History of Shri Vitthal Rukhmini temple
Many questions have been asked about how God Vitthal Rukhmini Temple was built at Pandharpur. So following is the history of Shri Vitthal Rukhmini mandir at Pandharpur. This story has many references to Hindu Sanskrit texts.
Pandharpur Shri Vitthal history
Long ago, there was a Vishnu devotee named Pundalik. He lived in the forest of Dindirvan with his wife, mother, and father, Satyavati and Janudev. Although Pundalik was a virtuous son, after his marriage, he began to treat his parents poorly. Fed up with his behavior, they decided to leave for Kashi. When Pundalik’s wife learned of this, she too set out to follow them.
She arrived at the place where her husband’s parents were traveling, accompanied by a group on horseback. Along the way, they came upon an ashram belonging to Kukutswami. The group decided to stay there for a day or two.
That night, everyone fell asleep, but Pundalik could not. At dawn, he saw some young women in dirty clothes coming into the ashram. They cleaned the ashram, fetched water, and washed the Swami’s clothes. Afterward, they left and vanished from sight. The next morning, Pundalik saw them again. He approached them and asked who they were. They told him they were the Ganga, Yamuna, and other sacred rivers where devotees wash away their sins. Because they are associated with such sacred tasks, they appear dirty. They also told Pundalik that he was a great sinner for mistreating his parents.
This revelation caused Pundalik to completely change. He became a good and obedient son and began to honor his parents. He then begged them to abandon their journey and return to Dindirvan.
One day, while Lord Krishna (the Supreme Vishnu) was alone, he reminisced about the days in Mathura, remembering the Gopis and Radha. Though Radha was deceased, he revived her with his divine powers and brought her back to him. When Rukmini arrived and saw that Radha did not stand in respect, Rukmini, angered, left Dwarka and went into hiding in Dindirvan. Later, Lord Vishnu set out to search for her, first in Mathura, then in Gokul, where he met the Gopalas. They also began searching and eventually went to Govardhan Hill.
Ultimately, they reached the banks of the Bhima (or Chandrabhaga) River. Leaving the Gopalas at Gopalpur, Vishnu went into Dindirvan to search for Rukmini. When he found her, he calmed her anger and then visited Pundalik’s ashram.
At that time, Pundalik was serving his parents. Even though he knew that Lord Vishnu himself had come to visit, he refused to meet Him immediately, choosing instead to stand on a brick he had placed near his parents.
Seeing Pundalik’s devotion to his parents, Lord Vishnu did not mind the delay. He stood on the brick, waiting for Pundalik. Later, Pundalik asked for forgiveness and requested that Vishnu stay there for His devotees. Lord Vishnu granted this boon. Since then, Lord Vishnu has been worshipped in the form of Vithal!
Importance of Ashadi Ekadshi
Ashadi Ekadashi, observed on the eleventh day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashadha (June-July), is also known as Prathama Ekadashi, Maha Ekadashi, or Devashayani Ekadashi. It is a significant and sacred day marked by fasting. This day marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a period of four months that concludes on Kartiki Ekadashi.
It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu enters a state of yogic sleep on the serpent Sheshnag in the Ksheer Sagar (Milky Ocean) and awakens from this state on Kartiki Ekadashi (Prabodhini Ekadashi). During this period, the consumption of non-vegetarian food is avoided.
The Story of Shri Vitthal Rukhmini
Once upon a time, there was a follower of Lord Vishnu, named Pundalik. He was living with his wife and parents Janudev and Satyavati, in a forest called Dindirvan.
Pundalik was a devoted son but soon after his marriage, he began to ill-treat his parents. To escape from this misery, the parents decided to go on a pilgrimage to Kashi. When Pundalik’s wife learnt about this, she also decided to go. She and her husband joined the same group of pilgrims on horseback. While the son and his wife site on the horseback, his parents walked. Every evening when they camped for the night halt, the son forced his parents to look after horses and do other work.
The poor parents cursed the day they decided to go on a pilgrimage.
After travelling for some days, these people reached the ashrama of the great sage Kukkutswami and decided to spend a couple of nights. They were all tired and soon fell asleep except Pundalik who could not sleep.
In the evening, Pundalik saw a group of women dressed in dirty clothes enter the ashrama, clean the floor, fetch water and wash the Kukkutswami’s clothes. Then they entered the inner room of the ashrama and came out in beautifully clean clothes and passing near Pundalik, they vanished.
Next night he saw the same sight again. Pundalik threw himself at their feet and begged them to tell who they were. They said they were Ganga, Yamuna and other holy rivers of India in which the Pilgrims bathed and washed off sins. Their clothes became dirty by the sins of the bathing pilgrims. “And because of your ill-treatment of your parents,” they said, “You are the greatest sinner.”
This brought a complete change in Pundalik and he became the most devoted son. Now the parents’ rode the horses while the son and his wife walked by their side.
One day it so happened that Lord Krishna, while feeling lonely, was reminded of his early days in Mathura. He particularly remembered his sports with the cowherd boys and his love, Radha. Though she was dead, he longed to see her again. By his divine powers, he brought her back to life and seated her by her side. Just then his wife, Rukmini, entered the room. When Radha did not rise to pay her respect, Rukmini left Dwarka in anger and hide in Dindirvan forest.
Later, Lord Krishna set off in search of Rukmini with cowherd boys, after searching at Mathura, then to Gokul and Mount Govardhan, at last, they reached the banks of the river Bhima (now it is called as Chandrabhaga in Pandharpur). At last, he found her and managed to calm her. Krishna and Rukmini came to Pundalik’s ashrama.
But at that time Pundalik was busy taking care of his parents. Pundalik refused to pay his respect to the god before completing his duty towards his parents. However, he threw a brick for Lord Krishna to stand upon till he completes his duty with his parents. Impressed by Pundalik’s devotion to his parents, Lord Krishna did not mind the delay. Standing on the brick he waited for Pundalik.
When Pundalik came out and begged God’s pardon and requested Him to remain there for the devotees, Lord Krishna accepted it as he was pleased with Pundalik’s love for his parents.
Since then Lord Krishna is present as Vithoba, Vitthal or Pandurang who stood upon a brick in Pandharpur.
Importance of fasting and Ashadhi Ekadashi
Ashadhi Ekadashi is also known as Shayani Ekadashi (sleeping eleventh) or Maha-Ekadashi (great eleventh) or Prathama-Ekadashi ( first eleventh) or Padma Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June – July). Thus it is also known as Ashadhi. This holy day is of special significance to Vaishnavas, followers of Hindu preserver god Vishnu.
On this day idols of Vishnu and Lakshmi are worshipped, the entire night is spent singing prayers, and devotees keep fast and take vows on this day, to be observed during the entire chaturmas, the holy four-month period of the rainy season. These may include, giving up a food item or fasting on every Ekadashi day.
It is believed that Vishnu falls asleep (called – Yoga-Nidra) in Ksheersagar (ocean of milk) on Shesha nāga (snake). Thus the day is also called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi (god-sleeping eleventh) or Hari-shayani Ekadashi (Vishnu-sleeping eleventh) or Shayana Ekadashi. Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months later on Prabodhini Ekadashi – eleventh day of bright fortnight in the Hindu month Kartik (October-November).
This period is known as Chaturmas (four months) and coincides with the rainy season. Thus, Shayani Ekadashi is the beginning of Chaturmas. Devotees start observing the Chaturmas vrata (vow) to please Vishnu on this day.
A fast is observed on Shayani Ekadashi. The fast demands self-denial from all grains, beans, cereals, certain vegetables like onions and certain spices and all kinds of eggs and non-veg.
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