Pandharichi Wari: Part 10

 

Gondavale Visit

June 19th

Monday early morning Niraj had a tuition class that would be done by 10. Plan was to start for Pune after he came home. Taxi was called accordingly. Despite me telling them that I could go on my own they insisted they would all come to drop me off. Maushi had insisted the same. 

After my breakfast at their home I returned to my room to do the final packing and checking out. After much going round about the hotel owner who was Vinu’s friend let me know the final amount for my 3 days stay. Manisha paid it on my behalf as I didn’t have google pay and the guy wouldn’t accept credit card. 

There was a bit of time on hand before Niraj comes home. I thought I would do namaskar to Panduranga from the street facing HIS temple even though I couldn’t walk too much. went into the market to check out the bookstore. Luckily this time it was open. The owner was a bit grumpy initially but softened after a few minutes as I looked for more books. I found some really nice books there about Sant charitra ( biographies) and their literature. On the way back I bought a few gajras for Siddhi and her vahini. 

Niraj had decided that today he would change my dressing. The kid was so confident he could do it that I had no doubts about him. He had the experience of taking care of his grandfather’s bed sores. Sure enough, he did a fantastic job of cleansing the wound with saline and betadine, putting the soframycin cream, then covering with cotton in gauze and wrapping it over with more gauze in such a secure manner that it wouldn’t move. I was watching him as he did it. There was such dedication in his demeanor. I told him after he was done that he is already half a doctor. It’s just a matter of time before he will be a full fledged doctor. He beamed with happiness when I said that. So did his dad.

The taxi arrived at the doorstep about the same time when Niraj got done with my dressing. Just before we were to leave from their home they presented me with a beautiful frame of Shri Vitthala. It got illuminated when the wire was hooked to an electric outlet. It was such a thoughtful gift.  Made me really happy. 

Vinu accompanied me one last time to my hotel room to bring out all my luggage to the car. I handed over the room keys in the office. We were soon on the way to Pune.

The usual Pandharpur Pune road would be heavily affected by dindi traffic and diversions. We decided to take the route via Satara instead. I learned that this passes through the town of Gondavale. This was music to my ears. This is the place where the holy saint Gondavlekar Maharaj lived and attained samadhi. 

We were in Gondavale around noontime. There was fair amount of crowd when we reached. It didn’t take much time to get darshan of the shrine. 

There was remarkable peace at the place despite the crowd. The campus was kept clean. There were multiple residential buildings for devotees to stay. A large shed was built to provide free food to all visiting devotees. The volunteer team was serving the food to arriving line of guests. From the service line each guest could go find an available seat at one of the long tables that were set in rows. Once done, they could deposit the used plates, bowls, cups in designated bins, then go wash hands at the long community sink with multiple taps placed at intervals. 

A surprise awaited me just as I was getting done with my lunch. Someone tapped on my shoulder. It was Ms Phatak from my dindi. Ms Shindikar was with her. They had taken a taxi from Lonand for this special darshan. She enquired how my foot was doing. A few minutes later I ran into Snehal Kewle and her husband and sister. The two women were so delighted to see me. They too enquired about my foot. They had to leave because their taxi had limited waiting time. They took leave but returned within moments. We don’t have a single picture with you to show our children, they said. We took a selfie and I took another picture of the two of them. It was truly a pleasant surprise meeting these new friends again at this unexpected place. 

My entire wari was fulfilled. 

Panduranga’s darshan followed by darshan of so many saints and devotees had come to my share. I had no more desires left in my mind. Just a never before, intense feeling of fulfillment, surrender and goodwill took over the heart. 

That feeling lingers even today as I reflect on the experience.

The Karmarkars dropped me home. I took them to the neighborhood snack place Ruchi for tea and food before showing them my place. We set up the Vithoba frame that they had gifted me. 

I cherished my quiet time with Vithoba for rest of the day. 

The foot debridement waited till next day. I was advised non weight bearing and daily dressing changes for 2-3 weeks. I have followed it to the best of my ability. The foot is much better now. 

In the resting period I held a couple of meetings at home with the two young ladies who are hired as counselors to work in my department of Preventive Medicine at DMH. One day I went over to the hospital for a meeting with Dr Kelkar before he left for a vacation to Europe. 

Mostly been quiet at home. Occasional video calls with family. Occasional chats, and calls with friends.

Mostly just me and Vithoba.