INTRODUCTION:
Tukaram, also known as Sant Tukaram, Bhakta Tukaram, Tukaram Maharaj was a 17th-century Hindu poet and saint in Maharashtra, India. Tukaram is best known for his devotional poems and specialized in writing and singing spiritual songs known as kirtans. His poetry was devoted to Vitthala or Vithoba, an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu.
LIFE
He was born in the year 1608 in a village in Maharashtra, India. Tukaram was born in lower caste. His parents were devotees of Vithoba(A form of Lord Krishna).
Even after getting married, he spent most of his time in devotional worship. It is believed that he left from this world and went to Vaikunda through garuda vahana in 1650.
Important Places
1.Tukaram Maharaj Janm Sthan Temple, Dehu.
2.Sant Tukaram Vaikunthstan Temple, Dehu.
3.Sant Tukaram Maharaj Gatha Mandir, Dehu.
Spiritual Works
Tukaram Gatha is a collection of poems, also called as Abhanga Gatha.The poems cover a wide range of human emotions, and life experiences in a spiritual manner. He analyses the difference between normal life and spiritual life. And he has chosen the spiritual life.
Songs
He considered singing songs on god is the means to learn about Bhakti. It shows a spiritual path for the devotees, as well as it helps to create a spiritual path for others.
Social Reforms
Tukaram was against caste discrimination. One of his devotees was a Brahmin woman, who was tortured by her husband when she adopted the Bhakti marga and considers Tukaram as her guru.
CONCLUSION
Thukaram was a great saint, poet and a great devotee of Vithoba. His teachings are mainly focussed on worshipping god with a pure heart and with sincere devotion.
Through his bhakti, he entered Vaikunta and attained eternal bliss. Let us pray to him with pure bhakti and chant his name along with Lord Vithoba and be blessed and live happily for ever.
“OM SREE THUKARAM MAHARAJ NAMAHA”
“JAI KRISHNA”,”JAI MUKUNDA” “JAI VITTHALA”
R.HARISHANKAR
