Four Mahatmas by name Gnaneswar, Nivrithi Devar, Sobaana Devar and Muktha Bai, born in the same family, lived in a village near Pandaripuram. They were born to the couple Vithoba and Rukmini. Gnaneswar was born as the Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, Nivrithi Devar as of Lord Parameswara, Sobaana Devar as of Lord Brahma and Muktha Bai as that of Goddess Durga.

Their parents left them, even while the children were still young, to do tapas (practice of the path chosen to attain liberation). As three of these children were boys, they desired to get 'upanayana' (thread ceremony conducted to a boy born in a Brahmin family) done. So they approached the village Brahmins for the purpose.

The Brahmins, however, refused to conduct the 'upanayana' as these children had no parents and also their father had returned to family life after having led an ascetic life. Further they said, "How are we to conduct the 'upanayana' for one who knows not the Gothra?"(the name of the sage in whose lineage a Brahmin is born) and so refused to conduct the ceremony.

Gnaneswar explained that in such cases the Gothra of the one who would conduct the ceremony could be used. Hearing this the Brahmin advised, "Prathishtanapuram is a village nearby. Many scholars who are well versed in the shastras live there. Go and tell them of your desire." These children then went to Prathishtanapuram and told the scholars of their desire.

The scholars asked, "What is the proof of your being Brahmins?" Gnaneswar explained, "No one is a Brahmin by birth. At birth all are one and the same. The day 'upanayana' is conducted then he is known as 'dwijan'(twice born). By repeated chanting of the Gayathri when one earns 'tejas'(brilliance) he is known as 'Vipran'. He is known as 'Shastri' with the deep practice of the shastras. After learning the Vedas if he conducts yagna he is then known as 'Srowthi'. After being initiated into a 'Mantra' if he does japa (repeated chanting) of the 'mantra' and the darshan of the god or the goddess of the particular 'Mantra' is had, he is then known as 'Rishi'. He is known as 'Muni' if he controls his mind and does enquiry of the Self.

If one attains oneness with the highest and sees only Hari everywhere and in everything he is then known as a 'Brahmin'. Since we see only Hari everywhere it is proof enough to show that we are Brahmins."

Hearing this the scholars critically asked, "What you say is right. Well then, will this buffalo standing beside you chant the Veda? Gnaneswar replied, "If you look at it as a buffalo it shall not. But if you look at it as Lord Panduranga it shall then chant the Veda". So saying he stroked the buffalo. At once the buffalo chanted the Veda.

By this it is known that there did live Mahatmas who could establish the presence of Brahman (God the almighty) even in the mundane world.