Autobiography, the debt discharged
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
तुह्मी येथें पाठविला धरणेकरी । त्याची जाली परी आइका ते ॥1॥
आतां काय पुढें वाढवुनि विस्तार । जाला समाचार आइका तो ॥ध्रु.॥
देवाचें उचित एकादश अभंग । महाफळ त्याग करूनि गेला ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे सेवा समर्पूनि पायीं । जालों उतराई ठावें असो ॥3॥ ॥31॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
You sent a petitioner here; hear what became of him. Now, without expanding the story further, hear the outcome. As was fitting for God, eleven abhangas were composed; he departed having made the great sacrifice. Says Tuka, having offered my service at Your feet, I have discharged my debt. Let this be known.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
You sent a man here to sit in demand at my door. Hear what became of him. Now, without stretching the story out, hear how it ended. As was right for God, eleven abhangas were made; he gave up the great prize and went away. Tuka says: having offered my service at Your feet, I have paid off my debt. Let this be known.
What it means
Tukaram reports back to God about a man God had sent to him, someone who came and pressed his demand at the door. He keeps the account short, saying simply that he will tell how it ended rather than expand the tale. What he gave was fitting for God: eleven abhangas were composed, and the visitor, having let go of the greatest prize, departed. The closing line states the whole transaction plainly. By laying his service at God's feet, Tuka has cleared his debt, and he asks that this be on record.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
More in this theme →