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...
42.6: God’s care for Bhanudas
92. But when the Husband of Rukmini saw the calamity which had befallen Bhanudas, He immediately arrived on the scene, saying to Himself, ‘Bhanudas is sitting listening in the kirtan [kirtana] in fixed contemplation.
93. These evil-minded men have conspired together and thrown his wares into the pit. What plan shall I follow?’ said the Life of the world to Himself.
94. ‘His packhorse will wander away somewhere. Where will he then look for it? He has put aside fondness for worldly things and gone mad after my worship.’
95. Thus thinking to Himself, Pandharinath [Pandharinatha] assumed the form of a Brahman. Finding the packhorse near the market-place he sat down holding it.
96. He who reclines on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk, He on whose feet Lakshmi meditates, He who espouses the cause of his bhaktas, Captivator of the heart. He sat holding the horse.
97. He who does not come quickly even into the mental conception of the Yogis as they sit in meditation; He, the espouser of the cause of his bhaktas, Lord of the organs of sense, He sat holding the horse.
98. He, Sri Sanga, who cannot be attained by religious rites, by sacred places, by austerities, or by yoga, He, Pandurang [Panduranga] who gave his promise to Pundalik, He sat holding the horse
99. He, the father of Brahmadev [Brahmadeva], the Creator of the limitless universe, caught the horse of Bhanudas as it was wandering about, and sat holding it in the public square!