Moral ideal, humility captures the Infinite
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
नम्र जाला भूतां । तेणें कोंडिलें अनंता ॥1॥
हें चि शूरत्वाचे अंग । हरी आणिला श्रीरंग ॥ध्रु.॥
अवघा जाला पण । लवण सकळां कारण ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे पाणी । पाताळ तें परी खणी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
He who became humble before all beings has captured the Infinite. This is the true mark of valor: he has drawn Shri Ranga, Hari Himself, near. Like salt that dissolves completely, he has become essential to all. Says Tuka, water lies deep underground, yet one must dig to reach it.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
He who became humble before all beings has fenced in the Infinite itself. This is the real mark of courage: he has drawn Hari, Shri Ranga, to himself. He became as everyone's, like salt that is the cause of taste in everything. Tuka says: the water is there in the depths, yet you still have to dig the well to reach it.
What it means
Tukaram redefines strength. The one who makes himself humble before every creature has, paradoxically, captured the uncapturable God, and that, not force, is true valor. He uses salt as the image of this humility: salt disappears into a dish yet makes everything taste right, so the humble person dissolves into service of all and becomes essential. The final line keeps it honest about effort. The water of grace is already present in the depths, but it does not pour out on its own; you must still dig the well, that is, do the work of becoming humble. Greatness here is won by lowering oneself, deliberately and steadily.
The Moral Ideal
Purity, sincerity, truthfulness, humility, peacefulness, and service.
More in this theme →