Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
by Justin E. Abbott | 1933 | 306,590 words
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 Bhaktavi...
33.5: tansen and the king of ujjain
41. In the city of Avanti (Ujjain) there was a pious, holy king. He had collected together five hundred singers.
42. The greatest among them was Tansen, an expert in music and exceedingly learned. At his singing, extinguished lamps became lighted.
43. The king said to Tansen at that time, ‘I have hunted all over the world but I do not see any other singer better than you.’
44. Hearing this Tansen said, ‘Do not say that. It is God who has made one better than the other.
45. “I am the Creator of the World,” so said He who sits upon the lotus (Brahmadev). Then God created Vishvamitra and had him make all material things.
46. “My bed is the most majestic,” thus said the ocean. God by the hands of Agasti caused him to sip its water.
47. Narad [Narada] became proud, saying, “My singing is very beautiful,” and Krishna then invited a bear and caused him to perform a kirtan [kirtana].
48. When Maruti thought there was no monkey mightier than himself in the world, Bharat subdued his pride.
49. Therefore no one should be called great or small.’ Hearing these words of Tansen, the king was pleased,
50. The king said, ‘If there are any singers now greater than you are, tell me of them quickly.’