Nature of God, Death falls at his feet
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ज्याचे गर्जतां पवाडे । किळकाळ पायां पडे ॥1॥
तो हा पंढरीचा राणा । पुसा सा चौं अठरा जणां ॥ध्रु.॥
चिंतितां जयासी । भुक्तिमुक्ति कामारी दासी ॥2॥
वैकुंठासी जावें । तुका ह्मणे ज्याच्या नांवें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When his glory is proclaimed, even Death himself falls at his feet. He is the king of Pandhari; ask the four and the eighteen, they will tell you. Whoever contemplates him finds that worldly prosperity and liberation both serve as his handmaidens. Says Tuka, by his name alone one attains Vaikuntha.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When his deeds are sung aloud, even Death falls at his feet. He is the king of Pandhari. Ask the six and the four and the eighteen; they will tell you. For one who thinks on him, both worldly fortune and liberation become serving maids. Tuka says: by his name alone one goes to Vaikuntha.
What it means
This poem praises the power held in the Lord of Pandhari's name and story. So great is his glory that when it is proclaimed, even Death himself bows down. Tukaram appeals to the whole body of scripture, the six systems, the four Vedas, the eighteen Puranas, as witnesses to his kingship. For anyone who simply holds him in mind, the two prizes people chase, prosperity in this world and liberation from it, turn into handmaids who wait on him unasked. The conclusion is the whole teaching: not by works but by his name alone one reaches Vaikuntha.
The Nature of God
Explorations of God's character, power, grace, and relationship to the world.
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