shirdi maze pandharpur

“YOU ARE VITHU-MAULI*, YOU ARE SAI-MAULI !”{from sai leela magazine written by devotee megha}

Preamble

    Pandurang of Pandharpur town is the Deity dear to many, not only from Maharashtra and Karnatak but also for several people from outside Maharashtra ! The heartfelt love of Vitthal pulls the devotees to Pandharpur - forgetting the differences in religions and castes. Due to this congregation, Pandharpur has become a regional cultural center.

    Many devotees fervently believe that Pandurang or Vitthal of Pandhari is Lord Shrikrishna. This Deity is a beautiful statue carved out of black stone.

    Actually, the complexion of Pandurang (Pandurang Kanti) is supposed to be fair and that’s why He is called ‘Pandu-rang’. However, at the time of Amrut Manthan, the poison ‘Halahal’ came out of the seven seas and Lord Shankar digested it. Therefore, Lord Shankar (and in turn Lord Vishnu) acquired a dark complexion. Similarly, Lord Vishnu took ‘Amrut’ and hence, Lord Shankar became fair like camphor (Karpoor Gaur). Thus, the birth of Vitthal personifies

Origin of the name ‘Vitthal’

Many Saints have mentioned that Vitthal is a Form of no one else but Vishnu. The Kannada word ‘Vitthal’ is originated from ‘Vishnu’. Actually, the word ‘Vishnu’ got corrupted into ‘Vithu’ and its full form became ‘Vitthal’. It is also said that word ‘Vitthal’ is made up from Vit = Brick and Thela = Kept.

According to some, the name ‘Vitthal’ contains ‘Vid’ (Sanskrit) which means ‘knowing’. Thus, ‘Vitthal’ is the one Who gives experience of unity of knowledge. He is very much loved by the Saints.

Vitthal has a conch shell (Shankha) in one hand and a destroyer wheel (Chakra) in another. These are symbols of war. He has a cap over His head. It is believed that it is symbolic of Shivling.

Vari and Varkaris

For past more than 700 years, the devotees of this sect (Sampraday) have been undertaking annual pilgrimage trip to Pandharpur. This vow is known as Vari or trip and the devotees are known as Varkaris.

The Varkaris believe that performing Pooja of Sagun - Sakar Vitthal and His statue is equivalent to performingPooja of Brahma. They are convinced that Varkari Panth is the only sect showing the easiest path for transformation from Sagun to Nirgun. Varkari Panth is also referred to as Vaishnav Panth. The origins of this sect of devotion are very ancient. Pinnacle of the Saints - Saint Dnyaneshwar - embraced this sect. And after his doing so, the common men believed that Parabrahma itself is residing at Shri Kshetra Pandharpur in the Form of Vithoba.

Various Saints and Pandhari

sai vitthal

Pandharpur was dear to Saint Eknath for two reasons. For one, he believed that it is his Maher (parent’s abode).

‘‘Know that, that is this Pandharpur is the Maher1 of all Gods and the Nij - Mandir2 of all Saints’’

Secondly, he loved it because there was a congregation of Gods (Hari Har Sangam) at the place. He said that Pandhari is a mine of endless blessings.

‘‘There, where Karpoorgaur3 is standing constantly with Vishnu.’’

Shree Krishna Jayanti

Lord Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Shri Vishnu, the protector and preserver of this universe. Krishna came to this holy earth to give pleasure to His devotees, which are very dear to Him. Krishna does a lot of lilas (attractive pastimes) for the pleasure of his devotees. Krishna means the one who is 'All-Attractive' . Krishna attracts his devotees so as to make them more and more immersed in His love. This love for Krishna takes them (devotes) to a level of joy where none else can reach. Spreading this joy is one of the prime objectives of Krishna's incarnation and pastimes. In fact each pastime of Krishna carries a deep meaning in it. One must try to get to this joy (and understanding of deeper meaning) with repeated listening of Krishna's pastimes.

Lord Krishna Himself says this to His devotee Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita :

“I manifest Myself personally, whenever there is a decline in righteousness and predominance of righteousness” 

In Kaliyuga Murlidhar stepped in shirdi in the form of Shree Sai baba to play the divine game again.He has promised us again that he loves all of us so much and is eagerly waiting for his Radha and Meera.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna ,Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 
Hare Sai Hare Sai ,Sai Sai Hare Hare.

Break the teli’s wall-towards joy

Break the teli’s wall-towards joy

My dear Sai says "You do away, destroy the Teli's wall (sense of difference) between us, so that we can see and meet each other face to face".A deep contemplation has made me understand that if i want to know my true self ,I myself will have to make the effort to break the wall and blossom.

Baba’s words have played a significant role in leading me to the path.Baba’s words have been a true mantra in realizing the ME.His words have taken me deeper to the silence.This silence comes like a guest first and then one gets intoxicated with its noise.Yes the voice of the lord echo’s in your heart and then you want to hear it again and again.The wall made of lust, anger, greed, grief, resentment, beliefs, ego, hatred ,judgment collapses and you are the owner of a new kingdom where you are so complete.

I have lost my horses

Oh mere Sai,

Chand patil had lost his four legged horse.His search was not in vain because had  he not lost his horse and had he not been searching for it he would have not found you on the way.Without any effort you got his horse back. Not only did he get his horse back but also had the chance to see your powers that are so naturally imbibed in you- the inacarnate of love.

AAAOO SAI

Aaao mere pyare sai humare dil mai aakhe bas jao.Jaise aap shirdi mein aake bas gaye waise hi humare har pal mein aakhe bas jao na.jaise aapne Bhagat Mhalsapati ke kehne par khandobha mandir mein aapke pawan charan rakhe waise hi humara kehna bhi maan lo sai.Aaao sai humare har pal mein bas jao.