By Dr. Ashwini Mokashi
A prominent Marathi poet-saint and philosopher of Maharashtra India, Sant Tukaram Maharaj (1608–1649) was one of the leaders of the Bhakti Movement in India. He belonged to the Varakari tradition dedicated to Lord Vithoba (a form of Lord Krishna) of Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Tukaram Maharaj wrote ‘Tukaramachi Gatha,’ which consists thousands of his abhangas/poems. Abhangas are immortal or eternal thoughts, expressed in the form of devotional poems. They praise the Divine by noting spiritual insights, describing human struggles, and offering philosophical reflections. Tukaram’s legacy continues to inspire millions, with his abhangas still sung in homes, temples, and gatherings, echoing the eternal quest for divine love and inner peace.
Tukaram Maharaj’s poetry had simplicity, emotional depth, and profound wisdom, accessible to common people. He was an extremely sensitive soul, and his descriptions touched the heart of people, as he lived a life filled with hardships including personal losses, losing a wife and a son. He went from being a notable businessperson coming from a well-to-do family to the life of poverty and destitution, faced social ridicule, as he became a devotee and could not look after his wife and children in style. He transformed these challenges into spiritual realizations, advocating for devotion surpassing rituals, encouraging equality, and inner purity. He felt the necessity of teaching these values to his kin as well as raising the standards of his society and putting people on the path of Bhakti.
We will consider the following abhanga today, which is numbered 2877 in ‘Tukaramachi Gatha.’ The poem talks about Bhakti, its meaning, definition, implications and how it enables us to live life peacefully.
हेचि थोर भक्ती आवडते देवा l संकल्पावी माया संसाराची ll
ठेविले अनंते तैसेची राहावे l चित्ती असो द्यावे समाधान ll
वाहिल्या उद्वेग दु:खची केवळ l भोगणे ते फळ संचिताचे ll
तुका म्हणे घालू तयावरी भार l वाहू हा संसार देवापायी ll
Translation:
God like this (kind of) supreme devotion alone, in which we give away any attachment to illusions of the world. We should remain as God has placed us, with contentment in our hearts. We should carry our disappointments and sorrow, while accepting them merely as the fruits of past deeds. Tuka says, let us place our burden of the world upon Him, and offer this life at his feet (let him guide us).
Spiritual Interpretation:
In this profound abhanga, Sant Tukaram defines the essence of true devotion (bhakti). He emphasizes that the highest form of devotion is not in grand rituals or external displays, but in cultivating detachment from worldly illusions (maya), while maintaining deep contentment in whatever circumstances life presents. With an attitude of complete surrender to the Divine will, Tukaram advocates accepting life’s highs and lows without resistance, trusting in the cosmic order. Human life is full of suffering. However, these are merely the results of one’s own past karma (Sanchit), and so it is best to accept them gracefully. Sant Tukaram advises us not to carry the burdens of life alone. Instead, offer your struggles to God, living not for personal gain but to follow his will as an act of devotion itself.
Modern Relevance of Sant Tukaram’s Abhang
Sant Tukaram’s abhanga transcends time and speaks directly to the universal human condition. Today, we feel pressured by having to perform at work, pressured to achieve material pursuits, dealing with mental stress, sometimes caused by emotional turmoil, sometimes caused by work pressures. At such times, the words of Tukaram Maharaj offer a hope for inner peace and resilience.
Detachment from the noise
In today’s world, happiness is identical to material success, which includes wealth, status, possessions, and social validation. Sant Tukaram teaches us to redefine success. True contentment comes from an inner sense of peace and not from external circumstances. Simple but useful tricks are to practice gratitude for how well God has kept us and detaching from all sorts of problems or annoyances by taking ownership for causing this situation to an extent. It helps to be minimalist and not chasing gains of some kind or another.
Acceptance of What Is
We often resist circumstances beyond our control, be it career setbacks, health issues, or relationship problems—leading to frustration and anxiety. Tukaram’s message of “Let me remain as You have placed me” is not passive resignation but an invitation to cultivate radical acceptance. This aligns with modern psychological practices like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), where one does not get overwhelmed and learns to acknowledge life’s challenges. Progress in one’s mental health only begins when we first accept our situation and our role in it.
Finding Contentment:
We are constantly comparing ourselves with our neighbors or others on various social media platforms. No matter what we have, we do not feel contented. Contentment is a skill, not a byproduct of circumstances. Practicing gratitude for what we have, journaling, meditation, or simply pausing to reflect on life’s small blessings can help foster contentment.
Hardships are lessons:
We often personalize suffering, asking, “Why me?” and we feel disturbed not by life’s great challenges, but even by the small discomforts. Tukaram reframes suffering as a natural outcome of life’s cycles, not a punishment but part of human experience. This encourages us to view hardships as opportunities for growth rather than merely obstacles.
Living with a Higher Purpose:
This abhanga suggests finding a purpose beyond oneself. Each one of us is a part of the divine design. Once we discover our purpose, whether through spirituality, community service, creative expression, or personal growth, we feel content, satisfied and grateful. It brings us in alignment with the higher purpose.
Conclusion
Saints of the Bhakti movement, like Tukaram Maharaj, were the Heroes of that era, who guided masses through their presence, their lives, and their teachings. Even in the age of social media, Tukaram’s abhanga is a gentle reminder, urging us to embrace life as is, accept it as a divine blessing and find peace amidst life’s challenges and imperfections. It is a timeless guide not just for spiritual seekers but for all looking to live a good life full of peace and contentment.
This is Episode 1 of the series ‘Tukayan’
I am very grateful to Shri Manoj Govindraj for composing this abhanga to music and inviting me for the recording of this session of our Philosophy and Music program ‘Tukayan.’
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