The Name, God comes running
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
अंतरली कुटी मेटी । भय धरूनियां पोटीं । म्हणतां जगजेठी । धांवें करुणाउत्तरीं ॥१॥
बाप बळिया शिरोमणी । उतावळि या वचनीं । पडलिया कानीं । धांवा न करी आळस ॥ध्रु.॥
बळ दुनी शरणागता । स्वामी वाहों नेदी चिंता । आइतें चि दाता । पंगतीस बैसवी ॥२॥
वाहे खांदीं पाववी घरा । त्याच्या करी येरझारा । बोबड्या उत्तरा । स्वामी तुकया मानवे ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When all tricks and shelters fail and fear fills the belly, simply calling out to the Lord of the world brings his merciful response rushing forth. The Father, the mighty one, the supreme jewel, is eager at the sound of such words; when they reach his ears, he does not delay in coming to the rescue. He gives strength and protection to those who surrender; the Master does not let them carry any worry. The generous Lord seats them at his ready table. He carries them on his shoulders, brings them home, and paces back and forth attending to them. The Lord is pleased even by Tuka's babbling words.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
When every trick and shelter has failed and fear fills the belly, just calling out to the Lord of the world brings his merciful answer rushing in. The Father, the mighty one, the crown of all, is quick at such words; the moment they reach his ears he runs to the rescue without delay. He doubles the strength of the one who surrenders; the Master lets him carry no worry, and the giver seats him, food ready, at his own row. He carries him on his shoulders and brings him home; he paces back and forth tending to him. Tuka says: the Master is pleased even by Tuka's babbling words.
What it means
This abhanga is about what happens when human resources run out. When all schemes and refuges fail and fear takes hold, the one act that works is simply to cry out God's name; he answers with mercy at once. Tukaram piles up the response: the mighty Father runs without delay, doubles the strength of whoever surrenders, lifts away all worry, and seats the helpless one at his own table with food already prepared. The images of God carrying him on his shoulders and pacing in care reverse every expectation of distance between Lord and devotee. The last line is the consolation: God is moved not by polished prayer but by even the broken, babbling words of one who turns to him.
Faith and Trust
The boldness of faith, steadfastness, and the security of trusting in God.
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