Faith, settle and stay close
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
न संडावा ठाव । ऐसा निश्चयाचा भाव ॥1॥
आतां पुरे पुन्हा यात्रा । हें चि सारूनि सर्वत्रा ॥ध्रु.॥
संनिध चि सेवा । असों करुनियां देवा ॥2॥
आज्ञोच्या पाळणें । असें तुका संतां ह्मणे॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
One should not abandon one's place; such should be the resolve of faith. No more pilgrimages now; let everything be settled here. Let me remain close, serving God always. Says Tuka to the saints, I abide by following Your command.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
One should not leave one's place; let the resolve of faith be this firm. No more pilgrimages now; let everything be settled right here. Let me stay close, always serving God. Tuka says to the saints: I abide by keeping your command.
What it means
Tukaram makes a vow to stop moving. He sets down the wandering of pilgrimage and resolves that the place he is in is the place to stay, because faith does not need to go elsewhere to find what it seeks. The nearness he wants is to God, served without leaving; staying put is itself the service. He tells the saints that obeying their command is how he holds to this. The poem turns settledness into devotion: God is found by staying close, not by searching far.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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