Faith, the verdict already passed
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
सेजेचा एकांत आगीपाशीं कळे । झांकिलिया डोळे अधःपात ॥1॥
राहो अथवा मग जळो अगीमधीं । निवाडु तो आधीं होऊनि गेला ॥ध्रु.॥
भेणें झडपणी नाहीं येथें दुजें । पादरधिटा ओझें हतियारें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे मज नाहीं जी भरवसा । तोवरि सहसा निवाडु तो ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The intimacy of the bed is known to the fire; closing one's eyes leads to a fall. Whether one survives or burns in the fire, the verdict was passed long ago. There is no second refuge here born of sudden fright; the bold warrior's burden is his own weaponry. Says Tuka, until I have confidence, the verdict stands as it is.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
What the bed hides, the fire knows; close your eyes and you fall. Whether I stand or burn in the fire, the verdict was already passed. There is no second refuge here, made up out of sudden fear; the bold one's burden is his own weapon. Tuka says: until I have real trust, the verdict still stands against me.
What it means
Tukaram uses the test of fire as an image of truth that cannot be fooled: what intimacy keeps secret, the fire exposes, and shutting your eyes only brings the fall. Whatever happens to him, survival or being consumed, the outcome was settled long before; there is no panic-made backup refuge to run to. He says the courageous one carries his own weapon, his own resolve, as his only burden. The honest sting at the end is self-directed, that as long as his trust in God is not yet whole, the verdict still hangs over him; the fault lies in his half-faith, not in God.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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