"From the God we should not demand
At any time for bread and butter
Take alms with great pleasure
In everything there is the God's offer
Should not stick for reward anywhere
Suggestions for devotees are all over
Tukavipra survived on alms ration
With loud voice all the time did 'Kirtarn"
 

After taking Ranganathswami's blessings ,Saint Tukavipra reached Brahmapuri (distt. Satara). Seeing the vast spread of Krishna River Tukavipra remembered his mother. He liked the space and surroundings very much and decided to do penance there.

On the next day while taking bath in the river he received two idols of Vitthal and Rukhmini. At this very place, saint Ramadasaswami found the idol of Rama which he has established at 'Chaphal'

Saint Tukavipra established the idols of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukhmini at Brahmapuri. Here in the presence of Lord Vitthal Saint Tukavipra's penance started. His routine was specific.

• Getting up early in the morning,
• Taking bath and performing pooja,
• Begging alms from five houses of uncooked food,
• Coming back to his residence,

He used to worship the bag (Jholi) containing the alms. He used to call the bag, Kamdhenu.(wish fulfiller cow ) Mother Saguna used to cook the food and offer bhog to the Lord. An offered bhog was divided into three parts, one part for cow, second part for guests, last and third part was for the husband and wife. They used to eat only once a day and in small quantity. During remaining part of the day hymns were written. And in the evening, Kirtan was done in the neighboring village or in Brahmapuri itself on the written hymn only.
 

Top

On an evening of Dashmi (tenth day of the month), at Bramhapuri, Shri Vithoba Chartumase' and other Saints came to meet Saint Tukavipra. It was impossible task, to describe the meeting of Saints in words. Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Literature) was also busy in experiencing the pleasant waves coming out from the hearts of two great saints. She totally forgot to note down the event in words.

Meeting of hearts continued to discussion. The main subject of discussion was none other than God. In this way discussion continued over Lord Vitthal's life, Buddha incarnation, individual experience about meeting Vitthal, the hymns written by Namdev, Tukaram, the union of the soul with the God, the work done by Lord Vishnu in his every incarnation.
The discussion continued throughout the night of Dashmi, the whole day and the night of Ekadashi (Eleventh day of the month) and up to midday of Dwadashi (Twelfth day). They were engrossed in the discussion without taking any food or water. In this way all the participants observed Nirjala Ekadashi' (Fasting even without drinking water).
Saguna (wife of Saint Tukavipra) was worried about their food. Both husband and wife were living on their alms food only, and Saint Tukavipra was busy in the discussion. Gathering boldness she went to the discussion place. Hearing noise of bangles Tukavipra looked at her and understood the purpose of her presence there through his “yoga dristi” (Sixth Sense). He assured her not to worry and to call Narhari, so he will find solution for her worry.

Obeying his order, Saguna, as a mother eager to meet her own son called 'son Narhari' with intense motherly love. From the sitting group of people one six year old Brahmin boy stood up. First he bowed in front of all elderly people and Saguna and went outside. Saguna followed him.
All people were surprised to see this Brahmin boy (Batu). And wondered where from he came. If he was present there why nobody had seen him before? Answers of all these questions could be read on the silent faces and satisfied vision of the two saints Tukavipra and Vithoba Chaturmase. Actually that Bramhin boy was none other than God Vitthal, who was the witness of the holy discussions. He had appeared before all the Saints and delighted their minds with eternal happiness.

The meeting dispersed. Everyone went to river to have bath. When they came back, they were surprised to see that their lunch was ready. Saint Tukavipra offered food to Lord Vitthal who is present in everyone. All Saints enjoyed the Prasad very much. As Lord Vitthal himself prepared the food everyone who had it were satisfied to the core. After food all the saints walked for the next destination.

Saint Tukavipra , “Mother Saguna” & Narhari lived at Brahmapuri for twelve yeas from Saka 1667 to 1678.

After completion of twelve years, Narhari (Lord Vitthal) told Saint Tukavipra to move to another destination which was Borban (jungle of jujube trees) for further penance.

As Narhari did not accompany them for their next destination, but promised he will be always in their hearts.
 

Top

There is a jungle of jujube trees (Bor-Ban) on the bank of river Krishna in Targaon near Brahmapuri. A shepherd named Tarkoba used to come in the Bor-ban with his sheep and sing bhajans with cymbals of stone. He was deep devotee of Lord Shankar. Once Saint Tukavipra, showed him Lord Shankar's presence in an idol of Lord Vitthal at Brahmapuri. This incidence made Tarkoba devotee of Saint Tukavipra. When he knew that Tukavipra is coming to Bor-ban for penance he was very happy. He welcomed Tukavipra and shown him a very big tree of jujube (bor-vriksha). Tukavipra chose that place for penance. His routine was same as in Brahmapuri. After completion of one year penance God gave him divine appearance and instructed him to build a temple. Lord Pandurang assured that he will reside within the idol forever. Tukavipra obeyed him and built a temple near the big bor-vriksha with the help of devotee Tarkoba, Malikambar and some others from nearby area.

On eleventh day of bright fortnight of lunar month Chaitra (Shuddha Ekadashi) of Saka 1681 all devotees invocated Lord Vitthal by chanting Hari nam. Lord Vitthal also responded and appeared in an idol in a pose of putting both the hands on the waist. All devotees worshipped the idol with sixteen items (shodoshopchar pooja). There is a sanctuary under this idol. Saint Tukavipra used to sit there for meditation.

 

Top

During incarnation of Saint Tukaram he observed Chindhwadkar's worshiping Lord Ganesha with shodoshopchar. He also wished by heart to do so. Those days society was under strict control of four castes. Chaturvarna. He was not able to do that pooja as he was not Brahmin. Saint Tukavipra remembered his wishes of last birth now. He prayed Lord Ganesha to fulfill his wish. Lord Siddhi Vinayak gave him divine appearance and instructed to bring out the idol of Lord Ganesha from mountains of Wagjai (Satara District) ceremonially in Bor-ban .And establish it to the right side of Lord Pandarunga.
Tukavipra says about his wish:

My vow is fulfilled
as Lord Vinayak Delighted
& come to meet at Krishna's bank
Wish of my last incarnation
Fulfilled in this incarnation
Tukavipra incarnation is
my Guru's grace.
 

Tukavipra happily worshipped Lord Ganesh with shodoshopchar (sixteen items of worshipping). This great Saint was a deep devotee whose devotion went on increasing in each birth. Lakhs of recurrent chantings of Ganapati Arharvashirsha had made the surrounding at Bor-ban a holy place. Lord Pandurang and Lord Siddhi Vinayak are present in the temple to bless their devotees. Lots of devotees visit Bor-ban for their own uplift.

On the day of Mahashivratri Saka 1685, Saint Tarkoba took live Samadhi. Tukavipra built a temple as his memorial. Lot of devotees from nearby places visit the temple to pay regards to this deep devotee of Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri day.
 

Top