Exhortation, the cheap and waiting Lord
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ऐसे सांडुनियां घुरे । किविलवाणी दिसां कां रे । कामें उर भरे । हातीं नुरे मृित्तका ॥1॥
उदार हा जगदानी । पांडुरंग अभिमानी । तुळसीदळ पाणी । चिंतनाचा भुकेला ॥ध्रु.॥
न लगे पुसावी चाकरी । कोणी वकील ये घरीं । त्याचा तो चाकरी । पारपत्य सकळ ॥2॥
नाहीं आडकाटी । तुका ह्मणे जातां भेटी । न बोलतां मिठी । उगी च पायीं घालावी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Why do you look so pitiful, abandoning such treasure? Desire fills the chest, yet only dust remains in your hands. Panduranga is the generous Lord of the world; He longs for nothing but a tulsi leaf, a little water, and your remembrance. You need not formally request His service; He comes to your door on His own, taking charge of all your affairs. Says Tuka, there is no obstacle in going to meet Him. Without even speaking, simply fall at His feet in silent embrace.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Why do you look so wretched, throwing away such treasure? Desire fills your chest, but only dust is left in your hands. Panduranga is generous, the giver to the whole world, and proud to own His own. He hungers only for a tulsi leaf, a little water, and your remembrance. You do not have to ask for His service. He comes to your door on His own and takes charge of all your affairs. Tuka says: there is no barrier to going and meeting Him. Without a word, just fall silent at His feet and hold them.
What it means
Tukaram scolds the listener for chasing desires that leave the hands full of dust while the real treasure goes ignored. He sets the price of God absurdly low: Panduranga is generous and asks only a tulsi leaf, some water, and remembrance, not elaborate offerings. More than that, you need not even apply for His help; He comes to your door unbidden and manages your affairs Himself. The closing image names what is actually required: not eloquence or ritual, but to go, fall silent at His feet, and cling. The poem turns self-examination toward the false poverty of a heart that hoards desire while the door stands open.
Appeals and Exhortations
Direct calls to action: wake up, seek God, do not waste this human birth.
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