Inner experience, the heart is its own witness
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
चित्त ग्वाही तेथें लौकिकाचें काई । स्वहित तें ठायीं आपणापें ॥1॥
मनासी विचार तो चि साच भाव । व्यापक हा देव अंतर्बाहीं ॥ध्रु.॥
शुद्ध भावा न लगे सुचावा परिहार । उमटे साचार आणिके ठायीं ॥2॥
भोगित्यासी काज अंतरीचें गोड । बाहिरल्या चाड नाहीं रंगें ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे भाव शुद्ध हें कारण । भाट नारायण होईल त्यांचा ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When chitta itself is the witness, what use is public opinion? True self-interest lies within oneself. Whatever arises as true reflection in the mind is itself true bhava, for God pervades all things, within and without. Pure bhava needs no external justification; its truth shines forth of its own accord. The one whose whole concern is the inner sweetness cares nothing for outward colors. Says Tuka, pure bhava is the very cause. Narayana Himself will become the bard of such a soul.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When the heart itself is the witness, what use is the opinion of the world? True good lies within oneself. Whatever rises as true reflection in the mind is itself true bhava, for this God fills all things, within and without. Pure bhava needs no outside defense; its truth shows of its own accord. The one whose whole care is the inner sweetness has no need of outward show. Tuka says: pure bhava is the cause of everything. Narayana Himself will become the bard of such a soul.
What it means
Tukaram locates the test of devotion inside, not in public opinion. When the heart is its own witness, the verdict of the crowd no longer matters, and one's real good is found within. Because God pervades everything, inside and out, whatever truly rises in the mind is itself genuine bhava and needs no external justification; it shines on its own. The person fixed on inner sweetness stops caring how things look from outside. The claim is bold and meant to land: where bhava is pure, Narayana Himself becomes that soul's praise-singer, so the only thing worth securing is the purity of the heart, not the approval of others.
The Necessity of Experience
Why direct experience of God, not mere learning, is the only path.
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