Worldly life, peace through past karma
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
भोग तो न घडे संचितावांचूनि । करावें तें मनीं समाधान ॥1॥
ह्मणऊनी मनीं मानूं नये खेदु । ह्मणावा गोविंद वेळोवेळां ॥ध्रु.॥
आणिकां रुसावें न लगे बहुतां । आपुल्या संचितावांचूनियां ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे भार घातलिया वरी । होईल कैवारी नारायण ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Nothing happens without the fruition of past karma. Therefore, keep the mind at peace. For this reason, do not harbor grief. Repeat the name of Govinda at every moment. There is no need to be angry with many others; nothing comes apart from one's own accumulated deeds. Says Tuka, once the burden is placed upon Him, Narayana becomes your champion.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
No experience comes to you except by your past deeds; so keep the mind at peace. For this reason, do not hold grief in the heart. Say Govinda's name again and again. There is no need to be angry at so many others; nothing reaches you apart from what you yourself have stored up. Tuka says: once the weight is laid upon Him, Narayana becomes your defender.
What it means
Tukaram gives a settled way to carry the world. Whatever befalls you is the ripening of your own past karma, so let the mind rest rather than rage. From this he draws two practical moves: refuse grief, and keep Govinda's name on the tongue. He also cuts off blame; since nothing comes except from your own store of deeds, anger at others is misplaced. And he adds the turn that makes acceptance more than fatalism: hand the burden to Narayana, and God himself takes up your side as champion.
Worldly Life
The perplexities of action, karma, and navigating life in the world.
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