The Name, the whole of scripture
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
वेद अनंत बोलिला । अर्थ इतका चि शोधिला॥1॥
विठोबासी शरण जावें । निजनिष्ट नाम गावें ॥ध्रु.॥
सकळशास्त्रांचा विचार । अंतीं इतका चि निर्धार ॥2॥
अठरापुराणीं सिद्धांत । तुका ह्मणे हा चि हेत ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The Vedas have spoken endlessly, but the essence they reveal is just this: take refuge in Vithoba and sing His name with unwavering faith. The conclusion of all the scriptures points to the same truth. Says Tuka, this very intent is the established teaching of all eighteen Puranas.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The Vedas have spoken without end, but the meaning they searched out comes to just this: take refuge in Vithoba, and sing His name with steady, single-hearted faith. The thought of all the scriptures, in the end, settles on this one certainty. Tuka says: this is the very conclusion of the eighteen Puranas.
What it means
Tukaram presses the whole vast body of scripture down into a single instruction. The Vedas, all the schools of learning, the eighteen Puranas, after every word, point to one thing: surrender to Vithoba and chant His name with unwavering faith. The boldness is in the compression. He is saying the endless argument was never the destination; the destination is simple devotion that anyone can do. For the seeker who feels lost in the mass of teachings, this is mercy: the essence is short, and it is within reach.
The Power of the Name
The supremacy of nama-smarana: God's name as the highest practice.
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