Sant Tukaram — Seeing God in All

Sant Tukaram was a 17th-century poet-saint of Maharashtra, deeply devoted to Lord Vitthala (a form of Krishna). He lived in poverty, entirely detached from material wealth, spending his days composing and singing abhangs (devotional poetry).

To support his family, he once agreed to guard a farmer's wheat field from a flock of birds. The farmer promised him half the crop in return.

Tukaram sat on an elevated platform in the field and began chanting the name of Lord Vitthala. Soon, a large flock of birds descended and began eating the grain. As Tukaram looked at the birds, he didn't see pests; he saw the beautiful manifestation of God in each living creature.

He thought, "These birds are hungry. They are children of Vitthala, just as I am. How can I chase them away?" He happily sang to them, allowing them to eat as much as they wanted. The birds ate the entire crop.

When the farmer returned and saw the ruined field, he was furious and dragged Tukaram to the village council, demanding compensation. The council ordered the remaining meager crop to be weighed.

Miraculously, when the remaining wheat was harvested and weighed, the yield was double the normal amount! The farmer fell at Tukaram's feet. When one sees God in all beings and acts with universal compassion, the Divine takes care of all needs.