Gratitude to the saints, the cleared path
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
करूं तैसें पाठांतर । करुणाकर भाषण ॥1॥
जिहीं केला मूतिनमंत । ऐसे संतप्रसाद ॥ध्रु.॥
सोज्ज्वळ केल्या वाटा । आइत्या नीटा मागीलां ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे घेऊं धांवा । करूं हांवा ते जोडी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Let us recite from memory the compassionate words of those saints who made God manifest. They cleared and straightened the paths for those who follow. Says Tuka, let us run with zeal and earn through our eagerness the same treasure they attained.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Let us recite their words by heart, the compassionate speech of the saints. They are the ones who made God take form. Such is the grace they gave. They cleared the paths and made them straight. They left them ready and smooth for those who come after. Tuka says: let us run to take it. Let us long for it, and let us win that treasure.
What it means
Tukaram is thanking the line of saints who went before him and telling us what to do with their gift. By their devotion they made the formless God manifest, and by their lives they cut a road through the wilderness and left it open and easy for everyone who follows. His instruction is simple: do not let that road sit unused. Keep their compassionate words alive by reciting them, and run hard toward the same goal they reached. The treasure is not handed over for free; it is won by eagerness to take the path already made.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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