Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Yoga / Hindu : Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama)

17th Century

India
(Indian Subcontinent)

Tukaram

Timeline (1608 - 1649)

Poems by Tukaram
Books - Links

Tukaram, Tukaram poetry, Yoga / Hindu, Yoga / Hindu poetry, Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama) poetry, poetry, poetry

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Tukaram was born in the Indian region of Maharashtra to a lower caste Sudra family. Despite being of a lower caste, the family was wealthy by rural standards.

When Tukaram was thirteen, his father grew ill and the boy had to take on the responsibility of supporting his family. Soon after, both parents died.

Hardships continued to follow Tukaram. His first wife died from starvation during a famine, and his second wife had no respect for Tukaram's devotion to God.

Contrary to the traditional Hindu model of receiving spiritual initiation from a guru, Tukaram was initiated in a dream by Lord Hari (Krishna/Vishnu).

When Tukaram sensed his end was approaching, he walked into the Intrayani River. It is said that his rug and instruments returned to shore, but his body was never found. Devotees feel he was taken bodily to heaven.

During Tukaram's relatively short life, he was constantly singing devotional hymns called abhangs, composing over 5,000. Many of his songs are autobiographical.

Poems by Tukaram

	All men to me are god-like Gods!
	Can water drink itself?
	Smaller than the smallest atom,
	The Price?
	Thou art more kind than mother dear,

Recommended Books

	Life of Tukaram, by Justin E. Abbot Amazon.com
	Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky Amazon.com
	Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs Amazon.com
	Says Tuka: Selected Poetry of Tukaram, Translated by Dilip Chitre Amazon.com
	Tukaram, by Ramchandra Dattatraya Ranade Amazon.com
	Village Songs of Western India: Translations from Tukaram, Translated by John S. Hoyland Amazon.com
	The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice, by Georg Feuerstein Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Saint Poet of India Tukaram.com http://www.tukaram.com/pages/poem2.asp# Several poems by Tukaram translated into English. Many very good articles, as well, on Tukaram's life, the influence of his work, even movies made about him. Worth a visit.
	Poetry Enlightened - Saint Tukaram http://www.poetry-enlightened.org/auteur.php?id_auteur=31 A brief biography and several of Tukaram's songs and poems on-line.
	Inspirational Poetry Art and Yoga: Tukaram http://www.inspirational-poetry-art.com/tukaram.html Several poems by Tukaram.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Tukaram

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Support the Poetry Chaikhana

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World