• There is a method by which the demands of the senses can be harmonized and reconciled. This is by treating both good and bad with equal mindedness.

• Tukaram is an illustrious example in this regard. He was a great devotee and very gentle by nature. His wife was shrewd. Nevertheless, by his calmness and forbearance, Tukaram managed to get well with her. Only when one is in the habit of retaliating word for word, tit for tat, tooth for tooth and nail for nail, one has to face discord and trouble. But Tukaram was the very embodiment of forbearance. He used to cultivate his small half-an-acre farm to maintain his family. At the instance of his neighbours, he once raised sugar cane crop in that small plot of land. When the crop was mature, taking undue advantage of Tukaram�s good nature, many passers by used to pluck a couple of sugarcanes and chew them. Finally Tukaram harvested whatever crop was left behind, bundled the canes and was taking them home in his cart. On the way the children of the village gathered around him and pleaded for a piece of sugarcane each. In his usual generosity, Tukaram allowed the children to help themselves to the canes in the cart. Seeing this his wife flew into a rage and strongly scolded Tukaram, condemning him as unfit for family life. She took out the only cane on the cart in a fit of anger and struct Tukaram with it. The cane broke in to three pieces; out of which two fell on the ground and the other was in her hand. Tukaram calmly remarked, "I was wondering all along the way as to how to distribute the single remaining cane to the three members of the family. I am glad you have nicely solved the problem for me. You can eat one piece which is in you hand and give the other two which have fallen on the floor to the two children. "Such forbearance and equanimity can rarely be found except in a few high-souled persons. These qualities can be acquired only through devotion and faith. You need not feel disheartened with the fear that you will not be able to control the senses. By developing one pointed devotion and complete surrender to God, the senses can definitely be brought under control."

• Tukaram was honoured by the gift of a gorgeous palanquin and caskets of jewels by Shivaji. But Tukaram said, "Rama! I will not take my hands from off your feet, for, I know you are waiting to escape from me, the moment I release the grasp to hold anything other than your Divine feet".

When he was walking along repeating �Ram Ram� some passer by asked him, "What do you hope to get by this incessant repetition? Is it Kailash or Vaikunta?" I do not know what is meant by Kailash or Vaikunta; I only know that Ram nam gives me Heavenly Bliss". When the heart beats to the tune of Ram nam, it is heaven indeed.

THANKS TO SAI VANI