'Bhakti'
Flows
One evening, Sakhu, accompanied by Shantabai, a neighbor, went to the
Krishna River to fetch water. A group of pilgrims were on way to Pandharapur. The Devotees
had to walk for miles, as there were no transport facilities in those days. They had
to stay at riverbeds, cook their food, rest for a while and proceed further. When Sakhu
sighted these devotees, she forgot her chores and joined the people who were chanting
Vittala, Panduranga Vittala'. She was feeling enthralled. Overcome by this devotional
emotion, she said: "Shantabai, I will also go to Pandharapur to see Lord
Vittala."
Shantabai said:
"If your mother-in-law comes to know of this,
she will give you a good thrashing. Let us go home without any fuss." But Sakhu
joined the pilgrims' party and went on.
No sooner did Sakhubai's mother-in-law come to know of this than she began to rant. She
and her son came and saw the daughter-in-law dancing in ecstasy reciting the name of Lord
Vittala. Her eyes were closed. She was lost to this earthly world. Only when her
mother-in-law rudely pulled her by the hair did she open her eyes. Her husband and
mother-in-law beat and dragged her home. They told the people she wanted to run away from
home and tied to a pole. She was also refused meals. |
