Prayer, the helpless plea for grace
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
माझे मज कळों येती अवगुण । काय करूं मन अनावर ॥1॥
आतां आड उभा राहें नारायणा । दयासिंधुपणा साच करीं ॥ध्रु.॥
तुका ह्मणे तुझा जैसा तैसा दास । न धरीं उदास मायबापा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I can see my own faults clearly, yet what can I do? This mind is beyond my control. Now stand before me as a shield, O Narayana; prove true to Your title of Ocean of Mercy. Says Tuka, I am Your servant, just as I am. Do not cast me aside, O Mother and Father.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I can see my own faults clearly. What can I do? My mind will not be controlled. Now stand in front of me as a shield, O Narayana; make your name, Ocean of Mercy, come true. Tuka says: such as I am, I am your servant. Do not turn away from me, O Mother and Father.
What it means
Tukaram confesses an honest helplessness: he sees his faults plainly, yet cannot master his own mind. Instead of pretending to fix himself, he throws the whole problem onto God, asking Narayana to stand before him like a shield. He presses God on his own title, Ocean of Mercy, daring him to make the name true by actually showing mercy. He does not claim to be a good servant, only that he is God's, just as he is, flaws and all. The prayer rests entirely on grace and on God's role as parent, asking only not to be cast aside.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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