What if he had asked for you?

Saint Baba and Saint Tukdoji Maharaj during their meeting (they are standing next to each other).

|| Aat Vitthalu, Baher Vitthalu, Michi Vitthalu Maza Bhasat Ase || 

The lives (vihar) of saints is like that. 

Saint Baba Maharaj Arvikar and National Saint Tukdoji Maharaj knew each other for many years. One of Saint Tukdoji Maharaj’s disciples, Shri Mohod, recounted one of their meetings in the following manner:

“I had gone to Pandharpur with Saint Tukdoji Maharaj. Saint Baba had come there to meet Saint Tukdoji Maharaj. I was there when they met. The meeting between the two saints lasted only for about 5-7 minutes. But it was full of so much warmth, affection and mutual respect, that I was very moved and overwhelmed by that darshan, and Baba left a different kind of mark on me.”

Years later, after Saint Tukdoji Maharaj had left his physical form, Saint Baba invited Shri Mohod to Machnur for an utsav (spiritual festival/event). There, Baba expressed a lot of affection towards him, and said, “It is my belief, that the great saint is here through your form.”

Based on this, one thing is clear—saints are a mirror image of other saints, and so even in the disciples of saints, other saints receive the darshan of that great soul. 

During the Pandharpur meeting, an indescribable event occurred. 

Saint Baba Maharaj Arvikar was staying at Khardikar Tai’s home in Pandharpur, who was one of his disciples. There were other spiritual seekers (sadhaks) with Baba too, including Saint Madhav Swami. 

Everyone was very excited to meet Saint Tukdoji Maharaj. Saint Madhav Swami also felt this way. But, last minute, Baba told Madhav Swami that he wasn’t allowed to come, asking him to “Stay here until we come back.”

Hearing this, Madhav Swami was distressed, but didn’t say anything. He was very upset the whole time Baba was gone, and kept thinking that Baba hadn’t taken him due to some fault or offense that he had committed. 

Khardikar Tai noticed Madhav Swami’s state, and as soon as she saw Baba return with everyone in a joyous state, she angrily started asking Baba why he hadn’t taken Madhav Swami with him. 

Baba, looking at Madhav Swami, said, “Madhava, are you angry with me? Arey, if he had asked for you, then I wouldn’t have been able to say no. That is why I didn’t take you.”

We can only imagine how moved Madhav Swami’s heart was when he heard this.

Saint Baba Maharaj Arvikar says that while lovingly licking their calves, milk begins to flow naturally from the cows, and the calves then get excited and begin running around. 

The state of that time must have been like that.