Many years ago, in the village of Paithan, there lived a pious shopkeeper with his wife and children. They were loving family, content with what God had given them, except for one great sorrow-their son. Little Kurmadas was a cripple, who could use neither his feet nor arms. When his brothers and sisters ran about and played with other village children, he used to gaze wistfully at them.

But, having a naturally happy nature, he was never envious. The happiest days of his otherwise dull life were when his father used to take him to the local temple, whenever he could spare time from his work Kurmadas loved to hear the kirtans, performed by the kirtankars, singing the holy name ``jai jay Vitthal!’’ for that brief period, he forgot his sorrow.

One day, while waiting for his father to come and take him home, Kurmadas heard some people discussing their plans to visit Pandharpur during the coming Ashadhi Ekadashi.

They described the scene at Pandharpur so vividly that the color, the gaiety and the joy of the festival came alive in the boy’s mind. And when they sang of the virtues of Vithoba, Kurmadas could bear it no more. When he reached home, he excitedly told his parents all that he had heard at the temple, and asked there, as his work did not give him time. Kurmadas kept thinking about his plight all night. As the first rays of the sun peeped out of the sky, he had made up his mind. He would go to Pandharpur alone. His Parents tried their best to dissuade him, but he was firm. At last, with tearful eyes, they bade him farewell.

On a bright sunny morning, with light heart and radiant smile, Kurmadas started on his long and hazardous journey. Chanting ``Vitthal Vithoba!’’ he dragged himself along the way. He only covered a mile a day and Pandharpur was nearly 150 miles away! Kurmadas was hungry, thirty and bruised every evening. But as very mile reduced between him and Vithoba, he felt light –hearted and happy.

After many days of terrible hardship, Kurmadas felt every depressed. Would he reach Pandharpur in time for the great festival of Ashadhi Ekadashi? Lifting his tearful eyes towards Pandharpur, he cried, ``O my Vithoba! Have mercy on me! I want to see you so much. Why did you make me a useless cripple? They say that when a true devotee calls out in distress, the lord always comes to his aid.’’

As the poor boy was weeping and praying for help, he saw a turbaned merchant walking towards him. He was accompanied by a few men. The merchant came up to the child and asked gently, ``little boy, why are you in such distress?’’

Kurmadas told him his story.

 

 


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