Post by jksivan on Aug 22, 2013 5:55:14 GMT 5.5
16. PURE DEVOTION
Dear Children
We have seen in the previous stories that Pandurangan literally lived with people like Thukaram, Eknath, Naamadevar and Narsi Metha because of their pure love and devotion to Him. This is yet another story which clearly shows the pure devotion that Thukaram had for Pandurangan.
Once Thukaram was very ill. He could not go and visit Pandarinathan at Pandarpur. So he sent a letter to Pandurangan through a devotee who was on his way to visit Pandurangan. The devotee went direct to Pandurangan and said sadly "Panduranga! Poor Thukaram. Due to his sickness, he is not able to come and worship and have your dharshan. Therefore he said he could at best only send a letter to you expressing his feelings. Shall I read it? Actually, I don't have to read it. You know what is in it". Saying thus, he kept the letter at the feet of Pandurangan and left.
Vittal knew what was written in the letter. Feeling very sad for Thukaram, Pandurangan said to Rukmani "Rukmani! see this letter. Our Thuka is very ill and not able to come and see us here." Hearing this Rukmani said "Swami! Why not we go and visit him?"
Pandurangan replied "Yes. Rukmani, you are right. We can go to Dehu village to see our Thukaram, but the devotees who come to visit us here at Pandarpur, will be disappointed if we are not around. So let us ask our Garudan to go and bring Thukaram here".
Pandurangan wrote a reply to Thukaram "Dear Thuka! We also miss you a lot. I am sending this letter through Garudan. Please do come with him". Pandurangan sent this letter through Garudan.
As Thukaram could not go to Pandaripuram due to illness, he was lying on the bench outside his house with the hope that at least he could see the devotees going to Pandaipur. At that time, Garudan came to his house.
He said "Thukkaram maharaj, Vittal wants me to bring you to Him immediately. Please see this letter". Thukaram was shocked to hear this. "Oh! No. This is not right. You are Narayanan's vehicle. I am equal to the dust that falls from his feet. How can I sit on you Lord Garuda?. Even if a chappal is made of gold, its place is under the feet only. isn't it? So please forgive me. I cannot come. You please tell our beloved Lord Pandurangan to please visit this dying baktha” . Garudan returned back and conveyed Thukaram’s message to Vittal.
Vittal loved Thukaram very much as his true baktha. He called “Rukmani! Come. We will go and visit Thukaram".
Thukaram was lying on his bamboo stick cot, observing the road, watching the devotees visiting Pandaripuram longingly. One day Garudan brought Vittalan and Rukmani in their beautiful attire. As soon as Vittal saw Thukaram He rushed and hugged him affectionately. Isn't this the meaning of pure devotion?