The saints, one glance bears fruit at once
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
तीथॉ फळती काळें जन्में आगिळया । संतदृष्टी पाया हेळामात्रें ॥1॥
सुखाचे सुगम वैष्णवांचे पाय । अंतरींचा जाय महाभेव ॥ध्रु.॥
काळें हि न सरे तपें समाधान । कथे मूढजन समाधिस्थ ॥2॥
उपमा द्यावया सांगतां आणीक । नाहीं तिन्ही लोक धुंडािळतां ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे मी राहिलों येणें सुखें । संतसंगें दुःखें नासावया ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Pilgrimages bear fruit over many lifetimes, but a single glance from a saint's eye bears fruit instantly. The feet of the Vaishnavas are the easy path to joy; the great dread within is dispelled. Even over ages, austerities do not yield contentment, yet in a sacred discourse, even a dull person enters deep absorption. No comparison can be found for this in all three worlds, search as you may. Says Tuka, I have remained in this joy, for the company of saints destroys all sorrow.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Pilgrimages bear fruit only over many lifetimes; a single glance from a saint bears fruit in an instant. The feet of the Vaishnavas are the easy road to joy; the great dread inside is gone. Even ages of austerity do not bring peace, yet in a holy discourse even a dull man falls into deep absorption. There is nothing in all three worlds to compare it to, search as you may. Tuka says: I have stayed in this joy, so that the company of saints may destroy my sorrow.
What it means
Tukaram measures the saints against the hard, slow paths and finds them swifter. Sacred journeys may take lifetimes to ripen, but one look from a true saint ripens at once, and the feet of the devotees are the simple way into joy that lifts the deep fear within. Long austerities can fail to bring contentment, while a single holy discourse can carry even a slow-witted person into absorption. He insists nothing in the three worlds compares to this. So he has chosen to settle in this joy, letting the company of saints undo his sorrow.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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