Pandarpur was bursting with numerous devotees from different parts on that day, because it was the 11th day in the month of Karthigai. Pandarpur was as usual wearing a bright and jubilant festive look. The River Chandrabaga was gushing with freshes and many thousands of people gathered on the banks of the river to have their holy dips. The other adjacent sacred river Pushpavati in Gopalpur was also equally crowded with devotees of Vitoba. Vittal temple was filled with the mixed sound of voices of devotees singing and chanting nama sankeerthan along with the noise of instruments played by some, renting the air. Most of the Vittal devotees lived on Unchavrithi bikshas once a day. Unchavrithi is collecting alms for the day's food by performing bhajans and nama sankeerthans along the streets in groups, accepting what is offered by the devout residents. Sometimes they were invited by particular houses for acceting bikshas offered in sincere devotion and respect. Such sadhus would not make any demand for their food, and would accept whatever rice or any grains offered as biksha. Some days they would not go on unchavriththi and fasted .
Jagamitra followed this lifestyle. But because of his honesty and simplicity, people loved him and waited for him to show up on the street and invited him to accept their biksha. People were attracted by his melodious singing and chanting of nama sankeerthan and Vittal bhajans. Also people respected him because of his simple selfless life style. His worldly life was like the water droplets on a lotus leaf - completely detached and unaffected by the ups and downs in life.
Nature is always funny, isn't it? A society is a mixture of good and bad people isn't it?
There were some people who were jealous of Jagamitra. They wanted to disrupt his calm and pious quiet life . By the by who was this Jagmithra?
Jagamitra was a scholar in vedhas and a yogi and a pure Pandurang devotee. He lived in the village named Parali Vaidyanath. He was a very pious brahmin. Those days brahmins were held in high esteem irrespective of whether they had sound knowledge in vedhas or not.
One night, a group of people who disliked and were jealous of Jagamitra set fire to his hut. It was late at night and Inside the hut, Jagamitra and his family were sleeping. When he smelt smoke and suspected some fire damage to his hut, Jagamitra woke up and came out. It was mid night and completely dark. When he looked up he found his house was partly in flame spreading the fire fast to the rest of the house.
"Vittal! What kind of a test is this? By Your Grace, we were resting under this thatched roof. now that too is likely to be gone. If it is your wish be it so. what shall we do? Where can we go? We completely surrender ourselves to your will and wish" cried Jagamitra. He then closed his eyes and began chanting Pandurang's names.
Next day morning the neighbours rushed to Jagmitra's house. They saw the burnt roof of the hut still with clouds of black smoke emanating therefrom, and feared Jagamitra and his family would have been burnt alive inside the hut. What a miracle? There was not even a slightest evidence of burn marks inside the hut. Jagamitra was deep in mediation. The news spread very fast in the town. The entire house without any damage to the inmates had been consumed by the fire. Is it not something unbelievable and a miracle.!
The villagers gathered and discussed among themselves and were unanimous in their view that it was because of Jagmithra's sincere devotion to Vittal that he and his family escaped the fire. They respected for his simplicity, true faith in the lord and and decided to give him a small piece of land . They provided this so that he could construct a new spacious ashram and also cultivate in the remainng open land for the family's survival without any food shortage.
"Why do I need land? It is in Vittal's mercy that I do unchavrithi every day and get some food for me and my family to survive. That is more than enough for me" declared Jagamitra.
"Swami! Your ashram will serve as a sacred hall for prayers and satsangh. The grains grown in the field will go towards prasadh for all. It is a good cause. So please do not refuse".
An acre of land was given in his name. A small ashram was built thereon. Every day, many visited Jagmithra's ashram and immensely enjoyed his bhajans. Many peasants worked in his land and grew lots and lots of grains. With that, annadhan was performed daily for all.
When everything goes smoothly, hurdles will come from somewhere without notice and this is the order of nature, isn't it? Those who disliked and were jealous of Jagmithra, and who failed in their attempt to burn his house and kill him and his family, again plotted scheme. They were more angry now because Jagmithra was now owner of a property and new house and many visited him. They met the new Chief of the town who was a Moghul local ruler. They poisoned the Moghul chief's mind telling lies and accusations about Jagamitra.
"Who is this Jagamitra? Is it true that he is talking bad of my religion? I shall immediately take action on him.. You all can go leaving this to me " ordered the angry chieftain.
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The enemies returned happily that the chieftain would now crush Jagmitra. The chieftain rode on his horse along with his soldiers to Jagamitra's hermitage. Jagamitra welcomed him and offered them all food.
"Who are you?
''Huzur, I am Jagmithra, a devotee of the lord Vittal''
Oh! You are Jagamitra. I am told that your name means that you are friend of the world, aren't you? (Jagam means world and Mitra means friend). You are carrying a good name but cheating people by cursing other religions Is it not? You will now see what awaits you!''.
".........................."
"Why are you silent? I shall not believe whatever you say. This land belongs to my government and you are an illegan occupant.. Immediately I shall take it back ordering you to vacate it " said the Chieftain. By this time, there were many locals who were there for participating in the bhajans and nama sankeerthan. They were shocked when the chieftain was accusing the soft natured innocent Jagmithra and became angry. They all shouted at the chieftain and prevented him from treating Jagmithra so badly. Some of them were trusted workers and officials in his government. So the chieftain immdiately shifted his stand planning for another kind of approach.
" OK. Jagmithra you look very soft and good. I believe that you are not a person who would cheat or create unrest among people. I would like to know if you really are a friend of the world. I am going to test you. If you succeed in it, you can keep your land. Are you ready for this deal?" said the Chief.
".............................."
The chieftain waited for a moment and continued.
"I take your silence as acceptance to my test. I am planning to get my daughter married soon. According to our tradition and culture, we need to pray to a tiger first and then perform a celebration. Therefore I order that before sunset today,you should bring a tiger alive to me.. I shall then accept you as the friend of the world".
Jagmithra closed his eyes and prayed to Vittal listening to the chieftain's order.
The enemies of Jagamitra enjoyed the chieftain's method of attack on Jagmithra. But people who were followers of Jagamitra were worried for him. The chiftain had gone with his troupe.
Jagamitra went to the nearby forest. "Vittal! This is also your game". He started his bhajans. He did not realise how the time went by. Suddenly he heard Vittal's voice. "Jagamitra! Your tiger is waiting for you. Take it with you". Jagamitra opened his eyes and saw a very big tiger with eyes looking like fire balls, sitting in front of him. He called the tiger "Vittal". It became very quiet like a calf. He said "come with me" and the tiger followed him. He was walking back to the village with the tiger by his side. News spread fast that Jagamitra was returning with a big tiger. Everyone was scared and they safeguarded their cows and goats. As soon as Jagamitra and the tiger entered the town, Jagamitra tied his upper cloth around the tiger''s neck. As if obeying its Master, the tiger followed him.
People shut all the doors and windows of their houses peeing eagerly and with fear through holes in the doors. The village was calm with no one out on the streets or anywhere in vicinity. The chieftain too heard the news and started sweating and shivering. He never expected this development. He knew that the tiger would reach his house as Jagmithra would bring it there. He heard the loud angry growls of the tiger deafening. The sound of the tiger made everyone shiver with fear locked inside their houses. Jagamitra led the tiger finally to the Chief's house before sunset.
''Huzur, please open the door and accept the tiger for your prayers please'' announced Jagmithra
The chieftain was inside completely locked and he was profusely nervous and did not open any door or window of his house The tiger began purring on the doors with power and growled loudly. It was uncontrollable and wanted to break the door with it fore paws.
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"Jagamitra! Please take the tiger back" cried the Chief.
"Sir! You asked for a tiger for prayers. Please come and take it. Let your daughter's wedding take place in a grand manner by Vittal's grace". The tiger roared loudly. Due to the thudding it made, the door was giving way slowly and any moment the tiger may force enter the chieftain's house.
Its eyes were blood red like fire. It was trying to break the front door to get in.but controlled by Jagmithra.
"I am sorry Jagmithraji, I just fooled you and I was so stupid not realising your divinity. Please disregard what I said and forgive me. I did not realise your value and brought this calamity upon myself like a fool. I am scared to come out and fall at your feet for what I did. Please forgive me and take back this tiger'' cried the Chief. His wife and children were screaming in fear. "The tiger is trying to come in. Only if you go out and ask for forgiveness, we shall all survive. The tiger can break this lousy front door easily. Go out now" pushed his wife. The chieftain had no other option. He slowly opened the door slightly and cried "Swami! Please hold the tiger. Please save my life. I shall come and fall at your feet". The moment the door was opened, the tiger was ready to crash in. But Jagamitra held it by his upper cloth around its neck. Though he was able to control it, its angry growls did not stop. The Chief fell on the ground at a distance and cried "Swami! You are a Saint. I played with you like a fool. Please forgive me".
''This is Vittal's grace. Earlier when Jagamitra's house was burnt, Vittal saved him. The same Vittal has given him this ferocious tiger. Look at his devotion. We really sinned to you Swamiji! Please forgive us" saying thus his enemies fell at his feet. "Swami! Please take the tiger back to the forest and bless us" begged the Chief.
Jagamitra walked back to the forest with the tiger. Vittal too went with him quietly like a pup because it was He who appeared as a tiger to save his devotee. What Vittal needs from us is nothing but pure love and selfless devotion.
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