When Panduranga Vithala came calling

Pundalik was a devotee of Panduranga. He sang songs of Panduranga Vithala all the time. He would sing of Vithala while watering the plants, while cooking food for his aged parents, and while serving his parents. Once his old mother said with a smile, “You think of Vithu Mauli all the time. I hope Panduranga is also thinking of you.”

“Vithu Mauli has so many devotees, each calling out to Him,” his father said with a laugh. “He would be visiting them one by one. Our Pundalik’s turn will come one day.”

Piundalik simply smiled and continued to sing, “Vithala, Vithala, Panduranga.”

In his heart, Pundalik yearned to see his beloved Lord. Yet, he did not despair. “Thinking of you is enough, Panduranga,” he would say, “It fills me with joy.”

It was Ashad Ekadashi day. It was raining in Pandharpur. The Chandrabhaga river was swollen with water. Pundalik broke into dance, clapping his hands, singing loudly, “Vithala, Vithala, Vithala.”

As he clapped and sang, his aged parents lying on bed rose and joined him in singing. Slowly they stood up, even as Pundalik jumped to give them a hand. Holding his hands, the old parents swayed rhythmically, calling out, “ Vithu Mauli tu, Mauli Jagachi… ( Vithu, you are a mother, mother to all. )” Tears of joy rolled down their cheeks. Slowly the old couple grew tired, calling out to Vithu Mauli. Pundalik helped them sit down and gently lowered them to bed. He started pressing their feet, humming in a gentle voice.

Then he heard the voice.

“Here I am Pundalik.”

Pundalik hardly heard the voice. He continued to press his parents’ feet, saying softly, “Vithu, Vithala…”

Then the voice became louder. “I’ve come Pundalik. I’m here. Won’t you offer me a seat?”

Without turning back, without taking eyes off his parents whose feet he was pressing, Pundalik pushed a brick towards the visitor. “Have a seat, Lord. I’ll attend to you in a minute.”

Pundalik made sure his parents were asleep. Only then he turned to the guest who had comee calling. He turned calling out, “Vithu Mauli!”

Then he saw Vithala standing on the brick, his hands on his waist, a smile on his face.

And in Pandharpiur, Panduranga Vithala continues to stand on the brick.

Millions of Varkaris (devotees of Vithala) tread the way to the banks of the Chandrabhaga, to have a glimpse of Panduranga Vithala who came to his devotee in Pandharpur.

Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Snehangshu Mazumder