The Name, worth from the indwelling God
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
साकरेच्या योगें वर्ख । राजा कागदातें देखे ॥1॥
तैसें आह्मां मानुसपण । रामनाम केण्यागुणें ॥ध्रु.॥
फिरंगीच्या योगें करी । राजा काष्ठ हातीं धरी ॥2॥
रत्नकनका योगें लाख । कंठीं धरिती श्रीमंत लोक ॥3॥
देवा देवपाट देव्हायावरी बैसे स्पष्ट॥4॥
ब्रह्मानंदयोगें तुका । पढीयंता सज्जन लोकां ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Because of the sugar within, the king regards the wrapping paper with respect. In the same way, our human worth exists solely because of Rama's Name. Because of the blade within, the king handles the wooden handle. Because of the jewel within, the wealthy wear a lac ornament around the neck. Because of the deity within, the idol sits upon the altar. Says Tuka, because of the bliss of Brahman, Tuka has become dear to all good people.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Because of the sugar inside, the king treats even the wrapping paper with respect. In the same way, all our human worth comes only from Rama's Name. Because of the blade inside, the king grips the wooden handle. Because of the jewel inside, rich people wear a lac ornament at the throat. Because of the deity inside, the idol sits on the altar. Tuka says: because of the bliss of Brahman, Tuka has become dear to good people.
What it means
Tukaram explains why anything humble is honored: it is the precious thing hidden inside that earns the respect. Plain paper is handled with care only because it wraps sugar; a wooden handle is gripped only for the blade it holds; a cheap lac bead is worn at a rich neck only for the jewel set in it; an idol is enthroned only for the deity it carries. He turns this on us: human life has worth solely because Rama's Name lives in it. And he applies it to himself last, saying he is dear to the good not for his own sake but for the bliss of Brahman that fills him.
The Power of the Name
The supremacy of nama-smarana: God's name as the highest practice.
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