Tukaram

Tukaram print

Vithoba, pandharpur (6145665793)

Stamp of India - 2002 - Colnect 158259 - Sant Tukaram 1608 - 1650

Gatha temple

Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi

Sant Tukaram

Tukaram (1608–1649), also known as Sant Tukaram, was a 17th-century Marathi Bhakti movement saint, poet, and spiritual leader in Maharashtra, India. His Abhanga devotional poetry and community-oriented worship with kirtans significantly influenced the Bhakti movement. Tukaram is best known for his Abhangas written in Marathi, and his life's work is a pivotal part of Marathi literature and culture. He is revered in the Varkari tradition, with his teachings emphasizing a form of devotion that transcends caste and class, focusing on a personal god, Vithoba, and the importance of moral integrity and community service.

Life

Tukaram was born in a family that belonged to the Kunbi caste, traditionally engaged in agriculture, in the small village of Dehu near the city of Pune, Maharashtra. The exact details of his life are a matter of scholarly debate, but it is generally accepted that he faced considerable adversity in his early life, including family tragedies, economic difficulties, and a profound personal crisis that led to his spiritual awakening.

Philosophy and Teachings

Tukaram's teachings were deeply embedded in the Bhakti tradition, emphasizing a personal connection with the divine through love, devotion, and surrender. He criticized the caste system and rituals that he saw as empty, promoting a spirituality that was accessible to all, regardless of caste or social status. His philosophy can be summarized by his famous statement, "He who calls the name of Vithoba, his caste is Vithoba."

Literary Work

Tukaram's literary contributions are primarily his Abhangas, devotional poems that express a range of emotions, from despair to ecstatic joy, in his quest for divine. His work is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and lyrical beauty, making it accessible to the common people. Tukaram's Abhangas continue to be sung and celebrated in Maharashtra and beyond, forming a crucial part of the Marathi cultural and religious identity.

Legacy

Tukaram's impact on the Bhakti movement and Marathi culture is profound. He is considered one of the greatest saints of Maharashtra, and his teachings have influenced various spiritual leaders and social reformers. The annual pilgrimage to the temple of Vithoba in Pandharpur, known as the Wari, sees devotees, called Varkaris, singing Tukaram's Abhangas along the way, demonstrating his enduring legacy.

See Also

• Bhakti movement
• Varkari
• Vithoba
• Marathi literature