Devotion, Pandhari the crowning jewel
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
सकळतीर्थाहुनि । पंढरी हें मुगुटमणि ॥1॥
काय सांगों तेथिल शोभा । रमावल्लभ जेथें उभा ॥ध्रु.॥
न लभे व्रततीर्थदानीं। तें या विठ्ठलदर्शनीं ॥2॥
साधु संत गाती नाम । सकळ भूतांचा विश्राम ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे स्तुती । करूं काय सांगों किती ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Among all sacred places, Pandhari is the crowning jewel. How can I describe the beauty of the place where the beloved of Lakshmi stands? What cannot be obtained through vows, pilgrimages, and charity is gained by the mere sight of Vitthal. Saints sing the Name there, bringing peace to all beings. Says Tuka, how much praise can I offer? How much can I say?.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Of all holy places, Pandhari is the crown jewel. How can I tell its beauty, where the Beloved of Lakshmi stands? What no vow, no pilgrimage, no gift can win is gained here in the sight of Vitthal. Holy men and saints sing the Name here, and all beings find their rest. Tuka says: how much praise can I make? How much can I tell?
What it means
Tukaram is setting Pandhari above every other sacred place and saying why. It is the crowning jewel of all tirthas, because there the Beloved of Lakshmi himself stands waiting. The claim is sharp: what years of vows, pilgrimages, and charity cannot earn is given freely just by laying eyes on Vitthal. There the saints sing the Name, and that singing brings rest to every creature. He ends overwhelmed, admitting his praise can never reach the size of the thing he is praising.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
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