Saints, the company that speaks as one
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आह्मांसी सांगाती । होती अराले ते होती ॥1॥
येती आइकतां हाक । दोन मिळोन ह्मणती एक ॥ध्रु.॥
आणिकां उत्तरीं। नसे गोवी वैखरी ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे बोल । खूण पहाती विठ्ठल॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Those who were once distant have become our companions. They come at the sound of our call; two unite and speak as one. Their speech is not entangled in other matters or worldly replies. Says Tuka, they look to Vitthal for the true sign in every word.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Those who were once far off have become our companions. They come the moment they hear the call; two of them meet and speak as one. Their speech is not tangled up in other things or in worldly replies. Tuka says: they look to Vitthal for the true sign in every word.
What it means
Tukaram describes the fellowship of the saints, the company of devotees who were once distant strangers and have become close. They answer the call at once, and when two of them meet they are so of one heart that they speak with a single voice. Their talk is not caught up in worldly matters or idle replies; it stays clear. The closing line gives the reason for their unity: they measure every word against Vitthal, looking for his sign, so it is God himself, not agreement among themselves, that makes them one.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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