Vitthal Naam through a Blanket

One of Saint Baba Maharaj Arvikar’s disciples, Khardikar Tai and her family, used to live near the temple in Pandharpur. Whenever Saint Baba Maharaj Arvikar went to Pandharpur, he always stayed with them. 

Khardikar Tai was very fond of Baba. Her daughter (Ms. Indu Tai), son-in-law (Thakar Kaka) and grandson (Mr. Yogesh) were also among the fortunate ones who got to spend a lot of time with Baba. 

Once, Baba was staying at Khardikar Tai’s home in the winter. It was extremely cold, and they only had one, blanket, which was large. Both mother and daughter gave this blanket to Baba. But, Baba told them that they could all fit and share the large blanket. He then draped the blanket over them. 

Khardikar Tai started to hear a chant, “Vitthal, Vitthal” inside the blanket. She felt content, at peace, and knew that there was nothing new or surprising about this. 

Saint Baba Maharaj Arvikar’s authority, his power is quite clear through the explanation he has written himself on uniqueness of bhakti:

On the path of bhakti, ‘naam’ and ‘naami' are certainly not one. In fact, there is no ‘naami’ at all, it’s essence is only naam. Because that naam, is not of the naami or of god, but rather is just the delicate stirring of love within the soul (antasthapandan). 

 Even though someone may be frequently chanting “Hari, Hari,” the God named Hari is not the goal in this bhaktiyog. Rather, the love for Hari, that itself is naam.