WHEN THE LORD BECAME A SERVANT

The holy town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Dawn is breaking. The rising Sun is painting the sky red. The temple of Lord Vithala, an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

- Bhavesh Parekh and Bramhacharini Tattvamayi

The sound of birds greeting the new day. Bells begin to ring. The temple doors open and the devotees rush in. They are astonished to see that the idol of Lord Vithala has a tired expression. They bow before the idol and ask in the simple but moving way that true devotees speak. ’Lord, what happened? Why are you looking so tired?’

Lord Vithala uses a language that is not heard by the ears, but by the heart. The Lord speaks. ‘That Janabai! She summoned me to her house. It has taken Me from early morning to finish the grinding for Jana. I took her water jar and carried a great amount of water for her. As Jana swept, I filled a basket with the refuse and threw it outside. I washed the clothes with my four hands and pounded rice for her.”

The Lord smiles a smile that radiates heavens. He continues, ‘Janabai’s bhakti is so strong, that God Himself becomes her Sewak.’

Bhakti whispers the greatest of secrets in our hearts - that what makes God truly happy is the bhakti of a true devotee.

I Have Overcome all Social Barriers

In Maharashtra, eight centuries ago, was born a girl, Jana. At the tender age of five, she was taken to the temple of Lord Vitthala or Vithoba in Pandharpur, the center for the Varkari tradition. She refused to leave, telling her parents that although they loved her, she wished to remain in the temple and devote herself to God.