Praise, Vitthal seen with the eyes
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
चारी वेद ज्याची कीर्ती वाखाणिती । प्रत्यक्ष ये मूतिन विठोबाची ॥1॥
चहुंयुगांचें हें साधन साधिलें । अनुभवा आलें आपुलिया ॥2॥
एवढें करूनि आपण निराळा । प्रत्यक्ष डोळां दाखविलें ॥3॥
दावुनि सकळ प्रमाणाच्या युक्ति । जयजयकार करिती अवघे भक्त ॥4॥
भक्ति नवविधा पावली मुळची । जनादनननामाची संख्या जाली ॥5॥
नवसें ओंव्या आदरें वाचितां । त्याच्या मनोरथा कार्यसििद्ध ॥6॥
सीमा न करवे आणीक ही सुखा। तुका ह्मणे देखा पांडुरंगा ॥7॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The four Vedas sing His praises. This very form of Vitthoba stands here in truth. The spiritual practice of all four ages has been perfected and brought into one's own experience. Having done all this, He stands apart, revealed directly before the eyes. Showing every proof and argument, all the devotees raise the cry of 'Victory!' The ninefold devotion has reached its source. The count of Janardana's Names is now complete. Nine hundred ovis, recited with devotion, bring the fulfillment of every heart's desire. Says Tuka, there is no limit to the joy that remains. Behold, O Panduranga.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The four Vedas sing His glory. Here Vithoba's very form stands before us in truth. The practice of all four ages has been brought to its fruit, and come into one's own experience. Having done all this, He stands apart, shown plainly to the eyes. Showing every proof and argument, all the devotees raise the cry of victory. The ninefold devotion has reached its source. The count of Janardana's Names is complete. These verses, recited with devotion, fulfill every heart's desire. Tuka says: there is no end to the joy that remains. Behold, O Panduranga.
What it means
Tukaram is closing a long stretch of song by pointing at what it was all for. The God whom the four Vedas only praise from afar stands here as Vithoba, a form you can see with your own eyes, and the spiritual labor of all the ages has ripened into direct experience. He notes that God does all this and yet remains apart, shown openly, while every proof and argument is answered and the devotees simply cry victory. The ninefold path of devotion has returned to its source, and the telling of God's Names is now full. He ends by promising that these verses, said with love, fulfill the heart's longing, and that the joy left over has no limit; the last word is simply an invitation to look at Panduranga.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
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