Defiance, the road of faith
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
काय मी अन्यायी तें घाला पालवीं । आणीक वाट दावीं चालावया ॥1॥
माग पाहोनियां जातों ते च सोयी । न वजावें कायी कोण सांगा ॥ध्रु.॥
धोपट मारग लागलासे गाढा । मज काय पीडा करा तुह्मी ॥2॥
वारितां ही भय कोण धरी धाक । परी तुह्मां एक सांगतों मी ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे शूर दोहीं पक्षीं भला । मरतां मुक्त जाला मान पावे ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
If I am in the wrong, then point it out. Show me another path to walk. I follow the same road that I see before me. Should I not walk it? Tell me why. The open highway has proven strong and reliable. What hardship can you inflict upon me? Even if you try to frighten me, who will cower in fear? But I do tell you one thing. Says Tuka, a true warrior is honored by both sides. Whether he dies or gains liberation, he wins glory either way.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
If I am in the wrong, show me. Point me to another path to walk. I go by the same road I see in front of me. Should I not walk it? Tell me why. The open highway is firm and tested; what harm can you do me? You try to frighten me, but who here will cower? Still, I will tell you one thing. Tuka says: the brave man is honored on both sides; whether he dies or is set free, he wins glory either way.
What it means
Tukaram answers his critics by daring them to correct him. If his path is wrong, let them show him the wrong and offer a better one; otherwise their threats are empty. He calls his way the open, well-trodden highway, the plain road of devotion that has been walked safely before, and he refuses to be scared off it. The closing line names what he has to lose: nothing. Like a true warrior, he wins either way, for death and liberation both end in honor, so fear has no hold on him.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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