Prayer, hold nothing back
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मथनीचें नवनीत । सर्व हितकारक ॥1॥
दंडवत दंडा परी । मागें उरी नुरावी ॥ध्रु.॥
वचनाचा तो पसरुं काई । तांतडी डोईपाशींच ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे जगजेठी । लावीं कंठीं उचलूनि ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The butter obtained from churning is beneficial to all. Let my prostration be like the churning rod, leaving nothing held back. Why spread out more words when the urgency is right here at hand? Says Tuka, O Lord of the world, lift me up and place me at Your throat.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The butter that comes from churning does good to everyone. Let my bowing down be like the churning rod, with nothing held back behind it. Why spread out many words when the urgency is right here at my head? Tuka says: O Lord of the world, lift me up and hold me at Your throat.
What it means
Tukaram prays for a surrender that keeps nothing in reserve. He takes the homely image of churning: as butter rises only when the rod works the milk fully, his prostration should be complete, leaving no part of himself withheld. He cuts off long speech, saying the need is too pressing for many words. The final plea is intimate and bold: he asks God not merely to accept him but to pick him up and hold him close at His throat, near the heart, like something cherished.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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