Autobiography, fearless correction
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
प्रायिश्चत्तें देतो तुका । जातो लोकां सकळां ॥1॥
धरितील ते तरती मनीं । जाती घाणी वांयां त्या ॥ध्रु.॥
निग्रहअनुग्रहाचे ठाय । देतो घाय पाहोनि ॥2॥
तुका जाला नरसिंहीं । भय नाहीं कृपेनें ॥3॥ ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Tuka offers atonement to all people. Those who hold it in their minds will be saved; the rest will go to waste. He gives blows of correction and grace, seeing who needs which. Tuka has become fearless like Narasimha, by the power of grace.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Tuka gives out the medicine of atonement. It goes to all people. Those who hold it in their minds will cross over. The rest will be wasted, their lives spilled out for nothing. He strikes where a blow is needed and shows grace where grace is needed, looking first to see which is called for. Tuka says: I have become like Narasimha. By grace, I have no fear.
What it means
Tukaram is describing his own role as one who offers atonement freely to everyone. He says the offer is open to all, but only those who take it to heart will be saved; the rest let their lives run to waste. He claims the discernment to know when to correct sharply and when to be gentle, giving each according to need. The image of Narasimha, the fierce protective form, says he has become fearless, and he credits that fearlessness to grace rather than to himself. The poem owns a hard, dual ministry, blows and tenderness both, grounded in mercy.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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