Faith, the beggar never refused
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मागत्याची कोठें घडते निरास । लेंकरा उदास नाहीं होतें ॥1॥
कासया मी होऊं उतावीळ जीवीं । जाणता गोसावी सर्व आहे ॥ध्रु.॥
जाला तरी वेळ कवतुकासाटीं । निदनया तों पोटीं उपजेना ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे त्यासी ठाउकें उचित । होईल संकेत नेमियेला ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Where has a beggar ever been refused? A child is never left disappointed. Why then should I be anxious within? The all-knowing Lord is aware of everything. Even if there is a delay, it is only for the sake of His playful sport. Cruelty never arises in His chitta. Says Tuka, He knows what is proper, and the appointed moment will surely come.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Where has a beggar ever been turned away? A child is never left in despair. Why then should I grow restless inside? The all-knowing Lord knows everything. Even if it takes time, that is only for the sake of His play. Cruelty never rises in His heart. Tuka says: He knows what is right, and the appointed sign will surely come.
What it means
Tukaram steadies his own impatience with two homely truths: a beggar at the door is always given something, and a parent never abandons a crying child. So his anxiety is groundless; the all-knowing Lord already knows his need. Any delay is not neglect but God's playful timing, since cruelty cannot arise in him. The poem teaches that waiting on God is not waiting on indifference. The right moment is appointed and will come, and the devotee's only task is to trust the one who knows what is fitting.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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