The Life and Struggles of Saint Tukaram
After enduring a series of devastating losses early in his life, Saint Tukaram found it impossible to invest his heart fully in his second marriage. The tragic famine that claimed his first wife and his only son left him utterly disillusioned with life. Stricken with grief, he spiraled into despair, losing control over his senses and wasting away day by day.
One fateful day, unable to bear the weight of his sorrow, Tukaram abandoned his home and retreated into the woods, resolved never to return. It was there, in solitude, that he experienced a profound spiritual revelation—a turning point that began to restore a sense of order and purpose to his life.
However, the world he returned to was irrevocably changed. Though he wore a brave, smiling face and adhered to the principle that "life must go on," deep within, he felt a growing emptiness. As time passed, he realized that life offered nothing new—just an endless cycle of repetitive tasks, fears, anxieties, and struggles tied to family responsibilities. With no visible escape, this monotony became overwhelming, suffocating, and deeply depressing.
Adding to his distress, he saw that everyone around him faced similar challenges. Their lives, too, were weighed down by their burdens, leaving no one truly capable of helping one another, even if they wished to. Tukaram found himself isolated—there was no one to turn to, no shoulder to lean on, and no one to pull him out of his despair.
When the burden became unbearable, he turned to the Lord for solace. Filled with anguish, he poured his heart out, pleading for divine intervention to liberate him from the bonds of worldly existence.
