Prayer, take my pleading words to heart
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
नको माझे मानूं आहाच ते शब्द । कळवळ्याचा वाद करीतसें ॥1॥
कासयानें बळ करूं पायांपाशीं । भाकावी ते दासीं करुणा आह्मीं ॥ध्रु.॥
काय मज चाड असे या लौकिकें । परी असे निकें अनुभवाचें ॥2॥
लांचावल्यासाटीं वचनाची आळी । टकळ्यानें घोळी जवळी मन ॥3॥
वाटतसे आस पुरविसी ऐसें । तरि अंगीं पिसें लावियेले ॥4॥
तुका ह्मणे माझी येथें चि आवडी। श्रीमुखाची जोडी इच्छीतसें ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Do not take my impulsive words at face value; I am only trying to convey what I feel. With what strength can I press my case at Your feet? We servants can only appeal for mercy. What do I care for worldly reputation? Yet the experience itself is precious. Like one lured by a promise, my mind hovers close, hoping to catch Your word. It seems as if You will fulfill my longing, and so the frenzy has entered my body. Says Tuka, my only desire is this: I long for the treasure of Your divine face.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Do not take my hasty words as empty; I am only trying to say what I feel. With what strength can I press my case at your feet? We servants can only cry out for mercy. What do I care for worldly fame? But the real experience, that is precious to me. Like one lured by a promise, my mind hovers close, turning your word over and over. It seems you will fulfill my hope, and so a madness has taken hold of my body. Tuka says: my one desire is here. I long for the treasure of your blessed face.
What it means
Tukaram asks God not to dismiss his blurted, impulsive words as worthless; behind the rough speech is real feeling. He admits a servant has no power to argue or press a claim; all he can do is beg for mercy. He sets aside any care for reputation in the world and says plainly that what he wants is the genuine experience of God, not its appearance. His mind keeps circling close like someone hooked by a half-given promise, replaying God's word and growing almost frantic with the sense that the longing might actually be granted. The whole pleading lands on one desire he names at the end: the priceless treasure of seeing God's face.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
More in this theme →