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...
42.5: Malicious pedlars
84. In the meantime the evil-minded pedlars sat beside their wares and planned as follows. ‘Bhanudas has left his wares here and has gone to the kirtan [kirtana].
85. Let us therefore play a trick on him. Unknown to him we will let his packhorse go loose, and throw his bundle of cloth into a ditch.
85. When he comes back to ask us about it, we will say, “Thieves came while we were in deep slumber and stole it without our knowing of it.”
87. He will then go back to his own home, and we can then divide the cloth here among ourselves.’ Having thus planned, these evil men let his packhorse go loose.
88. There was a deep pit near by and into it they threw the bundle of cloth. Then clapping their hands over the deed, they said to one another,
89. ‘Since Bhanudas has been with us he has acquired wealth while we have become poor. All customers go to him.
90. Now all our anxiety is gone. Without the use of medicine the itch has disappeared.’ In this manner these evil men talked the matter over among themselves.
91. Just as Duryodhan [Duryodhana] rejoiced in his heart when he robbed Dharma of his wealth, so these evil-minded pedlars rejoiced in their hearts.