The saints, God made present
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
देव ते संत देव ते संत । निमित्य त्या प्रतिमा ॥1॥
मी तों सांगतसें भावें । असो ठावें सकळां ॥ध्रु.॥
निराकारी ओस दिशा । येथें इच्छा पुरतसे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे रोकडें केणें । सेवितां येणें पोट धाय ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The saints are God; the saints are God. Images are only a representation. I say this with true feeling; let it be known to all. In the formless absolute, the directions stand empty; but here in the saints, all desires are fulfilled. Says Tuka, this is ready nourishment. Partaking of it, one's hunger is truly satisfied.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The saints are God, the saints are God; the image is only an occasion. I am telling you this in true feeling; let it be known to everyone. In the formless, the directions stand empty; here, with the saints, the wish is fulfilled. Tuka says: this is ready goods. Take it, and the belly is filled.
What it means
Tukaram makes a bold claim and stands behind it openly: the living saints are God, and the stone image is only a starting point, an occasion for worship rather than the fullness of it. He does not hide this teaching; he wants it known to all. His reason is practical, not abstract: the formless absolute is real but empty to the seeker, with no direction to turn toward, while the saint is God in a form that meets you and answers. The closing image is of food ready at hand: the company of saints is nourishment you can take now and be filled, not a far promise.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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