Life of Sant Gora Kumbhar !! Part I !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!




Sant Gora Kumbhar alias Goroba was lived in a village called Terdhoki (There where two opinions about the name of the village he lived, some of the writings about Goroba says that he lived in a village called Satyapuri/Ter).  There is not much information available about the birth place and childhood life of Goroba. 



Goroba was a pious man, an ardent devotee of Lord Vithoba (Vittal/ Pandurangan). Many of the time he forgets himself immersed into the thoughts of Vithoba.  His constant thinking and chanting of Lord created a strong bond and affections towards His Lord Vithoba.  His source of income was making and selling potteries, in fact he was not all interested in creating earthen pots, instead he makes beautiful dolls out of the clay – He makes models of Pandurangan and Rukumayee.  He creates colorful dolls of Vithoba, Rukumayee, Krishna, Radha, Rama, Sita by whipping the clay in a peculiar style, raising the hands up chanting the names of Lord and singing loudly.   Once the dolls are ready to take away to market, He carries them in his wicker basket inviting customers to buy ‘Vithalaney Leloji’ (Vithalaney Vangalayo…Kannaney Vangalayo).  He never demanded money from his customers, whatever they gives Goroba accept them wholeheartedly.  Sometimes, customers won’t pay anything at all.  Whatever he earned from the day’s sale, he brings home and gives to his wife – Tulsi Bai.

Goroba and Tulsi Bai had a child named Hari.  Goroba was less interested in family life or materialistic way of living; instead He had chosen to be with the Lord, constantly chanting names of Vithala and singing praising the glory of Vithoba.  On the other hand, his wife found immense joy in the company of their child - Hari with a boundless affection towards him.  Tulsi Bai was well aware of the fact that her husband had less interest in family life and preferred to be a fervent devotee of Vithoba always. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!



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