Surrender, the scraps of the saints
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
काय माझी संत पाहाती जाणीव । सर्व माझा भावत्यांचे पायीं ॥1॥
कारण सरतें करा पांडुरंगीं । भूषणाची जगीं काय चाड ॥ध्रु.॥
बोबडा उत्तरीं ह्मणें हरिहरि । आणीक भीकारी नेणें दुजें॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे तुह्मी विठ्ठलाचे दास । करितों मी आस उिच्छष्टाची॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Why should the saints scrutinize my learning? My entire devotion is at their feet. Let only that which avails with Panduranga be accomplished; what use is mere ornamental display in this world? With stammering lips I say Hari, Hari; this beggar knows no other word. Says Tuka, you are all servants of Vitthal, and I long only for the scraps from your plate.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Why should the saints examine my learning? All my love is at their feet. Let only what counts with Panduranga be done. What use is show in this world? With stammering lips I say Hari, Hari. This beggar knows no other word. Tuka says: you are all servants of Vitthal. I long only for the scraps from your plate.
What it means
Tukaram asks the saints not to weigh him by his learning, because his whole devotion is laid at their feet. He dismisses outward display as worthless; the only thing worth accomplishing is what carries weight with Panduranga. He confesses that he can barely speak, stammering one name, Hari, and knowing no other. Calling himself a beggar after the leftovers from the saints' plates, he names the posture he wants: to take the lowest place among Vitthal's servants and receive grace as a gift, not a wage.
Surrender and Acceptance
The conditions of spiritual receptivity and the letting go of the separate self.
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