Fearlessness after surrender
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
भयाची तों आह्मां चिंत्तीं । राहो खंती सकेना ॥1॥
समपिनलों जीवें भावें । काशा भ्यावें कारणें ॥ध्रु.॥
करीन तें कवतुकें। अवघें निकें शोभेल ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे माप भरूं । दिस सारूं कवतुकें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
We once harbored fear and anxiety within us, but that distress cannot remain any longer. We have surrendered with body and jiva. What cause is there now for fear? Whatever I do, I shall do it as a joyful game; everything will turn out well. Says Tuka, I shall fill the measure and pass the days in playful delight.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Once fear and worry lived in my mind. Now that grief cannot stay. I have given myself away, life and heart. What is left to be afraid of, and why? Whatever I do, I will do it as play, and all of it will turn out well. Tuka says: I will fill the measure full. I will pass my days in delight.
What it means
Tukaram describes what happens on the far side of surrender: fear loses its place to stand. Having handed over his very life and heart, he finds the old anxiety can no longer remain, because there is nothing left of his own to defend. From here even action changes character; what he does he does as play, trusting that it will come out well. The closing image of filling the measure full and spending his days in delight names the new tone of a life no longer ruled by dread, but lived lightly in God's keeping.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
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