Surrender, the helpless take refuge
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
तुजसवें आह्मीं अनुसरलों अबळा । नको अंगीं कळा राहों हरी हीन देऊं ॥1॥
सासुरवासा भीतों जीव ओढे तुजपाशीं । आतां दोहऴिवशीं लज्जा राखें आमुची ॥ध्रु.॥
न कळतां संग जाला सहज खेळतां । प्रवर्तली चिंता मागिलांचियावरि ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे असतां जैसें तैसें बरवें । वचन या भावें वेचुनियां विनटलों ।3॥ ॥8॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
We helpless ones have followed You. O Hari, do not let Your skill remain hidden from us or leave us destitute. We dread the life at the in-laws' house, and our jivas are drawn toward You. Now, in our vulnerable state, protect our honor. Without knowing it, our bond with You was formed while playing innocently, and now anxiety about the future has set in. Says Tuka, as long as You are present, all is well. With this faith, I have spent my words and surrendered myself.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
We helpless ones have followed You. O Hari, do not keep Your power hidden from us; do not leave us destitute. We dread the life at the in-laws' house, and our jivas are drawn toward You. Now, in our fragile state, guard our honor. Without knowing it, our bond with You was formed while we played innocently, and now worry about the future has set in. Tuka says: as long as You are present, all is well. With this faith I have spent my words and given myself over.
What it means
Speaking again as helpless brides, the souls who have followed Hari, Tukaram begs God not to hold back his saving power or abandon them. The dread of the in-laws' house is the dread of worldly bondage, while the heart is pulled toward God, and he asks that their honor be protected in this vulnerable hour. He notes that the bond with God was formed almost unknowingly, in innocent play, and only later did fear for the future arise. He rests it all on one assurance: while God is present, all is well, and on that faith he surrenders himself completely.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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