Longing, a message costs nothing
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
निरोपासी वेचे । काय बोलतां फुकाचें ॥1॥
परी हें नेघेवे चि यश । भेओं नको सुखी आस ॥ध्रु.॥
सुख समाधानें । कोण पाहे देणें घेणें ॥2॥
न लगे निरोपासी मोल । तुका ह्मणे वेचे बोल ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Does sending a message cost anything? Speaking costs nothing. But do not refuse this satisfaction; do not fear, for the hope of happiness remains. When one is content, who cares about debts and dues? A message costs nothing; Says Tuka, it spends only words.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
What does it cost you to send a message? Speaking takes nothing from you. Do not refuse me this much; do not be afraid, for the hope of happiness is still here. When the heart is content, who keeps count of what is given and what is taken? A message has no price. Tuka says: it spends only words.
What it means
Tukaram is begging God for the smallest sign, and arguing that the giving costs nothing. A word, a message, takes nothing out of God's hand, so there is no reason to withhold it. He tells himself not to be afraid, because the hope of joy has not died. His point is that love is not bookkeeping: where there is real contentment, no one tallies debts and dues. All he asks is a word, and a word is free.
Longing and Separation
Cries from the dark night of the soul: remonstrances, complaints, and desperate yearning.
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