Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
मऊ मेनाहूनि आह्मी विष्णुदास । कठिण वज्रास भेदूं ऐसे ॥1॥
मेले जित असों निजोनियां जागे । जो जो जो जें मागे तें तें देऊं ॥ध्रु.॥
भले तरि देऊं गांडीची लंगोटी । नाठएाळा चि गांठीं देऊं माथां ॥2॥
मायबापाहूनि बहू मायावंत । करूं घातपात शत्रूहूनि ॥3॥
अमृत तें काय गोड आह्मांपुढें । विष तें बापुडें कडू किती ॥4॥
तुका ह्मणे आह्मी अवघे चि गोड । ज्याचें पुरे कोड त्याचेपरि ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
We, the servants of Vishnu, are softer than wax, yet hard enough to pierce a diamond. Though dead, we are alive; though sleeping, we are awake. Whatever anyone asks, we give. To the good, we give even the cloth from our waist. To the stubborn, we give a blow upon the head. We are more loving than parents, yet more cunning than enemies in battle. Nectar is not sweeter than us, nor is poison more bitter. Says Tuka, we are entirely sweet, matching ourselves to fulfill each one's desire.
This translation is auto-generated and may contain errors. We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram’s original Marathi.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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