The taste of God, a delight that never palls
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आवडीचे भेटी निवे । चित्त पावे विश्रांती ॥1॥
बरवियाचा छंद मना । नारायणा अवीट ॥ध्रु.॥
तळणे कांहीं साम्या पुरे । हें तों नुरे ये रुचि ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे बरवें जालें । फावलें हें कळे त्या ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When the beloved is met, the chitta is soothed and the mind finds rest. The mind delights endlessly in the beauty of Narayana; it is a taste that never palls. No other flavor can ever match or satisfy this craving; this one never fades. Says Tuka, how wonderful this has turned out; only those who have found it know its worth.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When the loved one is met, the heart cools and the mind comes to rest. The mind is set on the beauty; in Narayana there is no surfeit. No other flavor can ever fill or match this; this taste does not fade. Tuka says: how good this has turned out. Only the one who has found it knows.
What it means
Tukaram describes the settled joy of meeting his beloved God. The encounter cools the restless heart and gives the mind its rest, because the mind has fixed on the beauty of Narayana, a delight that never cloys. He insists no other pleasure can equal or satisfy it, and unlike every other flavor this one does not wear off. The final line keeps the experience honest: he simply marvels at his good fortune, and says only the person who has actually tasted it can know what it is worth.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
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