Yesterday I was invited to tea by the Drs. Lad, a couple I always look forward to meeting. As we sat down, I noticed the Egyptian table cloth that brought back memories of our wonderful holiday to Egypt two years ago. Helping myself to the Bhel and Batata Puri, I didn’t bother with the fish cakes much to the doctors’ surprise.

“It’s Shravan,” I explained to them, “Besides, I’m vegetarian and off sweets for four months of Chaturmas.” I then explained to them why this time of year is of special significance to me and Dr. Lad regaled me with the story of Pundalik and how Lord Vishnu came to stand on a brick.

The Story of Pundalik

Pundalik is a highly revered figure among the Varkaris. These people from of Maharashtra make the pilgrimage to Pandharpur each year.

There are two stories associated with Pundalik who was known for his utmost, selfless devotion to his parents.

Pundalik wasn’t always a saintly person. In fact, like most saints, he had a terrible past. He was not only a local goon but also treated his parents very shabbily. This ill-treatment got even worse after his marriage. So in utter disgust, the parents decided to walk to Kashi ( Benaras). It is believed that if a person dies in Kashi, the soul is freed from the cycle of re-birth.

Pundalik’s wife decided to follow them so both of them got on their horses and joined the party going to Kashi. On the way they stopped for the night at Sage Kukkut’s ashram. The old couple was really exhausted and fell asleep immediately. Sleep eluded Pundalik

Early in the morning, he was surprised to see three beautiful maidens dressed in the shabbiest and dirtiest of clothes walking in. The girls swept the house, washed the sage’s clothes and came out freshly bathed and dressed. Pundalik thought he was dreaming but he saw the same girls the next day. He asked them who they were. They replied that they were the Holy Rivers of India Ganga and Yamuna. Their clothes became dirty because of all the sinners who washed themselves in their waters.

” And ,” they told him, “you, who disrespects and ill-treats his parents are the worst sinner Even if you cleanse yourself, you won’t be redeemed. What you really need to do is devote yourself entirely to the service of your parents.” Thus, Pundalik, the reformed thug became a truly devoted son to his parents.

In the second story, Pundalik changed his ways of thuggery when a saintly man told him that serving his parents was his only way to salvation.

The God Who Stands on a Brick

One day, Lord Krishna, who had now moved to Dwarka, was remembering his childhood days in Vrindavan. He recalled those carefree times when he played with the other cowherds and danced with his love, Radha. To his delight, Radha suddenly appeared on his lap! The two of them were happily reminiscing about the past when his wife Rukmini appeared. Obviously lived she went off in a huff and landed up in the Tamarind Grove or Dindiravan near Pandharpur.

Immediately, Lord Krishna went in search of her. He searched high and low and finally found her in the forest. Originally Pundalik and his parents live in this forest before he moved them to Pandharpur. Lord Krishna managed to placate Rukmini and agreed to return to Dwarka.

On their way home, Lord Krishna decided to drop in at his disciple’s (Pundalik’s) home.

But when he knocked at the door, Pundalik was busy giving his parents a bath. Without looking up, he flung a brick outside and asked the person to wait on the brick till he finished his task.

When he realised who it was waiting outside, Pundalik was most repentant. But Lord Krishna smiled and said that he was most impressed with Pundalik’s devotion to his parents. And to show his appreciation, he decided to wait in Pandharpur with his wife Rukmini.

That is how Vishnu in the form of Krishna came to stay at Pandharpur. He is worshipped as Vithal or the God who stands on a brick.

So this is why pilgrims go to Pandharpur to seek the blessings of Vithoba or Vitthala on Ashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi.

Ciao,