Faith, the fearless servant
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ज्याची खरी सेवा । त्याच्या भय काय जीवा ॥१॥
करितां स्वामीसवें वाद । अधिक अधिक आनंद ॥ध्रु.॥.
असावा तो धर्म । मग साहों जातें वर्म ॥२॥
वदे वाग्देवी । तुका विठ्ठली गौरवी ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
One who serves truly has nothing to fear for his life. Even arguing with the master only increases joy. One must have dharma on one's side; then one can endure whatever strikes at the core. Says Tuka, the goddess of speech speaks, and Vitthala honors him.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
One whose service is true has nothing to fear for his life. Even arguing with the master only brings more and more joy. You must have dharma on your side; then you can bear whatever strikes at the core. The goddess of speech speaks, says Tuka, and Vitthal gives him honor.
What it means
Tukaram describes the freedom of the one who serves truly. Such a servant has nothing to fear, even to argue with his master only increases his joy, because the bond is secure enough to hold the quarrel. The condition is dharma: with righteousness on your side you can take a blow aimed at the very core and still stand. He closes by naming the source of his words; the goddess of speech speaks through him, and Vitthal himself honors him. The whole abhanga rests on confidence: true service makes a person fearless and lifts him into honor.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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