Longing, waiting for the word of acceptance
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
1242. कई मात माझे ऐकती कान । बोलतां वचन संतां मुखीं ॥1॥
केला पांडूरंगें तुझा अंगीकार । मग होइल धीर माझ्या जीवा ॥ध्रु.॥
ह्मणऊनि मुख अवलोकितों पाय । हे चि मज आहे थोरी आशा ॥2॥
माझिया मनाचा हा चि विश्वास । न करीं सायास साधनांचे ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे मज होईल भरवसा । तरलों मी ऐसा साच भाव ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When will my ears hear the saints speak the word: that Panduranga has accepted me? Only then will my jiva find courage. Therefore I keep my gaze upon Your feet, waiting for that word. This alone is my great hope. This one trust holds my mind. I seek no other practice. Says Tuka, when I receive that assurance, I will know in truth that I have crossed over.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When will my ears hear the news, the word spoken from the saints' mouths: that Panduranga has taken you for his own? Only then will my life find courage. So I keep looking toward your face and your feet. This alone is my great hope. This one trust holds my mind. I attempt no other practice. Tuka says: when that assurance comes to me, I will know in truth, this is real, that I have crossed over.
What it means
Tukaram is waiting for a single confirmation: word from the saints that God has accepted him. He treats their voice as the trustworthy channel, the place where God's acceptance would be made known. Until that word comes his heart cannot rest, so he keeps his gaze on God's feet and stakes everything on this one hope. He sets aside every other spiritual technique, trusting that acceptance, not effort, is what carries a soul across. The poem captures the suspense of grace: the seeker has done all he can and now simply watches for the sign that he has been received.
Longing and Separation
Cries from the dark night of the soul: remonstrances, complaints, and desperate yearning.
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