Faith, the wish-tree and the eye that knows
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कल्पतरूअंगीं इिच्छलें तें फळ । अभागी दुर्बळ भावें सिद्धी ॥1॥
धन्य त्या जाती धन्य त्या जाती । नारायण चित्तीं सांठविला ॥ध्रु.॥
बीजाऐसा द्यावा उदकें अंकुर । गुणाचे प्रकार ज्याचे तया ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे कळे पारखिया हिरा । ओझें पाठी खरा चंदनाचें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The wish-fulfilling tree bears whatever fruit is desired; even the unfortunate and the weak attain fulfillment through sincere faith. Blessed, truly blessed are those who have stored Narayana in their hearts. As a seed sprouts according to the water given, each one's qualities bear fruit in their own way. Says Tuka, a diamond is recognized only by the jeweler; the donkey merely carries the load of sandalwood on its back.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The wish-fulfilling tree gives whatever fruit you desire; even the unlucky and the weak reach their goal through sincere faith. Blessed, truly blessed are those who have stored Narayana in their hearts. As a seed sprouts by the water it is given, each one's qualities bear fruit in their own way. Tuka says: only the jeweler knows the diamond; the donkey just carries the load of sandalwood on its back.
What it means
Tukaram celebrates the kalpataru, the wish-granting tree, as the picture of God's grace: it withholds nothing, so even the unfortunate and the feeble reach their goal, provided the faith is real. The condition is sincerity of heart, which is why he calls blessed those who have stored Narayana within. The seed-and-water image insists that what grows depends on what is sown and how it is tended; grace meets each person according to their own bhava. The closing proverb sharpens the point toward self-examination: a diamond is worth everything but only the jeweler can recognize it, while the donkey hauls precious sandalwood and feels only the weight. The treasure is offered to all; whether you taste its value depends on what you bring to it.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
More in this theme →