Saints, take your fill from the mine of jewels
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
वैरागरापाशीं रत्नाचिया खाणी । हे चि घ्यावी धणी फावेल तों ॥1॥
येथें नाहीं तर्कवितकानची चाड । होतसे निवाड खया खोटएां ॥ध्रु.॥
उगा च सारावा वाढिला तो ठाव । वाढितिया भाव कळतसे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे टांचणीचें पाणी । येथें झरवणी जैशातैसें॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Near the ocean of jewels lie mines of gems. One should take one's fill while the opportunity lasts. Here there is no need for arguments and speculations, for the true is sifted from the false. One should quietly accept whatever portion is served, for the one who serves reveals the worth. Says Tuka, the water drawn from a well is poured here just as it is, without alteration.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Beside the diamond-mine lie veins of gems. Take your fill of them while the chance lasts. Here there is no need for arguments and guesses; the true is sifted from the false. Quietly accept whatever portion is served; the worth shows in the one who serves it. Tuka says: water drawn from the well is poured out here just as it is, with nothing altered.
What it means
Tukaram points to the company of the saints as a mine of jewels and urges you to take your fill while the opportunity is open. In their presence there is no place for debate and clever speculation, because the true is plainly separated from the false. The right posture is to receive quietly whatever is given, since the giver's own worth shows in what is served. His closing image seals it: like well-water poured out unchanged, what the saints give is pure and unaltered, and yours simply to drink.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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