Devotion, the simple creed of a pilgrim
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
होईन भिकारी । पंढरीचा वारकरी ॥1॥
हा चि माझा नेम धर्म । अवघें विठोबाचें नाम ॥ध्रु.॥
हे चि माझी उपासना । लागन संतांच्या चरणा ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे देवा । करीन ते भोळी सेवा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I will become a beggar, a pilgrim of Pandhari. This alone is my creed and religion: nothing but the Name of Vithoba. This alone is my spiritual practice: to cling to the feet of the saints. Says Tuka, O God, I will offer You only this simple, sincere service.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I will become a beggar, a pilgrim of Pandhari. This alone is my rule and my religion: nothing but the Name of Vithoba. This alone is my worship: to cling to the feet of the saints. Tuka says: O God, the service I will give you is simple and sincere.
What it means
Tukaram is stripping religion down to its barest essentials and choosing them gladly. He is willing to be a beggar and a wandering pilgrim of Pandhari, refusing status and wealth for the road. In place of an elaborate creed he names one rule: the Name of Vithoba and nothing besides. His whole practice reduces to holding fast to the feet of the saints, the company that keeps devotion alive. The closing line owns the manner of it; he offers not learned or showy service but a plain, sincere devotion, and that is exactly what he means to give.
Devotion to Vitthal
Poems of praise, invocation, and intimate address to Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur.
More in this theme →