Autobiography, words for waking
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
हितावरी यावें । कोणी बोलिलों या भावें ॥1॥
नव्हे विनोदउत्तर । केले रंजवाया चार ॥ध्रु.॥
केली अटाअटी । अक्षरांची देवासाटीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे खिजों । नका जागा येथें निजों ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Let someone come to benefit from these words; that is the spirit in which I have spoken. These are not casual remarks made merely to amuse. I have wrestled with words for God's sake alone. Says Tuka, do not be angry; here is a place to awaken, not to sleep.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Let someone come and gain by these words; that is the spirit in which I spoke them. They are not jokes made to amuse you. I have struggled hard with these letters, and only for God's sake. Tuka says: do not be angry. This is a place to wake up, not to sleep.
What it means
Tukaram tells us why he made his poems and how he wants them taken. They were not written to entertain; they were hard labor over each word, done for God alone. He hopes the listener will actually benefit, will be changed, rather than merely enjoy the verses. The closing line warns against two wrong responses: do not take offense at the sharpness, and do not drowse through it. His abhangas are meant to wake a person, and he asks the reader to come awake rather than be lulled or stung.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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