Post by jksivan on Oct 29, 2013 8:54:11 GMT 5.5
Dear Children
28 THE RE ENTRY
Let me first remind you what you read in the story of Chokka Mela (story No. 25), Vittal took Chokka Mela inside the sanctum sanctorum with him and the whlole night both of them were discussing about Bakthi and Vittal listened to Chokka Mela 's bhajans and the next morning the temple Archaka was enraged to find the untouchable inside the temple. He was beaten and chased away and banished to live on the other side of the Chandrabhaga river in a remote place forbidding his entry to the village again. Since you waited for long to know what happened to the poor Chokka Mela and his wife living away in a hut, on the other side of the river you have to be updated now.
Chokka Mela missed the sight of the temple and the divine bhajans audible outside the temple which he enjoyed day and night. He recalled sadly the good fortune he had to dance and chant namasangeerthan in front of the temple at a distance. ''Vittal, can I again have your blessing to re-live those days?'' cried Chokka Mela in his hut in front of the small statue of Vittal he was worshipping.
What do we do as true and real friends when we dont meet them for some time. It makes us uneasy. We long for the meeting at the earliest opportunity, is n't it? It was so for Vittal also!! Vittal in fact missed Chokka Mela as he had been banished and sent out of the village. After waiting for a while, Vittal decided to go himself and meet Chokka Mela as the latter could not visit him.
One day, Vittal crossed the Chandrabaga river and searched for the hut of his affectionate devotee Chokka Mela. It was a remote dry area, adjoining thorny bushes and a marshy pond. The hut was made by Chokka himself gathering the palmyrah leaves from the forest. It was a very small hut with limited space for both of them to live, cook and pray. It was almost about a little after the mid day when Vittal located Chokka mela 's hut and stood before its short and narrow entrance. Chokka and his wife were offering what they cooked for the day to Vittal''s statue and were praying singing their usual bhajan songs.
''Chokka, I am here '' said Vittal which made Chokka jump in ecstacy. Chokka Mela ran towards the entrance bent and came out to embrace Vittal. There were no words to speak between these two closely attached. Vittal noticed on entering the hut that both Chokka Mela and his wife were about to partake their meals after the offering to Vittal statue.
''Serve me also'' said Vittal. Let us all sit in the front yard and eat the food''. The couple very happily shared their food with Vittal sitting under the tree in front of their hut. Saira the wife of Chokka was so much excited that while serving food she spilled some curd on the yellow upper cloth of Vittal. On seeing this Chokka became angry. He shouted at her "''Saira, why did you do this. You should have been more careful and should not have been so much disrespectful to our honoured guest'. You should not be so idotic and blind '. Vittal stopped him saying that he liked butter and the smell reminded him of his childhood days''
It so happened that the same priest who found Chokka Mela inside the temple and was instrumental in banishing him from the village had his daughter near the village where Chokka was now living. The priest was returning back after visiting her and walking towards the river to cross and reach Pandarpur village.
When he was passing by he chief priest who was passing by Sokkan's hut heard his shouting. He knew Chokka was living there and imagined that Chokka was only scolding him índirectly using the words ''idiot, blind'' etc. He was a short tempered man. He lost his cool. He neared Chokka and slapped him hard on his cheek. ''This is enough for your arrogance'' he said and walked into the river to have a bath for having touched Chokka Mela, the untouchable.
Chokkan begged him not to be angry as he did not disrespect him or utter anything to him. He explained he was only chiding his wife for having spilled the curd on Vittal's dress. The priest was deaf to what was told and walked away. Vittal was not visible to the eyes of the priest.
As usual in the evening, the chief priest opened the doors of the temple and was shocked at what he saw. He saw tears in Pandurangan's eyes and his cheeks were swollen. He also smelled curd on Vittal's upper cloth with which he dressed the Lord. He was quick enough to recollect the day's happenings and what Chokka Mela told, when he slapped him. He realised his mistake. He ran to the Village chief and the temple authorities and called everyone and told them all that happened that day on the other side of the river.
Everyone in the village was moved and were sorry for what they had done to Chokka Mela. They all decided immediately to cross the river to meet Chokka Mela and apologise to him. Chokka was afraid why the entire village had come to him again and feared they would again punish him and displace him. He was however surprisd when they fell at his feet and asked him to forgive for their sin in banishing him and beating him. They wanted him to appeal on their behalf to Vittal to forgive them. The chief priest was in tears in repentance and he begged Chokka to go with them. He personally took Chokka inside the temple and stood him before Vittal and asked him to attend to Vittal's swollen cheeks.
Chokkan on seeing Vittal thus with swollen cheeks, could not control himself. He cried his heart out and prayed "Vittala! Please forgive us and be our saviour as always." He prostrated before Vittal. When he got up and looked at Vittal, His face was normal and he smiled at Chokkan . It looked as if he was asking Chokka ''I did the right thing is n't it, to bring you here and I dont have to cross the river every time ?
The same mischievous and enchanting smile awaits us when we visit Pandarpur even today and stand before Vittal with pure love and devotion in our hearts!!