51.3: Garuda takes Vithoba’s reply to Dehu

29. On this Rukmini replied: ‘Send Garud [Garuda] (the Eagle) to bring Tuka hera He will seat him on his back and in less than a moment will bring him here.

30. When we possess so much power, why should we feel anxious at heart?’ At this reply the Lord of the heart was gratified.

31. Then having called the Son of Vinata (the Eagle), the Lord of Pandhari ordered him this: ‘Go at once to Dehu, and do this.’

32. Then taking a pen, the Life of the World began to write a letter. Oh you simple, good people, listen to it piously.

33. He said: ‘As long as Vaikunth (Vishnu’s heaven) and Kailas (Shiva’s heaven) are in existence, may Tuka live and for ever remember me with love in the temple of his heart.’

34. As Vithoba sent this blessing (to Tukaram), Rukmini felt astonished at heart and said, ‘These words from your lips can never be untrue.’

35. Pandharinath [Pandharinatha] smiled silently and His heart could not contain His intense love (for Tuka). Then he wrote to Tuka: ‘I feel so sorry at hearing of your strange sickness.

36. If you want to know how sorry I feel, your own heart will bear witness to it. For as the Warkaris (pilgrims) communicated to me your message, I became quite troubled at heart.

37. In fact, I ought to rush to meet you; but the pilgrims have assembled here in large numbers and so I have sent my Eagle there (to you) to fetch you here without fail.

38. Therefore without any reserve at heart sit on his back and come to Pandhari without losing a moment and meet me here at once.’

39. Having written thus, the Life of tbe world addressed the Eagle: ‘Considering Tuka as Myself, seat him on your back and bring him here.’

40. ‘By all means,’ said the Eagle and placing his head at the feet (of Vithoba) he replied, ‘He to whom my Swami (Lord) has given refuge, deserves to be bowed down to by me.

41. When Saraswati (the goddess of learning) favours a dullard, him the learned revere. When the ocean accepts a river flowing into it, naturally it does not reject the small rivulets (that feed the river).

42. If Mount Malaya (where sandalwood grows in abundance) with love lets bor and babhul trees grow in its neighbourhood, who will ever call them thorny bushes? For there is no lack of sweet fragrance in them.

43. When the Lord of speech (the guru of the gods) accepts anyone, all the multitude of gods respect him. Or if a rod of iron touches a parts (a touchstone) then it can no longer be called rusty iron.

44. Thus seeing Tuka’s pure mind. Thou art pleased with him; so I certainly have not the power to keep him at a distance.’

45. Saying this he placed his head at (Vithoba’s) feet and then the king of birds got up quickly and started to go as fast as the wind.