Then the imperishable one set off from there, having witnessed the destruction of the demonic men; he came to Velal and Salki village, and then Shyam proceeded to Kutch. From there Nath sent a letter: "Why did you do such a thing to us? We did not wish this to happen — how could it have been proper for you either? This must have happened unknowingly — do not be troubled by it at all. Someone else must have caused this to happen — why hold onto grief over it? You and I are truly one — what more need be said in words? We shall hold a sacrifice at Dabhan — all of you, wise ones, come there. Whatever needs doing, we shall attend to; do not do yourselves any harm over this. We were once alone, and it was in such a time that you came to us."
Such a letter, written by the imperishable one, reached the demon-chief. Weighing conciliation, gifts, punishment, and division, he read the letter and reflected upon it: "Do not speak here of any ingratitude — for he has made even the sadhus his very own." Reflecting thus in his mind, he sat back and did nothing further.
Then hear what Bhagwan did next, listen all with attentive ears: he undertook the sacrifice at Dabhan, and devotees of Hari came from all four directions. Rice, dal, and wheat were ground; ghee, jaggery, and crystallized sugar were gathered in great quantity. Storehouses were filled to the brim with provisions of every kind — it cannot be told in full.
Then Maharaj himself arrived, to see the sacrifice through to completion. He stayed two days there, then went to the village of Ghodasar. From there Nath went to Hathroli, where he summoned the company of sadhus. The Bhil chieftain and his people came, folding their hands and making entreaty: "Welcome, you who are God himself — you have granted us the gift of your darshan. We stand before you with our very lives, we are sold to you entirely. Give us some task to perform." Hearing this, Maharaj said, "Such sadhus as these, who are utterly free of pride — it is essential that they be protected. A sacrifice will take place at Dabhan, and the ill-fated wish to obstruct it. How could such renunciants ever please those steeped in delusion? So take up their protection — watch over and guard them as needed." Then the Bhil chieftain spoke: "I hold not the least concern over that burden. Even if a king of the earth himself should come, I would regard him as no more than a blade of grass in my mind. But I ask, with folded hands, that the Lord grace my own home with his presence."
Then he was seated upon a palanquin, and the king led him, taking him to his own home. With great affection he was seated there, welcomed with a plate filled and waved with pearls in honor. Then satsangis came from Surat, bringing garments for the Lord; he was dressed in fine trousers, a brocaded robe, his head bound with a golden turban, a saffron-red shawl tied at his waist. Seeing him, the people were enraptured. Ceremonial fans, an umbrella, and a canopy were held over Hari. Incense and lamps were offered in arti, and then, with folded hands, entreaty was made.
Seeing this, he was pleased and delighted: "Lord, hear one request — show mercy upon us, and grant everyone this darshan." Then Hari sat upon the palanquin and gave darshan throughout the town once more. Seeing the Lord, everyone felt truly protected, saying, "Blessed, blessed, O Lord!" Then the Lord said, "Listen, O king — we go now to Dabhan to hold the sacrifice. All of you make ready and be prepared as warriors — we shall certainly need to go."
Then the king said, "Listen, Lord — if you say the word, I shall bring a hundred thousand Bhils with me." Then Maharaj said, "We have no such great need. Bring only a modest company; there are already others accompanying us." So the Bhil king made ready and set off, with Maharaj seated upon the palanquin. Drums and kettledrums and horns sounded, and the splendor of it all cannot be fully described.
When they drew near Dabhan, he mounted a horse. The horse was very beautiful, adorned splendidly with fine trappings; a necklace and garland at its neck, anklets jingling at its feet, a silver bridle fitted at its mouth, a fine plume set upon its head. Bells adorned its harness, a garland of golden ornaments at its waist, a golden saddle gracing it, peacock feathers set on both sides of its headgear. Adorned in every part, more than words can tell, the horse shone resplendent with ornaments; its gait and bearing were most graceful, and as it walked its bells jingled sweetly. It walked steadily, unhurried, its pace such that none could keep up even at a run. Upon such a horse Maharaj rode, to give his devotees darshan.
He took care of the whole gathering, keeping fine, watchful guard over them. Then, dismounting from the horse, Hari himself took his seat upon the palanquin. Slowly, gradually, he gave darshan, and the people were greatly pleased. He then came to the kitchen area, and sat there a short while, inquiring carefully after the state of the food preparations, and was told that sweets had been prepared and set aside. Then a fine upper story was made ready, and the compassionate one sat there.
Men and women gathered in throngs to behold him, as the chakor bird gazes longingly at the moon. Thus the night passed, and the lotus-eyed one slept for one watch. Then the support of life awoke, and at once mounted his horse; he went and inspected the whole surrounding area, and then came again to the sacrificial pavilion.
There a thousand Brahmins were present, reciting the Vedas aloud, chanting mantras and offering oblations, streams of ghee flowing unbroken from the ladles. They offered oblations of grain-offerings, barley and sesame — a sacrifice free of blemish, of the highest kind; they offered cardamom, betel-leaf, cloves and areca nut, fragrant elaichi and fine rice. Using materials of every kind, they made offerings according to Vedic rite. He himself sat there a while, then came among the rows of diners.
The rows of Brahmins seated there were beyond counting; the Brahmins ate with devotion, and he himself went about, observing the rows. Then, having eaten, the Brahmins rose and went to their lodgings. Thus they ate for ten days continuously; then one day a wicked scheme arose.
A demonic influence entered, and the Brahmins there took up an attitude of malice: "Do something about this," they said, "what are you thinking in your minds? This sacrifice has been completed successfully, with no obstruction at all. There has been no lack in the expenditure of provisions — if we cause some obstruction now, we shall bring shame upon ourselves. Let us first feed our own people, then somehow manage to satisfy the others less well. Then let us cause a great commotion, so there will be disorder and ruin. Then who will be able to identify who did what — there are many Brahmins here on our side anyway. We shall plunder the flour and laddus, and throw the rest into the lake. We shall take ghee and jaggery in pots by hand, and carry them off under cover of darkness upon our heads; each will take a bundle and go, and we shall eat ghee, jaggery, and rotli ourselves."
Thus these malicious ones conspired, but the knower of all hearts knew of it. See the perversity of the mind — what schemes they devised, driven by mere gluttony! Knowing this, Hari smiled, and then devised a countermeasure. He came to the kitchen area, and by his own cunning had the malicious ones removed outside. He had guards posted standing all around, and took the kitchen firmly under his own control. Giving them a stern warning, he took up a sword, and, frightened, the wicked ones stood back at a distance. They had intended so much mischief, yet it remained only in their hearts; they sat, rubbing their hands in frustration, having beheld how truly capable Shri Hari was.