Longing, come running now
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
धांवा शीघ्रवत । किंवा घ्यावें दंडवत ॥1॥
तुमचा जातो बडिवार । आह्मीं होतों हीनवर ॥ध्रु.॥
न धरावा धीर । धांवा नका चालों िस्थर ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे वाणी । माझी लाजली जी गुणीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Rush to me swiftly, or else accept my prostration. Your reputation is at stake while I am being diminished. Do not take Your time; do not walk toward me steadily. Run. Says Tuka, my voice is ashamed of its own weakness.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Run to me at once, or else take my bowing down. Your good name is slipping while I am being brought low. Do not hold back. Do not walk to me at a steady pace. Run. Tuka says: my voice is ashamed of its own weakness.
What it means
Tukaram demands rescue and uses God's reputation as the lever. He tells the Lord to come quickly or at least accept his prostration, then warns that God's own fame is on the line if a devotee is left to sink. The image is urgent and physical: do not stroll, do not take your time, run. Beneath the boldness is humility, for Tuka admits his own voice is ashamed of how feeble it has become, so the command and the confession are one breath.
Longing and Separation
Cries from the dark night of the soul: remonstrances, complaints, and desperate yearning.
More in this theme →