The cowherds, weary and hungry, calling Krishna
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
चला वळूं गाई । बैसों जेऊं एके ठायीं ॥१॥
बहु केली वणवण । पायपिटी जाला सिण ॥ध्रु.॥
खांदीं भार पोटीं भुक । काय खेळायाचें सुख ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे धांवे । मग अवघें बरवें ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Come, let us round up the cows and sit down together to eat in one place. We have wandered far too much; our feet are sore and our bodies are weary. The load is heavy on our shoulders and hunger gnaws at our bellies; what joy is there in play on an empty stomach? Says Tuka, run now, and then everything will be well.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Come, let us round up the cows and sit down together to eat in one place. We have wandered too much; our feet are sore and our bodies tired. The load is heavy on our shoulders and hunger gnaws at our bellies; what joy is there in play on an empty stomach? Tuka says: run now, and then everything will be well.
What it means
The cowherd boys are worn out from a long day of herding and want to gather for the shared meal. They name plainly what has drained them: endless wandering, sore feet, heavy loads, gnawing hunger, and they confess that play brings no joy while the stomach is empty. The closing line points the whole weariness toward Krishna: run to him, and then all is well. Tukaram lets the simple bodily tiredness stand for the soul that finds rest only when it turns to God.
Krishna Leela
Poems celebrating Krishna's birth, childhood, and divine play.
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