Prayer, helpless cry to Hari
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
असोनि न कीजे अलिप्त अहंकारें । उगी च या भारें कुंथाकुंथी ॥1॥
धांवा सोडवणें वेगीं लवकरी । मी तों जालों हरी शक्तिहीन ॥ध्रु.॥
भ्रमल्यानें दिसें बांधल्याचेपरी । माझें मजवरी वाहोनियां ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे धांव घेतलीसे सोई । आतां पुढें येई लवकरी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Though present, the ego stands detached, and one struggles under its burden for nothing. Rush in and free me quickly; I have grown powerless, O Hari. In confusion, I appear as one who is bound, carrying my own weight upon myself. Says Tuka, I have set out in Your direction; now come to me swiftly.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Standing here, do not keep apart in pride; for nothing I groan and groan under this weight. Run, set me free, quickly, fast; I have become powerless, O Hari. In my confusion I look like one who is bound, carrying my own weight upon myself. Tuka says: I have set out toward You; now come to me soon.
What it means
This is a cry for rescue. Tukaram confesses that the ego makes him stand aloof and groan pointlessly under a burden he himself heaps on. He begs Hari to rush in and free him, because his own strength is gone. He sees clearly that his bondage is self-made: deluded, he appears tied, loading his own weight onto himself. The prayer ends with movement from both sides, he has set out toward God, and he pleads for God to close the distance and come quickly.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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