Longing, give what little you can
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
नका घालूं दुध जयामध्यें सार । ताकाचे उपकार तरी करा ॥1॥
नेदा तरी हें हो नका देऊं अन्न । फुकाचें जीवन तरी पाजा ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे मज सगुणाची चाड । पुरवा कोणी कोड दुर्बळाचें ॥3॥
उतराधिपदें - 22
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
If you cannot offer milk, at least render the service of buttermilk. If not food, then at least offer a cup of plain water freely. Says Tuka, I have a longing for saguna, for the Lord in manifest form. Will someone fulfill this helpless one's wish?
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
If you cannot pour out milk where the essence is, then at least do the kindness of buttermilk. If you will not give food, then at least give a cup of plain water freely. Tuka says: I have a longing for the Lord in his form, for saguna. Will someone fulfill this helpless one's wish?
What it means
Tukaram pleads for grace and asks that it be given in whatever measure is possible. Using the language of hospitality, he says if the full gift of milk, the essence, is withheld, then even buttermilk will do; if not food, then at least free water. The graded request shows a man who will not demand much, only that he not be turned away empty. What he truly hungers for is darshan of the Lord in manifest form, saguna, God with a face and a name to love. He ends by naming himself helpless and casting the longing on the saints, asking simply that someone meet his need.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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