There are several stories of Indian bhakti movement saints who faced hardships from their wives but still continued on their spiritual journeys.
Sant Tukaram
Tukaram was a 17th-century Marathi saint and poet who is known for his devotional songs and abhangs. His wife was known to be very harsh and abusive towards him, often ridiculing him for his devotion to Lord Vitthal. However, Tukaram remained steadfast in his faith and continued to write beautiful poems and songs in praise of the Lord. He is considered one of the greatest saints of the bhakti movement.
Tukaram's wife, Bolhoba, was known to be very harsh and abusive towards him because of his devotion to Lord Vitthal. She was not interested in spirituality and did not understand Tukaram's commitment to it. She would often ridicule him for his beliefs, beat him, and throw away his religious books.Despite his wife's harsh treatment, Tukaram remained steadfast in his faith. He continued to write beautiful poems and songs in praise of the Lord, even as his wife mocked and belittled him. Tukaram often found solace in his spiritual practice and would go into deep meditative states, which angered his wife even more. She would try to interrupt his meditation and accuse him of neglecting his family responsibilities.
In one incident, Bolhoba sold all of their possessions, including Tukaram's books, to buy food for the family. When Tukaram found out, he was devastated. He pleaded with his wife to give him back his books, but she refused. Tukaram then prayed to Lord Vitthal, and miraculously, his books were returned to him the next day. This incident strengthened Tukaram's faith even more and inspired him to write more beautiful poems and songs.
Despite facing such hardships from his wife, Tukaram never lost his faith in God. He continued to spread his message of love and devotion to all, and his teachings continue to inspire people even today. Tukaram's devotion and unwavering faith are a testament to the power of spiritual practice and its ability to transform one's life, even in the face of adversity.
Santh Namdev
Santh Namdev was a 13th-century saint and poet who is also revered in the bhakti tradition. His wife was known to be very critical of him and his devotion to God. She would often ridicule him for spending time in prayer and contemplation and would throw away his religious books.
She would also discourage him from helping other people, which was a core part of Namdev's spiritual practice. Despite his wife's harsh treatment, Namdev remained committed to his spiritual path. He continued to sing the praises of God and to help others, despite his wife's opposition. Namdev would often go to the temple to pray and meditate, which would anger his wife. In one incident, she locked him out of the house because he was spending too much time in prayer. Namdev then went to the temple and slept there for the night.
Namdev's devotion and faith were tested further when his wife became very ill. She begged him to pray for her and to use his spiritual powers to heal her. Namdev knew that only God could heal his wife, and he prayed to the Lord for her recovery. His prayers were answered, and his wife was healed.
Despite all of the hardships he faced from his wife, Namdev remained steadfast in his devotion to God. He continued to spread his message of love and compassion to all, and his poems and songs are still widely popular in India. His unwavering faith and commitment to his spiritual path serve as an inspiration to all those who face obstacles on their own journey towards enlightenment.
Kabir Das
Kabir was a 15th-century poet and saint who is known for his teachings on the unity of God and the equality of all human beings. Kabir's wife was known to be very domineering and would often scold him for spending too much time in meditation and contemplation. She did not share his interest in spirituality and was critical of his teachings.
Despite his wife's harsh treatment, Kabir remained committed to his spiritual path. He continued to spread his message of love and compassion, often speaking in simple and direct language that could be understood by people from all walks of life. Kabir's wife would often interrupt his gatherings and make fun of his teachings, which would anger Kabir's followers. However, Kabir remained calm and patient, never losing sight of his spiritual mission.
One day, Kabir's wife accused him of stealing a gold necklace. Kabir denied the accusation and said that he did not even know what a gold necklace looked like. His wife then went to the authorities and accused him of theft, and Kabir was thrown in jail. While in jail, Kabir continued to meditate and write poetry. His followers would visit him in jail and bring him food and other essentials.
Eventually, Kabir was released from jail, and the charges against him were dropped. Despite this ordeal, he continued to spread his message of love and compassion. Kabir's teachings emphasized the importance of inner purity and the unity of all human beings, regardless of their background or social status.
Kabir's unwavering faith and commitment to his spiritual path serve as an inspiration to all those who face hardships on their own journey towards enlightenment. Despite facing opposition from his own wife and being falsely accused of theft, Kabir never lost sight of his spiritual mission and continued to spread his message of love and unity until his death.