Namdev

When Nama reached adulthood, he had a son. On the twelfth day after the child's birth, the Supreme God Himself brought gifts for the naming ceremony. Gonai said to God, "Nama now has a son. Please tell me what name I should give him." Hearing her words, the Supreme God replied, "Call him Narayan and play with him in love and joy."

Brahmins, both men and women, were then invited, and the Punyāhavāchan ceremony began. It was the Supreme God who, out of His love, bestowed gifts upon Nama. He gave saris and jackets to Gonai and gave the child a garment and a cap. God Himself presented these gifts and returned to His heavenly abode.

Gonai said to Nama, "Both of us are now getting old. You are completely engrossed in contemplating God. Day and night, you meditate, and your thoughts are always focused on His name and form. You never think about yourself for a moment. You hold the Lord of Pandhari in your heart. He has tested you severely. In our domestic life, we require various things, but you, my son, have become indifferent to worldly possessions. What can I do now?" This was Gonai's exclamation.

"There are many Vaishnavas who simultaneously manage their domestic affairs and their religious life. It seems to me that your situation is quite different from theirs. In your household, you have children but very little food and few garments. The wicked ridicule you. What are we to do?" With these words from his mother, Nama felt troubled within himself. He went to the temple, prostrated before God, and said, "O Shri Hari, who resides in Pandhari, why did you place me in this domestic life? Why have you abandoned me in the sad sea of worldly existence?"

Hearing Nama's pitiful plea, God asked him, "Who is troubling you?" He lovingly embraced Nama and wiped his eyes. Nama replied, "Oh God, it is my mother, Gonai, who troubles me, but I constantly remember Your divine feet. May the shadow of Your mercy cover me." God said to Nama, "You should always stay with me, and then the illusions and temptations of the world will never touch you. You are a part of Myself, and I reside within you. Just as salt obtained from the sea is not different from the saltwater in terms of true understanding, and just as the sun and its rays are not distinct from one another, your life and My life are united, O Nama. A lamp and its light, though one, may appear separate. Similarly, your love and My love are the same. You cannot separate sweetness from sugar. Thus, your thoughts and Mine are not different, O Nama. A diamond and its brilliance, though not separate, are considered as distinct. So, let your heart perceive your love and My love as one, O Nama. Just as the most precious pearl is referred to as distinct from its luster, you, a God-loving devotee, are not different from Me, O Nama. Ordinary water and the water of the Ganges are never separate, and in the same way, I, with a dark complexion, am not distinct from you, O Nama. Gold and the ornaments made from it are certainly not separate, so your thoughts and Mine are not different, O Nama. When sound emanates from a bell, it becomes indistinguishable from the bell itself. Therefore, considering our oneness, you must eradicate the notion of duality."

Nama said to God, "What knowledge are You teaching me? If Your name is ever on one's tongue, who would pay attention to the sorrows of worldly existence? If Your form is reflected in my heart, where would there be room for the sorrows of worldly existence? If You are the mother and father in this worldly existence, no sorrow can befall me. You are God, and I am Your devotee. I will sing Your praises with my lips. I seek this blessing of love in all my future births. Grant it to me. You speak of the supreme joy that comes from liberation from rebirths, but I do not agree with that."

Upon hearing Nama's remark, God smiled. The Supreme God said to Rukmini, "Nama desires to see Me in a visible form. If he is taught philosophical knowledge, it does not satisfy him." Saying this, God drew Nama closer to His heart, embraced him, and held him tightly. The Lord of Heaven (Vaikunth) said to Nama, "Tell me about your way of life at home. Do not be ashamed to do so." Hearing this, Nama replied, "If one has Your blessings, what could be lacking? Your abode is the heaven of Vaikunth, while we live in a rundown hut. The eight Siddhis (accomplishments) are Your servants, but rats inhabit our home. You are adorned with divine garments, while my children have no clothes to wear. You recline on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk, but we cannot even obtain a straw mat to sit on. You have golden platters, and we eat on leaves. Your home is filled with gold and silver, but our solace lies in Your name." Upon hearing this, Krishna laughed.