Sant Namdev

Namdev belonged to Pandharpur, the celebrated nursery of saints of Maharashtra. He was a saint of medieval India. He was not a servant of Lord Krishna, but His companion. Namdev was an Amsa (part) of Lord Krishna. 

He came of a family of tailors who were sincere devotees of Vittala of Pandharpur. The family members were observing the Wari of Pandharpur, i.e., going on pilgrimage twice a year on the first eleventh day of the Ashadh (June-July) and Kartik (October-November) months.

The family originated from a village called Narsibamani on the bank of the river Krishna, near Karad, in district Satara. Being a great devotee of Vittala and wishing to improve his material prospects, Dama Setti, the father of Namdev, had moved to Pandharpur a year or two before his son’s birth.

A born Devotee

At the age of two, when he began to talk, the first correct word he uttered was ‘Vittala’, and since then, he continued with the repetition of that sacred name incessantly, without any help or instruction from others. He found great pleasure when every day his mother Guna Bai took him to the temple of Vithoba for offering worship to the Deity. His next step was, when at the age of about seven, he prepared a pair of cymbals and spent his time in dancing and singing, doing Bhajan, to the neglect of everything—food, studies in school, rest, sleep, etc. His devotion to Vithoba was so innocent and sincere that he used to treat Him sometimes as his dearest brother or as his playmate.

One day, as Namdev’s mother was busy, she asked Namdev to take milk as a offerings to Vithoba. Namdev went to the temple, placed the milk before Vithoba and asked Him to accept the offering. However, when Namdev did not find any evidence of acceptance by Vithoba, he cried so bitterly that Vithoba actually assumed a human form and accepted the offerings gratefully. Namdev’s mother was surprised when her son came back in great joy with an empty hand and explained to her that Vithoba had accepted the offerings by actually consuming the milk presented in the glass.

So, the next day, she herself accompanied Namdev (but without his knowledge) to see and verify for herself the correctness of Namdev’s explanation. The same performance was repeated and the mother had the satisfaction of seeing the Lord actually accepting their offerings. Her joy and pride in Namdev was unbounded. She felt grateful to the Lord that she was the mother of such a great devotee.

Lord Vithoba-His Only Interest

In other respects, however, Namdev was the despair of his parents, and later, of his wife and other relatives. From the beginning he had no interest in worldly affairs; he neglected studies in school; he would not take interest in his father’s profession as a tailor, or in any other trade. His sole interest was to spend day and night in devotion to Vithoba. His parents were getting old; the family prosperity was waning. Therefore, their dearest wish was that Namdev, while devoting a reasonable spare time to his devotions, should help in maintaining the family in comfort.

So, Namdev was sent to the bazaar one day to sell a few pieces of clothes. But Namdev was innocent of the tricks of the trade. To him, such things as prices, and money and its value, were unknown subjects. He went to the bazaar with the clothes, because his father forced him. He sat there on a stone doing Bhajan, entirely forgetting that he had gone there to sell the clothes. After a few hours the sun set and it was time for him to go to the temple for the evening devotional performance. Then only he remembered that he had not sold the clothes and that he would get a thrashing from his father. He was impatient to go to the temple. He therefore sold all the clothes to the very stone on which he was seated, i.e., he kept the clothes on the stone, appointed another stone as a guarantee that the first one would pay the money the next day, and went to the temple.

Namdev’s father was furious on hearing his son’s adventures and asked him to bring forth Dhondya (which means a stone and which is also used as a proper name among certain classes of people of Maharashtra) who had guaranteed the money. The next day Namdev went back to the bazaar, found that the clothes had vanished during the night and took the second stone (Dhondya) home, as it refused to pay the money, and locked it in a room. He then went to the temple and narrated all the events to Vithoba and explained his difficulties also. When Namdev’s father asked him to show him Dhondya who had guaranteed the money, Namdev replied that Dhondya had been kept in a closed room in the house and ran to the temple. When the father opened the room to demand the money, he found, to his surprise, a lump of gold. Great was the father’s joy; but Namdev was quite indifferent to it. He only praised God for saving him from a thrashing. Thus it went on.

Namdev felt it increasingly difficult to take interest in household affairs and in his parents, wife and children; and no amount of persuasion from all those people or his friends was successful in bringing him back to the worldly life. To him there was only one interest and that was Lord Vithoba. He used to spend hour after hour sitting before Vithoba, talking to Him, discussing spiritual matters with Him and doing Bhajan. To Namdev, Vithoba was the beginning and the end of everything.

Meeting Jnanadev

When Namdev was about twenty years of age, he met the great saint Jnanadev at Pandharpur. Jnanadev was naturally attracted to Namdev as a great devotee of Vithoba. That he might benefit from the company of Namdev, he persuaded Namdev to go with him to all the holy places on pilgrimage. Namdev did not want to go, as that would mean separation from Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur. However, wiser counsel prevailed and Namdev was induced to go on pilgrimage. This was the most important period in the life of Namdev. Practically from this time, the two great saints almost never separated till death parted them. The pilgrimage extended to all parts of India and almost all the holy places.

Miracles performed by Namdev and Jnanadev

On the way, several miracles are reported to have been performed by both Namdev and Jnanadev. Once Namdev and Jnanadev reached the desert of Marwar. Namdev was dying of thirst. They found out a well, but the water was at such a low depth that it was impossible to get it by ordinary means. Jnanadev proposed to assume the form of a bird by his Laghima Siddhi and bring the water up in his beak. But Namdev proved superior to him. He prayed to Rukmini. The level of the water rose miraculously to the surface. The well is seen even today at Kaladji, ten miles off Bikaner.

A Brahmin of Bidar invited Namdev to do Bhajan in his house. Namdev went there with a large number of devotees. The Sultan mistook them for rebel troops and sent General Kasi Pant against them. The general reported to the Sultan that it was only a religious party. The Sultan ordered that Namdev should be arrested and prosecuted. He asked Namdev to rouse a butchered cow to life or embrace Islam. An elephant was sent to crush Namdev to death. Namdev’s mother requested her son to embrace Islam to save his life. But Namdev was prepared to die. Namdev raised the dead cow to life. The Sultan and others were struck with amazement. Namdev won the admiration of the Sultan and his party.

When feeding of Brahmins was done by Namdev at the end of his pilgrimage, Vittal and Rukmini became the cooks and servers. They ate out of the very plate which Namdev used.

Jnanadev's advice to Namdev to adopt a Guru

As we saw earlier, Namdev’s world began and ended with the Deity ‘Vithoba’ of Pandharpur and he would not recognize any other Deity as the symbol of God. The pilgrimage lasted about five years and during this period Jnanadev advised Namdev to adopt a Guru so that he might be in a position to realise completely the manifestation of the all-pervading God and thus fulfil his own mission in life. Again Namdev hesitated as he thought that such action might alienate his loyalty and devotion to Vithoba. He plainly said that as long as he had the love of Vithoba, he had nothing to desire except constant devotion to Him. In fact, Vithoba was his Guru. It was, however, clear to Jnanadev and other saints in the company that Namdev’s view was rather narrow in the sense that he thought God was centred in the Deity of Vithoba of Pandharpur and they wanted him to acquire the wider vision which they themselves had attained.

One day, in such company, Gora kumbhar, another saint and a potter by trade, was asked to ascertain which of them were half-baked, i.e., had not realised Brahman. Gora took a small, flat wooden board such as he used to prepare or test the pots and began to pat on the head of everybody. When he came to Namdev and patted on his head, Namdev cried aloud thinking he was hurt. Immediately, all the others in the company began to laugh saying that Namdev was only half-baked and had not become fixed in his spiritual position.

He found his Guru 

Greatly mortified, Namdev repaired to Vithoba and complained to Him of his humiliation. He said that he saw no necessity for him to have a Guru as he had intimate relationship with Lord Krishna Himself. Lord Krishna said that Namdev did not really know Him. Namdev denied this. Lord Krishna challenged Namdev and asked him to find out His identity that day. Namdev agreed. Lord Krishna took the form of a Pathan horseman and passed before Namdev. Namdev could not recognize the Lord. Namdev agreed to go to a Guru. Lord Vithoba then advised him to adopt Visoba Khechar as his Guru.

Visoba Khechar was one of the disciples of Jnanadev and was living in a village called Avandhya. Namdev proceeded to the village immediately and arrived there at about noon. He took shelter in a temple in order to take some rest. There in that temple he saw a man sleeping with his feet on the Deity Itself. Namdev was shocked, woke up the man and rebuked him for this sacrilege. The man was no other than Visoba himself. Visoba replied, "O Namdev, why did you wake me up? Is there a single spot in this world which is not permeated by God? If you think that such a spot can be found, kindly place my feet there". Namdev took the feet of Visoba in his hands and moved them to another direction, but the Deity was there. He then moved Visoba in still another direction, but the Deity was there too! Namdev could not find any direction or spot where he could place the feet of Visoba without treading on the Deity. God was everywhere. Having realised this great truth that God had permeated the whole universe, Namdev surrendered himself to Visoba gratefully and humbly.

Teachings of his Guru

Visoba advised Namdev at great length. A small portion of Visoba’s advice is given below:

If you want to be absolutely happy, fill this world with Bhajan and the sacred Name of the Lord. The Lord is the world itself. Give up all ambitions or desires. Let them take care of themselves. Be content only with the name of Vittal.

You need not undergo any hardship or penance in order to go to heaven. Vaikuntha will come to you of itself. Do not be anxious of this life or of your friends or relatives. They are like the illusions of a mirage. One has to spend a short space of time here like the potter’s wheel which goes on rotating even after the potter has left. Make the best of it by keeping the name of Vittal ever in your mind and on your lips and by recognizing Him everywhere and in everyone. This is my experience of life.

Pandharpur was established on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga as a sort of boat for people to cross safely this ocean of life. Pandharinath is standing there as the boatman-in-charge to take you to the other side; and the most important point is that He does this without asking for any fee. In this way He has saved crores of people who have gone to Him in surrender. If you surrender to Him, there is no death in this world.

Panduranga Tests Namdev

It was Ekadashi (the eleventh day) of the month of Kartik. Namdev was fasting that day. An old Brahmin came to him begging for food.

“Today, you know, is Ekadashi, the day of fasting. I should not treat you to any regular meal. I can get you some fruit if you want,” said Namdev.

“If I don’t get a meal, I will die of starvation.

The sin of killing a Brahmin will be on you.”

“I know nothing about sin or mere good deed,” said Namdev.

“You don’t seem to have the slightest mercy.

Yet you show off your philosophical knowledge in empty words. Do you allow this old man to die of starvation?” demanded the Brahmin.

“If you die today for want of food, let me face the same fate,” declared Namdev.

But then the eyes of the Brahmin started rolling up. The very next moment he was dead.

Namdev without a second thought carried the corpse to the bank of river Bheema. He prepared a pyre to burn the body and laying himself on the pyre beside the Brahmin’s body, he set fire to the piles of wood. His wife also was making ready to follow her husband. At this juncture, Panduranga showed himself in his glorious divine form with four hands, saved all of them and showered his blessings on them.

Rotation of Naganath Temple

Once saints Namdev and Jnanadev along with devotees of Panduranga journeyed along and came to Naganath.

That was a seat of Jyotirlinga (i.e. Shivalinga manifested in the form of light). It was also called the second Kailash. The saints were immensely happy to see that sacred place. Added to it, it was Mahashivaratri. They went to the main entrance of the temple, after finishing their bath, prayer and the routine religious rituals. They prostrated before God Shankara with utmost love and had his darshan. Namdev began to sing bhajans in an ecstatic mood. Innumerable people congregated around. They were listening to the hymns with rapt attention.

The priests of that temple were Brahmins. They came to the main gate to worship Shankara. But in that thick crowd, they were not able to push their way through. They shouted at the crowd: 

“Hey you fellows keep off and make way for us. We are in a sacrosanct state.” But nobody heeded their words. The priests got annoyed and told Namdev, “I say-you! – You had better display all this grandiose bhajan of yours at Pandharapur only. This is Naganath. All this singing and dancing won’t do here. Shiva, the divine consort of Uma and the Lord of Kailash will not be pleased with these songs in praise of Hari. Go to Pandharapur. There you can dance as you please keeping aside all your sense of shame."

The very listeners of bhajan replied to the priests with a counter-question:

“The great sages say that there is no difference between Hari and Hara. Where is it stated that bhajans should not be sung before God Shankara?”

These words further enraged the Brahmins. "You sentimental fools, how dare you to presume to teach us? Get away from here, all of you. Otherwise, you will taste a sound thrashing." They shouted at the top of their voice.

Two of the Brahmins who were with the priests pushed their way through the crowd and told Namdev:

"Because of your bhajans, all the passages are blocked and people are waiting outside to enter the temple for worship. If you want you can carry on your bhajans go to the backyard of the temple."

Namdev made obeisance to these Brahmins and went to the rear-side of the temple to continue his bhajan. People who witnessed this incident felt sorry. This obstruction to the bhajan brought tears to the eyes of Namdev. His throat was choked. Why these wrangles about sanctity and pollution in the presence of God? Why should some people be asked to stand at a distance? Is not angry and conceited behavior in the divine presence by itself pollution? These were the thoughts that passed through the mind of Namdev.

Finally he was forced to stand behind the temple to sing bhajans. Missing the direct sight of Lord Shankara made him very sad. He called out to Panduranga, in his tremulous voice. As a result of this, the temple, which was facing east turned round to face Namdev. The people who had gathered there were struck with amazement. “The Lord of Kailash has been pleased with Namdev!” they exclaimed, overjoyed in their hearts.

The bhajan was in full tempo when the Brahmins finished their worship and came out. They were bewildered to see that the bhajan was going on in front of the temple itself.

When they enquired of some people, they were told that the temple itself had turned towards Namdev. On hearing this, the Brahmins felt a cold shiver. They realized that their punish behavior was wrong. Now, being completely rid of that arrogance, they sat down in humility to listen to the bhajan. They repented their needless objection against Namdev.

Soon after he finished his bhajan, they apologized to him, “Please forgive us for our folly.” Namdev did not have the slightest anger or hatred in his heart.

This temple came to be known as Aundha Nagnath Temple.