When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was Surrounded by Mughal army, What Miracle Did Sant Tukaram Perform?

When Sant Tukaram turned kirtan into a shield to protect Shivaji Maharaj. This incident dates back to the 17th century. A katha session of Sant Tukaram Maharaj was underway in Lohgaon, near Pune. That day, as evening fell upon Lohgaon village, the atmosphere grew tense. Amid this tension, Sant Tukaram was immersed in Hari kirtan with his thousands of devotees.

Then, the villagers heard the clatter of horses' hooves and the clash of swords. The Mughal army had encircled the village from all sides. The devotees, absorbed in Hari kirtan to the beats of tal-mridang, dhol-majira, panicked. Seated among these very people was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself. In truth, he had become separated from his army while battling enemies and needed a safe refuge. Sensing the danger upon seeing the Maharaja, Sant Tukaram now bore the responsibility of protecting not only Chhatrapati but the entire village.

Who was Sant Tukaram? How exactly did Sant Tukaram protect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? How did Shivaji Maharaj, inspired by him, go on to establish Hindavi Swarajya? Why did Lord Vitthal (Vishnu) himself come to take Sant Tukaram at the end of his life? This article answers these very questions.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sat in the katha pandal like an ordinary devotee. But the threat of Mughal soldiers still loomed behind him. On one side was the enemy's cruelty, on the other the observance of bhakti, and in between was that king whose protection was tied to the future of Swarajya.

In that moment, Sant Tukaram made kirtan his very shield. He began calling out to his deity, Lord Vitthal, "O Lord! Save us—save us, do not delay even a moment."

Sant Tukaram engrossed in kirtan | Image Source: 3 Ways Media

There was no personal fear in his call, but a collective anguish. At the same time, it posed the question: how could an enemy enter a place where Hari's devotees reside? He was telling Lord Vitthal that if the village were not protected in this crisis, the very trust in safeguarding devotees would shatter.

Sant Tukaram Maharaj confronted the crisis through his kirtan. The pitch of his bhajan rose higher, and the devotees' courage and enthusiasm swelled. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was among them. The Mughal soldiers, searching for him, arrived at the katha pandal.

Then the miracle occurred: to the Mughal army, all the devotees seated in kirtan appeared as Chhatrapati. The Mughal army decided to kill them all. At that very instant, Lord Pandurang emerged from the katha pandal in the form of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Mughal soldiers gave chase. But Lord Vitthal, in the guise of Chhatrapati, tricked the Mughal army, vanishing after leading them 20 kos away.

Thus, Sant Tukaram Maharaj saved the lives of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and all his devotees through his devotion. After this incident, a boundless reverence for Sant Tukaram blossomed in the Maharaja's heart. Sant Tukaram himself has described this episode in his abhangs.

After this incident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj began visiting Sant Tukaram's ashram often to seek his blessings. One day, he arrived at Tukaram Maharaj's ashram with several platters filled with gold coins, intending them for the service of the saints. But Sant Tukaram refused to accept them, declaring that to him, they were mere dirt.

Shivaji Maharaj taking blessings from Sant Tukaram | Image Source: X/@garudazhwar

In truth, this refusal laid the foundation of Swaraj. Chhatrapati grasped the essence of Sant Tukaram's sentiment. It became crystal clear to him that a king's true worth is not measured by his wealth, but by his character and purpose.

In the same way, Sant Tukaram's guidance fortified Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's inner strength. With a pure heart, he fought the battle for dharma of the people. Guided by this path, he established Hindavi Swarajya on June 6, 1674.