The divine alchemist
A brahmin lived in the town for many years but remained very poor. Though he was sincere in his efforts and worked hard, poverty did not part with him. He was pious and knew a little bit of Vedhas reciting which he survived with his family. Someone pitying him for his poor condition, suggested that he may visit the jeeva samadhi of Saint Gnanadev in Alandhi. The Brahmin took it seriously and walked one day to Alandhi After many days of continuous walking he reached Alandhi and sat before the saint's samadhi and prayed and chanted japam. For six days he was found there reciting vedha slokas and meditating on the saint. He did not care for food and lived on water.
The brahmin was rewarded for his sincerety because he was fortunate to have the vision of the saint Gyandev on the seventh day.
''Oh. Brahmin baktha ! You seem to be worried. What is the cause of your agony?" asked Gyandev.
"Gurudeva! I am very poor. I am unable to support my family providing whatever basic needs required for us all. I do not know how to come out of this poverty. I have come to you to help me out of poverty. Please show me a way."
"The only way I know is for you to return back and meet Saint Tukaram in the Dehu village". The saint's vision disappeared. The Brahmin was thrilled. He has heard about Saint Thukaram.
The Brahmin circumambulated the samadhi of the saint Gnaanadev and prostrated before the samadhi before he started his walk back to Dehu village. He enquired many people on the way and at last found himself in Dehu village.
He visited Saint Tukaram's ashram. Tukaram welcomed the guest and asked him "Swami! What could be the reason for your visit?"
"I am a very poor person. I wanted to come out of this and lead a decent life. As per the advice of my village friends, I went to Alandhi and did penance at Swami Gyandev's samadhi. Saint Gnaanadev directed me to see you. Please help me to get out of my poverty."
Tukaram was perplexed and did not know what to do. He replied the brahmin:
"I myself am very poor. How can I help you sir, Anyway, Swami Gyandev himself has sent you to me here. So there has to be a reason for this. let me beg my Vittal to guide me as He is the only one for me to depend for anything. ! It is all His will".
The Brahmin was looking for a solution very eagerly from Tukaram whlle the poor saint was in meditation praying to Vittal. After a while the saint opened his eyes and addressed the brahmin.
"Swami! There is a place called Koormapur at a short distance from here. There is an iron smith living near a water tank. His name is Shivji. He makes utensils out of iron. He is an ardent Vittala devotee. Everyone knows about him. There is a beautiful Vittal temple in front of his house. Using these landmarks as reference, please go and see him. Whatever he gives you, please bring them to me".
The Brahmin literally ran like a dart from a bow. He managed to go to Koormapur and find Shivji's house. When he visited Shivji there was a pooja and many people were participating in some special prayers and Shivji was with them at the Vittalan Temple oganising an annadhanam.
The bahmin managed to go near Shivji and requested the Brahmin to help him out of the poverty and said he was directed to him by saint Thukaram.
Shivji was confused. He said "Please participate in the annadhanam first and have your food. We will talk later".
The bhajans and annadhanam had finished and those who were fed left the village. After everyone left, the Brahmin met Shivji and told him the reason for his visit.
Shivji was an ardent devotee of saint Tukaram. He figured out that there had to be a reason for Tukaram to send the Brahmin to him. Shivji was at that time making steel pots for some one who ordered 25 pieces. He somehow made 3 more extra. So when he looked around how to help the brahmin, he saw the three small extra iron woks in front of him. He gave all the three woks to the Brahmin and requested him to take them to Tukaram. They were very heavy. The Brahmin carried them on his head and returned to Dehu Village.
Outside Dehu village, there was a small hill. Every day, Tukaram would go there for meditation. The Brahmin knew about this and he straightaway started climbing the hilllock with the 3 woks on his head. Two of them slipped and fell down the hill to the slope below The Brahmin went to Tukaram with the one remaining on his head. He told Tukaram in detail about his visit and the woks.
"Where are the woks?" asked Tukaram.
"Two woks slipped and fell down the hill. Here is the last one". So saying, the Brahmin brought down the wok from his head. It was not made of iron. When the brahmin took it out of his head and placed it before the feet of saint Tukaram he was surprised and shocked. It was a hevy golden wok shining brilliantly.
"Vittal! You are really kind" said Tukaram and turned to the Brahmin.
"The great saint Gyandev has shown you a way out of your poverty. Following his directions, you have now got this golden wok. Go, sell it in the market and you will get enough money and with it , you lead a happy life free of poverty".
The Brahmin was extremely happy. Though his mouth was praising Gyandev and Tukaram, his eyes searched for the other two golden woks in the slopes of the hillock on his way. He could not retrieve them in the region. Finally he decided it was not worth the time. So he clutched to the remaining golden wok already with him and safely and carefully he took it home. It is needless to add that the brahmin was among the big merchants in the bazaar the next day demanding the golden wok, offering the best price. Who but Lord Vittal could be the best alchemist?
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