The nature of God, the one who carries every weight
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मत्स्यकूर्मशेषा कोणाचा आधार । पृथिवीचा भार वाहावया ॥1॥
काय धाक आह्मां कासयाची चिंता । ऐसा तो असतां साहाकारी ॥ध्रु.॥
शंखचक्रगदा आयुधें अपार । वागवितो भार भक्तासाटीं ॥2॥
पांडवां जोहरी राखिलें कुसरी । तो हा बंधुचा कैवारी तुकयाच्या ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The cosmic fish, the tortoise, and the great serpent Shesha: who supports them as they bear the weight of the earth? What fear or worry need we have when such a helper is at our side? He carries the conch, discus, mace, and countless weapons, bearing their weight for the sake of His devotees. He stood as the champion and protector of the Pandavas with great skill. He is the champion of Tukya's brother as well.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The fish, the tortoise, and the serpent Shesha: who holds them up as they bear the weight of the earth? What is there for us to fear, what is there to worry about, when such a helper stands by us? He carries the conch, the discus, the mace, weapons beyond counting; he bears them all for the sake of his devotees. He saved the Pandavas with his own skill. He is the champion of Tukya's brother too.
What it means
The poem builds a single argument out of God's cosmic forms. The same Lord whose incarnations as fish, tortoise, and serpent uphold the earth is the one who stands beside the devotee. If he carries the whole world and bears every weapon for the protection of those who love him, then fear and worry have no ground. The reminder that he guarded the Pandavas seals it with a known rescue. Tukya-bandhu ends by claiming that protection for himself: the cosmic protector is also his own personal champion.
The Nature of God
Explorations of God's character, power, grace, and relationship to the world.
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