The Name, syllables that save all
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
रामराम उत्तम अक्षरें । कंठीं धरिलीं आपण शंकरें ॥1॥
कैसीं तारक उत्तम तिहीं लोकां । हळाहळ शीतळ केलें शिवा देखा ॥ध्रु.॥
हा चि मंत्र उपदेश भवानी । तिच्या चुकल्या गर्भादियोनि ॥2॥
जुन्हाट नागर नीच नवें । तुका ह्मणें म्यां धरिलें जीवें भावें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Rama, Rama: these supreme syllables were held in His own throat by Shankara Himself. See how they carry all three worlds. They cooled the deadly poison within Shiva. This very mantra was given as instruction to Bhavani, sparing her from the round of womb-births. Old or new, high or low, cultured or plain: Says Tuka, I have embraced it with my whole jiva and devotion.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Rama, Rama: these supreme syllables Shankara himself held in his throat. See how they carry all three worlds. They cooled the deadly poison within Shiva. This very mantra was given as instruction to Bhavani, sparing her from the round of womb-births. Old or new, high or low, plain or refined: Tuka says: I have embraced it with my whole life and devotion.
What it means
Tukaram exalts the two syllables of Rama's Name by pointing to who has relied on them. Shiva himself held them in his throat, and they cooled the deadly halahala poison he swallowed at the churning of the ocean; they are strong enough to carry all three worlds across. The same Name was the very teaching Shiva gave to Bhavani, freeing her from the cycle of birth in the womb. Tukaram says the Name works whatever one's standing, ancient or new, high or low, and ends by declaring that he has taken hold of it with his whole life and heart.
The Power of the Name
The supremacy of nama-smarana: God's name as the highest practice.
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