God on the throne, refuge of all who come
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
उभारिला हात । जगीं जाणविली मात ॥१॥
देव बैसले सिंहासनीं । आल्या याचका होय धनी ॥ध्रु.॥
एकाच्या कैवाडें । उगवे बहुतांचें कोडें ॥२॥
दोहीं ठायीं तुका । नाहीं पडों देत चुका ॥३॥
आशीर्वाद - अभंग ५
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
He raised his hand and declared his word to the world. God is seated upon the throne; whoever comes as a supplicant, he becomes their benefactor. For the sake of one devotee, the puzzles of many are solved. Says Tuka, in both this world and the next, he does not let a single error remain.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
He raised his hand and made his promise known to the world. God sits on the throne. Whoever comes begging, he becomes their provider. For the sake of one devotee, the troubles of many are untangled. Tuka says: here and hereafter, in both places, he lets no mistake of mine stand.
What it means
Tukaram pictures God enthroned and openly pledging refuge: the raised hand is a public declaration that anyone who approaches as a supplicant will be provided for. He widens the claim: helping one devotee, God loosens the knots of many at once, so the grace given to one overflows. The closing line states the scope of that protection. In this world and the next, God will not let a single error of his devotee remain to count against him. The mood is reassurance: the seeker is not pleading with an indifferent power but resting on a stated promise.
The Nature of God
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