Story of a bhakta - Narahari - Part 2

 

The story of a bhakta – Narahari Sonar- Part 1

Narahari was steadfastly refusing to even visit the Vittala temple. While this a cause for anger and amusement for many, for Narahari it was a matter of irritation that the towns folk kept asking him to go to this temple.

One day while Narahari was sitting in his shop, a merchant he knew from the neighbouring town came to Narahari. Narahari enquired about his family and other matters. The merchant then told Narahari that he had come to give him some gold work. He added “It is going to be a challenging task for you.

One thing about Narahari was he was very proud of his skill. He also liked a challenge. Narahari eagerly replied “ Tell me. I have been doing too much of routine work. I want to do something challenging.”

The merchant replied “As you know I remained child less for many years. I had prayed that if I get a child I shall make an offering. I want you to help me complete my offering.” Narahari was happy to get some challenging work. He said “Gladly. Which temple is this? Which deity?”

The merchant hesitantly replied “Its our own Vittala of Pandarpur.” Narahari now became angry like Lord Narasimha himself. He sadi “Why do you want to waste your prayers on him? Anyway, that is your choice. Go find some other gold smith.”

The merchant was not budging. He said “Narahari, you have the best reputation in the market. I want you to do this ornament. Don’t want to give such a costly item to some one else who may spoil the whole thing.”

Narahari was not relenting. “I shall guide him. Doing this work will be against my principle and my god Mallikarjuna Swamy.” The merchant was equally adamant. He said “Me and my family want the best for our Lord. Please don’t say no. What is your problem? You cannot see Lord Vittala. I have a solution for this. I will get you the measurements. You can make the ornament with those measurements.” Narahari thought this was an acceptable solution.

The merchant went to the temple and coordinated with the priests and got the measurements for the waistband. He gave them to Narahari who made a beautiful gold waistband studded with gems for Vittala. Narahari was proud of his work though upset that this will be worn by Lord Vittala.

The merchant and his family went to the temple with waistband. The priest tried to put the band on the Lord. Found that the band was too small. They were surprised as they had given the measurements. Try as they might, the band was not fitting. The merchant went back to Narahari and explained the problem.

Narahari said “That is fine. It happens. I will just add one loop for you to extend it”. And he did so. The merchant went back to the temple. This time that the band was so big that it kept slipping from the idol. The merchant was very upset and told Narahari “This is the problem if you don’t do the measurement yourself. I paid you good money and my prayers are not answered.”

Narahari was a proud professional. He did not like to have his customers complaining. He said “You are right. It might be better. I will do the measurement myself. On one condition, though. I will not see the idol. You can take me blind folded into the temple.” The merchant was happy as he just wanted to finish his prayers. They decided to go to the temple the next day.

The whole town was agog. Everyone was watching Narahari being taken into the temple with a blind fold. People were laughing and heckling. Narahari did not care. His principles were more important to him.

The merchant took him into the sanctum. Narahari felt that he was in the presence of someone familiar. He slowly started touching the statue. He first touched the head of Vittala and felt like the hair was matted like his Mallikarjuna swamy. Narahari slowly moved his hands down the side of the statue and touched the shoulders and upper arms of Vittala. The ornaments felt like the pinaka of Lord Shiva. He slowly made his way to the hips for measurement. But as he was blind folded Narahari found that he was touching the feet of the statue. The feet felt like that of his Shiva who he prayed to every day.

Confused and agitated, Narahari opened his blind fold. And saw Vittala standing there with his hands on his hips, a mischievous smile and a glorious countenance. Narahari realized his foolishness and fell at the feet of the Lord of all Universe. Narahari said with tears in his eyes “What a foolish, arrogant person I was. Hari or Hara – there is no difference. It was my stupidity that I wasted all these years in such needless arrogance.”

From then on, Narahari became a devotee of Lord Vittala.