Once, Samartha Ramdāsa Svāmī was traveling from Purandara Fort to Chāphal, passing through Jejurī. At that time, a shepherd came riding on a horse and stood before him. After taking darśana of Samartha, he said, “Mahāraja, please have the darśana of Khandobā before you proceed.”
Samartha smiled and replied, “My dear, I am a servant of Śrī Rāma. I see everyone only as a form of Rāma. I offer my salutations to your Khandobā from here itself. Now I cannot climb the fort.”
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Hearing this, the shepherd said, “Mahāraja, your Śrī Rāma, at every place, established a Śivalinga and worshipped Lord Śiva with deep devotion. And you say you will not take the darśana of the deity worshipped by that very Śrī Rāma? This is quite surprising.”
Hearing these words from the shepherd, Samartha was startled. He thought to himself, “This seems to be a command from my Rāma.” Thus, having no option, he sat on the shepherd’s horse and went up to the Jejuri fort. The shepherd then said, “Mahārāja, you go ahead and take darśana. I will tie the horse and come.”
Samartha entered the temple. Upon seeing the Śivalinga of Khandobā, his heart was filled with bliss. Tears began to flow from his eyes. His body trembled, his voice choked with emotion, and the following words emerged from his mouth:
पंचानन हयवाहन सुरभूषित निळा ।
खंडा मंडित दंडित दानव अवलिळा ।
मणी मल्ल मर्दुनीया धूसर पिवळा ।
हिरे कंकण बाशींगे सुमनाच्या माळा ॥
[O five-faced one, mounted on a horse, adorned with divine ornaments, dark-hued one! Wielder of the sword, destroyer of demons, effortlessly powerful! You crushed Mani and Malla, appearing dust-colored and yellow-hued! Adorned with diamond bracelets, ornaments, and garlands of flowers!]
जय देव जय देव जय शिवमल्हारी ।
वारी दुर्जन वारी निंदका पहारी जय देव ॥
[Victory, victory, victory to you, O Śiva Malhārī! You ward off the wicked and protect against slanderers, victory to you!]
रघुवीर नामस्मरणे हृदयी शंकर निवाला ।
तो हा मदनांकीत अवतार झाला ।
यालागे आवडे भावे वर्णिला ।
रामी रामदासा जीवलग भेटला ॥
[While remembering the name of Raghuvīra (Rāma), Lord Śiva manifested in my heart. This is that very incarnation marked with divine beauty. Thus, with devotion, I describe Him, To Ramdāsa, beloved of Rāma, He appeared intimately.]
This means: Though I am a devotee of Śrī Rāma, while chanting His name, Lord Śiva Himself manifested in my heart. Such was the experience that Samartha received.
After taking darśana, when he came out, neither the horse nor the shepherd was to be seen. Samartha realized that it was none other than Lord Khandobā Himself who had brought him up the fort.
Samartha felt deeply regretful that he had caused trouble to the Lord. This very Ārti of Khandobā is now widely sung throughout Maharashtra.
॥ श्री राम ॥
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