Faith, the unbreakable grip on the feet
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
न सोडीं न सोडीं न सोडीं । विठोबा चरण न सोडीं ॥१॥
भलतें जड पडो भारी । जीवावरी आगोज ॥ध्रु.॥
शतखंड देह शस्त्रधारी । करितां परी न भीयें ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे केली आधीं । दृढ बुद्धी सावध ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I will not let go, I will not let go, I will not let go of the feet of Vitthoba. Let any burden fall upon me, let any threat come upon my life. Even if a hundred swords cut this body to pieces, I will not be afraid. Says Tuka, I made this firm resolve from the very start; my mind is alert and unshakable.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I will not let go, I will not let go, I will not let go. Vithoba, I will not let go of your feet. Let any heavy burden fall on me, let the worst come upon my life. Even if swords cut this body into a hundred pieces, I will not be afraid. Tuka says: I made this resolve firm beforehand; my mind is awake.
What it means
Tukaram is making a vow and showing how unconditional it is. The triple refusal, will not let go, will not let go, will not let go, fixes his grip on Vithoba's feet against everything that might pry it loose. Then he names the worst that could come: crushing burdens, threats to his very life, the body hacked into a hundred pieces, and meets each with no fear. The strength is not luck of the moment; he says he settled the resolve in advance and keeps his mind alert, so that when terror arrives the answer is already decided.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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