I lived from 1608-1649.
I was from India, and am in the Asian category.
Tukaram was born in 1608, in the small village of Dehu in the West Indian state of Maharashtra to Bolhoba and Kanakai a couple belonging to the lower Sudra class. He had two other brothers. Despite their lower class status the family was well to do and enjoyed good social standing in the village. Tukaram's troubles started with the illness of his father, due to which he had to start supporting his family at the tender age of thirteen. Shortly thereafter, both his parents died. Tukaram's problems only mounted; death of his family members and economic hardship seemed to plague him.
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Tukaram was married twice, his first wife Rakhumabai died due to starvation during a famine, his second wife Jijabai or Avali as she was called, was much younger than his first had been and had little patience with his devotion and for God and she nagged him continuously. He had three sons.
Tukaram was initiated without any intermediaries as the other saints usually were. He dreamt that he was initiated by the Lord Hari himself dressed as a Brahman.
Tukaram continuously sang the praises of the Lord, he sang it in the form of abhangs which he wrote. These were in his mother tongue Marathi. The abhangs express his feelings and philosophical outlook. During his 41 years, Tukaram composed over 5,000 abhangs. Many of them speak of events in his life, which make them somewhat autobiographical. Yet, they are focused on God, Pandurang, and not Tukaram. His abhangs became very popular with the masses of common people. It was this very popularity that caused the religious establishment (the high caste Brahmins) to hate and persecute Tukaram. as, he was causing them to lose their power over the people.
There are many miracles attributed to Tukaram.
Image source:
www.freeindia.org
Links of interest include
http://www.wayofthebird.com/Bhajans.htm
My poetry
I was sleeping when Namdeo and Vitthal Stepped into my dream.
"Your job is to make poems. Stop wasting time," Namdeo said.
62 lines, 9 comments
All men to me are god-like Gods!
My eyes no longer see
14 lines
If you treat the opposite sex with reverence
will you pay a price?
14 lines
None see me off. Let those go home who will
Receive this blessing from a loosing heart
11 lines
Smaller than the smallest atom,
All embracing as the heavens,
10 lines
All blest are they whose heart with pity grows.
Who left Vaikuntha.their home,to serve mankind;
3 lines
Thou art more kind than mother dear,
More soothing than the rays of moon
13 lines
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