If not for Pundalik the ultimate devotee we would have never seen the fabulous form of Krishna as Lord Vithoba. But Pundalik was not born an ascetic or as a man with great values. Pundalik was born to Satyavati and Janudev and they lived in Pandharpur very close to Dandirvan, a forest. Once he was wedded he started ill-treating his parents. After a few years they were so tired of their son’s treatment that they decided to go to Kashi. Kashi was considered the best place to be when one enters the vanaprastha ashram – in modern terminology, retired life. Discarding the body at Kashi was a sure way to attain salvation, was the firm belief. So Janudev and Satyavati set off to Kashi.
Knowing their plans Pundalik accompanied his parents giving trouble all through the journey. During the course of their journey they rested for a couple of days in the ashram of Kukkutaswamy. On the first night Pundalik could not sleep. Suddenly he saw a group of women with dirty clothes entering the ashram. They then set off to do all the chores of the ashram and as they were leaving Pundalik saw that their clothes were white. Pundlaik could not believe his eyes and waited for the next night and the same scene was repeated.
This times he questioned the women and they said that they were rivers, Ganga and Yamuna. They were washing off all the sins given to them by people taking a dip in their river waters. They then warned Pundalik that he was the greatest sinner as he was ill treating his parents. When Pundalik hears this he is shocked and transforms in to a person who was completely devoted to his parents. Seeing Pundalik’s devotion to god and parents, the Lord visits him. Even though Pundalik knew that the Lord had come he refused to leave his service to the parents. Instead he threw a brick to the Lord and asked him to be seated. It is at this place and this pose Krishna is found in Pandharpur. The lord loved Pundalik for his devotion to the lord and love for his parents.
