Prayer, untangle this between us
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
काय करावें तें आतां । जालें नयेसें बोलतां ॥1॥
नाहीं दोघांचिये हातीं । गांठी घालावी एकांतीं ॥ध्रु.॥
होय आपुलें काज । तों हे भीड सांडूं लाज ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे देवा । आधीं निवडूं हा गोवा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
What should be done now? Things have been said that should not be spoken. The knot between the two cannot be tied in solitude. So long as our purpose is served, let us set aside all modesty and shame. Says Tuka, O God, let us first untangle this confusion.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
What should be done now? Words have been said that should not have been said. The knot between the two of us cannot be tied in private, alone. So long as our purpose is served, let us set aside all modesty and shame. Tuka says: O God, first let us untangle this confusion.
What it means
Tukaram stands in the awkward aftermath of strong words spoken to God and asks what to do next. He admits things were said that should not have been, yet insists the bond between them cannot be repaired in secret; it has to be worked out openly. He is willing to drop his own pride and embarrassment if that is what it takes to reach the goal. The prayer is to clear away the snarl first, to untangle the confusion between soul and God before anything else can move forward.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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