LIFE OF SAINT EKNATH MAHARAJ - 1

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SAINT EKANATH MAHARAJ

(March 12 is sacred as Saint Eknath Jayanthi)

Among the life histories of the famous Saints of Maharashtra, the history of

Ekanath Maharaj is a very sacred one. The life period of Sri Ekanath, though a

contentious matter among the historians, may be inferred from the books he

wrote. They point to the fact that he was born in the fifteenth century at

Paithan. He is the great grandson of a great devotee of God, Sri Bhanu Das. As

Sri Ekanath’s parents passed away when he was still a child, he was brought up

by his grandfather, Chakrapani (the son of Bhanu Das). Ekanath studied all the

scriptures when he was a young boy, barely twelve years old. By the virtues of

his previous births he was very mature for his age and was always in the search

of Truth.

Having realised that there would be no chance of reaching the goal of life

without the benevolence of the sadguru (the Master), Ekanath longed for a

sadguru who could guide him. By the grace of God he met Sri Janardhana Swami. a

self-realised man who had had the darshan of Sri Dattatreya Swami. Janardhana

Swami accepted Ekanath as his disciple as he was impressed by his virtue and

piety. A keen servant of his guru, Ekanath became a close disciple of

Janardhana Swami in a short period of time. Janardhana Swami took him to his

place of penance on a hill named, ‘Surya Kund’ near Daulatabad. with the

intention of giving him the opportunity of having the darshan of Sri

Dattatreya. He told his disciple that this was a place where Dattatreya was

physically present and might appear in any form, as he was a manifestation of

all creatures. "Serve him without any hesitation," he said. Soon Janardhana

Swami went into deep meditation and after a while

a Muslim fakir came with a dog in tow. Janardhana Swami opened his eyes with a

start and stood up and prostrated before him. The fakir lifted him to his feet

and warmly embraced him.

After both of them had had a heart to heart talk the fakir handed Janardhana

Swami a begging bowl and told him to collect milk from the dog that accompanied

him. As Janardhana Swami collected the milk, the fakir took out a dried up roti

and put it into the bowl. Then both of them started eating the contents of the

bowl. They beckoned to Ekanath, who was standing at a distance astounded,

watching the goings on, and told him to clean the bowl and return. Ekanath went

to a nearby pond and putting a little water into the bowl rinsed it and drank

the contents without an iota of hesitation, as uchistam.

Then he thoroughly cleaned the bowl and putting it in front of the fakir he

touched his feet. Dattatreya Swami was well content and gave his darshan and

master and disciple both prostrated before him. Looking affectionately at them

both he blessed them and addressing Janardhana he said, "Janardhana, your

disciple Ekanath will lead the bhakti marga (path of devotion) in the near

future and become Bhagavothama (one who teaches about God). He may rest assured

that he will always be blessed by me." Thus saying Dattatreya disappeared.

Thereafter Ekanath continued studying the scriptures under the guidance of his

guru and these special studies under the sadguru’s personal guidance, coupled

with the things learnt during his early years, helped him to achieve total

proficiency in everything. He then took up family life following the orders of

his guru. His wife Girija Bai used to extend complete co-operation to her

husband in worldly as well as spiritual affairs, and was always involved in his

service.

(Written by Sri T. Subramanyam in Saipadham)

 

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