Kurmadas was born around 70kms from Pandharpur. He was born with out limbs. As he had no limbs he only had to roll over and couldn’t walk. One day he was listening to a discourse about Vitthal and understood the greatness of Pandharpur and going there on an ekadasi day. He immediately decided that he would visit Pandhari for the next ashada ekadasi. Hearing about his decision the villagers said that it would be difficult for him to go to Pandhari and that sitting here he could think about Vitthal and do his prayers. He then told them that his love for Vitthal is so much that he will put all efforts to roll over and go there. He also said if Vitthal wishes I may reach Pandhari, else let me die on my way to Pandhari; any way I am not of any use to anyone here. He then said if I am able to reach Pandhari I will have the darshan of Vitthal and stay in Pandhari. Immediately he left for Pandhari with a group of Pilgrims. The pilgrims looking at him crawling left him behind and started moving at their own pace as they felt that Kurmadas would only delay them. However Kurmadas was firm in his decision to go to Pandhari and continued to move towards that direction. As he was rolling over the roads his body was fully wounded. Kurmadas braved all this and continued to cover whatever small distance he could everyday. One day a rich passer by saw him and asked him where he was going. Kurmadas then told him that he was going to Pandharpur for ashada ekadasi. He then told him that Pandharpur was very far and that it would be difficult for him to go there. Kurmadas then told him that he will put all efforts to go there and if god wishes he would reach Pandhari. He then asked him what he will do for his food. Kurma then told him that he can’t go to the place where food is available and that he will have food only if some one gives it to him, else he will starve. Hearing this rich man told him that doing seva for bhakthas is Panduranga seva and as he is also going only to Pandhari he will give food for him every day and they could go together. Every day the rich man would go to a distance that Kurma could cover and prepare food for both of them and wait for Kurma to come. They would then have food, sing the praise of god in the evening, sleep under the tree and then leave again the next day morning. They went for several days and almost came near Pandhari. The rich man who came with Kurma told him that the next day was ashada ekadasi and that he would like to go and visit Vitthal. He also said that if he waited for Kurma, he may miss seeing Vitthal on this auspicious day. Kurma immediately told him that he has done a great favor to him all these days and that he should now go and see Vitthal tomorrow. Kurma then requested him to tell Vitthal that a cripple by name Kurma is coming to meet him. The rich guy then left Kurma and disappeared. This rich man was none other than Vitthal him self but Kurma did not recognize him.
Kurma now sitting there was telling every yathri to think of him when they have the darshan of Vitthal. That day in the temple bhajans started as usual and saints like Namdev, Gyaneshwar were also there. Namdev and Gyaneshwar are great bhakthas who see Vitthal and speak to him. When everyone were singing and dancing Vitthal slowly stepped out of the temple and started going some where. Namdev and Gyaneshwar saw this and followed him thinking when so many sadhus are singing his praise here, where he was going and why. They then caught him near Chandrabhaga and asked him where he was going when so many thousands of bhakthas were singing here. Vitthal then told them that there is one bhaktha of his called Kurmadas and that he individually was equal to all of them in his bhakthi. Hearing this Namdev and Gyaneshwar said that they would also like to have a darshan of such a big bhaktha. Though Vitthal wanted to meet Kurmadas alone, he agreed to their request and asked them to come along with him. On the way there was a big garden, seeing the garden Vitthal said that he was feeling very thirsty and that he would go in have some water and come back. He also asked them to wait there till he comes back. Vitthal’s idea was to give darshan to another great bhaktha of his in that garden. Savatha MaliHis name was Savanta Mali, he had a huge garden and would give flowers to the temple everyday. He dint come to the temple today as he was in the process of making a huge multi color garland for ashada ekadasi. He would also prepare garlands for all the saints and sadhus who participate in the bhajans. This seva was more important for him than coming to the temple or participating in the bhajans. Vitthal came inside the garden and stood in front of Savanta and gave him his darshan. Seeing this Savanta was excited, he woke up worshiped him and asked him why he had come here when there were so many bhakthas performing kirthans and bhajans in the temple. Vitthal then asked Savanta why he dint come to the temple for the bhajans. Savanta then replied to him that he would be happy only when he sees, Vitthal wearing his garland and that he was about to finish this work and then come to the temple. Vitthal then asked him to put the garland on him. Savanta then happily put it on him. Vitthal then told Savanta that there were two thieves outside and that he wants to hide from them. Savanta then asked him if there was any place in the universe where he was not there. He then said as there is no such place and how would he be able to show him such a place. Vitthal then told Savanta that he doesn’t have time for all these Vedanta and asked him to give him some place where no one would find out. Savanta then told him that his heart would be the right place for him to hide in that case. As Savanta was a yogi he closed his eyes and sat in meditation and Vitthal went in to his heart and stayed there. Namdev and Gyaneshwar who were waiting outside for quiet some time, then came inside the garden in search of Vitthal. Nama was searching for Vitthal all over the garden but Gyaneshwar was just standing in one corner. Nama was a Prema bhaktha and Gyaneshwar was a Gyani, so Gyaneshwar understood where Vitthal was and was looking at Savanta. After searching all over the garden, Nama started crying and asked Gyaneshwar where Vitthal went, but Gyaneshwar was smiling. Nama then asked him why he was smiling. Gyaneshwar then told Nama that the guy sitting in front of him who is acting like doing meditation is the guy who swallowed Vitthal. Hearing this Nama got angry and ran towards Savanta to hit him. Seeing this Vitthal called Nama and appeared in front of him, as Vitthal dint want his bhaktha to be hurt. They then understood the leela of Pandurang, hugged each other and all four of them started going towards the direction where Kurmadas was there.
Kurmadas was sitting in the place where he was left by the rich man earlier and was crying and thinking of Vitthal. Vitthal came to Kurmadas gave him his darshan, hugged him and put him in his lap. He then became an idol there and told him that the place where you are will be like Pandhari and that I will be there with you where ever you are. This village is now called Kurmia in his remembrance.
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