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...
43.8: The King has a glorious vision
78. Now let us turn to Ram [Rama] Raja as he was hastening along and arriving near Pandharpur, and while the Brahman in great fright was imploring the aid of the Husband of Rukmini.
79. Ram [Rama] Raja called the Brahman into his presence and said, ‘If you do not now satisfy my doubts I shall bring you to dishonour.’
80. He called for an elephant to be brought to him, and seated himself on its canopied seat. (From this height) he gazed at the city of Pandhari and saw a strange and marvellous sight.
81. Just as the constellations appear about the full moon, so around about the pinnacle of the temple lustrous buildings seemed to glitter.
82. As the king saw this wonder he was overwhelmed with amazement and exclaimed, ‘Pandhari looks exactly as the Brahman has described it to me.’
83. Repentant in heart, the king descended from the elephant and making a prostrate namaskar to the Bradhman [Brahman?], said.
84. ‘I see before me exactly what you described to me. It was my ignorance that made me proud and led me to wrong thoughts.’
85. With these words the king again made the Brahman a namaskar, and freeing his mind of all ill feeling he sat at his feet.
86. The Brahman himself was also amazed and exclaimed, ‘The Husband of Rukmini has indeed come to my rescue.’ The three worlds could not contain his joy, and with love he sang His praise.
87. ‘Chief among bhaktas and their head-jewel was Pundalik,’ he sang, ‘and Chakrapani (Holder of the disk, Krishna) came from Dwarka to see him.
88. Of all the sacred waters the Ganges is considered the chief and yet the Chandrabhaga surpasses her. By the mere sight of her the world is purified. She permits no place for pride.
89. It is true that the Life of the world dwells in such places as Mathura, Gokul [Gokula], and Vrindavan. Shri Krishna resides also in Dwarka for the sake of his bhaktas.
90. But to me the glory of this sacred place seems incomparable.’ Thus with utter abandonment the Brahman in his love sang of the glories of Pandhari.
91. The king now had cymbals and drums brought and made a celebration. He gathered together the Vaishnava bhaktas and loud was the joyful noise they made.
92. As the king continued gazing he saw before him a forest of wish-trees and touchstones and wish-stones lying about like pebbles.