Longing for the saints, the rare meeting
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कोणा पुण्यें यांचा होईन सेवक । जींहीं द्वंदादिक दुराविलें ॥1॥
ऐसें वर्म मज दावीं नारायणा । अंतरीं च खुणा प्रकटोनि ॥ध्रु.॥
बहु अवघड असे संतभेटी । तरि जगजेठी करुणा केली ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे मग नयें वृत्तीवरी । सुखाचे शेजारीं पहुडईन ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
By what merit might I become the servant of those who have overcome all duality? O Narayana, reveal this secret to me, making the mark within manifest. The meeting with a true saint is exceedingly rare; yet, O Lord of the universe, You have shown compassion. Says Tuka, after that, I shall no longer be swept by the vrittis; I will recline at ease in the lap of bliss.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
By what merit could I become the servant of those who have driven off all duality? Show me this secret, Narayana; make the sign clear within my heart. Meeting a true saint is very hard. Yet, Lord of the world, You have shown mercy. Tuka says: after that I will not be dragged by the mind's moods. I will lie down at ease in the lap of bliss.
What it means
Tukaram prays not to meet God directly but to be allowed to serve the saints, those who have overcome the pull of opposites. He asks Narayana to plant the inner mark that would make him fit for such service. He admits that the company of a true saint is exceedingly rare, then thanks the Lord, whose compassion grants it anyway. The reward he names is freedom from the restless turning of the mind, the vrittis, and a settled rest in bliss. The poem locates liberation in service to the saints rather than in any effort of his own merit.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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