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| Name: | Tukaram Bolhoba Ambile (popularly known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, Tukoba in Maharashtra) |
| Born: | Either 1598 or 1608 Dehu, near Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Died: | Either 1649 or 1650 in Dehu |
| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Known For: | Abhanga devotional poetry, Marathi poet-sant of Bhakti movement |
| Order: | Varkari tradition |
| Guru: | Chaitanya Mahaprabhu |
| Literary works: | Tukaram Gatha |
Tukaram was one of the greatest poet saints ever born in India. It is quite renowned for his contribution to the Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra. Read this biography further to know more about the Sant Tukaram Maharaj.
Why is Saint Tukaram famous?
Sant Tukaram Maharaj is best known for his devotional poetry called Abhanga and community-oriented worship with spiritual songs known as kirtans.
Sant Tukaram Maharaj: Early Life
The exact records related to the life history of Tukaram are not available. So, there is a little disagreement regarding his exact birth date. It is considered to be one of the four – 1568 AD, 1577 AD, 1608 AD or 1598 AD. He was born in Dehu, near the Pune city to a trader father. He was married twice. His first wife died of starvation, during a period of severe famine. While, his second wife constantly nagged him for not being able to properly support his family.
Enlightenment:
Tortured by the death of his first wife, the constant nagging of the second and the failure in his spiritual quest, Tukaram went into a severe depression. By the age of twenty-one, he had lost all the hopes in life and was at the threshold of death. At this point of time, he had a dream, in which one Babaji Chaitanya initiated him into the spiritual path. That particular moment changed his destiny and he started his journey as one of the best poet saints of the country.
Teachings of Sant Tukaram Maharaj:
- An individual should make God the center of his universe. Serving others and loving others is the best way through which we can find Him.
- For the attainment of sadhana, an individual needs to have faith in his / her destiny.
- It is not necessary to renounce the world and lead the life of an ascetic in order to be one with God. Spirituality does not require elaborate rituals.
- Nama Japa (reciting the name of Lord) is the most important privilege of being a devotee.
- Siddhis serve as impediments in the attainment of genuine sadhana (meditation).
- Traditions prevent an individual from budding in the love of God. One has to sidestep the usual customs to achieve the same.
