Surrender, the natural flow
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आहे तें चि पुढें पाहों । बरे आहों येथें चि ॥1॥
काय वाढवूनि काम । उगा च श्रम तृष्णेचा ॥ध्रु.॥
िस्थरावतां ओघीं बरें । चाली पुरें पडेना ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे विळतां मन । आह्मां क्षण न लगे ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Let us look at what is already before us; we are well enough right here. Why increase effort for nothing, adding only the toil of craving? When one settles into the natural flow, one finds that it never runs out. Says Tuka, when the mind turns inward, it takes us not even a moment.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Let me look at what is already in front of me. I am well enough right here. Why pile on more work, taking on the toil of craving for nothing? When I settle into the natural flow, it is good, and the way ahead never runs short. Tuka says: when the mind turns inward, it takes us no time at all.
What it means
Tukaram is choosing what is present over what could be chased. He sees no reason to add effort and craving when he is already well where he stands. Settling into the natural current, instead of fighting it, he finds the road never runs out. The final line names how near the goal is: once the mind turns inward, the arrival takes no time. Surrender is not striving harder; it is stopping the manufacture of want.
Surrender and Acceptance
The conditions of spiritual receptivity and the letting go of the separate self.
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