The feast, faith summons Ganapati
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
चिंतामणिदेवा गणपतीसी आणा । करवावें भोजना दुजे पात्रीं ॥1॥
देव ह्मणती तुक्या एवढी कैची थोरी । अभिमानाभीतरी नागवलों ॥ध्रु.॥
वाडवेळ जाला सिळें जालें अन्न । तटस्थ ब्राह्मण बैसलेती ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे देवा तुमच्या सुकृतें । आणीन त्वरित मोरयासी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Bring Lord Ganapati of Chintamani to dine at a second plate. The gods said, 'O Tuka, from where did such boldness come? We were trapped by our own pride.' The hour grew late, the food turned stale, and the brahmins sat waiting. Says Tuka, O gods, by the power of your merit, I shall swiftly bring Moraya here.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Bring Lord Ganapati of Chintamani; let Him eat at a second plate. The gods say: Tuka, where did such boldness come from? We are caught inside our own pride. The hour grew late, the food turned stale, the brahmins sat waiting. Tuka says: gods, by the power of your merit, I will bring Moraya here at once.
What it means
Tukaram tells a scene of a feast stalled by the gods' own self-importance. The food is ready, but a second plate is set and Ganapati, the Chintamani Moraya, must be brought before the meal can begin, and the great ones balk, admitting they are trapped inside their pride. As they hesitate the hour passes, the food goes cold, and the waiting brahmins are left sitting. Tukaram, with plain confidence, answers that he will fetch Moraya at once, on the strength of their merit and not his own: where rank and pride freeze the proud, simple faith moves and gets the work done.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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