Surrender, the mind under command
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
सत्तावर्त्ते मन । पाळी विठ्ठलाची आन ॥1॥
आज्ञा वाहोनियां शिरीं । सांगितलें तें चि करीं ॥ध्रु.॥
सरलीसे धांव । न लगे वाढवावी हांव ॥2॥
आहे नाहीं त्याचें । तुका ह्मणे कळे साचें॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The mind now moves under Vitthal's command, honoring His authority. Carrying His orders upon my head, I do only what He directs. The restless running has ended; there is no need to feed desire any longer. Says Tuka, what truly is and what is not, that alone is now clear.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
My mind now moves under Vitthal's rule; it keeps his command. I carry his orders on my head and do only what he tells me. The running has stopped; I need not feed my wanting any longer. Tuka says: what is real and what is not, I now see truly.
What it means
Tukaram describes a mind that has handed over its own authority. It no longer acts on its own urges but obeys Vitthal, carrying his orders on the head as a servant carries a load. Because the will is given up, the restless chasing ends and there is no more desire to fatten. When wanting stops driving him, he can finally tell what is real from what is not. Surrender, he says, is what clears the sight.
Surrender and Acceptance
The conditions of spiritual receptivity and the letting go of the separate self.
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