Autobiography, God playing through me
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
शिकवूनि बोल । केलें कवतुक नवल ॥1॥
आपणियां रंजविलें । बापें माझिया विठ्ठलें ॥ध्रु.॥
हातीं प्रेमाचें भातुकें । आह्मां देऊनियां निकें ॥2॥
तुका करी टाहो । पाहे रखुमाईचा नाहो ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
He taught me what to say and created this wonderful spectacle. My father Vitthal has delighted Himself through me. He placed the toy of divine love in my hands, giving it to me with tender care. Says Tuka, crying out in longing, I look for the lord of Rukmini.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
He taught me the words to say. He made this wonderful, surprising show. My father Vitthal has delighted himself through me. He put the toy of love in my hands and gave it to me with care. Tuka cries out, longing, looking for the lord of Rukmini.
What it means
Tukaram refuses to take credit for his own songs and gives it all back to God. He says Vitthal taught him what to say and made the whole spectacle, so that the poet is the instrument and God is the one enjoying the play through him. The image of the toy of love placed in his hands shows the gift as something tender and freely given, not earned. Even so, the poem ends not in satisfaction but in crying out and searching for the lord of Rukmini: receiving the gift only sharpens the longing for the giver.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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