BEETHALA (VITHUL) Beethala is here and Beethala is there; the whole world is not without Beethala; within all the places, says Nama, O Beethala, Thou art filling all the space. (Asa Namdev, p. 485) O my Beethala, meet me, wrap Thy arms around me. (Sri Raga Trilochan, p. 92) A Brahmin named Pundalik was going on a pilgrimage from Deccan to Benares with his wife and aged parents. He adopted a very insolent behaviour towards his parents.
In the way, in the town of Pandharpur, he was the guest of a Brahmin, who was a model of filial piety. In the morning when he woke up in his hosfs house, he saw three richly ornamented ladies doing menial work in the house. He was surprised and asked about their identity, but they called him a Chandala and did not like to disclose their identity. On his insistence, they told him that they were three river goddesses (Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati) and they served in the Brahmin\’s house because of his ideal behaviour towards his parents. This incident was an eye-opener for Pundalik.
He gave up the idea of going further on the pilgrimage and for the rest of his lifé, he behaved in an exemplary mariner towards his parents. Because of this devotion, Vishnu was highly pleased and inspired Pundalik with a portion of his own divinity. This deified saint was renamed Vithal or Vithoba. In folk-language, the word Vithal became corrupted to Beethala. Nowadays, there is a splendid temple in Pandharpur dedicated to Vithal. The radical saints and Sikh Gurus used the word Vithal (Beethal) for God Himself.
References :
1. Kohli,Surindar Singh ed, Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
The term “Beethala” or “Vetala” in Hindu mythology refers to a fascinating and eerie spirit often associated with cemeteries and the supernatural. Vetalas are described as ghostly beings that inhabit corpses and are known for their mischievous and sometimes malevolent behavior. They are prominent in Indian folklore and are featured in the famous collection of stories called Vetala Panchavimshati (Twenty-Five Tales of the Vetala), also known as Baital Pachisi.
Key Characteristics of Vetalas
- Supernatural Knowledge: Vetalas are believed to possess knowledge of the past, present, and future. They are often depicted as wise but cunning spirits who challenge humans with riddles and moral dilemmas.
- Association with Cemeteries: These spirits are said to haunt burial grounds and are often depicted as hanging upside down from trees, adding to their eerie aura.
- Role in Stories: In the Vetala Panchavimshati, King Vikramaditya is tasked with capturing a Vetala and bringing it to a sorcerer. However, the Vetala tells riddles and stories to the king, testing his wisdom and moral judgment.
- Symbolism: Vetalas symbolize the interplay between life and death, as well as the challenges of navigating moral complexities. They often serve as a medium for imparting philosophical and ethical lessons.
