Devotion, Pandhari holds every shrine
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
धन्य पुंडलिका बहु बरें केलें । निधान आणिलें पंढरिये ॥1॥
न पवीजे केल्या तपांचिया रासी । तें जनलोकांसी दाखविलें ॥ध्रु.॥
सवाौत्तम तीर्थ क्षेत्र आणि देव । शास्त्रांनी हा भाव निवडिला ॥2॥
विष्णुपद गया रामधाम काशी । अवघीं पायांपाशीं विठोबाच्या ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे मोक्ष देखिल्या कळस । तात्काळ या नास अहंकाराचा ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Blessed Pundalik, you did a supremely good thing by bringing this treasure to Pandhari. That which cannot be attained even by heaps of austerities, you made visible for all the people of this world. The greatest of pilgrimage sites, holy places, and deities have all been confirmed by scripture to reside here. Vishnu's footprint at Gaya, the abode of Rama, the glory of Kashi, all lie at the feet of Vithoba. Says Tuka, the moment one beholds that pinnacle, the ego is instantly destroyed.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Blessed Pundalik, you did a very good thing. You brought the treasure to Pandhari. What heaps of austerities cannot reach, you showed to all the people. The highest pilgrimage place, the holiest ground, and the very God: scripture has settled this truth here. Vishnu's footprint, Gaya, the home of Rama, Kashi, all of them lie at the feet of Vithoba. Tuka says: the moment you see that pinnacle, the ego is destroyed at once.
What it means
Tukaram thanks Pundalik for drawing God down into one reachable place, Pandhari, so that what years of austerity cannot win is set in plain view for everyone. He claims that the greatest sites and the supreme deity are gathered there, with the famous shrines of Gaya, Ayodhya, and Kashi all resting at Vithoba's feet. The closing line names the stake: this is not sightseeing but transformation, for the instant the devotee truly beholds that pinnacle, the ego that stood between him and God collapses.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
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