Faith, the One who feeds the whole world
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कां रे नाठविसी कृपाळु देवासी । पोसितो जनासी एकला तो ॥1॥
बाळा दुधा कोण करितें उत्पत्ती । वाढवी श्रीपति सवें दोन्ही ॥ध्रु.॥
फुटती तरुवर उष्णकाळमासीं । जीवन तयांसी कोण घाली ॥2॥
तेणें तुझी काय नाहीं केली चिंता । राहे त्या अनंता आठवूनि ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे ज्याचें नाम विश्वंभर । त्याचें निरंतर ध्यान करीं ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Why do you not remember the compassionate Lord? He alone feeds the whole world. Who produces milk for the infant? Shripati nurtures both the child and the milk together. Trees crack open in the scorching heat of summer; who waters them? Has He not taken care of you as well? Remain in the remembrance of that Infinite One. Says Tuka, He whose name is Vishvambhara, the Sustainer of all, meditate on Him always.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Why do you not remember the merciful God? He alone feeds every creature. Who makes milk for the infant? Shripati raises both the child and the milk together. The trees split open in the heat of summer; who gives them water then? Has He not already taken thought for you too? Stay in remembrance of that Endless One. Tuka says: His name is Vishvambhara, the one who holds up all. Meditate on Him without stopping.
What it means
Tukaram answers worry with the plain evidence of providence. The same God brings milk into being for the newborn and raises the child to drink it; the same God waters the trees that crack in the dry heat when no one else can reach them. If care like that is at work everywhere, then it is already at work for you, and remembrance, not anxiety, is the right response. The name he ends on, Vishvambhara, the sustainer of all, is the whole argument in a single word. Because the One who carries the universe is carrying you, the only thing left to do is to keep your mind on Him.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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