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Chapter 7 - Henceforth, This Pen Belongs to the Divine Alone!
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
From Ladoba Prakashan's book 'Sant Mahipati by Dattatrey Naikwade
Mahipati fulfilled his daily duties and the heavy responsibilities of the village kulkarni with scrupulous honesty. His life flowed in orderly rhythm, yet a momentous hour was drawing near—an event destined to transform his existence entirely.
It was morning. Mahipati sat, as was his daily custom, immersed in his morning worship and prayer to the divine. Suddenly, a messenger arrived from the official court, bearing an urgent summons from the authorities requiring Mahipati's immediate presence. With unruffled calm, Mahipati replied:
"I shall accompany you the very moment my worship is concluded. Please wait for a brief while."
Yet, the messenger lacked all patience. Flying into a rage, he began to hurl harsh and abusive insults at Mahipati’s faith and his communion with God. To witness his sacred devotion and holy prayers subjected to such indignity wounded Mahipati’s soul deeply. Bringing his worship to a hurried close, he had no choice but to set out for the court. As he walked, a tempest of agonizing thoughts raged within his mind, and tears of sorrow streamed from his eyes.
Walking along the path, a profound realization dawned upon him:
"We bow in service to a master who merely provides food for our mortal stomach! Yet how could we ever forsake the worship of that Supreme Divinity who breathed life into this very body?"
A brilliant and exquisite metaphor blossomed within his consciousness. He communed with his own soul:
"At times, heavy golden ornaments become an unbearable burden. If a massive jewel or nose-ring is so heavy that it tears the earlobe or nostril and draws blood, of what use are such beautiful trinkets? In the exact same manner, of what use is an occupation or worldly duty that obstructs my communion with the Divine and hinders my righteous path?"
Stirred by this revelation, Mahipati’s heart detached itself completely from the illusions of the material world. He resolved firmly to cast away the very employment that was pulling him away from his sacred life's calling.
Arriving at the court, he made a bold and irrevocable decision. He placed his formal letter of resignation from the kulkarni office squarely before the nobleman. Though the authorities tried every persuasion to make him reconsider, Mahipati’s resolve had turned to stone.
Upon returning home, he laid his black-inked official quill—the very instrument of state accounts—directly before the sacred image of Pandurang. Right there, he pronounced a magnificent, history-shaping vow:
"Never again shall I lift this pen to earn mere bread or serve any mortal master! Indeed, I pray to Pandurang that none of my descendants for seven generations shall ever stoop to this labor. Henceforth, this pen shall move solely for the glory of the Divine and to carry the immortal wisdom of the saints to the ends of the earth!"
The moment this grand vow left his lips, an immense burden lifted from Mahipati's spirit. Just as a caged bird experiences boundless liberation and joy upon being set free to soar into the open sky, Mahipati felt a wave of absolute freedom upon casting off the shackles of worldly servitude. He dedicated himself entirely and unconditionally to the propagation of saintly literature and the spiritual awakening of society.
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