Sant Tukkaram- Part-1 by Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji

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Dear Members,

 

" In this world we find that it is only the one who is powerful always has the

upper hand. It is so even in 'swa jati' (in one's own class). Take the dogs, for

instance. The weak dog fears the strong one. It is the same amongst all

creatures. The tiger or the elephant that is very powerful is trapped by Man and

placed in a zoo. Man is not as powerful as these animals. But, he possesses

'buddhi bala' (intelligence). This is greater than 'sariira bala' (physical

strength). 'Mano bala' (Power of the mind) is greater than 'buddhi bala'. There

are people who can operate the electric fan just with their 'mano bala'. With

˜mano bala™ one can even bend a lamp post, squeeze out the juice from the lemon

just by glaring at it, etc. But, greatest of all is 'Atma bala' (power of the

Atman)! A Jnani possesses 'Atma Bala'.

 

Sage Viswamitra, during one of his wanderings as a great king, met Sage

Vasishta. Sage Vasishta provided him and his huge army with a sumptuous meal

with the help of 'Kamadhenu', the Celestial cow that can bestow anything sought.

Viswamitra thought, ˜Vasishta in loincloth does not need this wonderful

'Kamadhenu'. I am a King and it is I who should possess 'Kamadhenu' and demanded

the celestial cow. Sage Vasishta refused to part with it as it had come from the

˜Deva loka™ (the heavens). This greatly angered Viswamitra who waged a war

against the Sage to capture ˜Kamadhenu " . The huge army was totally uprooted by

the ˜Atma balaâ of Sage Vasishta! Viswamitra realized that neither he nor his

huge army were any match to the 'Atma bala' of the loin clad Sage. He

immediately gave up his kingdom and all else to earn ˜Atma bala™ and became

'Brahma rishi'.

 

It is verily with his 'Atma bala' that Samarta Ramdas, through Chatrapati

Shivaji, established the Hindu Samrajya. It is said that in Kali Yuga, Bhagavan

would take 'Kalki Avatar' and come on the back of the horse wielding a sword to

destroy foreign rule and re-establish Hindu Kingdom. I feel that it was verily

Chatrapati Shivaji who is Kalki Avatar because sitting on a horse and wielding a

sword, he uprooted foreign rule and re-established Hindu Samrajya.

 

Vittoba was a deeply dispassionate person who had won over all his 'indriyas'

(senses). Bhagavan instructed him to marry. Not interested in a householder's

life, Vittoba said to Bhagavan, I have won over the 'indriyas' (senses). I do

not desire to marry. Bhagavan pointed out to him, As you have won over the

'indriyas' marriage will not bind you. You must, therefore, marry! and Bhagavan

Himself arranged a bride for him. Vittoba entered a householder's life as

ordained by Bhagavan. But, even after many years of marriage he remained

childless. He, therefore, decided to give up family life and take up 'sanyasa'

(ascetic life). He left his home and reached Varanasi. Here, he received

˜sanyasa™ from Mahatma Ramananda.

 

Soon Ramananda set out to visit various places. About thirty-two of his

disciples accompanied him. Vittoba preferred to stay back because he feared

meeting with his relatives or friends if the tour covered Pratishtanapura. His

Guru reached Pratishtanapura and camped here for a few days. Vittoba's wife used

to visit the temple nearby every morning and circumambulate the peepul tree

there. One morning she found the people walking past her in a line. On enquiry

she learnt that they were all going to pay their respects to the great Mahatma

who had camped there. She, too, joined them and paid her obeisance to the

Mahatma. Ramananda had seen her going round the peepul tree. Who circumambulates

the peepul tree? One who has no child. Hence, Ramananda blessed her with the

words, May you be blessed with children. Vittoba's wife stood shocked. Shedding

tears she sought the Mahatma's pardon. She then explained, My husband's

whereabouts are not known for the past 12 years. But, you have blessed me thus.

Ramananda said, " It is verily Rama who has spoken through me. They are not my

words. You will certainly be blessed with children. " And the Mahatma enquired

about her husband. It came to light that his disciple who had remained back at

Varanasi was her husband. He immediately sent for him. When he arrived, the Guru

asked of his disciple, Is maintaining ˜sanyasa-asrama " greater than making your

Guru's words come true? I order you to go back to the life of householder and

beget children.

 

!!! Will continue !!!