Kirtan, the simple secret of joy
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
सोपें वर्म आह्मां सांगितलें संतीं । टाळ दिंडी हातीं घेउनि नाचा ॥1॥
समाधीचें सुख सांडा ओंवाळून । ऐसें हें कीर्तन ब्रह्मरस ॥ध्रु.॥
पुढती घडे चढतें सेवन आगळें । भक्तिभाग्यबळें निर्भरता ॥2॥
उपजों चि नये संदेह चित्तासी । मुक्ति चारी दासी हरिदासांच्या ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे मन पावोनि विश्रांती । त्रिविध नासती ताप क्षणें ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The saints taught us a simple secret: take cymbals and the dindi-flag in your hands and dance. Wave away even the bliss of samadhi as an offering, for kirtan is itself the essence of Brahman. In its progression, devotion only deepens, and by the power of devotional fortune comes utter fulfillment. No doubt should arise in the chitta, for the four kinds of mukti are maidservants to the devotees of Hari. Says Tuka, when the mind finds rest, the threefold afflictions are destroyed in an instant.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The saints told us a simple secret: take cymbals and the dindi-flag in your hands, and dance. Wave away even the bliss of samadhi like an offering you give up; this kirtan is itself the essence of Brahman. As it goes on, the practice only rises higher, and by the strength of devotional fortune comes full contentment. Let no doubt arise in the mind: the four kinds of liberation are maidservants to the servants of Hari. Tuka says: when the mind finds rest, the threefold afflictions are destroyed in a moment.
What it means
Tukaram passes on what the saints handed him: the way is not hard. You pick up cymbals and flag and dance in kirtan, and that singing is the very taste of Brahman, higher than the silent bliss of samadhi, which you can wave away as a lesser offering. He says the practice keeps deepening of itself, and that liberation is no longer something to chase: the four classic kinds of mukti wait like servants on those who serve Hari. The point is to drop doubt and let the mind rest in the Name, and when it does, the threefold suffering of life burns off in an instant.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
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