43.23: Vithoba’s procession

225. Now by the eagle-platform all the Vaishnava bhaktas were sitting, oppressed with concern. ‘Bhanudas has been gone for many days,’ they exclaimed, ‘but the Husband of Rukmini has not come back.’

226. Just then suddenly they saw coming the victorious bhakta, with his smiling face, calling out, ‘I have brought back the Recliner on the Serpent Shesha (Vithoba)’.

227. Bhanudas embraced the saints and said to them, ‘The Husband of Rukmini has come as far as the Padmalaya lake.’ Hearing this joyful news all were delighted.

228. Then with banners and flags the noble Vaishnavas went out (to welcome back the god) accompanied by the music of countless cymbals and drums.

229. Priests, leaders, men and women, joined the procession (to welcome the god back). Arriving at the Padmalaya lake they beheld the dark-complexioned One.

230. All prostrated themselves on the ground and then after embracing the god they put Him, the Husband of Rukmini, on a chariot and carried Him along in an enthusiastic procession.

231. The saints loudly proclaimed His praise. Dancers danced wildly before Him. Drums and other musical instruments sounded aloud and all felt joy.

232. In describing that occasion there are no comparisons that are sufficient, and yet in that month of Kartik (November) the Warkaris (pilgrims) saw that sight with their own eyes.

233. When at full moon a chariot procession takes place, that procession is the nearest comparison that can be made. It was then that Pandharinath [Pandharinatha] thus passed along in pompous procession.

234. When the procession arrived at the bank of the Chandrabhaga, the leaders among them came forward, bathed the god and then all started on their way to the great door of the temple.

235. They took the dark coloured idol from off the chariot and passing it from hand to hand placed it in a palanquin. They carried it along to the temple and there anointed it with the special ceremonies for a welcome back.

236. Brahmans repeated mantras aloud. Vaishnavas sang lustily His praises. The Pervader of the universe sat now on His throne. Blessed was this happy day!

237. With garments, ornaments, adornments and the sixteen rites they worshipped Him. Offering Him. dainty food and other offerings they invoked His blessing.

238. Priests made offerings of handfuls of flowers to the god, with loud repetitions of mantras. Saints, Vaishnavas and the pilgrims, all felt the joy of the occasion.