Renunciation, the joy of solitude
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
वृक्ष वल्ली आह्मां सोयरीं वनचरें । पक्षी ही सुस्वरें आळविती ॥1॥
येणें सुखें रुचे एकांताचा वास । नाहीं गुण दोष अंगा येत ॥ध्रु.॥
आकाश मंडप पृथुवी आसन । रमे तेथें मन क्रीडा करी ॥2॥
कंथाकुमंडलु देहउपचारा । जाणवितो वारा अवश्वरु॥3॥
हरिकथा भोजन परवडी विस्तार । करोनि प्रकार सेवूं रुची ॥4॥
तुका ह्मणे होय मनासी संवाद । आपुला चि वाद आपणांसी ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Trees and vines are our kinfolk, and the birds of the forest call to us in sweet voices. In such happiness the solitary life becomes dear; neither virtue nor fault clings to us there. The sky is our canopy, the earth our seat, and the mind delights and plays freely. A patched garment and a water-pot serve the body, and the wind reminds us of life's impermanence. The feast of hari-katha is our banquet, prepared in many flavors to be savored with relish. Says Tuka, here the mind converses with itself, debating its own truths in sweet solitude.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Trees and vines are our kin, and the forest birds call to us in sweet voices. In this happiness the solitary life grows dear. Here neither virtue nor fault clings to the body. The sky is our canopy, the earth our seat, and the mind delights and plays here freely. A patched cloak and a water-pot serve the body, and the wind reminds us how brief all things are. The telling of Hari's story is our feast, spread in many flavors to be tasted with relish. Tuka says: here the mind talks with itself, debating its own truths.
What it means
Tukaram is describing the contentment of the renounced life by what it does and does not contain. In the forest the trees, vines, and birds become companions, and solitude turns sweet because here the play of merit and demerit no longer sticks to a person. He needs nothing but sky for a roof and earth for a seat; a single patched garment and a begging-bowl are enough body-care, and the passing wind keeps reminding him that everything is fleeting. His one banquet is hari-katha, the story of God told and savored. The final image is inward conversation: alone, the mind keeps company with itself and works out its own truth, and that is shown as fullness, not loneliness.
Renunciation
The case for letting go of worldly attachments and turning wholly to God.
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