Autobiography, the well by the river
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
गोदे कांठीं होता आड । करूनि कोड कवतुकें॥1॥
देखण्यांनीं एक केलें । आइत्या नेलें जिवनापें ॥ध्रु.॥
राखोनियां ठाव । अल्प जीव लावूनि ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे फिटे धनी । हे सज्जनीं विश्रांति ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
By the bank of the Godavari there was a well, dug as a playful labor of love. Those with discerning eyes gathered and channeled its water, bringing it to serve life. They guarded the place and offered their meager lives to the task. Says Tuka, the owner is relieved; this is the rest that the righteous enjoy.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
By the bank of the Godavari there was a well, dug in playful love. People with seeing eyes did something with it: they led its ready water out to serve life. They guarded the spot and gave their small lives to the work. Tuka says: the owner is set free, and this is the rest the good ones find.
What it means
Tukaram tells a small parable of a well dug beside the Godavari almost as play. Those with discernment did the real work: they channeled its waiting water out so it could nourish life, kept watch over the place, and poured their modest lives into the task. The closing turn carries the meaning: when the work is rightly tended by such people, the owner is relieved of his burden. This is the quiet rest that the righteous come to, the peace of a life spent in faithful service rather than for itself.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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