Experience, dust at the saints' feet
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ब्रह्मरसगोडी तयांसी फावली । वासना निमाली सकळ ज्यांची ॥1॥
नाहीं त्या विटाळ अखंड सोंवळीं । उपाधीवेगळीं जाणिवेच्या ॥ध्रु.॥
मन हें निश्चळ जालें एके ठायीं । तयां उणें काई निजसुखा ॥2॥
तीं चि पुण्यवंतें परउपकारी । प्रबोधी त्या नारीनरलोकां ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे त्यांचे पायीं पायपोस । होऊनियां वास करिन तेथें ॥ 4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The sweetness of the nectar of Brahman has been tasted by those whose every desire has been extinguished. They carry no impurity and remain perpetually pure, free from the stain of self-importance. Their mind has become perfectly still in one place; what could be lacking in their self-bliss? Those blessed ones serve others selflessly, awakening both men and women in this world. Says Tuka, I will become the dust at their feet and dwell there always.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The sweetness of Brahman's nectar has come to those whose every craving has died. No impurity touches them; they stay always pure, free of the stain of self-importance. Their mind has gone still in one place; what could their own bliss lack? Those blessed ones serve others freely, waking up both women and men in this world. Tuka says: I will become the sandals at their feet and live there.
What it means
Tukaram is describing the marks of one who has truly tasted God. The taste comes only where every craving has burned out, and such a person stays unstained, free even of the subtle pride of being holy. Their mind has come to rest in one place, so their own bliss lacks nothing. But he stresses that they do not keep it to themselves: the blessed serve others without motive and wake up everyone around them, women and men alike. The closing line is his own posture before them. He does not claim their rank; he asks only to become the very sandals at their feet and to dwell there, lower than the lowest.
The Necessity of Experience
Why direct experience of God, not mere learning, is the only path.
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