Saints, the only true giver
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
दाता तो एक जाणा । नारायणा स्मरवी ॥1॥
आणीक नासिवंतें काय । न सरे हाय ज्यांच्यानें ॥ध्रु.॥
यावें तयां काकुलती । जे दाविती सुपंथ ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे उरी नुरे । त्याचे खरे उपकार ॥3॥
अलंकापुरीं ब्राह्मण धरणें बसून बेताळीस दिवस उपवासी होता त्यास द्दष्टांत
कीं देहूस तुकोबापाशी जाणें. ब्राह्मण स्वामीपें आला त्याबद्दल अभंग ॥ 31 ॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The true giver is the one who inspires remembrance of Narayana. What use are perishable things that cannot last? One should beseech those who show the true path. Says Tuka, the one whose help leaves nothing remaining to be done, his are the real blessings.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Know this: there is one true giver, the one who makes you remember Narayana. What use are other things that perish, things by which the ache is never eased? Go and beg from those who show you the good path. Tuka says: the one whose help leaves nothing left to be done, his are the real blessings.
What it means
Tukaram is redefining who deserves to be called generous. The true giver is not the one who hands you perishable goods, which never end your deeper longing, but the one who turns you toward remembering God. So he says the thing worth begging for is the company of those who point out the right path, the saints. Their help is complete in a way no worldly gift is: it leaves nothing further to be done, because it settles the soul itself. The editorial note ties the verse to a brahmin who sat in protest-fast for forty-two days at Alandi and was told in a vision to go to Tukaram at Dehu.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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