Faith, the warrior with the goal in sight
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कारणापें असतां दृष्टी । शंका पोटीं उपजेना ॥1॥
शूर मिरवे रणांगणीं । मरणीं च संतोष ॥ध्रु.॥
पाहिजे तो कळवळा। मग बळा काय उणे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे उदारपणें । काय उणें मनाचें॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When the goal is before one's eyes, no doubt arises in the chitta. A warrior shines on the battlefield and finds contentment even in death. What is needed is true earnestness of chitta, and then nothing is lacking in strength. Says Tuka, with a generous spirit, the mind lacks nothing.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When the goal is right before your eyes, no doubt is born in the heart. A warrior shines on the battlefield and finds joy even in dying. What is needed is true earnestness of heart; then how can strength fall short? Tuka says: with a generous spirit, the mind lacks nothing.
What it means
Tukaram says that once you can see what you are after, doubt has no room to grow. He compares it to a soldier who, with his aim clear, is glad even to die for it. The one thing required is real earnestness, a heart truly aflame; where that is present, strength never runs out. And with a large, open spirit, the mind finds it lacks for nothing. The poem treats wholehearted longing for God as the source of fearlessness and sufficiency.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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