Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
by Justin E. Abbott | 1933 | 306,590 words
This is the English translation of Bhaktavijaya which is a Marathi poem written by Mahipati in 40,000 lines. The text documents the legends of Indian saints from various backgrounds and extensively covers figures like Ekanath, Tukaram, and Ramadasa, highlighting their contributions to scholarship, philosophy, poetry, and social reform. The Bhaktavi...
48.9: Shivaji offers grain to Tukaram
170. One day King Shivaji was thinking to himself, ‘If I offer a fortune to Tukoba he does not accept it.
171. Therefore I shall present myself as a humble person and take grain to his house. Otherwise he will not accept my offer of royal food.’
172. With this plan he wore torn clothes, and loading two maunds of grain on a bullock, started to go.
173. As the night had advanced two ghatikas (48 minutes) he arrived at Tukoba’s house. Tukoba was sitting near the tulsi altar with a rosary in his hand.
174. Just then the king quickly arrived and threw down she sack of grain at the door and said, ‘Swami, I have acquired this grain by labour.
175. With devotion I have brought a little to your feet. I am very humble and lowly. Please store this up in your house.’
176.Then the king bowed to him and quickly went away. Tuka knew in his heart the plan the king had adopted.
177. He thought, ‘If I tell the king that I have made him out, his love will receive a blow.’ Therefore he silently want on repeating the names of God.