Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-08-30T00:26:10Z

Created a new article

New page

{{Short description|17th century Varkari Sant and Poet}}{{About|17th century Marathi Varkari Sant 'Tukaram'|other uses||}}

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
| name = Sant Tukaram<br />संत तुकाराम
| image = Tukaram by Raja Ravi Varma.jpg
| caption = Sant Tukaram maharaj
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| birth_date = Either 1598 or 1608{{sfn|Ranade|1994|pp=3-7}}{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|p=148}}
| birth_place = [[Dehu]], [[Pune]]{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|p=148}}<br />[[Maharashtra]], India
| birth_name = Tukaram Bolhoba Ambile
| death_date = Either 1649 or 1650 in [[Dehu]],Pune
| known_for = [[Abhanga]] (devotional poetry),<br />Social Reformer -[[Sant (religion)|sant]] of [[Bhakti movement]]<ref name=mohanlal>Mohan Lal (1993), Encyclopedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot, Sahitya Akademi, South Asia Books, {{ISBN|978-9993154228}}, pages 4403-4404</ref>
| literary_works = Tukaram Gatha
| order = [[Varkari]] tradition
| dharma_names = Sant Tukaram
| other_names = Tukoba, Tukobaraya
}}

'''Sant Tukaram Maharaj''' (Marathi pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[t̪ukaːɾam]]]), also known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, Tukoba, was a Hindu, [[Marathi people|Marathi]] Saint of "[[Varkari|Varkari sampradaya]]" in [[Dehu]] village, Maharashtra in 17th century.<ref>Maxine Bernsten (1988), The Experience of Hinduism: Essays on Religion in Maharashtra, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0887066627}}, pages 248-249</ref> <ref name="annaschultz" />He was a ''[[Bhakti|bhakt]]'' of Lord [[Pandurang]] of [[Pandharpur|Pandharpur,]]<ref name="mohanlal" /> He is best known for his devotional poetry called [[Abhanga]], which are popular in Maharashtra, many of his poems deals with social reform.<ref name="annaschultz">Anna Schultz (2012), Singing a Hindu Nation: Marathi Devotional Performance and Nationalism, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0199730834}}, page 62</ref>

==Biography==

=== Early life ===
Sant Tukaram was born in modern-day Maharashtra state of India. His complete name was Tukaram Bolhoba Ambile ..{{sfn|Ranade|1994|pp=1-7}}<ref name="richardeaton">Richard M. Eaton (2005), A Social History of the Deccan, 1300–1761: Eight bji kg b
Indian Lives, Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|978-0521716277}}, pages 129-130</ref> He was born in the year 1598 or 1608 in a village named [[Dehu]], near [[Pune]] in [[Maharashtra]], India.{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|p=148}}<ref name="richardeaton" />

Sant Tukaram was born to Kanakai and Bolhoba More and scholars consider his family to belong to the [[Kunbi]] caste.<ref>{{cite book|title=Challenging Subjects: Critical Psychology for a New Millennium|editor= Palgrave Macmillan|quote=Tukaram thanks God for his having been born a kunbi (a farming caste) and not, by implication, as every commentator agrees, a brahmin|page=119|year=2002}}</ref> Tukaram's family owned a retailing and money-lending business as well as were engaged in agriculture and trade.<ref name=mohanlal /><ref name="richardeaton" /> His parents were devotees of [[Vithoba]], an avatar of Hindu deity [[Vishnu]] (Vaishnavas). Both his parents died when Tukaram was a teenager.<ref name="richardeaton" />

Sant Tukaram's first wife was ''Rakhama Bai'', and they had a son named ''Santu''.{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=7-9}} However, both his son and wife starved to death in the [[Deccan Famine of 1630–32|famine of 1630–1632]].<ref name=mohanlal />{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|pp=150-152}} The deaths and widespread poverty had a profound effect on Tukaram, who became contemplative, meditating on the hills of [[Sahyadri]] range ([[Western Ghats]]) and later wrote he "had discussions with my own self".<ref name=mohanlal />{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=7-9}} Tukaram married again, and his second wife was ''Avalai Jija Bai''.<ref name=mohanlal />{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=7-9}}

=== Later life ===
[[File:Tukaram print.jpg|thumb|Sant Tukaram Maharaj is said to have left for [[Vaikuntha]], abode of [[Vishnu]] (identified with Vithoba) at the end of his earthly life.]]
He spent most of his later years in devotional worship, community [[kirtans]] (group prayers with singing) and composing [[Abhanga]] poetry.<ref name="mohanlal" />{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=7-9}}<ref name="zelliot">Eleanor Zelliot (1976), Hinduism: New Essays in the History of Religions (Editor: Bardwell L Smith), Brill Academic, {{ISBN|978-9004044951}}, pages 154-156</ref>

Tukaram pointed out the evil of wrongdoings of society, social system and Maharajs by his {{transl|hi|kiratans}} and {{transl|hi|abhangs}}.<ref name="बहु फार विटंबिले">{{Cite web|date=2016-06-26|title=बहु फार विटंबिले..|url=https://www.loksatta.com/tuka-loki-nirala-news/sant-tukaram-and-sanatani-tendencies-1256566/|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Loksatta|language=mr-IN}}</ref> He faced some opposition in society because of this. A man named Mambaji harassed him a lot, he was running a {{transl|hi|matha}} (religious seat) in Dehu and had some followers.<ref name="बहु फार विटंबिले"/> Initially Tukaram gave him the job of doing puja at his temple, but he was jealous of Tukaram by seeing Tukaram getting respect among the village people. He once hit Tukaram by thorn's stick.<ref name="बहु फार विटंबिले"/> He used foul language against Tukaram.<ref name="बहु फार विटंबिले"/> Later Mambaji also became admirer of Tukaram. He became his student.

Tukaram disappeared in 1649 or 1650.{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|p=148}}{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=1-2}}

According to some scholars{{According to whom|date=March 2021}}, Tukaram met [[Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]] – a leader who founded the [[Maratha Empire]];<ref>{{cite book|author=Stewart Gordon|title=The Marathas 1600–1818|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C |year=1993|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-26883-7|pages=1–3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Kaushik Roy|title=Warfare in Pre-British India – 1500BCE to 1740CE|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xx7ICQAAQBAJ |year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-58692-0|pages=140–141}}</ref>{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=7-9}}<ref name=abbott /> Their continued interaction is the subject of legends.<ref name=abbott>Justin Edwards Abbott (2000), Life of Tukaram, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120801707}}, page 320</ref>{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|pp=158-163}} [[Eleanor Zelliot]] states that [[Bhakti movement]] poets including Tukaram were influential in Shivaji's rise to power.<ref name=zelliot/>

== Philosophy and practices ==

===Vedanta===
[[File:Vithoba, pandharpur (6145665793).jpg|thumb|Mural of the god Vithoba with Varkari sants; Tukaram sits on the right arm.]]
In his work of ''Abhangas'', Tukarama repeatedly refers to four other persons who had a primary influence on his spiritual development, namely the earlier Bhakti [[Sant (religion)|Sant]]s ''[[Namdev]]'', ''[[Dnyaneshwar]]'', ''[[Kabir]]'' and ''[[Eknath]]''.{{sfn|Ranade|1994|pp=10-12}}
Early 20th-century scholars on Tukaram considered his teachings to be [[Vedanta]]-based but lacking a systematic theme. JF Edwards wrote,
{{Blockquote|Tukaram is never systematic in his psychology, his theology, or his theodicy. He oscillates between a [[Dvaita|Dvaitist]] [Vedanta] and an [[Advaita|Advaitist]] view of God and the world, leaning now to a [[pantheism|pantheistic]] scheme of things, now to a distinctly Providential, and he does not harmonize them. He says little about cosmogony, and according to him, God realizes Himself in the devotion of His worshippers. Likewise, faith is essential to their realization of Him: 'It is our faith that makes thee a god', he says boldly to his [[Vithoba]].<ref>JF Edwards (1921), [https://archive.org/stream/encyclopaediaofr12hastuoft#page/468/mode/2up Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics: Suffering-Zwingli], Volume 12, Editors: James Hastings, John Alexander Selbie and Louis Herbert Gray, New York: Charles Scribner, Reprinted in 2000 as {{ISBN|978-0567065124}}, page 468</ref>}}

Late 20th-century scholarship of Tukaram, and translations of his ''Abhanga'' poem, affirm his pantheistic Vedantic view.{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=192-197}} Tukaram's Abhanga 2877, as translated by Shri Gurudev Ranade of Nimbal states, for example, "The Vedanta has said that the whole universe is filled by God. All sciences have proclaimed that God has filled the whole world. The Puranas have unmistakably taught the universal immanence of God. The [[Sant (religion)|sant]]s have told us that the world is filled by God. Tuka indeed is playing in the world uncontaminated by it like the Sun which stands absolutely transcendent".{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=192-197}}

Scholars note the often discussed controversy, particularly among Marathi people, whether Tukaram subscribed to the monistic Vedanta philosophy of [[Adi Shankara]].<ref name=bhandarkar>R G Bhandarkar (2014), Vaisnavism, Saivism and Minor Religious Systems, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-1138821064}}, pages 98-99</ref><ref>Charles Eliot (1998), Hinduism and Buddhism: An Historical Sketch, Volume 2, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0700706792}}, page 258, Quote: "Maratha critics have discussed whether Tukaram followed the monistic philosophy of Sankara or more, and it must be confessed that his utterances are contradictory."</ref> Bhandarkar notes that Abhanga 300, 1992 and 2482 attributed to Tukaram are in style and philosophy of Adi Shankara:<ref name=bhandarkar />

{{Blockquote|
<poem>
When salt is dissolved in water, what is it that remains distinct?
I have thus become one in joy with thee [Vithoba, God] and have lost myself in thee.
When fire and camphor are brought together, is there any black remnant left?
Tuka says, thou and I are one light.
</poem>
|Tukaram Gatha, 2482|Translated by RG Bhandarkar<ref name=bhandarkar />}}

However, scholars also note that other Abhangas attributed to Tukaram criticize monism, and favor dualistic Vedanta philosophy of the Indian philosophers [[Madhvacharya]] and [[Ramanuja]].<ref name=bhandarkar /> In Abhanga 1471, according to Bhandarkar's translation, Tukaram says, "When monism is expounded without faith and love, the expounder as well as the hearer are troubled and afflicted. He who calls himself Brahma and goes on in his usual way, should not be spoken to and is a buffoon. The shameless one who speaks heresy in opposition to the [[Vedas]] is an object of scorn among holy men."<ref name=bhandarkar />

The controversy about Tukaram's true philosophical positions has been complicated by questions of authenticity of poems attributed to him, discovery of manuscripts with vastly different number of his Abhang poems, and that Tukaram did not write the poems himself, they were written down much later, by others from memory.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LifeAndTeachingsOfTukaram#page/n147/mode/2up The Life and Teaching of Tukaram] J Nelson Fraser, and JF Edwards, Probsthain, Christian Literature Society, pages 119-123, 218-221</ref>

Tukaram denounced mechanical rites, rituals, sacrifices, vows and instead encouraged direct form of bhakti (devotion).<ref name=bhandarkar /><ref>[[David Lorenzen]] (2006), Who Invented Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History, Yoda Press, {{ISBN|978-8190227261}}, page 130</ref>

=== Kirtan ===
Tukaram encouraged [[kirtan]] as a music imbued, community-oriented group singing and dancing form of [[bhakti]].<ref name=annaschultz /> He considered kirtan not just a means to learn about Bhakti, but Bhakti itself.<ref name=annaschultz /> The greatest merit in kirtan, according to Tukaram, is it being not only a spiritual path for the devotee, it helps create a spiritual path for others.<ref name=annaschultz2>Anna Schultz (2012), Singing a Hindu Nation: Marathi Devotional Performance and Nationalism, Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0199730834}}, pages 25-28</ref>

=== Social reforms ===
[[File:Stamp of India - 2002 - Colnect 158259 - Sant Tukaram 1608 - 1650.jpeg|thumb|Commemorative Indian stamp depicting Tukaram (2002)]]
Tukaram accepted disciples and devotees without discriminating on the basis of gender. One of his celebrated devotees was [[Bahinabai|Bahina Bai]], a Brahmin woman, who faced anger and abuse of her husband when she chose Bhakti marga and Tukaram as her ''guru''.{{sfn|Feldhaus|1982|pp=591-604{{too many pages|date=December 2021}}}}

Tukaram taught, states Ranade,{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=154-156}} that "pride of caste never made any man holy", "the Vedas and Shastras have said that for the service of God, castes do not matter", "castes do not matter, it is God's name that matters", and "an outcast who loves the Name of God is verily a Brahmin; in him have tranquility, forbearance, compassion and courage made their home".{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p=154-156}} However, early 20th century scholars questioned whether Tukaram himself observed caste when his daughters from his second wife married men of their own caste.<ref name=frasercaste /> Fraser and Edwards, in their 1921 review of Tukaram, stated that this is not necessarily so, because people in the West too generally prefer relatives to marry those of their own economic and social strata.<ref name=frasercaste>[https://archive.org/stream/LifeAndTeachingsOfTukaram#page/n195/mode/2up The Life and Teaching of Tukaram] J Nelson Fraser, and JF Edwards, Probsthain, Christian Literature Society, pages 163, 54-55</ref>

[[David Lorenzen]] states that the acceptance, efforts and reform role of Tukaram in the ''Varakari-sampraday'' follows the diverse caste and gender distributions found in Bhakti movements across India.<ref name=lorenzervarsam /> Tukaram, of Shudra varna, was one of the nine non-Brahmins, of the twenty one considered [[Sant (religion)|sant]] in ''Varakari-sampraday'' tradition.<ref name=lorenzervarsam /> The rest include ten Brahmins and two whose caste origins are unknown.<ref name=lorenzervarsam /> Of the twenty one, four women are celebrated as sant, born in two Brahmin and two non-Brahmin families. Tukaram's effort at social reforms within ''Varakari-sampraday'' must be viewed in this historical context and as part of the overall movement, states Lorenzen.<ref name=lorenzervarsam>[[David Lorenzen]] (2006), Who Invented Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History, Yoda Press, {{ISBN|978-8190227261}}, pages 127-128</ref>

== Literary works ==
[[File:Gatha temple.JPG|thumb|Gatha temple in [[Dehu]], near Pune [[Maharashtra]], is one of two local temples that mark the legacy of Tukaram. His poetry is carved on its wall.<ref>[http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/3726329/ Gatha Temple], National Geographic (2014)</ref>]]

Tukaram composed [[Abhanga]] poetry, a Marathi genre of literature which is metrical (traditionally the ''ovi'' meter), simple, direct, and it fuses folk stories with deeper spiritual themes.

Tukaram's work is known for informal verses of rapturous abandon in folksy style, composed in vernacular language, in contrast to his predecessors such as Dnyandeva or [[Namdev]] known for combining similar depth of thought with a grace of style.<ref name=mohanlalgatha />

In one of his poems, Tukaram self-effacingly described himself as a "fool, confused, lost, liking solitude because I am wearied of the world, worshipping Vitthal (Vishnu) just like my ancestors were doing but I lack their faith and devotion, and there is nothing holy about me".{{sfn|Tulpule|Shelke|1992|pp=149-150}}

''Tukaram Gatha'' is a Marathi language compilation of his works, likely composed between 1632 and 1650.<ref name=mohanlalgatha>Mohan Lal (1993), Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot, Sahitya Akademi, South Asia Books, {{ISBN|978-9993154228}}, pages 4404-4405</ref> Also called ''Abhanga Gatha'', the Indian tradition believes it includes some 4,500 ''abhangas''. The poems considered authentic cover a wide range of human emotions and life experiences, some autobiographical, and places them in a spiritual context.<ref name=mohanlalgatha /> He includes a discussion about the conflict between ''Pravritti'' – having passion for life, family, business, and ''Nivritti'' – the desire to renounce, leave everything behind for individual liberation, [[moksha]].<ref name=mohanlalgatha />

Ranade states there are four major collations of Tukaram's Abhanga Gathas.{{sfn|Ranade|1994|pp=19-22}}

=== Authenticity ===
Numerous inconsistent manuscripts of ''Tukaram Gatha'' are known, and scholars doubt that most of the poems attributed to Tukaram are authentic.<ref name=mohanlalgatha /> Of all manuscripts so far discovered, four are most studied and labelled as: the ''Dehu MS'', the ''Kadusa MS'', the ''Talegeon MS'' and the ''Pandharpur MS''.<ref name=frasermss /> Of these, the Dehu MS is most referred to because Indian tradition asserts that it is based on the writing of Tukaram's son ''Mahadeva'', but there is no historical evidence that this is true.<ref name=frasermss>[https://archive.org/stream/cu31924023185857#page/n159/mode/2up The Life and Teaching of Tukaram] J Nelson Fraser, and JF Edwards, Probsthain, Christian Literature Society, pages 119-124</ref>

The first compilation of Tukaram poems was published, in modern format, by Indu Prakash publishers in 1869, subsidized by the British colonial government's [[Bombay Presidency]].<ref name=frasermss /> The 1869 edition noted, "some of the [as received] manuscripts on which the compilation relied, had been 'corrected', 'further corrected' and 'arranged'."<ref name=frasermss /> This doctoring and rewriting over about 200 years, after Tukaram's death, has raised questions whether the modern compilation of Tukaram's poems faithfully represents what Tukaram actually thought and said, and the [[historicity]] of the document. The known manuscripts are jumbled, randomly scattered collections, without chronological sequence, and each contains some poems that are not found in all other known manuscripts.{{sfn|Chitre|1991|p={{page?|date=December 2021}}}}

=== Books and translations ===
The 18th-century biographer [[Mahipati]], in his four volume compilation of the lives of many [[Bhakti movement]] [[Sant (religion)|sant]]s, included Tukaram. Mahipati's treatise has been translated by Justin Abbott.<ref name=zelliot /><ref>Justin Abbott (2000), Tukaram: The Poet-Saints of Maharashtra, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120801707}}</ref>

A translation of about 3,700 poems from Tukaram Gatha in English was published, in three volumes, between 1909 and 1915, by Fraser and Marathe.<ref>J Nelson Fraser and KB Marathe, The Poems of Tukaram, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120808515}}</ref> In 1922, Fraser and Edwards published his biography and religious ideas incorporating some translations of Tukaram's poems,<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LifeAndTeachingsOfTukaram#page/n1/mode/2up The Life and Teaching of Tukaram] J Nelson Fraser, and JF Edwards, Probsthain, Christian Literature Society</ref> and included a comparison of Tukaram's philosophy and theology with those of Christianity.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LifeAndTeachingsOfTukaram#page/n1/mode/2up The Life and Teaching of Tukaram] J Nelson Fraser, and JF Edwards, Probsthain, Christian Literature Society, pages 274-278, Appendix II & III</ref> Deleury, in 1956, published a metric French translation of a selection of Tukaram's poem along with an introduction to the religious heritage of Tukaram (Deleury spells him as ''Toukaram'').<ref>Guy A Deleury (1956), Psaumes dy Pelerin: Toukaram, Paris: Gallimard, {{ISBN|978-2070717897}}, pages 9-34</ref>

[[Arun Kolatkar]] published, in 1966, six volumes of avant-garde translations of Tukaram poems.<ref name=zelliot /> Ranade has published a critical biography and some selected translation.{{sfn|Ranade|1994|p={{page?|date=December 2021}}}}

[[Dilip Chitre]] translated writings of Sant Tukaram into English in the book titled ''Says Tuka'' for which he was awarded the ''Sahitya Akademi'' award in 1994.{{sfn|Chitre|1991|p={{page?|date=December 2021}}}} A selection of poems of Tukaram has been translated and published by Daniel Ladinsky.<ref>Daniel Ladinsky (2002), Love Poems from God, Penguin, {{ISBN|978-0142196120}}, pages 331-352</ref>

Chandrakant Kaluram Mhatre has translated selected poems of Tukaram, published as ''[[One Hundred Poems of Tukaram]]''.<ref>Chandrakant Kaluram Mhatre, One Hundred Poems of Tukaram, Createspace, {{ISBN|978-1512071252}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[File:Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi.jpg|thumb|Varkaris [[Pandharpur Wari|annually journey]] to [[Vithoba Temple|Vithoba's central temple]] in [[Pandharpur]] with ''Palkhi'' procession holding the symbolic [[paduka]] (footprints) of Tukaram]]

===Maharashtra society===
Tukaram's abhangs are very popular in Maharashtra. It became part of the culture of the state. Varkaris, poets and peoples study his poems. His poems are popular in rural Maharashtra and their popularity is increasing.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nathe|first=Sanjay|title=Kantrati Gramsevak|work=Book|publisher=[[Nathe Publication Limited]]|year=2017|isbn=978-93-85369-97-1|location=Medical square, Hanumangar, [[Nagpur]], PIN- 440024|pages=67–68}}</ref> Tukaram was a devotee of [[Vithoba]] ''(''Vitthala'')'', an [[avatar]] of God [[Vishnu]], synchronous with [[Krishna]] but with regional style and features.<ref name="zelliot" /> Tukaram's literary works, along with those of sants Dnyandev, Namdev and Eknath, states Mohan Lal, are credited to have propelled [[Varkari]] tradition into pan-Indian Bhakti literature.<ref>Mohan Lal (1993), Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot, Sahitya Akademi, South Asia Books, {{ISBN|978-9993154228}}, page 4403</ref>

According to Richard Eaton, from early 14th-century when Maharashtra region came under the rule of the [[Delhi Sultanate]], down to the 17th-century, the legacy of Tukaram and his poet-predecessors, "gave voice to a deep-rooted collective identity among Marathi-speakers".<ref>Richard M. Eaton (2005), A Social History of the Deccan, 1300–1761: Eight Indian Lives, Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|978-0521716277}}, pages 138-141</ref> [[Dilip Chitre]] summarizes the legacy of Tukaram and [[Bhakti movement]] [[Sant (religion)|sants]], during this period of Hindu-Muslim wars, as transforming "language of shared religion, and religion a shared language. It is they who helped to bind the Marathas together against the Mughals on the basis not of any religious ideology but of a territorial cultural identity".<ref>Dilip Chitre (1991), Says Tuka: Selected Poetry of Tukaram, Penguin, {{ISBN|978-0140445978}}, pages xvi-xvii</ref>

===Mahatma Gandhi===
[[Mahatma Gandhi]], in early 20th century, while under arrest in [[Yerwada Central Jail]] by the British colonial government for his non-violent movement, read and translated Tukaram's poetry along with [[Upanishad]]s, [[Bhagavad Gita]] and poems by other Bhakti movement poet-saints.<ref name=mkgandhi>MK Gandhi (1930), Songs from prison: translations of Indian Lyrics made in Jail, (Adapted and formatted by John Hoyland, 1934), New York : Macmillan, {{oclc|219708795}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|
<poem>
Saintliness is not to be purchased in shops,
nor is it to be had for wandering, nor in cupboards, nor in deserts, nor in forests.
It is not obtainable for a heap of riches. It is not in the heavens above, nor in the entrails of the earth below.
Tuka says: It is a life's bargain, and if you will not give your life to possess it, better be silent.

The essence of the endless [[Vedas]] is this: Seek the shelter of God and repeat His name with all thy heart.
The result of the cogitations of all the [[Shastras]] is also the same.
Tuka says: The burden of the eighteen [[Puranas]] is also identical.

Merit consists in doing good to others, sin in doing harm to others. There is no other pair comparable to this.
Truth is the only freedom; untruth is bondage, there is no secret like this.
God's name on one's lips is itself salvation, disregarding the name is perdition.
Companionship of the good is the only heaven, indifference is hell.
Tuka says: It is thus clear what is good and what is injurious, let people choose what they will.
</poem>
|Sant Tukaram|Translated by [[Mahatma Gandhi]]<ref name=mkgandhi />}}

Sant Tukaram also had a profound influence on [[K. B. Hedgewar]] as the former's quotes often found their way on the latter's letterhead. One such letter dated April 6, 1940 bore the quote "Daya tiche nanwa bhutanche palan, aanik nirdalan kantkache", meaning compassion is not only the welfare of all living beings, but also includes protecting them from harm's way.<ref>{{cite book| author = Sunil Ambekar| title = The RSS: roadmaps for the 21st century| place = New Delhi| publisher = Rupa | year = 2019 | pages = 19| isbn = 9789353336851|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zakKywEACAAJ}}</ref>

===Places associated with Tukaram===
Places associated with Tukaram in Dehu that exist today are:
*Tukaram Maharaj Janm Sthan Temple, Dehu – place where Tukaramji was born, around which a temple was built later
*Sant Tukaram Vaikunthstan Temple, Dehu – from where Tukaramji ascended to [[Vaikunth|Vaikuntha]] (Abode of God) in his mortal form{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}; there is a beautiful ghat behind this temple along the [[Indrayani river]]
*Sant Tukaram Maharaj Gatha Mandir, Dehu – modern structure; massive building housing a big statue of Tukaram; In the Gatha temple, about 4,000 abhangs (verses) created by Tukaram maharaj were carved on the walls.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gathamandir.com |title = Gatha Mandir}}</ref>

===Movies and popular culture===
[[File:Sant Tukaram.jpg|thumb|Poster of Sant Tukaram (1936).]]
A number of Indian films have been made about the saint in different languages. These include:
*''Tukaram'' (1921) silent film by Shinde.
*''Sant Tukaram'' (1921) silent film by Kalanidhi Pictures.
*''[[Sant Tukaram (film)|Sant Tukaram]]'' (1936) – this movie on Tukaram was screened open-air for a year, to packed audiences in [[Mumbai]], and numerous rural people would walk very long distances to see it.{{sfn|Chowdhry|2000|p=155}}
*''[[Thukkaram]]'' (1938) in Tamil by B. N. Rao.
*''[[Santha Thukaram]]'' (1963) in Kannada
*''Sant Tukaram'' (1965) in Hindi
*''[[Bhakta Tukaram]]'' (1973) in Telugu
*''[[Tukaram (film)|Tukaram]]'' (2012) in Marathi

Tukaram's life was the subject of 68th issue of [[Amar Chitra Katha]], India's largest comic book series.{{sfn|Babb|Wadley|1998|p=131}}

[[Balbharati|Balbharti]] had included a poem of him in school text book of Marathi subject.

The government of India issued 100 rupees Silver commemorative coin in 2002.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiTy99JkIUU|title=100 rupees coin of 2002 - Sant Tukaram|date=2017-03-02|type=video|publisher=Coins & Currencies|access-date=2021-12-14}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Hinduism}}
* [[Bhakti movement]]
* [[Pandharpur Wari]] – the largest annual pilgrimage in Maharashtra that includes a ceremonial ''[[Palkhi]]'' of Tukaram
* [[Vitthal Temple, Pandharpur]]
* Sant [[Dnyaneshwar]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book |last1=Babb |first1=Lawrence A. |last2=Wadley |first2=Susan S. |title=Media and the Transformation of Religion in South Asia |date=31 May 1998 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1453-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cgDHFFe7YM8C }}
* {{cite book |last1=Chowdhry |first1=Prem |title=Colonial India and the Making of Empire Cinema: Image, Ideology and Identity |date=2000 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-0-7190-5792-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1UNph7mAT2YC }}
* {{cite book |last1=Chitre |first1=Dilip |title=Says Tuka: Selected Poetry of Tukaram |date=1991 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-044597-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vY1AAAAMAAJ }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Feldhaus |first1=Anne |title=BahināBāī: Wife and Saint |journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion |date=1982 |volume=L |issue=4 |pages=591–604 |doi=10.1093/jaarel/l.4.591 |issn=0002-7189}}
* {{cite book |last1=Tulpule |first1=S. G. |last2=Shelke |first2=Christopher |editor-last1=McGregor |editor-first1=R. S. |title=Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research, 1985-1988 |date=25 September 1992 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-41311-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-X5Nv3gkdGoC }}
* {{cite book | last= Ranade| first= Ramchandra D. | year= 1994 | title= Tukaram| publisher= State University of New York Press| location= New York| isbn = 0-7914-2092-2}}

===General references===
* {{cite book | title=Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology |last = Ayyappapanicker|first=K. |author2=Akademi, Sahitya | publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=1997|isbn=81-260-0365-0}}
* "Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar Nivadak Lekhsangrah" by T S Shejwalkar (collection- H V Mote, Introduction- G D Khanolkar)

== Further reading ==
* John Hoyland (1932), An Indian Peasant Mystic: Translations from Tukaram, London: Allenson, {{oclc|504680225}}
* Wilbur Deming (1932), Selections from Tukaram, Christian Literature Society, {{oclc|1922126}}
* Prabhakar Machwe (1977), Tukaram's Poems, United Writer, {{oclc|4497514}}
* Dilip Chitre (1970), The Bhakta as a Poet: Six Examples from Tukaram's Poetry, ''Delos: A Journal on and of Translation'', Vol. 4, pages 132-136
* {{cite book|last=Fraser|first=James Nelson |author2=Rev. JF Edwards |title=The Life and Teaching of Tukārām |url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924023185857#page/n5/mode/2up|year=1922|publisher=The Christian Literature Society for India, Madras}}
* Fraser and Marathe (1915), The Poems of Tukaram, 3 vols, Christian Literature Society {{oclc|504680214}}, Reprinted in 1981 by Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120808515}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Internet Archive author}}
* [https://tukaram.bookstruck.app/ Collected works of Tukaram in Devnagari]
*[https://archive.org/details/sant-tukaram-gatha Sant Tukaram Gatha] at Internet Archive
* [http://tukaram.com/english/artgallery.htm Images, Biography: Tukaram] Ram Bapat (2002), Tukaram Online, 14 Indian and 8 foreign languages
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/20597510 What I Want to Say, Tukaram], Mona van Duyn (1965), Poetry, Vol. 107, No. 2, pages 102-104
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/40874214 Twenty five poems, Tukaram] Prabhakar Machwe (1968), Mahfil, Vol. 5, No. 1/2, pages 61–69
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/40874023 Translations from Tukaram and other saint-poets], Awad Kolatkar (1982), Journal of South Asian Literature, Vol. 17, No. 1, pages 111-114
{{Sant Mat}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1577 births]]
[[Category:1650 deaths]]
[[Category:Warkari]]
[[Category:Sant Mat gurus]]
[[Category:Marathi-language writers]]
[[Category:Marathi-language poets]]
[[Category:Sant Mat]]
[[Category:17th-century Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Vaishnava saints]]
[[Category:Scholars from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Poets from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Marathi Hindu saints]]

Tukaram - Revision history

Samyakkpravesh: Improved article clarity and structure

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article