Faith, the path proves easy
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
विषम वाटे दुरवरी । चालूनि परती घरी । मागील ते उरी । नाहीं उरली भयाची ॥1॥
मुख्य न व्हावा तो नाड । सेवटाचे हातीं गोड । सरलिया चाड । मग कैचे उद्वेग ॥ध्रु.॥
होता पहिला अभ्यास । समयीं घालावया कास । तेव्हां लटिके दोष । योगें अनुतापाच्या ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे आहे । बुद्धी केलियानें साहे । जवळी च पाहें । देव वाट स्मरणाची ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The path seems difficult and long from afar, but after walking it and returning home, no trace of the former fear remains. The essential thing is to avoid ruin. When the end brings sweetness, and all longing is fulfilled, then where is the question of sorrow? The earlier practice was meant for girding oneself in the hour of need. At that time, faults appear illusory through the force of repentance. Says Tuka, the intellect endures through whatever is done. Look, God is near, and the path is simply remembrance.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
From far off the path looks hard and long. But once you have walked it and come home, none of the old fear is left. The main thing is not to be ruined. When the end turns out sweet, and all longing is satisfied, where is there room for sorrow? The early practice was meant to gird you for the hour of need. Then the faults look unreal, burned by repentance. Tuka says: the mind holds up under whatever it does. Look, God is near, and the path is simply remembrance.
What it means
Tukaram speaks to the beginner's dread, naming it and then dissolving it. Seen from a distance the spiritual path looks long and treacherous, but those who have walked it home report that the fear was unfounded. The one thing that matters is not to throw your life away; when the journey ends in sweetness and longing is filled, sorrow has no place left. He reframes the discipline you practice now as armor stored up for the hard hour, and says past faults, met with real repentance, lose their power. The reassurance is plain: God is not far, and the whole road is nothing more than remembering Him.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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