Ecstasy, stolen by Hari and unfit for the world
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
हरिनें माझें हरिलें चित्त । भार वित्त विसरलें ॥1॥
आतां कैसी जाऊं घरा । नव्हे बरा लौकिक ॥ध्रु.॥
पारखियांसी सांगतां गोटी । घरची कुटी खातील ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे निवांत राहीं। पाहिलें पाहीं धणीवरि ॥3॥
॥ भुपाळ्या ॥ अभंग ॥ 8 ॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Hari has stolen my chitta. I have forgotten all burdens and wealth. Now how shall I go home? It would not look right to the world. If I tell this tale to strangers, my own household will thrash me. Says Tuka, stay quiet, remain still. Gaze upon the Master to your fill.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Hari has stolen my heart. I have forgotten every burden and all wealth. Now how can I go home? It would not look right to the world. If I tell this tale to strangers, my own household will beat me. Tuka says: stay quiet, stay still; gaze your fill upon the Master.
What it means
Tukaram describes the helpless condition of one whose heart God has carried off: ordinary cares and possessions simply slip from mind. This leaves him unfit for normal life, unable to face the world's expectations or return to household duties as if nothing had happened. He knows the experience cannot be explained to outsiders, who would think him mad, so even his own people would scold him. His resolution is not to argue or perform but to fall silent and keep gazing at the Master until he is satisfied. The poem honors an inwardness that society cannot measure and chooses quiet absorption over reputation.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
More in this theme →