Nature of God, the game needs two
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
एकल्या नव्हे खेळ चांग । धरिला संग ह्मणऊनि॥1॥
उमटे तेव्हां कळे नाद । भेदाभेद निवडेना ॥ध्रु.॥
दुसरा परी एक ऐसा । वजे रिसा निकुरें ही ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे कळत्यां कळे । येर खेळे खेळ ह्मुण ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A game cannot be played alone, and that is why companionship was taken up. The melody reveals itself only when it sounds; the distinction between difference and unity cannot be sorted out. The other seems separate, yet is one and the same; even in a quarrel the bond remains. Says Tuka, those who understand will understand; the rest simply play on, calling it a game.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A game is no good played alone, and that is why companionship was taken up. The note is heard only when it sounds; difference and oneness cannot be told apart. The other looks separate, yet is one and the same; even in a quarrel the bond holds. Tuka says: those who know will know; the rest just play on and call it a game.
What it means
Tukaram points at why the one God lets there be a second at all: a game cannot be played alone, so the One takes a companion in order to play. Like a musical note that exists only while it is being sounded, the divine shows itself only in the playing, and in that play difference and unity can no longer be neatly separated. The other player seems separate but is the same, and the bond holds even through quarrel. The closing line draws the line quietly between those who catch the secret of this play and those who keep playing without seeing it for what it is.
The Nature of God
Explorations of God's character, power, grace, and relationship to the world.
More in this theme →