The Supreme Serves His Devotees?
Saint Tukaram Maharaj was an ardent devotee of Shri Krishna. Tukarma used to His Lord as Panduranga and was always engrossed in chanting Pandurang’s name. At one time, saint Tukaram, had invited two priests to his home to conduct a religious ceremony on the occasion of the death anniversary of his father. As per the custom, after the rituals were completed, the priests were to be gifted some dakshina (monetary gifts) and fruits. The family members could have their food only after the rituals were completed and the priests had their food.
Meanwhile Jijai waited impatiently for Tukaram to bring home the supplies, so she could start the preparations. Soon it was noon time. The priests were about to arrive. Jijai was panic stricken and didn’t know what to do. Shortly, Tukaram arrived with all the required material. Jijai immediately started the preparation. Tukaram went to the riverside to take a bath. By then, the priests had also arrived and they started the rituals. Upon completion of the rituals, Tukaram offered them fruits, milk and some money. The priests were very pleased with the offerings and left. After the priests left, the family had their food and then Tukaram told Jijai that he would now go to the temple and rest for a while.
As Jijai finished cleaning up and setting everything in order, she saw Tukaram coming back to the house. He looked tired and was covered in mud and dirt all over. She was surprised to see him in that condition and coming from outside in, while she thought he was resting in the temple inside the house. Perplexed, she ran towards the temple but did not find anyone there. She then narrated the entire incident to Tukaram. Tukaram closed his eyes, joined his hands in prayer and called out to Lord Pandurang and quickly understood what had really happened.
Deeply touched by the extreme graciousness of his Lord, tears started flowing from his eyes. He said to Jijai, “You are extremely fortunate. Panduranga came home today and blessed all of you! He brought all the things you had asked me to buy and sat in my place for all the rituals”. He then explained his side of the story, how he forgot about the ceremony and stayed in the fields to help a farmer harvest his crop. He lamented that Panduranga did not find it worthwhile to meet him and left without giving His darshan to Tukaram.
As he sat down thinking of the Supreme Lord’s immense graciousness, tears of love kept rolling down his eyes. The Lord of all universes Himself came to bail out an insignificant Tukaram.
MORAL
Shri Krishna has said in Gita:
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||
गीता 9.22
ananyāścintayanto māṃ ye janā: paryupāsate |
teṣāṃ nityābhiyuktānāṃ yogakṣemaṃ vahāmyaham ||
gītā 9.22
“To those who always think of Me and engage in exclusive devotion to Me, I myself provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess.”
So, do your duties and focus on doing devotion. When that day arrives, where you become so engaged in devotion that you forget your duties (like Tukaram did), do not worry. God will personally take care of you.