Chapter 44 — Nandi Brahmin Relieved of Leprosy; He Became a Poet

Literal. Nandi, a leprous Brahmin, has worshipped Tuljapur Bhavani for 3 years and Bhilavadi Bhuvaneshwari for 7 months. Goddess directs him in dream to Shri Guru. He goes; Shri Guru sends him to Sangam, Audumbar, returns him; the leprosy disappears except patches on the thigh. He asks why; Shri Guru says: you came with doubt; the doubt remained; stay here. Nandi composes a long autobiographical poem (compressed narration of his life from previous-birth animal-births through human birth to the present). Shri Guru places bhasma on his tongue; the patches disappear. Nandi is renamed Kavishwar (Lord of Poets).

Symbolic. Doubt is the residue that remains after surface-cleansing; only direct address to the doubt itself produces full healing.