The saints, the final audit
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
त्रिविधकर्माचे वेगळाले भाव । निवडूनि ठाव दाखविला॥1॥
आलियाचा झाडा राहिल्याचा ठाव । सुख गौरव संतां अंगीं ॥ध्रु.॥
हिशेबें आलें तें सकळांसी प्रमाण । तेथें नाही आन चालों येत ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे नाहीं पापपुण्य खतीं । झाडएाची हुजती हातां आली ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The distinct paths of the three kinds of action have been sorted and their places shown. What has come and what has settled is evident. The saints carry within them grace and honor. What is established by honest reckoning is the authority for all; no alternative can prevail against it. Says Tuka, there is no sin or merit on the ledger; the final audit has come into our hands.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The different fruits of the three kinds of action have been sorted out and each one's place has been shown. What has come due and what still stands is made clear. The joy and the honor rest in the bodies of the saints. What the honest reckoning brings is the measure for all; nothing else can pass there. Tuka says: there is no sin or merit left on the ledger; the closing of the account has come into our hands.
What it means
Tukaram speaks of a settling of spiritual accounts. The fruits of the three kinds of action have been separated and assigned, what is owed and what remains made plain, and the whole reckoning is honest, so no false claim can stand against it. The grace and honor of this settlement live in the bodies of the saints, who embody its truth. The freeing conclusion is that for the devotee the books are now clear of sin and merit alike: the final audit has been handed over and closed, and one is no longer bound by the old ledger of deeds.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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