Faith, the ripe fruit holding its stem
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आलें फळ तेव्हां राहिलें पिकोन । जरी तें जतन होय देंठीं ॥1॥
नामें चि सििद्ध नामें चि सििद्ध । व्यभिचारबुिद्ध न पवतां ॥ध्रु.॥
चालिला पंथ तो पावईल ठाया । जरि आड तया नये कांहीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे मध्यें पडती आघात । तेणें होय घात हाणी लाभ ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The fruit, once ripe, has only to hold fast to its stem. Through the Name alone, all is accomplished, so long as the buddhi does not turn faithless. The one who walks the path will reach the destination, if nothing obstructs the way. Says Tuka, the blows that fall in the middle are what determine loss and gain.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The fruit, once ripe, has only to hold fast to its stem. By the Name alone, all is accomplished; by the Name alone, all is accomplished, so long as the buddhi does not turn unfaithful. The one who walks the path will reach the destination, if nothing blocks the way. Tuka says: it is the blows that fall along the road that decide the loss and the gain.
What it means
Tukaram gives a single steady image for the spiritual life: a ripe fruit need do nothing but keep its hold on the stem until it falls in its own time. In the same way the Name accomplishes everything by itself, and the devotee's only task is not to let the buddhi turn faithless and let go. He says plainly that whoever stays on the road will arrive, provided nothing obstructs him. The warning lands in the last line: the real test is the blows that come midway, for it is how you meet them, not the destination itself, that decides whether you gain or lose.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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