Extreme Bhakti - Saavtaa Maali
Our general grouse today is lack of time for spiritual practices. In the everyday mad rush of life, we do not have time for anything. From the moment we wake up till the time we fall asleep, we are engaged nonstop in some activity or the other. We have so many goals to fulfill, so many people to meet and impress, so many projects to complete, wealth to earn, etc., that we rarely have time for God. Those of us who practice japa and meditation usually cut short this time when we are overworked or when there is an emergency. We are generally overworked and our spiritual practices always suffer. Saavtaa Maali- a great saint from Maharashtra teaches us how to attain God even while being busy in everyday activities of life.
Saavtaa Maali was the grandson of Daivu Maali who was a great Vithal devotee and a Varkari. A Varkari worships Lord Krishna in the form of Vittala of Pandarphur, and lives an ideal life doing his duty. A Varkari is moral, follows a strict vegetarian diet, fasts on Ekadashi, has self restraint, has no discrimination based on caste or wealth, reads holy books and attends regular bhajans and kirtans. Saavtaa was born to Parasu and Nangitabai. They lived in Aran village of Maharashtra. Saavtaa was brilliant from childhood and learnt scriptures and religious practices. He composed many abhangs or hymns at an early age. Later on Saavta got married to Janabai. They were likeminded and worshipped Lord Vittala together. They both worked together in their farm. They had a happy and ideal marriage.
The ill traditions, superstitions and religious fanaticism in the society bothered Saavta very much. He took the task of reforming the society through his ideal life and the abhangs. Saav means pure character and behaviour. Saavtaa means one who is of pure character and behaviour. Saavta Maali displayed this purity from very young age. He had immense love for Lord Vitthala and sang His name while working in the farm, while ploughing the land, sowing seeds, watering, pruning and harvesting vegetables, fruits, grains and flowers. He saw the form of the Lord everywhere – in the water, in the bunds, in the seeds, buds, plants, fruits, flowers, tree, leaves and grains. He sang : Kaanda mulaa bhaaji | Avaghi Vithaabai Mazhi |(Onion, radish vegetable | I find my Lord Vitthal in that too |)
Saavtaa Maali taught people to seek God through everyday work, duties and responsibilities. He was always busy tending to his duties at home, at farm and to the community. He never visited Pandharpur even once. It is said that Lord Vitthala got tired of waiting for Saavtaa Maali to come to Him. So He came to visit Saavta Maali and give him darshan and blessings. Such was the bhakti and surrender of Saavtaa Maali.
Saavtaa Maali created a balance between daily life and devotion, self realization and popularity, duty and exemplary behaviour. He spoke against blind faith and religious rituals, display of wealth and power. He taught people about purity of mind, contemplation of real doctrines of religion, sterling behavior, good judgement, fearlessness, patience etc. He taught everyone that the easiest path to God is chanting the name of God at all times and constant remembrance of God while doing daily work. He told all: Karme Ishu Bhajava (Find God through Work). It was not essential to renounce house and family. One can realise God living and working in this material world. His sang in one of his abhang –Vaikunthicha Dev aanuyaa Kirtani (Let us get God down to earth from heaven through Kirtan). He translated these words into reality and showed mankind that God is a willing slave to those who are devoted to Him.
Let us learn from the life of Saavtaa Maali to do our work and duties thinking of God and seeing Him everywhere. Let us always take the name of God in our mind. The japa of SitaRam, meditation and following the teachings of the Guru put us on the same track. Let our bhakti be so strong that the Lord comes to us and gives us darshan.
