The staunch devotees of God never once deviate from their devotion. They forget all about their caste, creed, material comforts or personal desires. All the 24 hours, whether they are wide awake or fast asleep they concentrate only on God. All other things are trivial for them. Such people make their lives blessed and also of those who come in contact with them.

Once upon a time there lived a man called Kuba in Rajput. He was a potter but a great bhakta. His wife was Puri and they were made for each other. They made 30 pots per month and lead a humble life with their meagre earnings. The rest of the time they spent in prayer of God. They were known for truthfulness, forgiveness and peacefulness. They lead a life of equanimity. They served the guests with what little they had. They strongly believed in the fact that happiness, and misery are caused due to the ‘Karmas’ done by the human beings and that the ‘Atma’ has nothing to do with these ups and downs in life. So they were unperturbed by the changes in their life. Since they made a limited number of pots, it was not sufficient for their life and for their generosity. But they changed neither their decision nor their life style. Blessed were his guests since they ate food served by a pious family.

Bhagavan did not like his devotee to go unnoticed. He created a situation. 200 sadhus came to his village in the course of their pilgrimage. They requested the villagers to provide them with cooking utensils and provisions. There were many rich people no doubt but they were not kind enough. They directed them to Kuba’s house. They did not know that their money was not a permanent affair. They were not aware of the fact that material comforts don’t go with them to Heaven and that only spiritual gains accompany them.

The Sadhus reached Kuba’s house and sang melodiously ‘Jaya Jaya Seetharam.’ Their voice echoed into the sky and Kuba’s joy knew no bounds. He fell to their feet with delight and said. ‘Oh Sadhus! I am thrilled at your sight. What can I do for you ? They repeated their request. Kuba promised to fulfil their desire, though he did not know how! In his poverty, how could he provide provisions for 200 people ? Where there is God on your side, there is a way out ! He took a deep breath, thought of God and went to a rich man. He requested him to provide the material and offered to pay as much as he demanded. The zamindar knew Kuba could not afford to pay the amount but he also knew Kuba was a man of his word. If he promised something, he never went back on it, come what may ! So he laid a condition ‘I am planning to dig a well. If you promise to dig it for me, I will do what you want.’ Without any second thought, Kuba agreed and the rich many gave him rice, cereal, atta, ghee etc. Kuba happily handed them over to the sadhus. The chief of the sadhus, was God himself. He blessed him and left him.

As promised, Kuba came to dig the well. His wife Puri also accompanied him. He dug the mud and his wife threw the mud out. All through their work, they were chanting the name of God. Finally, after a few days, water sprang out. It was very sweet, but deep down there was lots of sand since the sand above was falling down for want of a proper wall. So once when Kuba was working deep inside, the piles of sand outside fell over him. Puri above was safe, but Kuba was hidden under the sand. Puri cried bitterly. All the villagers including the rich man came running to her. They heard the sad tale and felt sorry for him. It would take atleast one whole day to clear the mud, but there was no guarantee that Kuba would be alive till then. So some of them tried to console Puri. They said, ‘We will try our level best to save your husband. The rest lies in God’s hands. So go home and pray to God. If it is bound to happen, we cannot avert our fate.’ Some kind people even offered to look after her material needs. but will these words put an end to her sorrow for her husband ?’

It is but natural to question God’s ways with our limited knowledge. One of the crowd dared to raise a question. ‘He is such a pious man. Why did God get angry on him?’That gave rise to many comments. One answered, ‘This is written on his skull. ‘Fate, destiny and death are unavoidable. He is destined to suffer, but still God should have saved him. Another stupid person commented, ‘You people are mad after dharma and now see the fate of this truthful man. Had he not thought of his dharma, he would not have been under the sand thus.’ Another fool added, ‘This is the fate of a bhakta. What good will bhakti fetch you ?’ While such discussions were going on, some good people escorted Puri to her home.’

Time is the best healer. Days rolled on to months and months rolled on to a year. In the meanwhile the villagers forgot all about the bhakta Kuba and the well he dug. There was no trace of well then, since the rain had closed down the pit dug. One night a few travellers came across that place. Since it became dark, they stood there for the night. Surprisingly they heard a chanting of Lord Hari to the accompaniment of tala, veena and mrudang. This sons continued the whole night. They also joined their voices and they spent the night happily. The next morning, they went into the village and informed them of their experience. The villagers laughed it away but when the travellers insisted, they reached the spot and heard keenly with their ears to the ground. Yes! they were very much correct ! They couldn’t believe their own ears ! The news spread like a wild fire. People from the neighbouring villages rushed to hear the bhajan. Slowly the news reached the ears of the king and he rushed there with his ministers. The king is all powerful. At once he employed hundreds of people to dig out the mud. The well proped up within a few hours. And Lo ! what an unbelievable sight it was !

On one side of the well, there was a pure flow of water. On the other side was a magnificant personality in sky blue colour with four hands, decked with Sankhu, Chakra, Gada and Padmam and with a pleasing smile. He was no other than Lord Sri Hari himself! Before him was the great devotee Kuba, dancing away in ecstatic joy with tears rolling down his cheeks. Divine musical instruments were heard in the background.

That miraculous scene spread a wave of bhakti, faith, joy and love all over their hearts. Those who criticized God’s ways and commented on devotees were immersed in the path of devotion. The Maharaja himself prostrated before God. The next minute God vanished. The king saw to it that Kuba was brought out He announced to the public. ‘This Kuba is not an ordinary man. Pray to him as God.’ All the people had the same feeling. So they dutifully obeyed him.

Kuba reached his home and his wife was delighted to see him. His name and fame spread far and wide and people all over the country came in search of him and were blessed in turn by his teachings. When people made the darshan of the king, the king came down personally to have the darshan of Kuba.

There were many stories about Kuba’s miraculous powers. When there was severe famine, rice overflowed in the village. This is just an example. Many people who came in touch with him were realized souls.

God speaks to us in many ways. He sends us his disciples to vouchsafe. His powers, His omnipresence and His immense blessings.
Mahabhagavat Jyothi Panth
The name given by parents has a great significance. Jyothi is one which enkindles light in many more. Jyothi Panth enkindled the light of Bhakti in many more.

Once upon a time, there lived a brahmin called Gopal Panth in a village called ‘Bite’ in Satara district in Maharastra. In his time, i.e., in the 18th Century, the educational system was different. There were no universities then. The students learnt in Gurukul. They had to serve their master and learn from him at his will. Though Gopal Panth made his students slog a lot, he was renowned as a good teacher. His students were not only trained in the shastras but were also trained in good behaviour. They were known for dharma, truth, politeness, dedication and determination.

As the saying goes in Telugu ‘Pandita putra parama sunta’ [A pandit’s son is the stupidest person], his son proved to be a blockish student. His son reached 20 years of age but hasn’t learnt a single thing from his father. He knows only Rama nama and has learnt only Gayathri mantra. Nothing more than that. Imagine the plight of the father who could shape hundreds of students by his knowledge,but proved himself utter flop to his own son. One day when he was feeling terribly upset over this, his poor son, Jyothi Panth, appeared before him. He told him point blank. ‘I would have been happier still if I had no children rather than have a senseless brat like you. Don’t show me your face again till you have learnt something worthy of use’. The boy left the house at once. The mother burst into tears and cursed her husband. Any woman loves her husband but when there is a clash between the son and the father, she supports the weakling, i.e., the son. Her love for the son blinds her reasoning power. So she said, “He may be dull and stupid but he is the only son we have. You drove him away mercilessly ! Who will take care of him ? What will befall him ?” Gopal Panth’s heart melted at the tears of his wife. After all, he had no grudge against his own son. In an angry moment he broke out and that brought a heartache. ‘Children are a headache when they are near and heartache when they are far.! He too cried for his son and went in search of him. Little did he know then that his angry words would bring him luck. Parents’ curses always turn out to be blessings to their young ones since they don’t really mean to curse them !

Jyothi panth stepped out of the house and followed by his friends went into the forest. There he came across a Ganesh Temple in dilapidated condition but he treated it as a lucky sign. He told his friends, ‘Here is Vidya Ganapathi. I’will pray to him to teach me 14 Vidyas and 64 kalas. Won’t he bless me ?’ He wanted to sit there and pray till God blessed him, but his friends were not inclined. They said that their parents would be worried and left him to his fate all alone. Of course Jyothi panth was not scared. ‘You have to fight the battle of life all alone. Nobody will come to your rescue.’ So he told his friends to close him inside the temple and to seal the door with cement and mud so that nobody would disturb him. He asked them to keep it a secret. They did keep it a secret even to his parents.

Days were rolling by ! For six days the father and mother did not touch a morsel of food. On the sixth night Lord Siva appeared before Gopal Panth in his dream and said,’Don’t you worry about your son! He will become a great devotee and a famous man with my blessings.’

Lord Siva spoke about his blessings because there in the temple, Jyothi Panth sat in the same posture for those six days and chanted the name of Lord Siva, unmindful of food and water. On the seventh day, the four handed Vinayak appeared before him and asked him to seek his wish ! ‘Oh My God ! I prayed to you to seek education initially but now my mind has changed. You provide me just Tatvagnana and selfless devotion to you. I don’t require anything else !’ said Jyothi Panth - Lord Ganesh was pleased by his desire and has imprinted ‘Om’ on his tongue. He said, ‘As per your first desire, you have become an educated man. Your second wish too will be fulfilled but it takes time. You have to go to kasi after some time and you have to do meditation and prayer for about six months there. Once you attain perfection Vyasa Maharshi will give you Mantropadesa ! Have faith in me and chant my name whenever you face any problem. I will come to your rescue. Now, you can go home.’

Accordingly, Jyothi Panth went home. His parents, friends and relatives were delighted to see him back and see him as a learned man. They believed his story. His friends were slightly jealous of him.

Jyothi Panth’s uncle, Mahipati was the chief accountant with the Peshwa in Poona. He was a richman. Jyothi Panth’s mother sent him to his uncle to earn a livelihood there. Unwillingly he offered him a low job for Rs. 4 a month.
Jyothi Panth did not mind it since in those days that was not a meagre amount.

A lot of work was pending in the office and one day the Peshwa ordered them to clear all the accounts within three days. Even if all the employees were put to work it would take atleast one month to clear the accounts, but the boss generously granted three days time ! Nobody dared to raise it since ‘Boss is always right.’ Jyothi Panth came to the rescue of his uncle and requested him to leave him alone in the room with all the required material like water, food, ink, pen, papers and account books. They should open the door only when he asked for it. The officers laughed at his proposal but the uncle wanted to try his luck as a last resort. Everything was arranged as requested. Jyothi Panth prayed to Ganesh and promptly Ganesh came to his rescue as promised. Jyothi Panth explained the situation and Ganesh solved his problem and disappeared.

In the meanwhile, the officers chided Mahipathi ‘How foolish you are ! How can you ever expect a mere boy to achieve wonders ? Suppose he gets choked in the closed room and dies, what will be the feelings of your sister ? Will she ever forgive you ? Even now it is not too late ! Open the doors, pull him out and make an alternative arrangement.’

Jyothi Panth overheard these words as he was about to beckon them. The work was completed in neat handwriting. They were thrilled at it. Mahipathi presented the work before the Peshwa. Peshwa was impressed by the work and sent for the personnel who had done it. Though Jyothi Panth was instructed to come in royal robes, he came in ordinary clothes. Still the glow on his face and his decent behaviour impressed the Peshwa. He called the boy to his side and asked him who he was. He introduced himself thus - ‘My Lord ! I am the nephew of Mahipathi. I am working under him for a salary of Rs.4/- a month. I am quite happy about it.

The Peshwa asked how he could complete the work in a matter of three days, that too with such a neat performance.
Jyothi Panth explained the whole truth humbly. Peshwa was impressed by the story and honoured him with royal robes and made him the chieftain of the army in protectionof the palace. Now the tables were turned. Mahipathi attained fame as Jyothi Panth’s uncle. So he treated his nephew with due courtesy. When he could win the heart of God, couldn’t he win the hearts of the people ?

Jyothi Panth sent for his parents and looked after them well as a good son, though he was in a good position. After a few days, the patans attacked the kingdom and Jyothi Panth had to partake in the war. During the war he heard God’s voice in his dream. He was asked to proceed to Kasi. The very next day, he resigned his job, distributed his property to the poor and proceeded to Kasi with one brahmin. There he led the life of renunciation. He chanted prayers till afternoon being waist deep in Ganges. Then he went round begging for alms, offered it to God and ate it as God’s prasad. He lived thus for six months.

One day, when Jyothi Panth was praying half immersed in water, an untouchable sprinkled water on him. Jyothi Panth had his bath again and continued his prayer. But the untouchable was repeatedly disturbing him. Jyothi Panth mildly chided him. ‘This type of behaviour is not expected of you.’ The untouchable laughed at his mild anger and showed his real person. He was Veda Vyas himself. Jyothi Panth prostrated before him. Then Veda vyas ordained’ ‘oh dear ! you have reached the right time to acquire your second wish. Go and sleep in the Vyas Mantap tonight. I will get you there Sri Madbhagavatam. By studying that you acquire Tatvagnana, love and faith.’ ‘He taught him ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ mantra and vanished.

As ordained by Vyas Maharshi Jyothi Panth slept in Vyas Mantap. Vyas Maharshi kept Bhagavatam at his bedside. The next morning Jyothi Panth saw it and after his holy bath he had read Bhagavatam for the whole day. This continuous practice for quite a few days enhanced his knowledge and intensified his glow. One day Kasi Viswanath disguised as an old brahmin stood before him. Due to God’s leela, Jyothi Panth could not chant properly. The old brahmin asked angrily ‘Are you chanting wrongly thus everyday ? Jyothi panth could guess at once that he was God Himself and fell to his feet. Then Siva appeared before him and said. ‘Now your desire is fulfilled. You attained Tatvagnana, love and bhakti. You don’t require any more practice. You lead the people into the Bhakti Marg henceforth’. Then the Lord disappeared.

His name and fame spread all over Varanasi. The pandits there honoured Jyothi panth ‘Mahabhagavat’ and decked his scripture on a throne. Then Jyothi Panth went back to Maharastra. There he toured all over the places to spread the Bhakti Marg. He built many temples as a part of the programme. Finally he passed away in 1845.

Many of his writings were published in Marathi on Bhakti, Gnana, Vairagya yogas. He had written word to word meaning in Marathi for 12 chapters of Bhagavat, but unfortunately it is not available today. There is a belief in Maharastra that the Bhagavat given personally by Vedavyas is still with the descendants of Jyothi Panth in the village called Chincharena.’

Thus if one devotee is blessed by God, the blessings are not limited to that one man. His parents, his friends, his contemporaries and his descendants are all blessed by being in association with him. If we seek the darshan of God, we will be blessed with his devotee first.