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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Tukaram: biography in brief

(By Pedapati Nageswara Rao, Hyderabad)

Tukaram is most famous saint of Maharashtra. He came from peasant family but lived as trader. He took birth at about 1608. The king Sivaji came after him 20 years later. Swami Ramadas was his contemporary. All these saints and warriors unveiled golden period in the history of Maharashtra.

Tukaram after his formal education took up trade for lively hood, but did not paid to attention towords his worldly life. But achieved progress in philosophical life and poured out lyrics innumerable and rose up as a great saint in is life time. He lived at Dehu village in Poona District of Maharashtra. He became foremost popular saint of the area by virtue of is natural out burst in poetical way. He used to conduct Bhajans in corus with the orchestra provided by his disciples. As a matured saint he did not put up any show of cast creed or religion, though he maintained strong connection with the cult of vittal. Vittal is regional GOD of Maharashtra, a verity of Balakrishna worship in BHAGAVATHA Cult of all india religion.

He had great grip on all matters connected with Bhakti cult. Often he used to quote Puran ,Shastra and regional saints. People believe that he wrote Lakhs of poems (ABHANGAS) in Marati, but most of them lost and we have simply some 5000 songs collected and edited by the deciples and their descendants. He attracted disciples and friends from all walks of life and sang abhangas on all Gods adding his vittal stamp. As such he is considered as a fore most exponent of varkari pantheon in Maharashtra. “Tukarams’ songs are sung with great devotion even today.

He got deciples from all walks of life. Out of them Kondopanth lohakar, Abajitpanth Lohagaonkar, Sivaba kasara etc are famous. His grandmother’s place was Lohagaon near Poona. He used to visit that village often and spend his leisure in singing Abhangas in corus with his friends of that village, specially with the smiths of locality.
In daily prayers of vittal cult the following song is considered important and sung every day

III
“Arati Jnanararaja - mahakaivalya tejaa
Sevithi sadhu santh – Mane vedhala majha –
Arathii Lopale Jnan jagi – Hita nenati konie
Avatar panduranga – Nam thevile Jnanie
Kanakache thaat kari – ubhya gopika Narie
Narada tumburu samagayan karie
Pragata guhyabole – VISWABRAHMA chi kela
Ramaa Janaradnie – Payee mastak thevile
Arati jnanararaja – mahakaivalya Teja”

Saints like CHANGADEVA from VISWABRAHMA family are famous in vital cult. As such it is not out of place to mention the favour of Tukaram to wards Panchala cult.

The abhangas presented here are concerned with Panchala cult and their gods , Goddesses and their over all connection with vittal cult. Tukaram having deciples like Lohakar, Loha gaonkar, kasara etc, might have accepted to sing on their cult. Since Tukaram was not a saint of narrow religion, it is in tune with his saintly nature. These songs published by Sri ram tattva prakashan of Belgaon (1916) Balshastri of Poona and Pandit Saritha Jnanananda of Bangalore, are basis for this edition.


















Thursday, April 16, 2009

Tukaram's Panchakshari

(These poems are translated by Pedapati Nageswara Rao)

(1)
God is greatWorld is created from five elementsWorld stands on these fiveThese five are his five faceswe are with itThe creation rolled onShe is virtuous with fiveDistinct decorationsThey are created by his five sonsThese five are five life forcesThe lord himself is five facedHe is Narayan lying on watersHe is lord of lordsAll this world is of five elementsThis is known to allTukaram sings that he isThe seed of creation

NB. According to Hindu tradition married lady is virtuous (punya sthree) by wearing fivedistinct desorations they are.
1. Thilak on fore head 2. Turmeric powder3. Mangalya on neck4. Bangles5. Foot finger rings6. All there are creations of traditional artists in India.

(2)
Don't search roots of seers and beginning of riversThey are Created by Lord to be soThey are pious and adorableIn this Kali age.These five left out their Pious dutiesEven celestials disobeyed their teachersThence They held their heads downGod created these five peopleAs soon as they came in to this worldThey became worldly wiseAnd forgotten their pious dutiesThose who hate pious soulsWill meet their dooms dayTukaram sings sincerelyThe greatness of the five peopleThey are to be adorned by all

(NB five people are five kinds of at Artists of traditional Hindu Society)

(3)
Subject and object of the world is LordHe stands as the protective shieldFive are doing their works butFor gotten the real need of the worldThey have down graded the work cultureAnd for gotten their ancientsMade "vipras" adorable in this Kali ageCreator is important for this creationsHe holds main threadThat thread created the aboriginal "She"She made this world beautifulThey have five Vedas for five BrahmasThey are to be remembered day and dayCreator Brahma came from themBut the sukshma veda disappearedGreate is Lord ViswakarmaSeers are after Siva and VishnuThe five Vedas go with PanchalasHard is the secret to understandTukaram praises Lord the greatThose who do so will ferry out the ocean of life.

(4)
Oh that pious deed came to life on a good morningLord saved it with benign looksOf his five facesAs Director he sighted itEvery thing is moving fastIgnorant can not know thisFive faces are the five faces of GodFive classes came from facesAll came from God ViswakarmaHow to differentiate the five?Can you do it by colour ?It is not a negative remarkWhere these five elements mingleThere ends the dual feelings in worldAnd also ends the life of Sixteen KalasMaking start of seventeenth KalaThe life of worldly wiseness - MAYAKnow the Creation of the world rests in GodFive seers came from five facesThey glanced the world and perceived it's is faceBrahma shaped a shape andLighted the life with delightBut he ran away and sat amidst the happinessThat beautiful happy seat if any can ascendWill surly feel relieved of all painsIt is like singing at eternal libertyOr even seeing the Lord eternalIt even amounts to seeing the beauty of the root of this worldOh! I see this five faces every whereThat is the great picture of my revered GuruI realized Maya residing in meTukram singing aloud declaring that woke me up from slumber sleepThat is the great boon granted by the Lord to see the scene of Viswakarma.

(5)
World standing on the strength of four quartersHe lives in midst of the heartHe moves hither and thitherMan dupes himself in MayaAnd works out all his sinsForgetting the sacredness of the thread he wearsHe made him self uselessIt was their right to attend six dutiesPanchalas moved back ward by forgettingTheir pious duties in lifeLoosing sanctity and chastityReceiving bad words from allReaching lowest rung of the societyLoosing all honours' and praisesPeople count only the presentWorld is filled with miscreantsNow it is difficult to find a good manAmidst this who cares Panchalas?They started creation and it moved with themLife less thing was brought to life and none are equal to themGood people are there every whereThe Lord is looking and watching as he made this world with is handsHe as forgotten the people he madeAs some become good and some badSome are immersed in sensual thingsGood became bad and bad turned to goodThis is the show run by the LordLord is father and She is the TeacherAt sprinkle the world disappearAll these five jumped into itThus sang the devote Tukaram

(6)
By mere expansion of facesHe filled the world this wayHe made and shown in this worldAnd filled it up as seen nowBut there is no difference at the rootIt sprang up from voidBrahma came from void and AksharaBy knowing this we get Lord ViswakarmaAll creation came from his handThere stands Vishnu who came from the light of ViswakarmaHe enjoys and discloses itVisnhu cancels Brahma to dissolve dualismThen only can understand act of creatorAll are children of the mother IllusionThey came decorated beautifulIf there is no egg there is no question of mother or father as creation is with themCreation came as desiredEternal took up the shape of Mother after sixteen Kalas and the life came as seventeenthDesire brooks immense force Maya co - joins to brook without living Vishnu or SivaIt enlives with the milk of love that is our ambrosia on the earthSeveteenth one - Gods lively food. After sixteen KalasIts is given by our father the God creator. Brahma dissolved in itShape comes from kashara and aksharaNo difference in Dog or pig, all are one at that pointThere mingles the seventeenth yoga. There mingles good and badAll go in to earth after death whether is beautiful or akawardGod loves equally. All this is the great secret of world's rotationHe is there every were That place is called ViratYou can find it every where if you can seeIt lies in your heart wherever you can see the Lord Viswakarma.Thus says the devote Tukaram

(7)
Shankara the creator, premardial ManHusband of Parvathi made all these five elementsBy mixing fluid sand and stables pressed to become drychurned and brought out the fifth one - voidThat is the source of this universeHalf of it became the gold our PhilosophyThat be got the sastra , from the mother GitaWhich is extractly the word of godBeing essence of Bhagavatha It's essence is Uddhava GitaThere one can see the LordVeda - Sastra - Bhagvata and GitaAll these are eloquent on Lord ViswakarmaHe is the father of all these sastrasReverberating the words of DevoteesIn kali age people forget to prises the GodLord knows the passion of the worldDevotees are to serve foreverIdeal of vidya is devotionBut often Looked down as inferiorAll this world is filled with Love and JoyLord Krishna saved us in the warAnd encouraged people to wage war on wickedin order to save Devotees in the world.


(8)
All people came from OMWho knows about OMWhat are the limbes OMHear attentively I sayAnd try to understand itOM is Manu : its stand is MayaThe curve is twastaThe crescent shape is SilpiThe dot on it is DaivajnaThus the OM has shapesThey are five faces of GodThey formed from the VoidAs explained in silpasastraIt is now explained to youShould keep this OM asBrahaman in your heart

(9)
Thus came Om : It became ViratFive people came from its five partsThey are real BrahmanasManu came from Eastern faceMaya came from SouthernTwasta from western Sipli from NorthDaivajna came from upper portionAll this is explained is Skand PuranNagara khanda Seventh chapterTukarm sings it and bowsBefore the feet of these Brahamanas

(10)
Of five elements Manu manifests earthAll creatures live on it and form basis for worldMaya is water sustaining all beingsSeas and Ganges, are from this aloneTwasta is fire smashing all sinsSwallowing things given and redeeming sinsSilpi is wind the life force, which can move all worldAnd make people happy : Taksha is Sky, pervades all our hearts.So said Lord Siva in Skand PuranTukaram sings to worship them.

(11)
Yes He is the God SupremeDeclared Linga PuranAt twenty fifth poem Essence of it isThat Rigveda is ManuSama Veda is TvastaSilpi is AtharvarnDaivagna became SushumnaSays TukaramTheir Soham is our ultimate meditation

(12)
Again and Again I sayHe is the greatest GodSays Linga PuranOne can see and searchIn that holy bookTwasta is Brahma : created allMaya is Vishnu : who protects allTaksha is Surya NarayanThe great eye of the worldIndra is Silpi god of GodsSiva became Manu made every thing VoidSaint declared it on the basis of that PuranTukaram Sings itAnd prays God.

(13)
Panchang that is calender of IndiaWas invented and shaped by lord VishwakarmaTidhi danced as ManuWeek became MayaTwasta the star that gives good or badYoga is silpi causes all worksKarma is Daivagna ; He is SuryaPlanets, Lagnas, sankranties, seasonsYears counting goes under the name of PanchangIt is at the root of OM andThat great play of five becameRoot of our great AstrologyThis fact is in explained SkandPuranTukaram bows before these great masters


(14)
From OM the sacred thread cameWith ninety six inches length and nine lines of threadsFive elements became five GodsThey came from OMTwasta made these threadsSilpi twained them Maya knottedManu decorated it on neckDaivagna uttered the sacred MantrasThen only he becomes a dwijaWith five decorationsIt is well explained in the SastrasTukaram sings it to memorise

(15)
These five were celestials of yoreWipras were in friendshipLord Krishna the King of DwarkaUsed to worship Lord VISWAKARMAOn knowing Him as their headBhavani asked Shiva to show the place of muktiShankara replied that premordial MayashaktiWhom Panchalas worship with devoationIs the last point of liberation and it is created by themGod envelopes all three Worlds and life rolled onWhich ever thing you see is created by these fiveWithout them the World will loose its drapesCivilization wualked with themDharma stands on Adharma says VedaTo be known with the grace of Guru immerced every dayThat Story of Brahmanas revealed in sacred RudrayamalaTukaram sings them as Narayan and bows everyday

(16)
Though they are workers nowHave become helpless all togetherRight to donate and receive almsBathing and praying,chanting GayathriDoing havya and kavya are duties of dvijaHe is called "vatu" before marriageYoga, yaga, and virtuous deeds he has to doHe is the Brahman of veda, came from His faceThese are Panchalas with sacred dutiesManu wraught iron, made weapons,utencilsUseful for good and bad works in societyMaya builds houses giving shade to allShilpi chisels stone and brings out GodsTwasta works on metals and gives vessalsTaksha makes ornaments with gold I singAnd pray you to listen their storyTukaram sings and bows before Vittal

(17)
Oh saints ! Now sing a song onGreatness of these Brahmanas - Intellectuals.The five came from the five faces of the Lord.They shine as intelligent people and Philosophers.So they lived in Heaven. There fromPanchalas discendes to this land.When they lived in heaven they did things useful there.On coming to earth they are doing useful things for people.Twenty five in number and five sacred textsworks, Trantras etc were created.Iron, gold, copper, stone, wood and their know how was utilized by these five.They opened doors to science and technologyMoving vehicles with steam, machinesAstra sastra water pipes etc.Who invented them?Ship travelling on water with steamWireless in air, clocks singing every hour etcWere invented and created by themSustance was provided to peopleWith various types of implements to professDo not arm. Help every oneHavya kavyas are Goldornments are made by Daivajna.Palamquins Temples, boxes were given by Maya.Mountains powdered and bridges constructedPictures painted and idols carved by silpinsVessals were given by Twasta : All these are PanchalasVeda also declares them as true BrahmanasLingaPuran and Skanda Puran sing the same songTukaram appeals people to know the truthAnd salutes good people.

(18)
Jiva while staying in Mother's wombMeditates the fiveAnd the meaning of it is known to all,Mother and father stay in five elementsAccording to their karma andComes to life and grows on earth .Food taken turns to become spearmAnd mix with blood in sex crossTurns to be a buble of airIt will survive depend of uponPrevious birth's deeds good or badThat to the situation to make the bodyTukaram sings glory of Panchalas

(19)
Man comes out from the womb at deliveryMother earth embraces him first.His naval pipe is cut with knife given by ManuWater is fetched in vessal given by TwastaBaby is giving bath, the baby is given lullIn the swing provided by MayaPeople come and see the babyImmerse them selves in passion.On the day fifth these five are remembered On sixth day,The daivajna in worshipped on twelth day,They decorate the house invite Daivajna and request to touch the ear.Babe is decorated with gold ornaments"Janma Ptrika " is prepared. Then parents bow before himAnd request results scanned in Patrika.Good and bad effects of various stars and planets.Feel happy to hear good resultsThe great almanac was followed even at Krishan's time.Daivagna is feasted and felicitated with Purse and many thingsAll this can be learned by study of BhagawataOne must experience life as per writing on forehead by TwastaTukaram prays God.

(20)
Let me repeat the words of saintsMaya gifted swingSilpi gifted grinding stone andwomen sing songs "Govind - Govind'while grindingCall the baby gopal govindSwip swings with lullabiesName is given as suggested by DaivajnaFollow the same and call himSongs are sung using that nameContinuing the age old traditionEvery baby again and againEvery baby receives the same retreatI sing again and again.Skand Puran and RudrayamalaLaid these proceduresThis is pranavacalan says TukaramBowing before Lord vittal

(21)
All creatures born and die one dayDeath does not leave Brahmin tooOnce the Life breath leaves, body carried to burial groundCorpse, lost all five elements is a waste materialThe minute he dies, corpse is kept on stand for departureHis caste runs away from himHe is Brahmin with five marksEmbraced of the force of five elementsAfter the corpse burnt, his people performlast rites flowed by periodical ceremoniesTaking his name and siblinks to send him heavenSo the place here and there belong to panch BrahmaIf virtuous leaves like this, surely he reaches heavenHe dissolves in Vishnu, by penanceHe reaches the above of Siva to see Manu thereIf he reaches heaven by doing sacrificesSees Indra there this silpiIf he reaches the abode of Brahma by doingSandhya etc. He sees Twasta there,By performing morning baths and charitiesGo direct to abode of sun and sees Daivagna thereServes parents and reach the abode of manesAnd sees the "panch" thereReciting veda, worshiping mendicantsGiving alms to panch Brahmams accrue MokshaKnow wuell that is the way to reach heavenThat is the secret in preachings of BrahminsTukaram sings these five makers the world And who ever prays them are virtuous

(22)
Hence I say to serve these BrahmanasDo not leave this way to knowledgeKnowledge is ultimate and eternalKnow this and worship themIt will bestow good results on serving Those divine souls on earthPeople know which is good and bad in deedsLord Brahma watches it from heavenlisten good stories , read good booksTake experiences of learnedHear what the servant of Lord vittal singsOne should not leave the said meditation


(23)
All the people came from OM .But who cares to know OMWhat and who are the limbs of OMI explain. Please try to understandAs its shape is of ManuIt is called savierThe stick like stroke is Maya andThe curve is TwastaUnderstand it clearlyLastly the crescent is silpi and know itThe circular dot is DaivagnaOM came to spread with These five limbsShaped it self from voidThis story is traced in silpa sastra booksknow this I explainedTukaram sings on these five BrahmansBows be fore OM.

(24)
Lord is there every where Find him on great searchWorld comes to life and goesLife is beautiful in this worldUniverse is of three worldsLord occupied all this worlds Tukaram sings on viswakarma guruHe saves creatures from sea of life.

(25)
You do your dutyYour manes get relief by thatLeave other teachingsOur fore fathers fielded it with great careDon't make yourself a fool by actsBe careful of your own deeds in lifeLord Viswakarma Guru of PanchalasIs our ultimate distnationwhat ever Veda said is sung by Tukaram.

(26)
Manu is blacks smithMaya is carpenterBrahma the great god is TwastaManu is bow and Maya arrowReciting Veda and wearing braceletsFlays and umbrellas given by MayaPurans described all these storiesWho dies in war is called HeroPeople support him sings Tukaram.

(27)
Manu, Maya Twasta, silpi DaivajnasAre Brahamns came from five facesShapeless minerals are shaped by themUniverse is made up of three worldsWorld saving minerals he madeExtracted seven minerals the from earthMade earthern vssal filled it with mineral earthCasted God with these minerals meltedViswakarma is Iswuara to run the business of worldGold, silver, copper, and the fourth zincFifth is aluminum sixth tinSeventh iron are powerful minerals in this worldEarth is divided into ten partsIron is made and named soDig the earth put the veessal, fill it with zincMakes the liquid Iron it is creation of ManuFixing points on four sides of globeHe makes the vessal to melt the mineralManu made a hammar and cycleProfessional implements to other four brothersHis descendants follow the same work (Cont)And it is praised well in VedaBrahamans Kshatriya, Vaishys and SudraAll are in panchala's worldEighteen came from eighteen castesSays so the the age scriptureWorld tacher teaches them giving implementsPanchalas you know ! are Sun and MoonGanapathi the first writer wrote to knowThat they are to he called viswajanTukarma sings if you worship themIt goes to Lord of this universe

(28)
Viswakarma has shown his ViswarupaAnd instructed all seventeenBy creation it self the world is shapedFrom is five faces five people came outHe shaped them in his structuresLater Brahma made them oneBy giving life they came to this world and lived happilyTime rolled on and the lustre was lostOf course it was destined to be so by Lord appeared as ViswakarmaRemoving the cover of cover on faces of BrahmaHe became thread holderIgnorant people can not know thisHe filled himself this UniverseAll are living is this mundane worldPanchalas must practice-their six dutiesLord lives in this world unattachedEven then he did not leave his dutyPeople tried to pull down panchalas and theirCeremonial sacredness byBrahmans who got a curse to lose theirsanctity is kali ageTukaram sings glory of Panchalas and declares that they are adorable.