Love of the saints, caste set aside
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
तया साटीं वेचूं वाणी । अइकों कानीं वारता ॥१॥
क्षेम माझे हरिजन । समाधान पुसतां त्यां ॥ध्रु.॥
परत्रींचे जे सांगाती । त्यांची याती न विचारीं ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे धैर्यवंतें । निर्मळचित्तें सरवीं तीं ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
For their sake I spend my voice, and with my ears I drink in any news of them. I ask after the welfare of my fellow devotees of Hari, and their well-being is my peace of mind. They are the true companions for the life beyond; I do not consider their caste. Says Tuka, those valiant ones of pure heart are the best of all.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
For their sake I spend my voice, and I listen for any news of them with both ears. The welfare of Hari's people is my own peace; I ask after how they are. They are my companions for the world beyond. I do not ask about their caste. Tuka says: those steady ones, the pure of heart, are the best of all.
What it means
Tukaram describes how he holds the company of devotees: his speech is spent for them and his ears strain for news of them, and their welfare is his own peace of mind. Then comes the sharp line that breaks a deep social rule. These are his companions for the life beyond, and he refuses to ask their caste. The bond of devotion overrides birth entirely. He closes by naming what does count, courage and a pure heart, and calls such people the best of all, putting inner steadiness above any inherited rank.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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