22.18: Changdev’s pride humbled

196. Just as Dnyandev had come out of the village, he (Changdev [Changa-deva]) recognized him from afar. He thought to Himself, ‘Blessed is the power of the sadguru who can make an inanimate thing walk.

197. Of what value is it, that I should sit upon a living tiger, and go to meet him?’ So he dismounted from the back of the tiger and prostrated himself on the ground before Dnyandev.

198. All the pride that was in his heart at once passed away; just as when medicines see nectar they flee away ashamed;

199. or as when seeing the heroism of Bharat, Maruti was amazed in his heart; or as when Rukmini took the form of Sita, Satyabhama became ashamed;

200. or as when in Jambavati’s marriage Shri Krishna made a bear sing, and hearing it sing, the pride of Narad [Narada] immediately left him;

201. or as when Brahmadev [Brahmadeva] stole the cows and cowherds and took them to his Heaven, Shri Krishna created others just like them and Brahmadev [Brahmadeva] felt ashamed in his heart;

202. so as Dnyandev caused the wall to move. Changdev [Changa-deva] was full of astonishment. He thought to himself: ‘He is indeed Pandurang [Panduranga] in bodily form.’ He held a reverent heart towards him.

203. Then underneath a banyan tree, both of them met together. Hearing what Dnyandev had to say, Changdev [Changa-deva] was full of joy.

204. Even to this day the people call it the banyan tree of rest. Those who go there and sit even for a moment, they reach the highest state of final deliverance.

205. Dnyandev then took Changdev [Changa-deva] by the hand and brought him to his home. Muktabai happened at that time to be performing a bath.

206. When Changdev [Changa-deva] understood this he went away. Then Muktabai exclaimed, ‘Confound you, you without a guru.’

207. But having heard her say this, Changa came rushing and grasped her feet. He said to her, ‘Tell me, O mother, how you were able to know this?’

208. Adimaya^[1] having heard him say this replied, ‘From your turning back I understood it.

209. If the favour of the guru was upon you, such unworthy thought would not have come into your mind. There are niches in a wall. Just so, you would have taken my body and come forward.

210. Cows wander about among men and in the jungle do they put on clothes? I am just like one of these animals. Why did this not come in your experience?’

211. Hearing Muktabai’s words, Changdev [Changa-deva] quickly grasped her feet and then went as a suppliant to Dnyandev. He took the mantra and became his disciple.

212. When the hand of him who was the supreme Brahm touched his head, Changdev [Changa-deva] became entirely indifferent to earthly things. He put aside every longing of his body.

213. All pride went away from his mind and it became spotless. Changdev [Changa-deva] embraced the feet of Dnyandev and praised him greatly.

214. Blessed is that place Alandi! It is heaven itself, situated in the world of mortals. Or it may be called another Pandhari created in this world.

215. For the devotion of Dnyandev there came the Husband of Rukmini. This fact Mahipati always contemplates in his heart.

216. Swasti (Peace)! This book is the Shri Bhakta-vijaya. Hearing it the Lord of the world will be pleased. Listen to it, you god-loving, pious bhaktas. This is the twenty-second deeply delightful chapter.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Muktabai: See chap. 8. 186