Autobiography, a petitioner sent to the door
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
काय ज्ञानेश्वरीं उणें । तिंहीं पाठविलें धरणें ॥1॥
ऐकोनियां लिखित । ह्मुण जाणवली हे मात ॥ध्रु.॥
तरी जाणे धणी। वदे सेवकाची वाणी ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे ठेवा । होतां सांभाळावें देवा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Was something lacking in Dnyaneshwar that he sent a petitioner to our door? Having heard it written, this matter has been brought to our notice. The Master knows; the servant's tongue merely conveys. Says Tuka, when a treasure is placed in trust, it must be looked after, O God.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Was anything lacking in Dnyaneshwar, that he should send a petitioner to my door? Hearing the writing, this matter was made known to me. The master knows; the servant's tongue only carries the word. Tuka says: when a treasure is placed in your trust, you must look after it, God.
What it means
Tukaram reacts with humble surprise that a seeker has been directed to him, as if on the authority of the great saint Dnyaneshwar, who surely lacks nothing himself. He is puzzled why such a one would be sent to his door. He deflects the credit immediately: the master, God, is the one who knows and acts; the servant only relays what he is given to say. The closing line hands the responsibility back to God: if a precious soul has been entrusted to me, then it is yours to keep safe, not mine to manage. The note marks this among verses tied to a brahmin's coming to Tukaram.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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