Mercy for the fallen, faith is enough
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
व्यभिचारिणी गणिका कुंटणी । विश्वास चि मनीं राघोबाचा ॥1॥
ऐसी ही पापिणी वाइली विमानी । अचळ भुवनीं टेवियेली ॥ध्रु.॥
पतितपावन तिहीं लोकीं ठसा । कृपाळू कोंवसा अनाथांचा ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे विठोबाची धरा सोय । आणिक उपाय नेणों किती ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The wrongful courtesan, a woman of ill repute, held unwavering faith in Rama within her mind. Even such a wrongdoer was carried to heaven in a celestial chariot and placed in an eternal realm. The Purifier of the Fallen, His renown resounds in all three worlds; He is compassionate and a shelter for the destitute. Says Tuka, hold fast to Vitthal's path, for I know of no other remedy.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
She was a courtesan, a woman of ill repute. Yet in her mind she held firm faith in Rama. Even this sinful woman was carried up in a celestial chariot. She was set in an unshakable realm. He purifies the fallen; His mark is on all three worlds. He is merciful, a shelter for the helpless. Tuka says: hold fast to Vitthal's path. I know of no other remedy.
What it means
Tukaram takes the most disreputable person he can name, a woman the world counts as wholly fallen, and shows her lifted to an eternal heaven. What carried her was not virtue or good standing but unwavering faith in Rama held in the mind. The point is that the Lord is the purifier of the fallen, so no past disqualifies you. Do not examine your record and conclude you are beyond saving; examine instead whether you are holding fast. Tuka ends by refusing all backup plans: cling to Vitthal, because he knows nothing else that works.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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