Renunciation, desire flees the grasper
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
धरितां इच्छा दुरी पळे । पाठी सोहळे उदासा ॥1॥
ह्मणऊनि असट मन । नका खुण सांगतों ॥ध्रु.॥
आविसापासी अवघें वर्म । सोस श्रम पाववी ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे बीज न्यावें । तेथें यावें फळानें ॥3॥ ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When you chase desire, it runs away; but luxury follows the one who is detached. Therefore, be steadfast in mind; I tell you this secret. All the hidden truth lies with the dispassionate one; yearning and toil only bring exhaustion. Says Tuka, carry the seed, and the fruit will come to that very place.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Grab at desire and it runs away; but good fortune follows the one who lets go. So keep the mind steady. Do not waver. I am telling you the secret. The whole hidden truth lies with the dispassionate one; craving and toil only wear you out. Tuka says: carry the seed, and the fruit will come to that very place.
What it means
Tukaram hands over a practical secret about desire. What you chase flees from you, while ease and good fortune quietly attend the one who has let go, so the way forward is a steady, unwavering mind rather than more grasping. The real understanding belongs to the dispassionate; longing and effort spent on getting things only exhaust a person. His closing image makes it concrete: simply carry the seed, that is, give yourself to detachment and to God, and the fruit will arrive on its own, right where you are, without your having to seize it.
Renunciation
The case for letting go of worldly attachments and turning wholly to God.
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