Devotion, the household nearness of God
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
भांडावें तें गोड । पुरे सकळ ही कोड ॥1॥
ऐसा घरींचा या मोळा । ठावा निकटां जवळां ॥ध्रु.॥
हाक देतां दारीं । येती जवळी सामोरीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे शिवें । मागितलें हातीं द्यावें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Quarreling with him is sweet, for it fulfills every longing. Such is the familiar bundle of this household bond; those who are nearest know it well. When you call at his door, he comes forward to meet you. Says Tuka, whatever Shiva is asked for, he gives at once from his own hand.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Even quarreling with him is sweet, for it satisfies every longing. Such is the homely bond of this household; those who are near know it well. When you call at his door, he comes forward to meet you. Tuka says: whatever Shiva is asked for, he gives at once from his own hand.
What it means
Tukaram describes a closeness with God so intimate that even quarreling with him turns sweet and fills every desire, the way only family members can fight without losing love. This is the familiar bond of a household, and those who live near God know its ease firsthand. The signs of that nearness are simple: call at his door and he comes out to meet you, ask Shiva for anything and he hands it over at once himself. The poem invites the listener into that same domestic intimacy, where God is not a distant power to be appeased but a near one who answers the moment he is called.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
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