Krishna's play, content with one's share
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
येइल तें घेइन भागा । नव्हे जोगा दुसरिया ॥१॥
आवडी ते तुम्ही जाणा । बहु गुणांसारिखी ॥ध्रु.॥
मज घेती डांगवरी । सवें हरि नसलिया ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे राबवा देवा । करीन सेवा सांगितली ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I will accept whatever share comes my way; I am not fit for anything more. You know the love that suits each one's many qualities. Without Hari by my side, they beat me with sticks. Says Tuka, put God to work; I will do whatever service I am told.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I will take whatever share comes to me; I am not fit for any more. You know the love that suits each one's many qualities. When Hari is not beside me, they beat me with sticks. Tuka says: put me to work, God; I will do whatever service you tell me.
What it means
Spoken in the voice of a humble cowherd, this is a prayer of contentment and dependence. The speaker accepts whatever portion falls to him and calls himself unfit for more, leaving it to God, who knows what love and share each person's nature deserves. The middle line is stark: without Hari at his side he is beaten, that is, left exposed and helpless when God's presence is withdrawn. Tukaram ends by offering himself for any task God assigns. The whole posture is one of surrender: take the small share gladly, stay close to God, and ask only to be set to service.
Krishna Leela
Poems celebrating Krishna's birth, childhood, and divine play.
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