Ecstasy, grace unearned
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
अवचिता चि हातीं ठेवा । दिला सेवा न करितां॥1॥
भाग्य फळलें जाली भेटी । नेघें तुटी यावरी ॥ध्रु.॥
दैन्य गेलें हरली चिंता । सदैव आतां यावरी ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे वांटा जाला । बोलों बोली देवासीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Suddenly, without my performing any service, a treasure was placed in my hands. My fortune has blossomed, and a meeting has occurred; I will not accept any parting hereafter. Misery has departed and anxiety has been swept away; from now on, all days are auspicious. Says Tuka, a share has been allotted; now I may speak freely with God.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Suddenly the treasure was placed in my hands, given though I did no service for it. My fortune has flowered; the meeting has happened; I will accept no parting after this. My poverty is gone, my worry is swept away; from now on every day is blessed. Tuka says: a share has been allotted to me, and now I can speak freely with God.
What it means
Tukaram marvels that the great treasure was dropped into his hands without his having earned it by any service. He names it pure grace: good fortune has bloomed, the meeting with God has come, and he refuses to imagine ever being parted again. With that, his inner poverty and anxiety are simply gone, and every coming day turns auspicious. The closing line shows the new footing: he has been granted a share, a place at the table, so now he can speak with God plainly, as one who belongs.
Ecstasy and Joy
Triumphant happiness: poems written from the far side of the struggle.
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