Thread by @Dr_MridulaVgk

#Tukaram Maharaj
A great saint who lived only for his God Vitthala. He faced a variety of difficulties with astonishing patience. He refused diamonds and opals offered by Shivaji Maharaj himself. His devotional songs are an invaluable contribution to spiritual literature.

Dehu is a small village near Pune, Walking further one finds the hillock of Bhandari. The river Indrayani flows by its side. The temple of Pandharinath is situated on its bank. Vishwambhara Buva and his wife Amoobai were in charge of worship at that temple.

In their dynasty, Balhoba and Kanakayi were an ideal couple. Kindness, pity, and compassion found a home in their heart. The long-standing family business was going on briskly.

But this couple had no children. They were more worried about children. At last, the wish of the couple was fulfilled. A male child was born to them. His name was Shahaji.

Thereafter in 1608, another son was born. They named him Tukaram. After that, a girl and a boy Kanhoji were born.

Tukaram was a very sharp and shred boy. Through his various activities, he was keeping his parents happy and was hospitable to people visiting the house. Bringing guests and invitees and serving them made him eager and happy.

Tukaram’s radiant eyes, long nose, serene face, and courteous talk attracted everybody. When prayers were sung in the house, boy Tukaram was joining the group of songsters. He had a good voice and sang melodiously. People used to be pleased with this.

Tukaram, by his efficiency and hard work, improved the business and came to be liked by the customers. From boyhood, he secured a place in the ranks of the big businessmen.

When Tukaram was thirteen years old his marriage to a girl called Rakhamayi was celebrated with great pomp. As Rakhamayi was suffering from asthma, sometime later, a second marriage was performed with Jeejabai belonging to a rich family.

Beautiful wife, handsome income, constant work, beloved of the people-thus, there was no shortcoming in Tukaram’s life. But amidst his busy life, never did he overlook remembering God.

Shortly there was a big storm in his life. The parents unexpectedly passed away. At the same time brother Shahaji became an ascetic and went on pilgrimage. After that, the sister-in-law died, Tukaram felt as if an ulcer in the body had been branded.

The same year there was a terrible famine on that accounting business and industry became dull. Earth became fallow. Cattle perished. There was clamor everywhere. In Tukaram’s life, despair and deep sighs were to appear. The amounts due to him were not received.

There was intense pressure to pay his debts. On account of this, the few articles in the house were sold. At that time the first wife Rakhamayi and her child died for want of food. Thus numerous difficulties and losses followed one another and fell on him.

On account of this, his mind became unbalanced. He lost interest in his family. He surrendered himself to his venerable God Vitthala. In his hearts, Vitthala’s beauty and love flourished and spread their influence around.

At the House Jeejabai who had grown up in immense wealth and comfort became dismayed by this misfortune. However, she made up her mind and got the help and co-operation of near relations. She inspired Tukaram, who was clever in business, to resume business

Once Jeejabai herself bought some chilies, put them on an ox and sent Tukaram to the neighboring village for selling it. Tukaram put down the consignment in the market, tied the ox to a nearby tree and became immersed in contemplation of Panduranga.

Meanwhile, the customers appeared and sought the price of chilies.
“You are sure to know the prevailing price in the town, take the chilies at that price.” On knowing this opinion of the ascetic they fought with one another, everyone wishing to purchase it.

Of those who took the chilies, some paid for it, some failed to pay. On hearing this a few good people of the village came forward, recovered the amount and paid it to the ascetic businessman.

When he was returning from the market, on the way, a few unscrupulous persons, on coming to know that he had money, gave him a brass bracelet describing it as made of gold and plundered the available money.

Looking at the husband who brought home a brass bracelet, Jeejabai became sad. She began sobbing with grief. The debt remained unpaid.
There was no money for the next day’s business.
She began worrying. What next?

“If You Make Up Your Mind ….” Even then, Tukaram was unperturbed and continued praying. Jeejabai went to him and spoke to him harshly: “Yesterday I got money with great difficulty and gave it to you. You wasted it all. In the future, you cannot turn out any work.

Let us go begging. You are already having a Tamboora. Tukaram was never losing his patience under any circumstances.
Even now, “what are you saying! What has happened to us to make us beg? Wait for a little. God will set right everything”, he said.

Again after Jeejabhais compulsion he did so many businesses but all went in vain.

He went to the hillock and start meditating Vitthala. Saint Tukaram now felt that he should not live amid people. He went to a cave situated west of the hillock Bhandari and began contemplation.

Besides, he began to study the songs composed by Jnaneshwar, Namadeva, and Ekanatha and such great saints. By this study, his inner self began to have solace. His mind blossomed like a flower. Songs began to dance on his tongue.

Yet, the inner grief was making him languish. Thus being greatly disturbed and muttering, one night he went to sleep. While sleeping Pandharinatha himself appeared, caressed him and said: “Tukaram, do not grieve. You will be initiated by Baba Chaitanya.”

Accordingly, Baba Chaitanya blessed saint Tukaram at an auspicious moment on Thursday, the tenth day of the month of Magha. The same day, from his inner self, came out the songs of piety. The treasury of the Marathi language was enriched.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to know that in his kingdom there was a famous saint, a person free from all wordily desires. Immediately he sent some ministers, public men, and royal entourage to bring him in a procession with umbrella and fans, and seated on a chariot.

The town was filled with joy. Jeejabai was overjoyed. “What more are we likely to need in the future! We have the patronage of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Goddess Sarvamangala did not let us down finally. “So saying, she went inside the house, lit the lamp and prostrated.

As the retinue of the Maharaj approached his house Tukaram was surprised. “How highly has the Chatrapati honored by sending his retinue to the house of an ascetic like me! The maharaja’s magnanimity, piety and aid are noble.”

When he was thinking, the ministers arrived, placed excellent clothing at his feet and invited him to the place.
The ascetic smiled and said: “Why does an ascetic need a bungalow of these clothes? Please take them and return them to the Maharaja.”

“Wait, wait; you should not reject wealth which has come to your doorstep. Honorable ministers are giving those clothes,” said Jeejabai coming forward.

“By beggary or gifts from the people our poverty will not end. Only if Lord Vitthala himself grants it, will we be satisfied. Don’t aspire for this,” said he. The ascetic blessed and said: “Gentlemen, return these gifts and books of songs to the Maharaja and convey my thanks.”

Shivaji Maharaj read the songs sent with Tukaram’s blessings and was overjoyed. He kept them on his head and danced with joy. “Today I am blessed my country is blessed,” so saying, he went to meet that great saint.

Without any previous intimation, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to meet the saint. He prostrated at the feet of the great renounce, devotee, philanthropist Tukaram and requested: “By accepting the small gift of this devotee, you must please bless him.”

Because of the diamonds, opals, pearls, gems, numerous types of clothing put in gold vessels and offered to him, Jeejabai’s mind began to be excited. She felt like running forward and grabbing them. Meanwhile, Tukaram said:

“O! Maharaj, of what use are these diamonds and opals to a poor ascetic? If they are held in the Maharaja’s treasury, the poor will benefit. The kingdom will prosper. People will become righteous.” With great respect Shivaji Maharaja Prayed:

“For your worshipping God at least take four villages as a present. This is my humble offering.” Maharaj, do not worry about me. Poor mendicants may live somehow. Decaying Hindu morality, the growth of India and salvation have to be your concern.

This is the wish of Lord Vitthala also.
Achieve it. This is the gift I seek.” On hearing these words of Tukaram the Maharaja’s inner renunciation glowed. The affairs of the state were unwanted. He wished to attain his object by serving the ascetic.

On hearing Shivaji Maharaja’s intention, Tukaram said: “Duty is better than penance. Failure to do one’s duty results in loss of what life stands for now or after death. Therefore continue your rule of the kingdom more actively,” said the solemnly.

To Tukaram who remained him of his duty, Shivaji bowed and said, “Let me have your kind blessings. I will go to my palace today not as a king but as a servant of the people.”

Saint Tukaram through his life had to face numerous difficulties and losses, and many obstacles, without ever dreaming of his happiness, and worked hard to the good of the people.

Tukaram wished to end his mortal activities. Sri Hari also granted his wish. One day Tukaram told his disciples: “My mortal activities have come to an end. I am leaving. Live happily. Serve others. Take care of innocent Jeejabai,” and blessed them.

He came home and asked Jeejabai: “I am on my way to heaven. I will take you. Will you come along?” She said: “how can I leave behind the children and family members and cattle and calves and come with you?’

Tukaram went into the Indrayani river as if he was about to take a bath and went forward.
Once he entered the river he was not visible again. They say that within a few minutes his rug, the cymbals in his hand and the Tamboora fell.

The citizens bowed in reverence saying that Tukaram bodily went to heaven. Tukaram died in about 1650. He was then 42 years old.

The following is one of his pious songs: Krishna is my mother, Krishna is my father, and Krishna is my relation – so Say Tukaram.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🕉

Credit:
pakka patriot.com
bhagavatham katha. com