Resolve, the narrow pass
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कोणाशीं विचार करावा सेवटीं । एवढएा लाभें तुटी जाल्या तरे ॥1॥
सांभािळतो शूर आला घावडाव । पुढें दिला पाव न करी मागें ॥ध्रु.॥
घात तो या नांवें येथें अंतराय । अंतरल्या पाय गोविंदाचे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे गडसंदीचा हा ठाव । केला तो उपाव कार्या येतो ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
With whom shall I deliberate at the end, when such a great gain is at stake? A true warrior holds his ground even under heavy blows, pressing forward and never retreating. The real calamity here is any obstacle that separates one from the feet of Govinda. Says Tuka, this is a narrow mountain pass; the strategy that works here is the one that counts.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
With whom shall I take counsel at the end, when so great a gain is at stake, if it should be lost? A true warrior holds his ground when the heavy blow comes. He presses his foot forward and does not step back. The real disaster here is any obstacle that separates one from the feet of Govinda. Tuka says: this is a narrow mountain pass. Only the strategy that works here counts.
What it means
Tukaram treats the spiritual life as a battle at a decisive point. The stake is so great that there is no one left to consult once it is lost, so everything rides on not losing it. Like a true warrior, he holds his ground under the worst blow and keeps pressing forward rather than retreating. He names the one real calamity precisely: not pain or hardship, but anything that comes between the soul and the feet of Govinda. The closing image of a narrow mountain pass says the moment is tight and exposed, and only a strategy that actually works at the crossing is worth anything.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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