Faith, resolve to conquer the inner foes
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
एका ऐसें एक होतें कोणां काळें । समर्थाच्या बळें काय नव्हे ॥1॥
घालूनि बैसलों मिरासीस पाया । जिंकों देवराया संदेह नाहीं ॥ध्रु.॥
केला तो न संडीं आतां कइवाड । वारीन हे आड कामक्रोध ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे जाळीं अळसाची धाडी । नव्हती आली जोडी कळों साच ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
One thing leads to another in due course; by the strength of the Capable One, what is impossible? I have planted myself firmly at the foundation of my claim. I shall conquer, O Lord; there is no doubt. I shall not abandon the effort I have begun; I shall drive away the obstacles of desire and anger. Says Tuka, I shall burn down the army of laziness. Let it be known truly that such a treasure was never before attained.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
One thing leads to another in its time; by the strength of the Capable One, what cannot be done? I have set myself down firmly at the ground of my claim. I will win, O Lord; there is no doubt. I will not let go of the work I have begun; I will drive off these blocks, desire and anger. Tuka says: I will burn down the army of laziness. Let it be known for truth: such a treasure was never won before.
What it means
Tukaram speaks with the resolve of someone settling in for a long inner campaign. He trusts that with God's strength nothing is impossible, and he has planted himself on his rightful claim to God, sure of victory. He names the enemies plainly: desire and anger are the obstacles he will drive off, and laziness is an army he means to burn down. The poem treats the spiritual life as steady, deliberate effort rather than a single leap, and it ends by naming the prize, a treasure greater than any won before, to keep the fight worth its cost.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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