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...
42.1: Invocation
[Note: For further information regarding Bhanudas see the first volume of this series.]
Obeisance to Shri Ganesh. Obeisance to Shri Khrishna
1. Victory! victory to Thee! Vasudev, Lord of the Earth, lotus-eyed One, Husband of Rukmini, Giver of happiness to His bhaktas, without whom there is no happiness.
2. Victory, victory to Thee of the lotus-navel whose form is the Universe, Father of Brahmadev [Brahmadeva], Lord of heaven, Radiant of form, dwarf-shaped, indescribable by Vedas or Shastras.
3. Victory to Thee, unlimited universal Arm, the all-seeing Eye, He who fills universal space, Thou who hast spoken in the words of the Vedas.
4. O Thou, whose form is universal radiance, Lord of the heart; because Thy bhaktas cannot fully know Thee, Thou didst take a saguna form and set them to worshipping Thee.
5. O Lord of Lakshmi, Thou becomest to them whatever they desire, just as a mother of graceful carriage leads her child along, holding it by the hand,
6. her heart rejoicing in the sweet prattle of the little lisper. She speaks back to it in the same prattling way, kissing it in her love.
7. The same thing happens to Thy bhaktas who lacking knowledge praise Thee in foolish babbling words, and Thou, Life of the world, in Thy loving mercy makest Thyself as simple to them.