Ecstasy, full at the feast
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
धालों सुखें ढेकर देऊं । उमटे जेवूं तोंवरी ॥1॥
क्रीडा करूं निरांजनीं । न पुरे धणी हरिसवें ॥ध्रु.॥
अवघे खेळों अवघ्यामधीं । डाई न पडों ऐसी बुिद्ध ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे वांचवीत। आह्मां सत्ता समर्थ ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Filled with bliss, I let out a contented sigh; the belch of satisfaction keeps rising as long as the feast lasts. I play in the pure light of the Absolute; my delight in Hari's company is never enough. We play freely among all, with the wisdom never to stumble and fall. Says Tuka, the Capable One keeps us alive; His authority sustains us.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I am full and content, and I let out a satisfied belch; it keeps rising as long as the feast goes on. I play in the pure light of the Absolute; my fill of Hari's company is never enough. We play freely among everyone, with the sense never to stumble and fall. Tuka says: the Capable One keeps us alive; His power holds us up.
What it means
Tukaram reaches for the homeliest image of satisfaction, a man so full from a meal that he keeps belching with contentment, and uses it for the soul filled with God. The paradox is deliberate: he is utterly satisfied, yet his fill of Hari's company is never enough, a fullness that keeps wanting more. The play happens in the open, among all people, but with a steadiness that does not trip and fall into the world's snares. He credits none of it to himself; the Capable One, God's own power, is what keeps the devotee alive and standing in that bliss.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
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