Autobiography, words given as rain
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
नव्हें हें गुरुत्व मेघवृिष्ट वाणी । ऐकावी कानीं संतजनीं ॥1॥
देहपिंड दान दिला एकसरें । मुिळचें तें खरें टांकसाळ ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे झरा लागला नवनीत । सेविलिया हित पोट धाय ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
This is not the ego of a teacher; my words fall like rain, to be heard by the saints. I have offered this body as a gift, all at once. What is original and genuine is the mint itself. Says Tuka, a stream of fresh butter has begun to flow. If you partake of it, the belly is full and satisfied.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
This is not the pride of a teacher; my words fall like a rain-cloud, for the saints to hear. I have given this body away as a gift, all at once. What is original and true is the mint itself. Tuka says: a stream of fresh butter has begun to flow. Whoever takes it is helped, and the belly is filled and content.
What it means
Tukaram answers the suspicion that he is setting himself up as a guru. He says his words are not his own self-importance but rain poured out for the saints, and he has already handed his whole body over as a gift, so there is no self left to be proud. The image of the mint says the truth he speaks is genuine coin struck at the source, not his invention. The flowing butter is his promise to the listener: this teaching is nourishment freely given, and whoever partakes of it is satisfied.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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