Prayer, take away my fear
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आता पंढरीराया । माझ्या निरसावें भया ॥1॥
मनीं राहिली आशंका । स्वामिभयाची सेवका ॥ध्रु.॥
ठेवा माथां हात । कांहीं बोला अभयमात ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे लाडें । खेळें ऐसें करा पुढें॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Now, O King of Pandhari, dispel my fear. A servant's mind always holds the dread of displeasing the master. Place Your hand upon my head and speak some word of assurance. Says Tuka, play with me lovingly like this going forward.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Now, O King of Pandhari, take my fear away. A dread stays in my mind, the servant's fear of the master. Place Your hand on my head; speak some word of assurance. Tuka says: from now on, play with me lovingly, like this.
What it means
Tukaram prays for the one thing fear leaves him needing: release from fear itself. He names it precisely as a servant's dread of his master, the worry of having displeased the one he serves. So he asks for the gestures that quiet that dread, a hand laid on his head and a spoken word of safety. The last line shows what he is really after: not distance and obedience but closeness, a Lord who plays with him affectionately rather than one he must tremble before.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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