Sant Tukaram संत तुकाराम
Shri
Tukaram or Tukoba (1609-1650) was a seventeenth century saint, who
constantly sang the praises of Lord Vitthala, or Krishna in what is
today western India. It was the constant singing about God which led
Tukaram to compose the 5,000 abhangs for which he is most famous. The
abhangs are unique in the world of literature and are often called poems,
but they don't have the artful imagery associated with poems. The
abhangs express Tuka's feelings (whether elation or frustration) and
philosophical outlook. While they are focused on God, many of them
include brief mentions of events in Tukaram's life, which make them
somewhat autobiographical.
In his life, he patiently faced many
difficulties but was steadfast in his devotion. At one point, his
disciple, Shivaji Maharaj offered him diamonds and opals, but they were
refused as they would become an impediment to his devotion.
Tukaram's
writings had pervasive influence on Marathi language, culture,
literature, and spirituality. His followers say that his devotional
accomplishments are so colossal that to describe them, many future
generation of translators and commentators will have their pens occupied
for centuries to come. In a sense, Tukaram is a saint-poet who belongs
more to the future than to a specific historically bound past.
Tukaram
was born in Dehu, a lively village on the banks of the holy river
Indrayani, in approximately 1608 to two well-to-do devotees, of Lord
Vithala: Bolhoba and his wife, Kanakai. Dehu, near modern day Pune. He
was one of three brothers.
During the time of Saint Tukaram,
Muslims reigned in southern India and were constantly at war with each
other. The rulers enjoyed the privileges of stolen royalty while their
warriors plundered villages.
In spite of the difficult political
situation, Shri Tukaram’s childhood was spent in comfort and luxury. His
troubles started with the illness of his father, due to which he had to
start supporting his family at the tender age of thirteen.
Soon
after Shri Tukaram’s parents died, severe drought and famine struck his
village during which his wife and son died of starvation. These
relentless hardships convinced Tukaram of the temporary nature of
earthly pursuits. In a mood of quiet prayer, he climbed Bhamgiri
Mountain to seek solace from the Lord. Although attacked by the snakes
and wild animals, he was determined to stay there until he had found the
eternal truth. After fifteen days of seclusion, fervent prayer and
calls for his Lord’s attention, Shri Tukaram received Lord Vitthala’s
audience. Pleased by Tukaram’s bhakti, Lord Vitthala bestowed upon him
the eternal truth and love of Godhead.
Shri Tukaram states in his
abhangas that he received the guru mantra containing the holy names of
Krishna, Ram and Hari—names of God in the Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare
Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama hare.
(Hare is the vocative form of both Haraa and Hari).
Tukaram has
revealed through his renowned devotional writings that he received his
Mantra through the medium of a dream from a divine personality he called
“Raghava Chaitanya, Keshava Chaitanya.” Scholars and historians cite
evidence that Saint Tukaram had some mystical connection with Chaitanya
Mahaaprabhu. Gauriya Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Chaitanya) believe
that Shri Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu initiated Shri Tukaram by way of this
transcendental dream. Sheila Prabhupada writes in his introduction to
Shrimad Bhagwatam: “Saint Tukaram, after initiation by the Lord, over
flooded the whole of Maharashtra province with Sankirtana movement, and
the transcendental flow is still rolling on in the southwestern part of
the great Indian peninsula”.
As Tukaram’s meditation on Lord
Vitthala became increasingly more profound, he began writing and
reciting verses called abhangas, which encapsulated the essence of
ancient shrutis and shashtras. As Sheila Prabhupada writes in the
foreword to Songs of Vaishnavas Acharyas, “Songs composed by Acharyas
are not ordinary songs. When chanted by pure Vaishnavas, who follow the
rules and regulations of Vaishnavas character, they are actually
effective in awakening the Krishna Consciousness dormant in every living
entity.
Saint Tukaram continuously sang the Lord’s praises in
his mother tongue of Marathi, composing over 5000 abhangas. Many of
these are reflections of events in his life, which make them somewhat
autobiographical. However, there is an unmistakable clear focus of Lord
Panduranga (Vitthala), Lord of Pandharpur.
Shri Tukaram regularly
went on Sankirtana pilgrimage from Dehu to Pandharpur, along with
thousands of his followers. Along the way he would stop and enlighten
the crowds, which would increase from village to village. Always crying
out to the Lord with his loving abhangas, Tukaram used his bhakti poetry
to encourage every one to take up a God centered life.
Shri
Tukaram’s public discourses focused on offering one’s daily life as
service to the Lord. Tukaram worked for the enlightenment of the society
and emphasized Sankirtana, chanting of the Lord holy names, rather than
ritualistic observances or the mechanical study of the Vedas. Singing,
dancing, Saint Tukaram and the crowds he drew would happily walk over
two hundred kilometers to Pandharpur.
Shrila Prabhupada writes,
“Tukaram Aachaarya became very famous in Maharashtra province and he
spread the Sankirtana movement all over the province. The Sankirtana
party belonging to Tukaram is still very popular in Bombay and
throughout the province of Maharashtra, resembling the Gauriyaa Vaishnav
Sankirtana parties in chanting of the holy name of the Lord,
accompanied by Mridanga and Karataalas”.
Shri Tukaram states in
his Abhangas that he received the guru mantra containing the holy names
of Krishna, Ram and Hari—names of God in the Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama
hare. (Hare is the vocative form of both Haraa and Hari).
Tukaraam
has revealed through his renowned devotional writings that he received
his Mantra through the medium of a dream from a divine personality he
called “Raghava Chaitanya, Keshava Chaitanya.” Scholars and historians
cite evidence that Saint Tukaram had some mystical connection with
Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu. Gauriya Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Chaitanya)
believe that Shri Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu initiated Shri Tukaram by way of
this transcendental dream. Shrila Prabhupada writes in his introduction
to Shrimad Bhagwatam: “Saint Tukaram, after initiation by the Lord,
overflooded the whole of Maharashtra province with Sankirtana movement,
and the transcendental flow is still rolling on in the southwestern part
of the great Indian peninsula”.
As Tukaram’s meditation on Lord
Vitthala became increasingly more profound, he began writing and
reciting verses called abhangas, which encapsulated the essence of
ancient shrutis and shaashtraas. As Shrila Prabhupada writes in the
foreword to Songs of Vaishnav Acharyas, “Songs composed by acharyas are
not ordinary songs. When chanted by pure Vaishnavas, who follow the
rules and regulations of Vaishanava character, they are actually
effective in awakening the Krishna Consciousness dormant in every living
entity.
Saint Tukaram continuously sang the Lord’s praises in
his mother tongue of Marathi, composing over 5000 abhangas. Many of
these are reflections of events in his life, which make them somewhat
autobiographical. However, there is an unmistakable clear focus of Lord
Pandurang (Vitthala), Lord of Pandharpur.
Shri Tukaram regularly
went on Sankirtana pilgrimage from Dehu to Pandharpur, along with
thousands of his followers. Along the way he would stop and enlighten
the crowds, which would increase from village to village. Always crying
out to the Lord with his loving abhaNgas, Tukaram used his Bhakti poetry
to encourage every one to take up a God centered life.
Shri
Tukaram’s public discourses focused on offering one’s daily life as
service to the Lord. Tukaram worked for the enlightenment of the society
and emphasized Sankirtana, chanting of the Lord holy names, rather than
ritualistic observances or the mechanical study of the Vedas. Singing,
dancing, Saint Tukaram and the crowds he drew would happily walk over
two hundred kilometers to PanDharpur.
Shrila Prabhupada writes,
“Tukaram Aachaarya became very famous in Maharashtra province and he
spread the Sankirtana movement all over the province. The Sankirtana
party belonging to Tukaram is still very popular in Bombay and
throughout the province of Maharashtra, resembling the GauRiyaa Vaishnav
Sankirtana parties in chanting of the holy name of the Lord,
accompanied by Mridanga and Karataalas”.
Saint Tukaram knew and
taught that a human being can never attain happiness if there is no
place for God. He wrote, “ Look at my experience. I made God my own and
He gave me the answers to my questions whenever and wherever I put them
to Him.”
Saint Tukaram was several centuries ahead of his time.
With utmost compassion, he anticipated the spiritual anguish of modern
man. He would invoke divine love within his audiences, immersing them in
deep emotions for God.
Several events in Saint Tukaram’s life
deeply affected his spiritual writings and teachings. One incident
involved a scholar named Rameshwar Bhatta, who was surprised to find the
essence of the Bhagwat Gita being presented in the Marathi language
with such eloquence. The envious scholar believed that Tukaram’s birth
as a non Brahmana disqualified him from elucidating the essence of the
Vedas. Tukaram responded: “You might think these are my verses, but no,
this is not my own language. Nor is it my own skill; it is God who makes
me talk. It was Lord Vitthobaa Himself who ordered me to versify.”
But
Rameshwar Bhatta was not convinced of Shri Tukaram’s purity of heart.
Backed by a local militia, he ordered Tukaram to sink his verses in the
sacred river Indrayani. Laughing and humiliating Shri Tukaram in public,
Raameshwar announced to the crowd that if these devotional works were
the outcome of divine order, then Lord Vitthal Himself would save the
books form being destroyed.
Tukaram collected all his abhanga
books, tied in a heavy stone to the bundle and with full faith tossed
his entire collection of bhakti writings into the Indrayani River. One
night, thirteen days later, Lord Vitthala, dressed as a child visited
Saint Tukaram. The Lord told him that He had been safeguarding the books
underwater and that they would resurface the next day.
Some
followers of Shri Tukaram received similar divine messages. Word spread
and next day a large crowd gathered on the banks of the Indrayani. To
the crowd’s astonishment and Raameshwar Bhatta’s dismay, the books were
floating on the surface.
With exhuberant excitement and
enthusiasm, people retrieved the sacred books-which were completely
dry-and respectfully returned them to Saint Tukaram. His abhaNgas were
protected by Lord Vitthal Himself, Tukaaram was free to preach and so he
continued with his devotional discourses and Kirtana.
Shri
Tukaram’s reputation eventually reached King Shivaji, who sent a
messenger bearing valuable gifts, such as lamps, horses and gems.
Tukaram politely refused the gifts and responded to the King with four
of his abhangas. In one of the verses, Shri Tukaram complained to King
Shivaji: “You seem to provide me exactly the things that do not interest
me.” King Shivaji was astounded by Saint Tukaram’s attitude of
renunciation. So later, the King decided to travel to Lohgaon, near
Dehu, to see Shri Tukaram and seek his saintly association and advice.
When the King presented more gifts, Tukaram said, “What use is this
treasure to me; I want only Lord VItthobaa. Your gesture shows your
generosity but to me these gifts are like pebbles.” Shri Tukaram
politely asked King Shivaji to recite the names of God and become
servant of Lord Vitthobaa.
Saint Tukaram’s passing was
remarkable. During the night before he left this world, the saintly
devotee prepared for his departure by chanting the holy names without
stop.
He extended an invitation to his family, friends and
followers who had gathered there: “I am going to Vaikuntha. Come along
with me.”
It is said that after Tukaram announced his imminent
departure, Shri GaruDa landed on the bank of the Indrayani to carry him
to the spiritual world.
No one understood Tukaram’s invitation.
He affectionately embraced his fourteen intimate followers and his
surviving son named, Mahadev ViTthobaa.
They all came forward and
paid their final respects to Shri Tukaram, who then cast a look at his
second wife, Jijabai and said to all, “Bid farewell to me now and return
home. Its high time I responded to Vitthobaa’s call in Vaikuntha.
Vitthobaa has been waiting for quite some time now. Its time for me to
leave and I beseech all for their blessings. Vitthoba has come through
for me at the end and Tuka will now disappear.”
Shri Tukaram
peacefully proceeded to board Garuda. The huge celestial bird flew to
the spiritual sky, leaving behind a scene of hundreds of weeping and
grieving devotees. He left this material world in his self same body,
singing the holy names of the Lord, just as Dhruva Maharaj had done in a
previous age.
Anecdotes Tukaraam finds Employment
Whenever
Tukaraam returned home his wife used to offer water to wash his feet.
But, one evening his wife was not at home when he returned. When she
came home after some half-an-hour he asked her, "Where have you been?"
She said hesitatingly, "The children at home have to be fed. You are
unable to attend to the family needs. Therefore, I earn through cleaning
the dishes in few houses." The shocked Tukaraam said to her in an
apologizing tone, "From tomorrow do not go anywhere. I will try to get
some job and earn something for the family." He went to some houses in
the village to ask for some work. But, the moment he entered a house he
was welcomed with honor and affection. They washed his feet and offered
something to eat. When he told them the purpose of his visit they were
aghast. They said, "Swami! You are a great Sadhu. How can we make you
work for us? It is verily a sin. We will provide you with all your needs
but do not say that you wish to work for us" But, Tukaraam would not
accept a single paise or grain from anyone. Since every one knew him in
the village he went to the next colony where none had seen him. There he
managed to get the job of guarding a field.
Tukaraam was happy
to have secured this kind of a job, which posed no block to his
Namasankirtan. He happily said to his employer, "I will take good care
of your field."
He sat on the wooden platform that had been
placed on a tree and singing the Name of the Lord watched over the
field. Soon he lost himself in the thought of Bhagavan. Birds, goats and
cows entered the field. To Tukaraam every one of them seemed to be
Panduranga. He said, "Oh! Panduranga! Come! Come! Have a feast. Eat to
your fill. All are verily yours!" All of them had a great day and that
evening when the owner came to the field he was aghast to find
everything lost. The whole field was in havoc. The furious man caught
hold of Tukaraam and shook him up. He shouted angrily, "What have you
done? I asked you to guard my field from animals and birds. I have lost
everything. You have to make up for the loss." Tukkaram, who was now out
of his trance, realized what had happened and deeply regretted the
negligence on his part. He said, "Sir! I have nothing with me to pay
you. If I did, I would not have sought this job from you. I am sorry for
what has happened." The employer said, "Well! Let us go to the king and
ask for justice." The horrified Tukaraam said, "No! Let us not go to
the king." Tukaraam was not afraid of the king. Shivaji was his disciple
and if they went to him this good man who had offered employment to him
would have to face the wrath of the king. He wished to avoid this
situation. He, therefore, said to him, "You may beat me as much as you
want for the wrong done."
The employer tied up Tukaraam to a tree
and slashed him with a whip. Tukaraam exclaimed, "Vittala!" The angry
employer barked, "Are you the great Tukaraam that you call out
'Vittala'?" Tukaraam said, "I am Tukkaram." The employer was horrified
to learn that it was the great Sadhu Tukaraam whom he had employed and
had now tied to a pole and whipped. He fell at Tukkaram's feet and
pleaded, "Master! What a great sin I have committed. Please say that you
have forgiven me; otherwise my whole family and the generations before
and after me will stand cursed for my misdeed." Tukaraam hugged him and
said, "You have not done any wrong." The man said, "Your Lotus Feet have
touched this field. What has been lost now will soon be gained in
hundred folds. I have nothing to worry on this account." He then filled a
cartload of sugarcane from another field of his and offered it to
Tukkaram.
Riding the cart of sugarcane Tukaraam reached home. He
said to his wife, "I have earned a cartload of sugarcane today." She
said, "What can we do with this sugarcane? Please take them to the
market and sell them so that we can buy food for our children." Tukaram
turned the cart towards the market. Children are fond of sugarcane.
Tukaram had hardly gone a few yards when children came rushing to the
cart singing loudly, "Ramakrishna Hari! Vittala! Panduranga!" The Name
of the Lord was enough to distribute the sugarcane to the children. With
just one sugarcane left in the cart, Tukaram returned home. Tukaram's
wife asked him, "Have all sugarcane been sold out? Where is the money?
Let us buy food for our children." Tukaraam said to her, "Oh! No! I have
not sold them in the market. Children came running to the cart singing
the Lord's Name. I could not help distributing it to the children who
joyously cried out the Lord's Name."
His wife could take it no
more. She lost her temper. She was deeply distraught that her children
had to go without food for another day. She picked up the last sugarcane
in the cart and beat Tukkaram's back with it. The sugarcane split into
two halves. Tukaraam smilingly pointed out to her, "See! How great
Bhagavan is! He has used your hand and my back to split the sugarcane
into two equal halves so that we do not quarrel over our share." Coming
back to her senses, his wife fell at his feet and said with tears, "How
can you smile even at this moment. Don’t you feel angry? How is it that
you do not lose your temper at any point of time? What have I done in my
anger? Please forgive me." Tukaraam consoled her. He said to her, "How
happy is our life! Everyday, every moment we enjoy the Name of the Lord.
Sadhus visit our home frequently. There is Nama sankirtan every day."
Saint
Tukaram knew and taught that a human being can never attain happiness
if there is no place for God. He wrote, “ Look at my experience. I made
God my own and He gave me the answers to my questions whenever and
wherever I put them to Him.”
Saint Tukaram was several centuries
ahead of his time. With utmost compassion, he anticipated the spiritual
anguish of modern man. He would invoke divine love within his audiences,
immersing them in deep emotions for God. |