40.11: Damaji goes to live at Pandharpur

+ Chapter 41 - Mrityunjaya Swami

. 41.1: Krishna dwells in the heart

. 41.2: The Muhammadan king Shanta Brahmani

. 41.3: The King asks the beggar why he laughed

. 41.4: The King in penitence retires to a forest

. 41.5: King and pilgrims

. 41.6: The King at pandharpur

. 41.7: Mrityunjaya as Sahajanand’s disciple

. 41.8: A Jangam loses his caste

. 41.9: King Kashipati

. 41.10: Two dogs vomit Shaivite emblems

+ Chapter 42 - Bhanudas

. 42.1: Invocation

. 42.2: The birth and boyhood of Bhanudas

. 42.3: Honest Bhanudas becomes an unwilling peddler of cloth

. 42.4: Bhanudas turns away from worldly affairs

. 42.5: Malicious pedlars

. 42.6: God’s care for Bhanudas

. 42.7: Pedlars’ disaster

. 42.8: Good for evil

. 42.9: Bhanudas becomes an Ascetic

+ Chapter 43 - Bhanudas (continued)

. 43.1: Good deeds secure an eternity with god

. 43.2: The king of Vidyanagar hears of the glory of Vithoba

. 43.3: Ram Raja’s boast

. 43.4: The Brahman extols the glory of Vithoba of Pandharpur

. 43.5: The enraged king threatens the Brahman

. 43.6: Ram Raja goes to Pandharpur

. 43.7: Brahman’s word verified

. 43.8: The King has a glorious vision

. 43.9: Wonders of Pandharpur

. 43.10: Rajai as a slave

. 43.11: Krishna’s halo dazzles Ram Raja

. 43.12: The King takes the image of Vithoba to Vidyanagar

. 43.13: Pandharpur without Vithoba

. 43.14: Bhanudas offers to go and bring Vithoba back

. 43.15: Bhanudas chides the God and pleads

. 43.16: Vithoba’s reply

. 43.17: Bhanudas charged with theft

. 43.18: Derision of Bhanudas

. 43.19: Bhanudas vindicated

. 43.20: Vithoba reinstalled at Pandharpur

. 43.21: Bhanudas carries vithoba to Pandharpur

. 43.22: Bhanudas at lake Padmalaya

. 43.23: Vithoba’s procession

. 43.24: Bhanudas applauded

+ Chapter 44 - The story of Bahirambhat

. 44.1: Moral effects of the stories of the Saints

. 44.2: Bahirambhat repents at his wife’s taunt

. 44.3: Bahirambhat becomes a Muhammadan

. 44.4: Bahirambhat a Brahman again

. 44.5: Bahirambhat’s arguments

. 44.6: Brahmans silenced

. 44.7: Nagnath removes crazy Bahira’s doubts

. 44.8: Bahirambhat obtains Soul knowledge

+ Chapter 45 - Eknath [Ekanatha]

. 45.1: Salvation through listening to these stories

. 45.2: The birth of Eknath [Ekanatha]

. 45.3: Eknath visits Janardan [Janardana]

. 45.4: Eknath’s service of Janardan

. 45.5: Janardan’s estimation of Eknath

. 45.6: Eknath as a book-keeper

. 45.7: Joy at mistake found out

. 45.8: Eknath’s blessed day

. 45.9: Eknath as Janardan’s disciple

. 45.10: Janardan thinks to meet Eknath with Dattatreya

. 45.11: Dattatreya as a Muhammadan Fakir

. 45.12: Eknath doubtful

. 45.13: Manifestation of Dattatreya

. 45.14: Eknath’s hesitation

. 45.15: Dattatreya’s blessing

. 45.16: Janardan sends Eknath back home

. 45.17: Eknath as a householder

. 45.18: Rama’s command to compose Marathi Ramayana

. 45.19: A reviling neighbour

. 45.20: Reviler intends to become Eknath’s disciple

. 45.21: Eknath and the reviler

. 45.22: The reviler tested

. 45.23: The reviler proved a hypocrite

+ Chapter 46 - Shri Khandya the Brahman

. 46.1: The story of Shri Khandya gives peace and salvation

. 46.2: Shri Krishna comes in the form of a Brahman to Eknath

. 46.3: Krishna a menial

. 46.4: Krishna’s daily service

. 46.5: People call Krishna Shri Khandya

. 46.6: Eknath invites Brahmans

. 46.7: Eknath feasts out-castes first

. 46.8: Out-castes made happy

. 46.9: Brahmans angry at Eknath feeding out-castes

. 46.10: Ancestors attend the feast

. 46.11: The Brahmans assign to Eknath a penance

. 46.12: A Brahman leper arrives at paithan

. 46.13: Eknath cures the leper

. 46.14: Identity of Shri Khandya disclosed

. 46.15: Krishna as a Brahman menial

. 46.16: Dnyandeva appears to Eknath in a dream

. 46.17: Eknath and his Guru Janardan

+ Chapter 47 - Ramdas

. 47.1: Stories of Saints bring peace and love

. 47.2: Parentage of Ramdas

. 47.3: Birth and boyhood of Ramdas

. 47.4: Marriage of Ramdas

. 47.5: Ramdas runs away into a forest

. 47.6: Maruti reveals himself to Ramdas

. 47.7: Ramdas goes to Pandhari

. 47.8: Vithoba appears as Rama

. 47.9: Ramdas visits Jejuri

. 47.10: Shivaji becomes disciple of Ramdas

. 47.11: Ramdas composes the Dasbodh (Dasabodha)

+ Chapter 48 - Tukaram

. 48.1: God’s mother-love

. 48.2: Tukaram’s distresses

. 48.3: Tukaram’s asceticism

. 48.4: Namdev’s vow to write poetry

. 48.5: Tukaram’s poetic work a divine command

. 48.6: Shivaji visits Tukaram

. 48.7: Shivaji protected by Krishna

. 48.8: Krishna disguised as Shivaji

. 48.9: Shivaji offers grain to Tukaram

. 48.10: Tukaram’s advice to his wife

. 48.11: A dead child comes to life in Tukaram’s kirtan

+ Chapter 49 - Tukaram (Continued)

. 49.1: God pleased with Ascetics

. 49.2: Tukaram’s forest life

. 49.3: Tukaram returns home

. 49.4: Tuka’s advice to his wife

. 49.5: Tuka’s wife has her house plundered by the Brahmans

. 49.6: Rukmini appears as a female Mahar to test Tuka

. 49.7: Tukaram’s wife’s complaint

. 49.8: Krishna’s anxiety

. 49.9: Rukmini pacifies the anger of Tukaram’s wife

+ Chapter 50 - Tukaram (Continued)

. 50.1: Invocation

. 50.2: Tukaram’s advice to his wife

. 50.3: Dev of Chinchwad and Tukaram

. 50.4: Ganpati rescues a man from drowning

. 50.5: Ganpati dines with Tukaram

. 50.6: A farmer gives Tukaram sugarcane

. 50.7: Tukaram’s wife beats him with sugarcane

. 50.8: Tuka’s incomparable patience

. 50.9: His bodily, verbal and mental penance

. 50.10: Tukaram’s letter to Vithoba

. 50.11: Tukaram’s message by Warkaris

. 50.12: Mahipati defends his own literary method

+ Chapter 51 - Tukaram (Continued)

. 51.1: Mahipati’s prayer to God

. 51.2: Tukaram’s sickness and letter

. 51.3: Garuda takes Vithoba’s reply to Dehu

. 51.4: Garuda meets Tukaram

. 51.5: Tukaram refuses to ride on Garuda

. 51.6: Nimbaraja’s story

. 51.7: Nimbaraja visit the Jyotirlingas

. 51.8: Rukmini offers a fortune to Nimbaraja

. 51.9: Nimbaraja at the Chandrabhaga

. 51.10: Krishna on Nimbaraja’s shoulders

. 51.11: Tukaram meets Vithoba at Dehu

+ Chapter 52 - Tukaram (Continued)

. 52.1: Invocation

. 52.2: God’s power supreme

. 52.3: Tukaram’s pleading for inspiration

. 52.4: God cares for love, not for food

. 52.5: A fasting Brahman rejects Tukaram’s favour

. 52.6: The same favour transforms a dullard

. 52.7: Brahmans of chinchwad send for Tukaram

. 52.8: Shekh Muhammad extinguishes a distant fire

. 52.9: Many messengers go from Chinchwad: none return

. 52.10: Chinchwad Brahmans and Tukaram meet

. 52.11: The despondent Haridas at Lohagaon helped

. 52.12: Pride of donors exposed by Tuka

. 52.13: Tukaram’s mystic-mantra and Guru-lineage

. 52.14: Tukaram’s abhangs thrown into the river

. 52.15: Tukaram’s manuscripts recovered

. 52.16: Tukaram pleads for pardon

. 52.17: Tukaram’s spiritual influence

+ Chapter 53 - Mankoji Bodhla the Patil of Dhamangaon

. 53.1: God as controller of the universe

. 53.2: Mankoji Bodhla’s philanthropic spirit

. 53.3: Bodhla’s poverty and contentment

. 53.4: Bodhla’s bhakti

. 53.5: Krishna as a decrepit Brahman approaches Bodhla

. 53.6: Vithoba and Rukmini cook for Bodhla

. 53.7: Vithoba and Rukmini dine with Bodhla

. 53.8: Krishna ejected from a dinner party

. 53.9: Dinner party in disaster after Krishna left

. 53.10: The wonder on Bodhla’s return journey

. 53.11: The plea of Bodhla’s wife

. 53.12: Bodhla lets pilgrims eat up his green peas

. 53.13: Bodhla’s counsel to his son

. 53.14: Villagers conspire against Bodhla

. 53.15: Nagau the woman money-lender

. 53.16: Krishna as a Mahar helps Bodhla

+ Chapter 54 - Mankoji Bodhla the Patil (continued)

. 54.1: Invocation—God’s grace works wonders

. 54.2: Preceding chapter reviewed

. 54.3: The story of Hansi

. 54.4: Bodhla on women and slaves

. 54.5: Saints’ advice adapted to needs

. 54.6: A man bitten by a serpent restored to life

. 54.7: Hansi to be sold

. 54.8: Bodhla offers to buy Hansi

. 54.9: A Mahar refused a mystic mantra by Vithoba

. 54.10: The Mahar betrays Bodhla

. 54.11: A miracle is performed and the Mahar proved false

. 54.12: A good crop in a famine

. 54.13: Bodhla arrested

. 54.14: Mankoji Bodhla’s true bhakti

+ Chapter 55 - Ganeshnath [Ganeshanatha]

. 55.1: Invocation

. 55.2: Ganeshnath’s character

. 55.3: King Shivaji visits Ganeshnath

. 55.4: Ganeshnath’s dislike of ease and sensual objects

. 55.5: Ganeshnath as a Spiritual Guru

. 55.6: A mango tree given a mantra

. 55.7: Stones clap hands

. 55.8: Keshav Swami and the sleepy grocer’s blunder

. 55.9: Krishna averts disaster by taking poison

. 55.10: A grateful grocer

. 55.11: Krishna’s image becomes black

. 55.12: Gomai the Brahman widow

. 55.13: Krishna helps as a Brahman

. 55.14: Krishna and Rukmini dine with Gomai

. 55.15: Latibshah a Muhammadan Bhakta

. 55.16: A Muhammadan King’s penitence

+ Chapter 56 - Santoba Bowar: Miloba: Uddhava Chidghan

. 56.1: God’s love

. 56.2: Santoba Powar’s renunciation

. 56.3: Santoba’s repentant wife

. 56.4: Santoba’s refusal of all food

. 56.5: A vexatious Brahman husband of Ranjangaon

. 56.6: Santoba’s mantra for an irritable husband

. 56.7: The repentant husband returns to his wife

. 56.8: Santoba as a Pandharpur pilgrim

. 56.9: God as a tortoise carries pilgrims across a river

. 56.10: Niloba and his daughter’s wedding

. 56.11: When god provides nothing is lacking

. 56.12: The story of Uddhava Chidghan

. 56.13: Muhammadans beat Vaishnava Bhaktas

. 56.14: Maruti destroys a mosque

. 56.15: Muhammadan King’s penitence

+ Chapter 57 - Visoba Saraf

. 57.1: God the real actor

. 57.2: Visoba Saras during famine

. 57.3: Visoba loans money from a Pathan

. 57.4: Visoba’s bankruptcy

. 57.5: Visoba’s unexpected help

. 57.6: God helps his Bhaktas in their difficulties

Chapter 57b - Summary of the Bhaktavijaya

Appendix 1 - Notes on Pauranic names in the Bhaktavijaya

Appendix 2 - Pauranic narratives in the Bhaktavijaya

Appendix 3 - Words with numerical significance used in the Bhaktavijaya

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Last Updated: 23 August, 2024

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