Trust, casting the burden on Hari
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
धीर नव्हे मनें । काय तयापाशीं उणें ॥1॥
भार घातलियावरी । दासां नुपेक्षील हरी ॥ध्रु.॥
याऐसी आटी । द्यावी द्रव्याचिये साटी ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे पोटें । देवा बहु केलें खोटें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The mind lacks patience; yet what is lacking in the One who protects? Once the burden is cast upon Him, Hari will never forsake His servants. One should give as much effort for this as one would for wealth. Says Tuka, O God, this belly of Yours has caused much mischief.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The mind has no patience. But what is lacking in the One I lean on? Nothing. Once you lay your burden on Him, Hari does not abandon His servants. Give yourself to this with the same effort you would spend to gain wealth. Tuka says: O God, this belly of mine has made me do much that is false.
What it means
Tukaram contrasts his restless mind with the One he has chosen to trust, and finds that all the lack is on his side, not God's. The whole abhanga turns on a single act: cast the burden onto Hari, who never forsakes those who depend on Him. He asks that we put as much labor into this surrender as we already pour into chasing money. The closing line is a confession of where the falseness comes from: the belly, the hunger of the body, has driven him into much dishonesty before God.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
More in this theme →