Jnaneshwar - A Real Incident of his Life

Following is an article written by a member of the Holy Trio Group (Google Group).
It is a real story of the Famous saint Jnaneshwar, one of the miracles performed by an incarnication of God.

Four Mahatmas by name Gnaneswar, Nivrithi Devar, Sobaana Devar and
Muktha Bai, born in the same family, lived in a village near
Pandaripuram. They were born to the couple Vithoba and Rukmini[1].
Gnaneswar was born as the Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu,
Nivrithi Devar as of Lord Parameswara, Sobaana Devar as of Lord Brahma
and Muktha Bai as that of Goddess Durga.
Their parents left them, even while the children were still young, to
do tapas (practice of the path chosen to attain liberation). As three
of these children were boys, they desired to get 'upanayana' (thread
ceremony conducted to a boy born in a Brahmin family) done. So they
approached the village Brahmins for the purpose.
The Brahmins, however, refused to conduct the 'upanayana' as these
children had no parents and also their father had returned to family
life after having led an ascetic life. Further they said, "How are we
to conduct the 'upanayana' for one who knows not the Gothra?"(the name
of the sage in whose lineage a Brahmin is born) and so refused to
conduct the ceremony.
Gnaneswar explained that in such cases the Gothra of the one who would
conduct the ceremony could be used. Hearing this the Brahmin advised,
"Prathishtanapuram is a village nearby. Many scholars who are well
versed in the shastras live there. Go and tell them of your desire."
These children then went to Prathishtanapuram and told the scholars of
their desire.
The scholars asked, "What is the proof of your being Brahmins?"
Gnaneswar explained, "No one is a Brahmin by birth. At birth all are
one and the same. The day 'upanayana' is conducted then he is known as
'dwijan'(twice born). By repeated chanting of the Gayathri when one
earns 'tejas'(brilliance) he is known as 'Vipran'. He is known as
'Shastri' with the deep practice of the shastras. After learning the
Vedas if he conducts yagna he is then known as 'Srowthi'. After being
initiated into a 'Mantra' if he does japa (repeated chanting) of the
'mantra' and the darshan of the god or the goddess of the particular
'Mantra' is had, he is then known as 'Rishi'. He is known as 'Muni' if
he controls his mind and does enquiry of the Self.
If one attains oneness with the highest and sees only Hari everywhere
and in everything he is then known as a 'Brahmin'. Since we see only
Hari everywhere it is proof enough to show that we are Brahmins."
Hearing this the scholars critically asked, "What you say is right.
Well then, will this buffalo standing beside you chant the Veda?
Gnaneswar replied, "If you look at it as a buffalo it shall not. But
if you look at it as Lord Panduranga it shall then chant the Veda". So
saying he stroked the buffalo. At once the buffalo chanted the Veda[2].
By this it is known that there did live Mahatmas who could establish
the presence of Brahman (God the almighty) even in the mundane world.

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[1] The father was a sanyasin (monk) and after taking sanyas his Guru ordered to return back (after much pleading from the wife) and stay with his family. 3 sons and 1 daughter were born after he became a monk. So brahmins rejected 4 kids. To conpensate this and for their child's future, the couple drawned themselves in the river.
[2] Buffalo continued to chant Bhagawat for one Hour. Finally the brahmins were convienced ... actually they could not believe their eyes .. but they had to. Finally with no escape, they had to accept the four kids (samajik Svikriti) and perform the threading cerimony.

AUM