Tukaram’s Secret

There is a story related to Tukaram as told by Amit Goswami in his book Physics of the Soul. The story brings into focus the attitude we should display to family and friends in our daily interactions with them.

A disciple inquired of Tukaram about how his transformation came, how he never got angry, how he was always loving, and so forth; he wanted to know Tukaram’s “secret.”

“I don’t know what I can tell you about my secret,” said Tukaram, “but I know your secret.”

“And what secret is that?” the disciple asked curiously.

“You are going to die in a week,” said Tukaram gravely.

Since Tukaram was a great sage, the disciple took his words seriously. During the next week, he cleaned up his act. He treated his family and friends lovingly. He meditated and prayed. He did everything he could in preparation for his death.

On the seventh day, he lay down on his bed, feeling weak, and sent for Tukaram.

“Bless me, sage, I’m dying,” he said.

“My blessing is always with you,” said the sage, “but tell me how you’ve been spending the last week? Have you been angry with your family and friends?”

“Of course not. I had only seven days to love them. So that’s what I did. I loved them intensely,” said the disciple.

“Now you know my secret,” exclaimed the sage. “I know that I can die at any time. So I am always loving in all my relationships.”