Sant
Tukaram is one of the great devotees of Lord Vitthala of Pandharpur. He is a
well known saint and poet and singer. His abhangas or songs composed on Lord
Vitthala are famous and sung even today. His poems are in Marathi language and
beautifully sublime. We can feel the depths of love he had for his God. His
usage of the Marathi language in conveying his bhakti and his teachings are
superb.
Today
is Tukaram Jayanti or Tukaram Beej. This is the day he left his earthly
existence and ascended to his Heavenly abode- Vaikunta. This festival is
celebrated all over Maharahstra , specially in Dehu where he was born. This
great saint lived for his God Vitthala. He faced many difficulties in life with
astonishing patience and at all times was balanced and peaceful. Despite all
the sufferings, he always sang the name of Vithala and all his abhangas reflect
his bhakti and surrender to Lord Vitthala.
Tukaram
was born into a landowner’s family and his father was a mahajan – a collector
of revenues from traders. Later on Tukaram inherited that post. Due to the
death of his parents, he had to shoulder family responsibilities at an early
age. A devastating plague destroyed the family fortunes and also his wife and
some of his children died in the plague. Tukaram lost interest in family life.
He did not forsake his second wife and children and became bankrupt and lost
his position as Mahajan.
Tukaram
had a dream in which he was visited by Namdev, another great saint who was a
devotee of Lord Vitthala, and Lord Vitthala. He was told by them to compose
abhangas in the name of Lord Vitthala. Tukaram did not have spiritual
experiences and was hesitant to write about the Lord. So he began to walk on
the path of bhakti and yearned desperately for the Lord. He recorded all that
he saw and felt. Later on in a trance,
Tukaram was given initiation into the Siddha Mantra of “Ram Krishna Hari” by a
holy man called Babaji who came from the lineage of the Gurus Raghav Chaitanya and Keshav
Chaitanya. When he received the mantra and began chanting, his entire body was
throbbing with ecstasy and bliss.
Inspired
by his love for Lord Vitthala, Tukaram composed numerous abhangas. His songs
were very popular and people sang them
at home, market places and temples. The Brahmins of that area were very jealous
and ordered that Tukaram should throw his manuscripts into the waters of the
river Indrayani as he – Tukaram had committed a sin by composing songs when he
was not a Brahmin and also he composed in Marathi and not in Sanskrit. They taunted
him that if Lord Vitthala really loved him, He would restore the manuscripts
back to him. Tukaram prayed to Lord Vitthala and threw the manuscripts into the
waters of the river. He sat on the banks of the river, fasting and praying for
13 days and on the 13th day, the manuscripts floated back undamaged
to Tukaram who was sitting there praying to Lord Vitthala.
On
his last day on earth, Tukaram called out to his wife to join him in his last
journey. He told her that the call had come from Vaikunta – the heavenly abode
of Lord Vishnu. She refused as she was busy taking care of the children, her home
and cattle. He stood singing his last abhangas in front of all the villagers
near the river banks and suddenly disappeared into thin air. His cymbals and his
tamboora – a stringed instrument fell down on the ground after a few
minutes. It is believed that he is one among the great saints who dissolved the five elements of the body and became one with the Supreme Light.
Tukaram
inspired love and devotion for God in all the people with his abhangas. Even today
we are inspired by his flawless bhakti to the Lord. His songs teach morality
and right behaviour along with bhakti and surrender to God. Tukaram and his
abhangas are a spiritual treasure for all seekers.
