Ecstasy, the bond sealed beyond return
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
जाले आतां सांटे । कासयाचे लहान मोटे ॥1॥
एक एका पडिलों हातीं । जाली तेव्हां चि नििंश्चती ॥ध्रु.॥
नाहीं फिरों येत मागें । जालें साक्षीचिया अंगें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे देवा । आतां येथें कोठें हेवा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Now all accounts are settled; what remains of small and great? We have fallen into each other's hands, and the certainty was established long ago. There is no going back, for the bond is sealed in the presence of the witness. Says Tuka, O Lord, where is there room for envy now?.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The accounts are settled now. What is left of small and great? We have fallen into each other's hands, and from that moment it was certain. There is no going back. It is sealed in the presence of the witness. Tuka says: O God, where is there any room left for envy now?
What it means
Tukaram describes union with God as a deal already closed, not a hope. With the accounts settled, the old measuring of high and low, mine and yours, has nothing left to weigh. He and God have fallen into each other's hands, and a witness has sealed the bond, so there is no turning back. The final line draws the conclusion: when the matter is this complete, envy and rivalry have no ground left to stand on.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
More in this theme →