Faith and Trust

भक्तॠणी देव बोलती पुराणें । निर्धार वचनें साच करीं ॥१॥

The scriptures declare that God is indebted to his devotees; make those words come true with firm faith. I have heard th…

अंतरली कुटी मेटी । भय धरूनियां पोटीं । म्हणतां जगजेठी । धांवें करुणाउत्तरीं ॥१॥

When all tricks and shelters fail and fear fills the belly, simply calling out to the Lord of the world brings his merci…

रडोनियां मान । कोण मागतां भूषण ॥१॥

Who ever gained honor by weeping and begging for it? What God gives freely is truly sweet; both relish and delight remai…

प्रारब्ध क्रियमाण । भक्तां संचित नाहीं जाण ॥१॥

For devotees, there is destiny and present action, but know that accumulated karma no longer exists for them. God himsel…

काय कळे बाळा । बाप सदैव दुबळा ॥१॥

What does a child know of whether its father is forever poor? It cannot tell what is and what is not, or what will come …

वैद वाचविती जीवा । तरी कोण ध्यातें देवा ॥१॥

If physicians could truly save lives, who would then remember God? Who knows in what manner destiny keeps something in r…

भवसागर तरतां । कां रे करीतसां चिंता । पैल उभा दाता । कटीं कर ठेवुनियां ॥१॥

Why do you worry while crossing this ocean of worldly life? Look, the Giver stands right there on the other shore, hands…

न सोडीं न सोडीं न सोडीं । विठोबा चरण न सोडीं ॥१॥

I will not let go, I will not let go, I will not let go of the feet of Vitthoba. Let any burden fall upon me, let any th…

शोकें शोक वाढे । हिमतीचे धीर गाढे ॥१॥

Grief only multiplies grief, but the courageous remain steadfast in their resolve. Nothing can be accomplished here thro…

माझिये मनींचा जाणा हा निर्धार । जिवासि उदार जालों आतां ॥१॥

Know this to be my firm resolve: I have become reckless with my very life. I will hold no one but you; I have cast away …

देव सखा जरी । जग अवघें कृपा करी ॥१॥

When God is your friend, the whole world treats you with kindness. Yet even with such experience at hand, why does the s…

जीवेंसाटीं यत्नभाव । त्याची नाव बळकट ॥१॥

The one who strives with whole-hearted devotion has a sturdy boat. There is no doubt about crossing the river of existen…

केला अंगीकार पंढरीच्या देवें । आतां काय करिती काळ मशक मानवें ॥१॥

The God of Pandhari has taken me under his care. What can Death, disease, or any mortal do to me now? He has expelled ev…

न मिळो खावया न वाढो संतान । परि हा नारायण कृपा करो ॥१॥

Let there be nothing to eat, let no children be born to me, so long as Narayana is merciful. Let the body be tormented, …

दीप घेउनियां धुंडिती अंधार । भेटे हा विचार अघटित ॥१॥

They take a lamp and go searching for darkness; such a strange discovery that would be. We are servants of Vishnu and do…

गौरव गौरवापुरतें । फळ सत्याचे संकल्प ॥१॥

Flattery lasts only as long as flattery serves; the fruit belongs to sincere resolve alone. Harder than any yoga is endu…

ज्याची खरी सेवा । त्याच्या भय काय जीवा ॥१॥

One who serves truly has nothing to fear for his life. Even arguing with the master only increases joy. One must have dh…

नाही दुकळलों अन्ना । परि या मान जनादऩना ॥1॥

I have not starved for bread, O Janardana, but I hunger for your recognition. I have made God the witness of everything,…

आतां माझा नेणों परतों भाव । विसावोनि पायीं ठेविला जीव । सकळां लाभांचा हा ठाव । ऐ…

Now I do not know whether my devotion will turn back. Having found rest, I have placed my life at Your feet. This is the…

सांटविला हरी । जींहीं हृदयमंदिरीं ॥1॥

Those who have stored Hari within the temple of their hearts have ended all their restless striving. Their trade has bor…

भवसिंधूचें काय कोडें । दावी वाट चाले पुढें ॥1॥

What is so difficult about the ocean of worldly life? He shows the way and walks ahead. Panduranga is a fine boatman who…

सत्य तो आवडे । विकल्पानें भाव उडे ॥1॥

Truth is what we love; doubt makes devotion flee. By Your gift of grace, we can distinguish pure gold from base metal. W…

पाटीं पोटीं देव । कैचा हरिदासां भेव ॥1॥

God is behind them and before them; what fear can touch the devotees of Hari? Perform kirtan with joy; do not let the mi…

पाववील ठाया । पांडुरंग चिंतिलिया ॥1॥

Panduranga will bring you to your destination if you contemplate Him. When you hold Him in your mind, He puts a halter o…

धन्य भावशीळ । ज्याचें हृदय निर्मळ ॥1॥

Blessed is the simple devotee whose heart is pure and clean. He worships the deity in the image; the saints say true fee…

उदंड शाहाणे होत तर्कवंत । परि या नेणवे अंत विठोबाचा ॥1॥

Countless wise and learned debaters have tried, yet none can fathom the mystery of Vithoba. Let them perform endless fea…

न मनावी चिंता तुह्मीं संतजनीं । हिरा स्पटिकमणी केंवि होय ॥1॥

O saints, do not worry on my account. Can a diamond ever become a mere crystal? Whatever situation arises, one responds …

नव्हे आराणूक परि मनीं वाहे । होइऩल त्या साहे पांडुरंग ॥1॥

It may not feel like comfort, yet if one holds it in the mind, Panduranga will come to the rescue. Keep the resolve to g…

विष्णुमय सर्व वैष्णवांसी ठावें । येरांनीं वाहावे भार माथां ॥1॥

The Vaishnavas know that everything is pervaded by Vishnu. Others must carry the burden of ignorance upon their heads. E…

संसारसोहळे भोगितां सकळ । भHां त्याचें बळ विटोबाचें ॥1॥

While devotees enjoy all the pleasures of worldly life, their true strength comes from Vithoba. They harbor no fear, wor…

समर्थाचें बाळ कीविलवाणें दिसे । तरी कोणा हांसे जन देवा ॥1॥

Even if the child of a mighty lord looks pitiful, who dares to mock it? Even if the child is full of faults and unclean,…

पुढें आतां कैंचा जन्म । ऐसा श्रम वारेसा ॥1॥

With such a path before you, where is the question of rebirth? Once this route is found, you should never have to turn b…

न करीं तळमळ राहें रे निश्चळ । आहे हा कृपाळ स्वामी माझा ॥1॥

Do not fret; remain steady and calm. My Master is compassionate. In the end, He will give imperishable joy, and the cycl…

आलें फळ तेव्हां राहिलें पिकोन । जरी तें जतन होय देंठीं ॥1॥

The fruit, once ripe, has only to hold fast to its stem. Through the Name alone, all is accomplished, provided the mind …

आह्मांपाशीं याचें बळ । कोण काळवरी तों ॥1॥

This strength is with us. Who can hold off Time until then? I have staked my very life, and I will keep at it until the …

बोलिलें चि बोलें पडपडताळूनि । उपजत मनीं नाहीं शंका ॥1॥

I say the same words over and over, testing and re-testing them. No doubt arises in my mind. You are the mother of many,…

लेकराची आळी न पुरवी कैसी । काय तयापाशीं उणें जालें ॥1॥

How can a mother not fulfill a child's demands? What is lacking in her? We, the playful children of God, care nothing fo…

नव्हों आह्मी आजिकालीचीं । काचीं कुचीं चाळवणी ॥1॥

We are not the kind to be shaken by trifles or frivolous provocations. Root and branch, we are planted in one place, and…

ओलें मूळ भेदी खडकाचें अंग । आभ्यासासी सांग कार्यसििद्ध ॥1॥

A tender root can split solid rock; sustained practice leads to the fulfillment of any task. There is nothing that canno…

भावबळें विष्णुदास । नाहीं नास पावत ॥1॥

By the strength of devotion, the servants of Vishnu are never destroyed. By their yogic fortune, all powers come to thei…

निष्ठावंत भाव भHांचा स्वधर्म । निर्धार हें वर्म चुकों नये ॥1॥

Steadfast devotion is the devotee's own dharma. This firm resolve must never be abandoned. Hold unwavering, desireless f…

वचना फिरती अधम जन । नारायण तो नव्हे ॥1॥

The base may go back on their word, but Narayana never does. He has now accepted me; the Almighty does not consider it a…

पटे ढाळूं आह्मी विष्णुदास जगीं । लागों नेदूं अंगीं पापपुण्य ॥1॥

We are the servants of Vishnu in this world, boldly unfurling our banners. We will not let merit or sin touch us. Our he…

देव राखे तया मारील कोण । न मोडे कांटा हिंडतां वन ॥1॥

Whom God protects, no one can harm. Not a thorn pricks such a one though they wander through the forest. They do not bur…

आह्मां हरिच्या दासां कांहीं । भय नाहीं त्रैलोकीं ॥1॥

We who are servants of Hari have no fear in all the three worlds. God stands before us and behind us, unraveling every d…

आतां मी सर्वथा नव्हें गा दुर्बळ । यातिहीनकुळ दैन्यवाणा ॥1॥

I am no longer in any way weak, low-born, or wretched. Mother Rakhumai and Father Panduranga stand on both sides, and bo…

उपेिक्षला येणें कोणी शरणागत । ऐसी नाहीं मात आइऩिकली ॥1॥

I have never heard of anyone who sought His refuge being forsaken. Will He now abandon His own ancient pledge, which He …

शूरत्वासी मोल । नये कामा फिके बोल ॥1॥

Valor has a price that feeble words cannot pay. The true warrior never abandons his cause; he stakes his very life upon …

हरिच्या दासां भये । ऐसें बोलों तें ही नये ॥1॥

To say that the devotees of Hari know fear is simply not proper. God stands hidden behind them and fulfills their every …

काळाचे ही काळ । आह्मी विठोबाचे लडिवाळ ॥1॥

We are the darlings of Vithoba, the death of Death itself. We exercise authority everywhere, for we dwell intimately clo…

बिळवंत आह्मी समर्थाचे दास । घातली या कास किळकाळासी ॥1॥

We are mighty, for we are servants of the Almighty; we have thrown a noose around the neck of Death itself. What can any…

जीवें व्हावें साटी । पडे संवसारें तुटी ॥1॥

One must stake one's very life; that is what breaks the bond with worldly existence. I have spoken such words and taken …

भावाचिया बळें । आह्मी निर्भर दुर्बळें ॥1॥

By the strength of devotion, we weak ones have become fearless. No other power holds sway over us; the mind rests always…

न पालटे एक । भोळा भH चि भाविक ॥1॥

One who never wavers is the innocent, the simple devotee, the truly faithful. For all others, ruin awaits when their mer…

परि तो आहे कृपेचा सागर । तोंवरी अंतर पडों नेदी॥1॥

Yet He is an ocean of mercy; He will not let the distance last too long. He hears with many ears, sees with many eyes; h…

दोहींमध्यें एक घडेल विश्वासें । भातुकें सरिसें मूळ तरी ॥1॥

By faith, one of two things must happen; at the very least, some small gift will accompany the reply. A complete refusal…

धीर तो कारण एकविधभाव । पतिव्रते नाहो सर्वभावें॥1॥

Patience is the key, and single-minded devotion. A chaste wife serves with her whole being. The chataka bird will not lo…

जाणे अंतरिंचा भाव । तो चि करितो उपाव ॥1॥

He who knows the inmost desire devises the right remedy. There is no need to ask or beg; simply follow Him with life and…

न संडावा ठाव । ऐसा निश्चयाचा भाव ॥1॥

One should not abandon one's place; such should be the resolve of faith. No more pilgrimages now; let everything be sett…

पाषाण देव पाषाण पायरी । पूजा एकावरी पाय ठेवी ॥1॥

The stone that is worshipped as God and the stone that serves as a step are both stone; one receives worship while the o…

भाग्यवंता हे परवडी । करिती जोडी जन्माची ॥1॥

This abundance belongs to the fortunate; they make the most of their birth. Each receives according to his own faith; wh…

कां रे नाठविसी कृपाळु देवासी । पोसितो जनासी एकला तो ॥1॥

Why do you not remember the compassionate Lord? He alone feeds the whole world. Who produces milk for the infant? Shripa…

सुखें खावें अन्न । त्याचें करावें चिंतन ॥1॥

Eat your food happily and contemplate Him. What is given by Him returns to Him, and the fruit comes naturally to you. Th…

बहुतां छंदाचें बहु वसे जन । नये वांटूं मन त्यांच्या संगें ॥1॥

The world is full of people with many whims; one should not scatter one's mind in their company. Guard your own faith; l…

आलिया भोगासी असावें सादर । देवावरी भार घालूनियां ॥1॥

Face whatever comes with equanimity, placing the burden upon God. Then that Ocean of Mercy will remove all difficulties.…

सतीचें तें घेतां वाण । बहु कठीण परिणामीं ॥1॥

To take up the vow of a sati is exceedingly hard in the end. True glory grows only through the sacrifice of one's life; …

एका ऐसें एक होतें कोणां काळें । समर्थाच्या बळें काय नव्हे ॥1॥

One thing leads to another in due course; by the strength of the Almighty, what is impossible? I have planted myself fir…

होइल तरि पुसापुसी । उत्तर त्यासी योजावें ॥1॥

If questions arise, fitting answers should be given. Until then, I shall not put forth anything of my own before Him. Go…

हा तों नव्हे कांहीं निराशेचा ठाव । भलें पोटीं वाव राखिलिया ॥1॥

This is no place of despair, so long as there is room kept in the heart. The Lord of the Universe has gathered the entir…

समर्थाची धरिली कास । आतां नाश काशाचा ॥1॥

I have grasped the hem of the Almighty; what destruction can touch me now? Rush to my aid, and I will praise You; I am Y…

नाहीं होत भार घातल्या उदास । पुरवावी आस सकळ ही ॥1॥

A burden laid down in devotion never becomes heavy; let every hope be fulfilled. I have never known any instance where t…

कराल तें करा । हातें आपुल्या दातारा ॥1॥

Whatever You wish to do, do it with Your own hands, O Benefactor. We are Your strong children; we rest secure in this co…

कोण आतां किळकाळा । येऊं बळा देइऩल ॥1॥

Who now can bring any calamity or adversity to bear upon us? Sovereignty has been established across all three worlds; t…

रणीं निघतां शूर न पाहे माघारें । ऐशा मज धीरें राख आतां ॥1॥

A warrior advancing on the battlefield never looks behind. Keep me steady with that same courage now, O Lord. I have dis…

आतां भय नाहीं ऐसें वाटे जीवा । घडलिया सेवा समर्थाची ॥1॥

Now the soul feels no fear, having rendered service to the Almighty. Now let my mind hold firm to this certainty: let th…

काय मी अन्यायी तें घाला पालवीं । आणीक वाट दावीं चालावया ॥1॥

If I am in the wrong, then point it out. Show me another path to walk. I follow the same road that I see before me. Shou…

वर्णावे ते किती । केले पवाडे श्रीपति ॥1॥

How much can one describe the great deeds of the Lord? The faithful one receives the gain; if Padmanabha wills it, He gi…

ऐकिली कीिर्त्त संतांच्या वदनीं । तरि हें ठाकोनि आलों स्थळ ॥1॥

Having heard the saints' glory from their own mouths, I came to this sacred place. Treat the first and last comers alike…

कल्पतरूअंगीं इिच्छलें तें फळ । अभागी दुर्बळ भावें सिद्धी ॥1॥

The wish-fulfilling tree bears whatever fruit is desired; even the unfortunate and the weak attain fulfillment through s…

सेजेचा एकांत आगीपाशीं कळे । झांकिलिया डोळे अधःपात ॥1॥

The intimacy of the bed is known to the fire; closing one's eyes leads to a fall. Whether one survives or burns in the f…

आह्मी असों नििंश्चतीनें । एक्या गुणें तुमचिया॥1॥

We rest in perfect certainty, relying upon this one quality of Yours: that sinners have been saved by taking Your Name w…

शिळा जया देव । तैसा फळे त्याचा भाव ॥1॥

To one for whom a stone is God, God rewards according to that faith. What is held dear with care becomes sweet; those wh…

काय माझें नेती वाइऩट ह्मणोन । करूं समाधान कशासाटीं ॥1॥

What will people take from me by calling me wicked? Why should I seek anyone's approval? People cannot take me to the af…

भय हरिजनीं । कांहीं न धरावें मनीं ॥1॥

Let the devotees of Hari hold no fear in their hearts. When Narayana is one's friend, what does the world's opinion matt…

अभिमानी पांडुरंग । गोवा काशाचा हो मग ॥1॥

Panduranga stands as your champion; what then is there to fear? Follow Him without delay; do not stop to deliberate. Whe…

चरफडें चरफड शोकें शोक होये । कार्यमूळ आहे धीरापाशीं ॥1॥

Fretting only breeds more grief, and sorrow only multiplies sorrow. The root of all accomplishment lies with patience. C…

व्यभिचारिणी गणिका कुंटणी । विश्वास चि मनीं राघोबाचा ॥1॥

The sinful courtesan, a woman of ill repute, held unwavering faith in Rama within her heart. Even such a sinner was carr…

न करि त्याचें गांढेपण । नारायण सिद्ध उभा ॥1॥

No weakness can prevail when Narayana Himself stands ready. He has bridged the ocean of worldly life; one need only call…

केलें शकुनें प्रयाण । आतां मागें फिरे कोण ॥1॥

The journey has begun under auspicious signs; now who would turn back? Let whatever will happen, happen. The body is off…

कोणाशीं विचार करावा सेवटीं । एवढएा लाभें तुटी जाल्या तरे ॥1॥

With whom shall I deliberate at the end, when such a great gain is at stake? A true warrior holds his ground even under …

इिच्छलें ते शकुनवंती । होय देती तात्काळ ॥1॥

Whatever the faithful desire comes to pass for them at once, like a good omen. Vitthal, from above, separates the pure m…

भजनें चि जालें । मग जीवाचें काय आलें ॥1॥

Once devotion has been accomplished, what harm can come to the soul? Do not let fear stand in the way again. When the ba…

विश्वासिया नाहीं लागत सायास । रंग अनायासें अंगा येतो ॥1॥

The faithful one needs no exertion; divine color comes to his body effortlessly. A mother begs a morsel from the hand of…

ज्यावें हीनपणें । कासयाच्या प्रयोजनें ॥1॥

Why live in humiliation? To what purpose? When worldly life is ruled by destiny, at least maintain your courage. Whateve…

आतां हें उचित माझें जना हातीं । पाहिजे फजीती केली कांहीं ॥1॥

Now let the people do what they will with me; let them humiliate me however they please. Even then I shall not release Y…

केलियाचें दान । करा आपुलें जतन ॥1॥

Guard well what has been given to you and protect your own store. My intellect is steady, O God; I have no craving for s…

तुझा दास मज ह्मणती अंकित । अवघे सकिळक लहान थोर ॥1॥

All beings, great and small, call me Your servant and claim me as Your own. Now, O Lord, I must guard Your greatness for…

न करावी चिंता । भय धरावें सर्वथा ॥1॥

Do not worry, but maintain your reverence in all things. Narayana bears everything for His servants, even enduring sacri…

सरे आह्मांपाशीं एक शुद्धभाव । नाहीं तरी वाव उपचार ॥1॥

What we value is pure, sincere faith; without it, all ritual observance is hollow. Who will heed eloquent speech on the …

आतां तळमळ । केली पाहिजे सीतळ ॥1॥

Now let this inner agitation be cooled. Place your faith at God's feet and see what He will do. He alone is the giver of…