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...
44.5: Bahirambhat’s arguments
51. Then all the Muhammadans assembled and said to the Brahmans, ‘You have turned a Muhammadan into a Brahman. Come and tell the king how you did it.’
52. Bahirambhat said to them, ‘How is it you made me a Muhammadan? See now the marks of piercing still appear in my ears. I am doubtful about your assertions.
53. If a man sees, how can anyone call him blind? When a man has the strength to walk, no one should call him a cripple.
54. If one has pride, it is of no use to describe him as having been delivered from earthly bondage. When one can listen by his ears, he should not be called a deaf man.
55. When sugar is mixed with intoxicating liquor, its sweetness does not go, so though you may have defiled me, still marks of piercing by earrings remain.
56. I have these marks in my ear and while so, you still call me one without marks (a Muhammadan). And you are not ashamed of this.’ In this way he discussed the matter with the Muhammadans, As the talk was going on all became wearied.
57. He then said to the Brahmans, ‘Listen to my words; you gave me a penance and made me a Brahman again. What your law looks on this subject are I do not know.
58. As the foreskin which they cut (or circumcised) has not come back through the penance 1 have taken, how is it I have become pure by applying to it cowdung and holy ashes?
59. If the nose is cut off, who will respect that person? So these Muhammedans having defiled me, my Brahmanhood no longer remains.
60. The full moon makes the moon bright but the dark spots on it still remain. So although you have purified me by penance, still the stain of defilement remains.
61. If the barber lets the tuft of hair remain it will grow; but the (circumcised) foreskin does not come back again. This doubt in my mind is always present with me.
62. Therefore, I am not altogether a Brahman, and you cannot call me a Muhammedan. I cannot be regarded as of either caste.
63. As the potter places on bis wheel a lump of mud, it is not a jar or mere earth. So it has happened to me.’