Tukaram Gatha Abhang 61 - Maitra kelaa mahabalee

 Tukaram Gatha Abhang 61

मैत्र केला महाबळी | कामा न नये अंतकाळीं   ।।१।।

आधीं घे रे रामनाम | सामा भरीं हा उत्तम    ।।२।।

नाहीं तरी यम | दांत खातो करकरा         ।।३।।

धन मिळविलें कोडी | काळ घेतल्या न सोडी   ।।४।।

कामा न ये हा परिवार | सैन्य लोक बहु फार  ।।५।।

तंववरी तुमचें बळ | जंव आला नाहीं काळ    ।।६।।

तुका म्हणे बापा | चुकवी चौऱ्यांशींच्या खेपा   ।।७।।

 English Script

1. Maitra kelaa mahabalee, kamaa naye antakalee

2. Aadhee ghe re Ramnaam, saama bharee ha uttam

3. Nahee taree Yama, daat khaato karakara

4. Dhana milavile kodee, kaal ghetalya na sodee

5. Kamaa na ye haa parivaar, sainya lok bahu phaar

6. Tavavaree tumache bal, jav alaa nahee kaal

7. Tukaa mhane bapaa, chukavee chauryashinchyaa khepaa.

 Translation

Saint Tukaram is advising the devotee that he should seek liberation from the cycles of births and deaths before TIME takes a toll of his body. All his material possessions will become useless at that time. His only savior is Japa of God's name.

 1. Even if you have gathered many powerful friends, they will of no use when your end comes!

2. So, first of all, chant the name of the Lord Rama. This is a great asset which you need to collect.

3. Otherwise, the deity of death, Yama, will come grinding his teeth and devour your bodily form.

4. Even if you earn billions of Rupees' wealth, the deity of death, Yama, will not spare you.

5. Although your army of parents, wife, children, brethren, friends and well wishers is very big, it will not be of any use when the end comes.

6. Because you will be able to parade this strength only till TIME claims you (till death comes).

7. Tuka says, my dear friend, you must escape from the cycle of births and deaths through 84 lakh (8.4 million) yonis (species of life forms), before death of your bodily form.

 

The scriptures describe that a Jeeva, i.e. a living being, has to evolve from birth in the lowest form of species to higher forms through a series of life cycles, till the soul reaches the human body form. It is a journey of births in 8.4 million different forms of life, e.g. plants, insects, animals or any living beings, at the end of which, the soul gets birth as a human being. Hence, the human birth is very important and it should be used for achieving Nirvana or Oneness with God (Universal Consciousness). This is possible only through the human body, which has evolved to such an extent that it can seek liberation and achieve it.

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