The saints, kept safe in God
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मोहोर्या च्या संगें । सुत नव्हे आगीजोगें ॥१॥
नाहीं तरी त्याचें भक्ष । काय सांगणें ते साक्ष ॥ध्रु.॥
स्वामीचिया अंगें । रूप नव्हे कोणाजोगें ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे खोडी । देवमणी न देती दडी ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
In the company of gold coins, even a thread of gold is saved from the fire; otherwise it would be burned the fire. Without the master's presence, no form holds worth for anyone. Says Tuka, flawed or not, the gem set in the divine ring never falls from its place.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
In the company of pure gold, even a thread of gold is saved from the fire; without it, it would simply be burned, and what more is there to say, the proof is plain. Apart from the master's presence, no form is worth anything to anyone. Tuka says: flawed or not, the gem set in God's own ring never falls out of place.
What it means
Tukaram is explaining why the one who keeps the company of God, or of his saints, is protected. Gold mixed in with pure gold survives the fire that would otherwise consume a stray thread of it; the difference is the company it keeps, and that is proof enough. In the same way a person has no standing on his own; it is the master's presence that gives any form its worth. His closing image is the strongest reassurance: a gem set into God's ring, flawed or not, does not fall from its setting, so the one held by God is held regardless of his imperfections.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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