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Persuaded by Nimayi, Dig Vijai Pandit explained some facts about poetics without much enthusiasm and became silent. Nimayi asked him, “If you have no objections, may I enumerate the merits and demerits of this poem? Like a serpent trampled upon the Pandit retorted, “Let me hear! Go on!”

Majestically, Nimayi detailed out five merits and five flaws contained in the poem. One of the major flaws pointed out was the appalling meaning revealed in the word ‘Bhavãni Bartuh”. ‘Bhavãni’ means ‘wife of Bhava’ (Shiva - Bhavasya patni Bhavãni). ‘Bhavãni Bartuh’ would then mean ‘the husband of the wife of Shiva’ thus referring to another man!

The assemblage was astounded with the way Nimayi debated. He seemed like Brahaspati. Keshava Murari hung his head in shame. Every word of Nimayi pierced his heart as if struck with a spear. The students mocked at his silence. Nimayi, at once, silenced his students and spoke apologetically, “Pandit! I am but a young boy. I have uttered words playfully. I beg your pardon. It has grown dark. Should we not perform our nitya karmas? Let us meet tomorrow. We enjoyed your beautiful poetry. Every creation inevitably possess merits and flaws. The works of Kalidasa and Bhavabhuti also possessed flaws. I request you to kindly forget this incident totally.” With a smile Nimayi returned home with his students.

The Pandit, however, could not get a wink of sleep that night. He was heart broken by the deep insult inflicted. He was agitated, “How much have I struggled to chant the Saraswati mantra to earn the boon of victory? And the Devi has let me down today.” He then began chanting the Devi Mantra fervently. That night, the goddess appeared in his dream and advised, “Do not consider Nimayi to be an ordinary Pundit. He is verily Lord Narayana. He is Sri Hari in a human form. Throw your pride and surrender unto Him. All good things will follow. Your infatuation will die and you will be freed from ignorance.”

Early the next morning the Pundit hurried to Nimayi’s house in bare head and bare feet. People were surprised to see the pundit so simple without his usual paraphernalia. Nimayi was just back from his bath in the Ganges and was watering the Tulasi when Keshav Murari arrived. As soon as he beheld the Pundit in such simplicity he ran towards him and welcomed him. The Pundit, immediately, fell at Nimayi’s feet like a tree chopped at its root. Prabhu hastily raised him and embraced him. He said, “Oh! Maharaj! What have you done? I am like a son to you. You are revered by the whole world. Why do you make a sinner out of me? Please bless me!” In a choked voice the Pundit pleaded with folded hands, “Oh! Lord! Please stop harassing me, who has been bunt in the fire of pride, further. Please bless me and uplift me.”

Nimayi led the Pundit by his hand inside the house and said, “This day my home has been sanctified and my knowledge borne fruit. Blessed am I with the visit of such a great personage as you.” The Pundit did not lift his head. He silently shed tears. Knowing this, Nimayi said softly, “I feel very ashamed of having carried on meaningless haughty arguments with you, yesterday. Please forgive me.” The Pundit, at once, spoke out, “Last night Goddess Saraswathi revealed everything about you to me. I, therefore, beseech you to bless me with a path to liberate myself.” Nimayi replied, “ How strange that a very knowledgeable person as you should ask me such a thing. Despite knowing everything you are seeking me, only to honour me. I, therefore, say this, ‘The sole duty of man is to know God. He should develop love of relentlessly worshipping the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Is there any joy in wordly pleasures that are useless in the attainment of Bhagavãn? All the worldly pleasures that exist today are gone tomorrow. Satiating the thirst for one pleasure only leads to the desire of another. The resplendent Feet of the Lord is the Truth. All our endeavours should be only towards attainment of these.”

Digvijai Pundit, in a remorseful tone, said, “I loathe my learning and everything else associated with it. Pray! Tell me, what should I do henceforth?” Smiling, Nimayi appreciated the Pundit’s transformation of heart, “It is surprising, indeed, that you have developed dispassion so quickly. This has been brought about purely by the deep grace of Sri Hari. I consider this single sloka as the ‘moola mantra’ of our duty -

“ Dharmam bhajasva satatam tyaja lokadharmãn
Sevasva sadhu purushãn jãhi kãma thrshnãm |
Anyasya dosha guna chintanam ãshu tyaktva
Seva kathãrasamaho nitarãm pibatvam ||

- (Srimad Bhãgavata Mahãtmyam - 4-80)

----“Practice righteousness. Sacrifice all worldly duties that are stained by materialism. Serve the holy and keep their company at all times. Cleanse your heart of all lusty desires. Shunning forever the thoughts of merits and demerits of others, drink the nectar of the divine pastimes of Sri Hari, which is the greatest service to the Lord.”

I consider only these as the prime duties of a man. Be pleased to enlighten me on anything else that you may feel.”

How many times must Keshav Murari have read this sloka that figures in Srimad Bhagavata Mahãtmyam (greatness of Bhãgavatam)? How many interpretations he must have written for the same? But, it was only today that he realized its true import. This sloka echoed in his ears over and over again.

Holding the words of Nimayi in deep reverence, the Pundit returned home. Quickly, he gave away the elephants, horses and distributed all objects of pleasure amongst the people. He then took leave of those who had accompanied him and walked away alone, gravely, to immerse himself in the thought of God.

To be continued......

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