Saints, the feet of the holy
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
अनुतापयुक्त गेलिया अभिमान । विसरूं वचन मागिलांचा ॥1॥
त्याचे पाय माझे लागोत कपाळीं । भोग उष्टावळी धन्यकाळ ॥ध्रु.॥
षड उर्मी जिंहीं हाणितल्या लाता । शरण या संता आल्या वेगीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे जाती वोळे लवकरी । ठायीं चि अंतरीं शुद्ध होती ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When pride has departed through sincere repentance, one should not forget the words of the ancients. May their feet touch my forehead; blessed is the time when one partakes of their sacred leavings. Those who have kicked away the six afflictions should quickly come and surrender to the saints. Says Tuka, such souls are swiftly transformed; they become pure within that very instant.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When pride has gone through true repentance, do not forget the words of the ancients. Let their feet touch my forehead; blessed is the hour when I eat their sacred leavings. Those who have kicked away the six urges, let them quickly come and surrender to these saints. Tuka says: such souls turn back fast; in that very place, within, they are made pure.
What it means
Tukaram describes the turning that begins when pride dies through honest repentance, and urges the seeker not to forget the words handed down by the ancients. He longs to set the saints' feet on his forehead and counts it a blessing to receive even their leftovers, the sacred remains of what they have touched. To those who have struck down the six inner urges he gives a direct instruction: come quickly and surrender to the saints. His promise is that such people are transformed swiftly, made pure inwardly on the spot, in the very moment of surrender.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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