I have not born by chance,
there is an aim behind it.
I have to prove the importance & necessity
of chanting kirtan in the life of human beings
For this I have to complete resolution
of composing 1000 million hymns ,
and sing it for human beings bright future.
The work is started long back
when my soul was in Namdev’s incarnation

Saint Tukavipra was basically from Rahimatpur in Satara district and was from Vipat (Kulkarni) family. His great grand-father Pralhadpant was the disciple of Rangnathswami Nigdikar. Tukavipra's father Bhagwantrao Vipat was a servant in the royal army of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.

Due to some political incidents ,he became very sad and decided to take retirement from politics and from family life also. He spent his remaining life at Chaphal in meditation. But the current head of the hermitage Shri Laxman Swami ordered Bhagawantrao to accept family life and not to take 'Sanyas'. And sent him back to his home with blessings. After some time Bhagwantrao's wife became pregnant. In her womb child 'Tukavipra' received "Ajapa Gayatri Mantra" from his own Maternal Grandfather Shri Vipranathswami who offered to make him his disciple. Child Tukaram was born with the 'Tukavipra' degree only. Saint Dnyandev, Saint Nivritinath, Saint Sopandev, Saint Muktabai and Saint Tukavipra had a similarity that all of them were born after their respective fathers gave up 'Sanyasi life and returned to the family life.
 

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At the age of five, his thread ceremony took place. After the ceremony his mother was worried and became very sad because Tukavipra’s father has not yet seen his son, but as Lord Krishna narrated Geeta to Parth(Arjuna), child Tukavipra narrated "Abhanga Geeta" (Hymn Geeta) to his mother and removed her worries. After that he proceeded for his education.

EDUCATION :

From Omkar to four vedas Saint Tukavipra mastered the knowledge only within 24 months. What a great Guru and what a great disciple! Vipranathswami was very proud of his extraordinary disciple. To young Tukavipra he taught about intense meditation lessons. After Shri Vipranathswami observed that his disciple has become expert in all subjects, he decided to end his worldly life.

On Falgun month, Krishna 14 Saturday, Nalnam Sanvtsara, Saka 1657 at auspicious moment at Anjanwati hermitage, Dist. Beed, he did Kirtan(narration of stories of God with music) continuously for 14 days. When Kirtan's last loud acclamation was going on he handed over his 'Veena' and 'Tal' (musical instruments) to Tukavipra who was then of only seven years age. And chanting Jai Jai Vithoba Rakhumai in the loud Five acclamation with yogapower Vipranathswami merged his own body with ' Elements'(Panch Tatwa).

When the listeners came to consciousness, they found 'Vina' in Saint Tukavipra's hand and where Vipranath swami was doing Kirtan found 'TULSI' (holy basil) and gulal (redpowder). All devotees bowed to this divine vision.
 

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Saint Tukavipra's marriage is also related to his previous birth. In the incarnation of Saint Tukaram, when he was discussing philosophy with a Brahmin girl (Saguna), the latter was immensely impressed by Tukaram's vast knowledge and his deep devotion for Lord Vitthal. This has created deep respect, love and later physical attraction in her mind about Saint Tukaram. She asked Saint Tukaram, if he would marry her. Tukaram could not tolerate her degradation and said.

Other woman than my wife are
like Goddess Rukhmini(mother) for me,
Oh my mother go away, make no efforts
We Vishnu's devotee not suitable for this,

I do not tolerate your degradation,
Don’t talk such words to me
Tuka said if you wanted husband
Aren't there other men in the world?

If you wanted to marry there are many men in the world. You do not try to engage me in these bonds of temptation. Saguna heard Tukaram's words and felt repentance; she asked if there is any atonement for her offence. Saint Tukaram said that only capital punishment (death sentence) is the atonement for her offence. Burnt in repentance Saguna begged Tukaram to make her 'nishkam' (disinterested in physical relations). And take out 'kam' ( physical love) from her permanently for getting rid of the degradation.

When Tukaram's anger calmed down, he advised Saguna to take capital (death sentence) punishment in this birth and the work of making her nishkam will be done in her next birth.

In Saka 1658, at the age of eight Saint Tukavipra was married to Saguna, but he accepted "Asidhara Vrat" to make Saguna 'Nishkam!' 'Asidhara Vrat' means husband and wife living together without physical relations with each other.

After Tukavipra's marriage, within two years he lost his mother. On Aashadh Krishna Dwadashi his mother breathed last at the feet of Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur. Tukavipra did her funeral rites at Neera Narsingpur and stayed there for some days for learning Gandharva Veda. From Saka 1660 to Saka 1666 Tukavipra went on pilgrimage.

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