Ecstasy, the simple road to Vaikuntha
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
टाळघोळ सुख नामाचा गजर । घोषें जेजेकार ब्रह्मानंदु॥1॥
गरुडटके दिंडी पताकांचे भार । आनंद अपार ब्रह्मादिकां॥ध्रु.॥
आनंदें वैष्णव जाती लोटांगणीं । एक एकाहुनि भद्रजाति ॥2॥
तेणें सुखें सुटे पाषाणां पाझर । नष्ट खळ नर शुद्ध होती ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे सोपें वैकुंठवासी जातां । रामकृष्ण कथा हे ची वाट ॥4॥ ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The bliss of cymbals, the ecstasy of the name chanted aloud, the shouts of triumph in divine joy. With Garuda-pillars, processions, and rows of banners, endless delight comes even to Brahma and the gods. In ecstasy, the Vaishnavas fall prostrate, each one nobler than the last. In such bliss, even stones begin to melt; the wicked and the cruel become purified. Says Tuka, the path to Vaikuntha is simple; the sacred story of Rama and Krishna is the way.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The joy of cymbals, the loud roar of the Name, the shouts of victory, the bliss of Brahman. Garuda-poles, processions, rows of banners; the joy is endless, even for Brahma and the gods. In joy the Vaishnavas fall flat upon the ground, each one nobler than the last. In that joy even stones break open and weep; wicked, cruel men become pure. Tuka says: going to Vaikuntha is easy; the story of Rama and Krishna is the very road.
What it means
Tukaram paints the congregational worship, the kirtan, with its cymbals, banners, processions, and the shouted Name, a joy so great even Brahma and the gods share it. He shows the Vaishnavas prostrate in ecstasy and claims its power plainly: in that bliss even stones melt and weep, and hard, cruel men are made pure. The point he lands is that the way to the highest heaven is not difficult or secret. Simply telling and hearing the story of Rama and Krishna is itself the road.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
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