CHAPTER Til
PA^DEARPUR-SHETPHAL
(i) Dependence on God is Liberation
Eventually they reached Pandiarpnr, the famous
shrine of the deity—Vithoba. This was Ramdas' second visit
to Pandharpur. They entered the city -when it was quite
dark. They wandered in the streets in search of a dharma-
shala. At last they met an old woman—a simple, pious soul.
"Mother, will you pi ease point out the way to a dharma-
shala ?" Ramdas asked her.
"By all means, mother," she replied. "Follow me,
mother, I will lead you to it."
Both the sadhus followed closely at her heels. She went
on speaking:
"My mother Rukmini is so great, so merciful. She has
assumed all forms. Everywhere I behold her. She is the
man, bird, beast, stone, trees, stars, sun, moon. Oh! my
mother has become all. How glorious She is! She is ever
kind, kind."
This was the vision of the old mother. She saw her
divine Jlother manifested everywhere. They arrived at the
entrance of the temple of Rukmini. Here the old mother
prostrated on the floor, facing the main door and lay on the
ground in a state of ecstasy for about five minutes. Then
rising up she turned to Ramdas, and said :
**1Tow, mother, coine along, let us proceed."
After passing through many streets and by-lanes they
at last came to a dharmashala in which they settled down
for the night. Eanicharandas must have felt very hungry.
He said he would go out into the city and get some food to
satisfy his hunger. Soon he left and returned after about
two hours. Early next morning they directed their steps to
the Chandrabhaga river. Here Eanicharandas came out with
an unexpected request.
"Swamiji! I want you to initiate me formally into