Faith, the warrior who will not turn
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
रणीं निघतां शूर न पाहे माघारें । ऐशा मज धीरें राख आतां ॥1॥
संसारा हातीं अंतरलों दुरी । आतां कृपा करीं नारायणा ॥ध्रु.॥
वागवितों तुझिया नामाचें हत्यार । हा चि बडिवार मिरवितों ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे मज फिरतां माघारें । तेथें उणें पुरें तुह्मी जाणां ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A warrior advancing on the battlefield never looks behind. Keep me steady with that same courage now, O Lord. I have distanced myself from the hands of worldly life; now show me mercy, O Narayana. I wield the weapon of Your name; this is the banner I carry with pride. Says Tuka, if I were to turn back, the shortcoming would be Yours to know.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A warrior going into battle does not look back. Keep me steady with that same courage now, O Lord. I have pulled away from the hold of worldly life, far from it. Now show me your mercy, Narayana. I carry the weapon of your name. This is the banner I march under with pride. Tuka says: if I should turn back, the failing will be yours to answer for.
What it means
Tukaram casts the spiritual life as a battle and asks God to give him a warrior's nerve, the kind that never glances over its shoulder once the charge begins. He has already cut himself loose from the world and stands far from its grip, so he is exposed and needs grace to hold the line. His only equipment is the name of God, which he calls both his weapon and the proud banner he marches under. The closing line is bold to the edge of audacity: he hands the responsibility to God, saying that if he ever does turn and run, the fault will lie with the Lord who failed to keep him steady.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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