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...

55.3: King Shivaji visits Ganeshnath

12. Once on a time King Shivaji went on a pilgrimage to Pandharpur and hearing of Ganeshnath’s reputation he went to visit him.

13. Falling prostrate before him he sat listening to his kirtan [kirtana]. Ganeshnath’s knowledge was extensive and his poetry inspiring.

14. Using many illustrations he composed abhangs like arrows (which pierced the heart of the listeners), and made the ears of his audience very happy.

15. He (King Shivaji) had a new bedstead made for him and he longed to request Ganeshnath to sleep on it the very first day.

16. With hands joined palm to palm he said, ‘O Swami, kindly spend a night in my camp. I have a new bedstead made for you.’ Saying this he fell at his feet.

17. Seeing the respect paid him by Ganeshnath, the king was in a great difficulty, as when a tiger is about to carry away a doe, her heart trembles.

18. Knowing the difficulty, the ascetic said, ‘Surely.’ Then he collected small pebbles in the cavity of his hands and tied them in the end of his cloth.

19. Seeing those pebbles the king asked, ‘Why have you picked up the pebbles?’ The latter replied, ‘To count the names (of God)’.

20. The king then seated him in a palanquin and took him to his camp. He prepared a bed of flowers and requested Ganeshnath to sleep on it.

21. Vidas (rolled betelnut leaves) with the thirteen ingredients were arranged on a plate. Lamps were lighted and hangings were let down on all sides.

22. The king left there many fragrant things and various means of enjoyment and fortune and then came out.

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