The Name, above all merit
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
समुद्रवळयांकित पृथ्वीचें दान । करितां समान न ये नामा ॥1॥
ह्मणऊनि कोणीं न करावा आळस । ह्मणा रात्रीदिवस रामराम ॥ध्रु.॥
सकळ ही शास्त्रें पठण करतां वेद । सरी नये गोविंदनाम एकें ॥2॥
सकळ ही तीथॉ प्रयाग काशी । करितां नामाशीं तुळेति ना ॥3॥
कर्वतीं कर्मरीं देहासी दंडण । करितां समान नये नामा ॥4॥
तुका ह्मणे ऐसा आहे श्रेष्ठाचार । नाम हें चि सार विठोबाचें ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Even the gift of the entire ocean-girdled earth does not equal the Name. Therefore let no one be lazy about it; say 'Rama Rama' day and night. Reciting all the scriptures and studying all the Vedas cannot compare with a single utterance of Govinda's Name. All pilgrimages, Prayag, and Kashi, none can match the Name. Mortifying the body with austerities and penances cannot equal it. Says Tuka, such is the supreme practice: the Name of Vitthal alone is the essence.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Give away the whole earth ringed by the ocean, and it still does not equal the Name. So let no one be lazy about it. Say 'Rama Rama' night and day. Recite all the scriptures, study all the Vedas: it does not match one utterance of Govinda's Name. All the holy places, Prayag, Kashi: they do not weigh against the Name. Cut the body with saws, punish it with penances: it does not equal the Name. Tuka says: this is the highest practice. The Name of Vithoba alone is the essence.
What it means
Tukaram weighs the Name against the four great works of traditional religion and declares each one lighter. Giving away the entire ocean-girt earth, the supreme act of charity, does not match it. All scriptural recitation and Vedic study together do not match one saying of Govinda's Name. The most powerful pilgrimages, Prayag and Kashi, do not balance against it; neither do the harshest bodily austerities. By stacking the Name above gift, learning, pilgrimage, and penance in turn, he is not dismissing effort but locating the essence: the supreme practice is simply to say the Name of Vithoba, day and night, and not be lazy about the one thing that outweighs everything else.
The Power of the Name
The supremacy of nama-smarana: God's name as the highest practice.
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