Longing for the devotees of Hari
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मनीं वसे त्याचें आवडे उत्तर । वाटे समाचार घ्यावा ऐसें ॥1॥
जातीचें तें झुरे येर येरासाटीं । वियोगें ही तुटी नेघे कधीं ॥ध्रु.॥
भेटीची अपेक्षा वरता आदर । पुसे नव्हे धीर मागुतालें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे माझ्या जीवाचें जीवन । सोइरे हरिजन प्राणसखे ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The words of one who dwells in the mind are always dear. One longs to know their news. Those who are kindred by nature pine for each other ceaselessly; even separation cannot sever their bond. The longing for meeting, the reverence growing ever greater: one asks again and again, unable to be patient. Says Tuka, the devotees of Hari are the very life of my life, companions of my very prana.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The words of the one who lives in my mind are dear to me. I feel I must hear news of them. Those who are kin by their nature pine for each other without stop. Even being apart can never cut the bond. The wish to meet, the growing respect: I ask after them again and again, and cannot wait. Tuka says: the devotees of Hari are the life of my life, my kin, the friends of my very breath.
What it means
Tukaram is describing how he loves God's devotees, with the ache of someone separated from family. Their words stay dear and he keeps wanting word of how they are, because those who share the same inner nature pine for each other and distance cannot break the tie. The longing to meet only deepens his respect, so he asks after them over and over, unable to be patient. He ends by calling the devotees of Hari the life of his life and the friends of his very breath: this is kinship of the spirit, not of blood.
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The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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