The city of Pandharpur in southern Maharashtra, in peninsular India, has the famous temple of Vithoba, a form of Krishna.
The shrine’s origin is related to one Pundalika who lived with his wife and old parents. He was very devoted to his parents. Far away in the city of Dwaraka, Krishna heard about the beautiful transformation of Pundalika and He decided to visit him. His wife Rukmini asked Krishna, “Why do you want to visit Pundalik?” Krishna replied, “Because by serving his parents, he has been worshipping Me all the time.”
When Krishna reached Pundalika’s home, the latter was absorbed in massaging his father’s feet and therefore did not pay attention to the visitor. But when he noticed the divine light emitting from the body of Krishna, he turned around and said, “Bhagwan! I am serving my parents right now and cannot leave the feet of my father unattended. But I am throwing this brick to you, kindly use this as a stool, till I am finished with my father, and then I will come and attend to you. Krishna humbly stood on the brick, waiting patiently for Pundalika, with His hands on his waist, His arms akimbo.
When Pundalika’s father went to sleep, Pundalika went to the door to welcome Krishna. The Bhagwan was so pleased with Pundalika’s bhakti for his parents, that he asked Pundalika to request a boon from Him. Pundalika said that he had just one request, “Bhagwan, please stay with me forever on this brick.” Krishna complied and transformed Himself into the Mūrti of ‘Vitthala’ (‘Vit’ = brick; ‘sthala’ = location, station). Pundalika himself was declared a saint after some time. Over his samaadhi in a temple on the Bhima River, a Shivalinga was erected. Even today, pilgrims first visit the Shiva temple before offering worship at the Vitthala temple in Pandharpur. This story shows how Pundalika earned the blessings of Bhagwan by doing his duty towards his parents.
— Sanjay Mehta