Veer Savarkar sang Sant Tukaram’s abhangs in jail, says PM Modi

By PTI

DEHU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday mentioned Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar sang abhangs (devotional poetry in reward of Lord Vitthal) of Sant Tukaram whereas in jail throughout India’s freedom battle.

“While in jail, Veer Savarkar used his handcuffs like the chipli (a musical instrument) of Sant Tukaram and sang his abhangs,” Modi mentioned.

He was addressing a gathering of warkaris (devotees enterprise the pilgrimage to Lord Vitthal temple at Pandharpur), after inaugurating a shila (rock) temple on the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Mandir devoted to the Seventeenth-century saint at Dehu close to Pune.

Modi additionally interacted with the warkaris throughout his go to, which comes forward of the annual ‘wari’ pilgrimage which can begin on June 20 from Dehu. The Prime Minister was additionally introduced with a particular headgear, the Tukaram pagdi, on the event.

Lauding Sant Tukaram, a outstanding determine within the Bhakti motion, Modi mentioned he performed an necessary function within the lifetime of a ‘Rashtra Nayak’ like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Built with a particular sort of Rajasthani stone, the Shila temple is a temple devoted to a slab of stone on which Sant Tukaram had meditated for 13 days. Warkaris provide prayers on the Shila temple earlier than beginning their pilgrimage to Pandharpur.

A brand new idol of Sant Tukaram has additionally been put in within the temple close to the ‘Shila Mandir’. Sant Tukaram was well-known for his devotional poetry often known as abhang and religious songs often known as kirtan. His works are central to the warkari sect in Maharashtra.

Dehu, on the banks of the Indrayani river, is the birthplace of the poet saint.

Modi mentioned the development of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi marg might be accomplished in 5 phases and Rs 11,000 crore might be spent to assemble the 350-km (Alandi-Dehu-Pandharpur) freeway.

Modi mentioned Sant Tukaram had meditated for 13 days by sitting on the shila (rock) to carry the Vedas again. “It is not just a shila but is the foundation stone of bhakti (devotion) and dnyan (realisation),” he mentioned.

We are proud that India is without doubt one of the oldest dwelling civilizations on this planet and the credit score goes to sants and sages, he mentioned.

“India is a land of sants and in every period, some great souls came to give directions to the society. Today when the country is going ahead based on our cultural values, the ‘abhangs’ are showing us the path and inspiring us,” he added.

The PM mentioned Sant Tukaram used to say that discrimination amongst people is an enormous sin.

“This message is not only important for Bhagwat bhakti, but also Rastra bhakti (patriotism) and Samaj bhakti (service to society). With these messages, our ‘warkari’ brothers and sisters set on the journey to Pandharpur every year,” he mentioned referring to ‘Wari’.

With this message, the nation is shifting ahead with the idea of ‘sabka sath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas and sabka prayas’.

The PM mentioned that alongside the strains of ‘warkaris’, the nation can also be progressing with the empowerment of ladies.

“The wari has been a symbol of equal opportunities as women warkaris also walk side by side with their male counterparts with the same zeal and zest. Similarly, the government is also providing the benefits of welfare schemes to everyone without discrimination,” he mentioned.

He added the welfare of Dalits, backwards, tribals, and the poor is the precedence of the nation.

Modi mentioned a real saint’s id is that he strives for the welfare of the final particular person and that is the resolve of our ‘antyoday’ yojana.

The PM mentioned varied yatras within the nation are the sources of energy for the social and religious progress.

“With these yatras, we keep the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat’ alive. These yatras connect the diversity of our country. To strengthen the unity of our country, we should keep our ancient identity alive,” he added.

The PM additionally mentioned expertise and infrastructure have gotten synonymous with India’s progress, “we are ensuring that heritage and development go hand in hand”.

Referring to scriptures, he mentioned ‘satsang’ of sants is the rarest privilege in human life. “If the grace of sants is felt, then the realisation of God automatically takes place. Coming to this holy pilgrimage land of Dehu today, I am feeling the same,” he mentioned.

He additionally mentioned a pledge ought to be taken to maintain cleanliness in each sphere of life. “These national pledges should become part of spiritual pledges,” the PM added at the same time as he demanded a push for pure farming and the popularisation of Yoga and Yoga Day.