FROM THE PROFANE TO THE TRANSCENDENT

JAPA IN TUKARAM'S MYSTICISM

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of Japa 'repetition of god's name' in the mystical doctrine of Tukäräm, a 17th century Indian mystic poet of Maharashtra, one of the major states of India. Repetition of god's name is part of the diverse religious traditions of Hi.nduism (Tantra, Yoga, Bhakti, etc.) and of other religious traditions such as Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. This paper examines the form and function of Japa in the mystical doctrine of Tukäräm. The analysis is intended to provide a point of comparison across diverse systems of mysticism, which witt be useful for defining universal as well as particular features of Japa across religions. Although Japa has been discussed in several works on Tukärâm, its role in the entire mystical doctrine of Tukäräm has not been fully examined.