Devotion, need is the true measure
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मागील ते आटी येणें घडे सांग । सुतवेल अंग एका सूत्रें ॥1॥
पहिपाहुणेर ते सोहळ्यापुरते । तेथुनि आरते उपचार ते॥ध्रु.॥
आवश्यक तेथें आगळा आदर । चाली थोडें फार संपादतें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे ॠण फिटे एके घडी । अलभ्य ते जोडी हातां आल्या ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The past efforts all come together through this; like a single thread, the whole garment holds. The initial hospitality is only for the occasion; after that, the real service begins with earnest care. Where there is genuine need, devotion exceeds all measure; even with little, it accomplishes much. Says Tuka, a debt is cleared in a single moment when the priceless treasure comes into one's hands.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
All the past effort comes together in this; like a single thread, the whole cloth holds. The first welcome lasts only for the occasion; after that the real serving begins, with care. Where the need is real, the honor given is greater; even a little goes a long way. Tuka says: the debt is cleared in a single moment when the priceless treasure comes into your hands.
What it means
Tukaram is contrasting surface courtesy with true service. The opening welcome is for show and lasts only as long as the occasion; what counts is the steady, earnest care that comes after. Where the need is genuine, devotion outdoes all measure, and even a small offering accomplishes much. He gathers all of one's past labor into this single thread that holds the whole garment together. And the long debt of many lives, he says, is wiped clean in one moment, the moment the priceless treasure finally comes into your hands.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
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