I left for Sholapur from Ganagapur and stayed at a hotel there. Early the next morning I took a bus for Pandharpur. There were a big rush and crowd in every nook and corner of Pandharpur.
I straight away went to the temple main gate and inquired about the entry to the Sanctum. I was pointed to a huge queue outside the temple winding its way inside from four particular directions. I was told that it was a very auspicious day and that the waiting period to enter the temple would be anywhere between four to six hours. I felt very dejected. I had come to ask for my final permission and give my namaskar to the deity there.
I sauntered off towards the front gate from where you can get some very faraway darshan. There too, a big queue awaited for me. I was walking out of that place very much feeling let down and I saw a person beckon me towards a side gate. I was allowed to enter a side gate and within a few minutes, I was standing in front of the divine Panduranga.
Now let me tell you what happened there. There were two queues jostling towards the main shrine and they were stopped completely at the gate, which could have been about ten feet away from the Almighty Vitthala. I was made to stand alone in front of the grand image and no one was near me except the two temple priests. They told me that I can take Vithal darshan for as much time as I needed to. I filled my eyes with the divine vision of the Lord. One is not allowed to offer anything near the statue. But there were a few garlands there. First, the priests garlanded me with a flower garland and then he offered me whatever little sugar candies that were there. I was feeling totally overwhelmed and cried hot tears. After a few minutes, I turned to leave and then he again stopped me and offered the tulsi garland which was kept at the feet of Vitthala. Then he said something strange. He told me that I have to offer a saree to Her for a certain amount because she was angry with me for deserting Her. It was a petty amount of ₹260 and I was wondering who this one could be and how come I deserted Her? I came out of the sanctum with bewilderment and certain apprehension also. I was still carrying the two garlands around my neck. I removed them and held them in my hands and I felt I should ask the sentry there. He told me to walk ahead and check out for myself.
At the end of the corridor there was a small Radha temple and then another temple of Lakshmi. I immediately understood what it meant to give a saree to Her. Lakshmi needs appeasement, so Panduranga has to offer Her some saree as a gift. Radha is the eternal consort of Sri Krishna in Goloka and Lakshmi is His wife from the manifest world. Since it appears that Krishna has an illicit affair with Radha, so Lakshmi gets angry hence the appeasement. Unfortunately, the story has its own connotations and seems sad.
I proceeded towards the Lakshmi temple and offered them money to Her as appeasement. I then returned back to the massive mandapa in front of the temple. My darshan was over and I thought that it was very pleasing and satisfying to my innermost being. I was resting in the grand hall made of carved wood in front of the main shrine.
Out of nowhere a temple priest approached me and sat next to me. He had with him a very big blue plastic bag. He set it down and started talking to me. He said that the contents of that bag he was asked to give me. I looked at him in bewilderment since I hardly knew anyone over there. He started opening the bag and the first thing he gave me in hand were two pink lotuses. He said they were for me. I refused to touch anything since I was not sure whether they were meant for me or not.
He then asked me whether I was from Bangalore and I had two cloth shops. He said that I was supposed to keep those two lotuses in the two stores. Then he gave me a few more things like coconuts, flowers, prasad and some vermillion. I wasn’t still ready to accept it all. I thought it must be some kind of a scam. Then the priest told me that he was told by the Lord Panduranga Himself that I will be coming there and he should give me the following things. Then he said that I wasn’t supposed to leave my house but go back to Bangalore and give the Prasad to all the family members. Then put those flowers at the individual stores.
This was completely unacceptable to me since I had left the house never to return. Here I was instructed clearly, not once but thrice to go back. You have to understand my state then- I was very upset and disappointed.
I had to follow my instructions but before that, I needed to ascertain who and why this was happening to me. I again asked how he was able to know who I am and who had actually given him that knowledge about my coming. The priest seemed very perplexed and told me that I should not question such things. He was instructed very clearly by the Divine Lord Vitthala and specific instructions were given to him which he had diligently followed. I was to be met here and given those things and messages to be passed on to.
I couldn’t argue with him after that so I thought I should offer him some money but he refused it outright and left that place.
The strangest part was that he could not have been the temple priest at all. I guess the Lord Himself might have wanted to give me those explicit instructions personally.
I left for Bangalore immediately and arrived at a completely disturbed household. No one was expecting me back and here I was.
