Prayer, refuse the powers that strip you bare
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
दावूनियां कोणां कांहीं । ते चि वाहीं चाळविलीं ॥1॥
तैसें नको करूं देवा । शुद्धभावा माझिया ॥ध्रु.॥
रििद्धसिद्धी ऐसे आड । येती नाड नागवूं ॥2॥
उदकाऐसे दावुनि ओढी । उर फोडी झळई ॥3॥
दर्पणींचें दिलें धन । दिसे पण चरफडी ॥4॥
तुका ह्मणे पायांसाटीं । करीं आटी कळों द्या ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
You have shown various things to various people and led them along with those enticements. Do not do the same, O God, with my pure devotion. Supernatural powers and accomplishments come as obstacles meant to strip us bare. Like water shown to a thirsty man and then withdrawn as a mirage, or wealth displayed in a mirror that cannot be grasped, they only cause torment. Says Tuka, I labor only for your feet; let me know that you understand this.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
You have shown various things to various people and led them off with those lures. Do not do that, O God, to my pure devotion. Powers and accomplishments come in the way as traps meant to strip us bare. Like water shown to a thirsty man and then pulled back as a mirage, like wealth shown in a mirror that cannot be grasped, they only break the heart. Tuka says: I labor only for your feet; let me know that you understand this.
What it means
Tukaram is asking God not to test or distract him with the miraculous powers that lure other seekers off the path. He names them plainly as traps, the riddhi and siddhi that come as obstacles and end up robbing a person of what matters. He gives two sharp images for them: water promised to a thirsty man that turns out to be a mirage, and money seen in a mirror that the hand can never reach, both of which only torment. His one plea is that his labor is for God's feet alone, and he wants the assurance that God knows it and will not divert him with shiny powers.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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