Behold! The Word Is God collects 51 abhangas—devotional poems by the Marathi Bhakti saint Tukaram—presented in Marathi with two English interpretations by Shanta Gokhale and Jerry Pinto. This volume sits at the crossroads of poetry and spiritual study, inviting readers of Marathi literature, Bhakti poetry enthusiasts, and curious newcomers to hear Tukaram’s voice across languages. The translations offer two distinct angles, helping modern readers glimpse deep layers of meaning while staying true to the original’s musicality. The tone is reverent, uplifting, and contemplative, evoking wonder and devotion.
Across three thematically arranged groups—Tukaram and poetry, Tukaram and life, and Tukaram and Vitthala—the book preserves the saint-poet’s original abhangas in Roman transliteration while pairing them with two standalone English renditions. Behold! The Word Is God brings Tukaram to life as a living, breathing voice, with Pinto recasting the poems as independent pieces that run in dialogue with Tukaram’s own creations and offer a narrative arc through the poet’s craft, life, and devotion. Gokhale, by contrast, works to stay as close as possible to the sense, movement, rhythm, and form of the originals, guiding readers to feel the music and spiritual cadence of Tukaram’s verse. Together, their translations reveal the mystic wisdom and musicality of Tukaram’s hymns and open a doorway to a centuries-old tradition for today’s readers.
- 51 abhangas in Marathi, with two English interpretations by Shanta Gokhale and Jerry Pinto
- Original abhangas included alongside translations in Roman transliteration
- Three thematic sections: Tukaram and poetry; Tukaram and life; Tukaram and Vitthala
- Two distinct translation approaches that illuminate different facets of the poetry
- Musicality, rhythm, and spiritual insight made accessible for modern readers
After engaging with Behold! The Word Is God, readers gain a deeper appreciation for Tukaram’s devotional voice and for how language can illuminate timeless truths. The collection invites quiet reflection, fosters curiosity about a rich spiritual tradition, and leaves a lasting impression of poetry’s power to translate the sacred into everyday life.
