Invocation, calling the names of the merciful
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
अगा ये उदारा अगा विश्वंभरा । रखुमाईच्या वरा पांडुरंगा ॥1॥
अगा सवाौत्तमा अगा कृष्णा रामा । अगा मेघश्यामा विश्वजनित्या ॥ध्रु.॥
अगा कृपावंता जीवन तूं दाता । अगा सर्वसत्ता धरितया ॥2॥
अगा सर्वजाणा अगा नारायणा । करुणवचना चित्त द्यावें ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे नाहीं अधिकार तैसी । सरती पायांपाशीं केली मागें ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
O generous One, O Sustainer of the world, O Husband of Rakhumai, O Panduranga. O Supreme One, O Krishna, O Rama, O dark-hued Creator of the universe. O compassionate Giver of life, O Holder of all power. O All-knowing Narayana, lend Your ear to these words of sorrow. Says Tuka, I do not have the proper qualifications, but I have settled myself at Your feet, as I have done before.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
O generous one, O sustainer of the world, O husband of Rakhumai, Panduranga. O best of all, O Krishna, O Rama, O dark cloud-hued one, maker of the universe. O merciful one, giver of life, O holder of all power that upholds everything. O all-knowing Narayana, give your heart to these words of sorrow. Tuka says: I have no worthiness of my own, yet I have settled myself at your feet, as I have done before.
What it means
This abhanga is almost entirely a litany of names, and the naming is itself the prayer. Tukaram calls on God as generous, as world-sustainer, as Rakhumai's husband Panduranga, as Krishna and Rama, as the dark-hued maker of all, as the giver of life who holds every power. Having gathered all these titles, he asks one thing: that the all-knowing Lord lend his attention to a grieving plea. The close is his constant note of humility: he claims no qualification, no merit that earns a hearing. He simply takes his old place at the feet of God and rests his case there.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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