Gyandev and Namdev - Sagun Sakar and Nirgun Nirakaar Upasak

Gyandev once told Namdev that we are all going on a pilgrimage and you must join us. If you will not come, none of us will go. Please don't refuse. Namdev became silent, he did not know what to say. Then he told Gyandev that I will let you know after consulting my God. This is sagun sakaar upasana. Whenever we plan to go out we always say I will consult my friends, husband, relatives etc but we never say I will consult God. But Namdev used to strongly believe in God and each everything he used consult with God and then act.

Gyandev was a bhakt but Namdev was believer of statue or idol of God i.e. Sagun saakaar upasana. Gyandev believed that God is everywhere, he is not only in idols or statues but each and every nook and corner of this universe. When Namdev, Gyandev, Nivritinath, the three brothers and Muktabai, their sister reached Paithan, the Brahmins of Paithan said that by having the name Gyandev is not important, prove us. Our buffalo name is also Gyandev. Gyandev said " Yes! You said it right that there is no difference between this buffalo and me. She also has same atma like me." The Brahmin then hit the buffalo with a stick, the Brahmins could see the marks of stick on Gyandev's back. He said everywhere there is God. The Brahmins were surprised as Gyandev was believer of God as Nirgun Nirakaar.

Then amongst the crowd One Brahmin said we will only believe that God is everywhere and in everybody when you make this buffalo recite the Ved Mantra.. Gyandev politely kept his hand on the buffalo and the buffalo would repeat the Mantra that Gyandev would recite. He then did namaskar and took leave of the Brahmins.

But Namdev believed that God is only in statue to whim he prays and talks everyday. Gyandev then followed Namdev to see what is he doing. In padharpur Namdev starting crying bitterly like a child in front of Lord Pandurang and said that they are forcing me to go to pilgrimage but I don't want to leave you. He could see tears dripping from Pandurang's eyes also. Then Lord Pandurang handed over Namdev's hand to Gyaneshwar and "See Gyandev this Namu is very precious to me, I cannot stay with him. If you are taking him to the pilgrimage, you have to take care of him and I will wait for Namdev."

When they all left for pilgrimage, Namdev would not sleep and middle of the night he would wake and weep for his God. Gyandev used to always appreciate and would say your love of God is unique and would keep his hand on his back with love.

They went for their pilgrimage to different places and lastly they reached Kashi. They stayed in Gora Kumbhar house. He was the seniormost amongst them. He had a wand sort of thing with him. Then Muktabai, the sister of Gyandev asked him why has he kept this wand. He replied that with this he checks the pots to see which pot is strong and which is weak. Muktabai said that we are also like pots, why not test us also. Gora kumbhar picked up the wand and hit it on everybody's back to check how strongly they believed in God. Everybody took it lightly and remained quiet. But when he hit it on Namdev's back, he got angry and said that such great bhakts have come to you house as guests and you testing them by hitting. Everyone was silent.

After sometime Muktabai asked Gora Kumbhar that you did not tell us who is strong and weak amongst us. He said there is no need to tell as all of you are strong but only Namdev is weak. Muktabai asked what is the resaon for his being weak. Gorakumbhar replied that he does not have a Guru. He should have Guru to guide him. Namdev felt very ashamed. He said to himself that when God eats and drinks with my hand, he cries for me and I strongly believe and love him then where is the need to find a Guru, why should I make a Guru.

When Namdev returned back to Pandharpur, he wept bitterly in front of the idol of Lord Pandhrang. God hugged him and made him understand that when I took avtaar as a man, I too had to learn from a Guru, I also needed shelter and hands of Guru who would guide and help me to find the right path. You have to find a Guru, otherwise deep inside your heart the EGO within you will never allow you to learn more, will never make you open your inward eyes. Then Namdev calmed down and requested God to help him to find the right Guru. God then directed him to Visova Kshetra and told him him to make him your Guru.

Namdev went towards a hillside and saw Lord Shankar's temple. There he met Guru Visowa Kshetra, who was 100 years old. He saw that his both the legs on Lord Shankar's pindi. Namdev was grumbling to himself that such an old man has no respect for God, he does not realise that he has kept his leg on God's pindi. That minute Visowa Kshetra called out to Namdev and said "God has sent you to me. I am Visow Kshetra. My leg slipped and fell or Shankar's pindi, please pick up my legs and keep it somewhere else." When Namdev lifted his legs, he would find pindi coming out wherever he would put his legs. Visowa smiled and said now feel that Lord is everywhere, he is not only in the idol you pray to, but each and every bit of universe is his. Wherever you go, just think that God is everywhere and every bit of this universe.