Autobiography, speech given by the Giver
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
वदे साक्षत्वेंसीं वाणी । नारायणीं मििश्रत ॥1॥
न लगे कांहीं चाचपावें । जातों भावें पेरीत ॥ध्रु.॥
भांडार त्या दातियाचें। मी कैचें ये ठायीं ॥2॥
सादावीत गेला तुका । येथें एकाएकीं तो ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
My speech flows merged in witness-nature, blended into Narayana. I need not fumble for anything; I go sowing with devotion. That treasury belongs to the Giver; what place do I have here? Says Tuka, he went calling out, and there, suddenly, alone with the One.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
My speech speaks as a witness, blended into Narayana. I need not grope for anything; I go on sowing with love. The treasury belongs to that Giver; what claim have I here? Tuka says: he went on calling out, suddenly here, alone with the One.
What it means
Tukaram disowns himself as the author of his words. He speaks as a witness whose voice is merged with Narayana, so he never has to fumble or strain; he simply scatters the seed in devotion. The whole store he draws from is God's, the Giver's, not his own, and he asks what standing he could possibly claim over it. The poem ends with him still calling out the Name, surprised to find himself set down here alone with the One, the giver of the very speech he is using.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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