The debtor God, settle the account
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
तेणें चि काळें केला । असता अवघा निवाडा ॥1॥
इतका न लगता उशीर । न धरितों भीडभार ।
सिद्धासी वेव्हार । कासयासी लागला ॥ध्रु.॥
असोनियां माल खरा । किती केल्या येरझारा ।
धरणें ही दिवस तेरा । माझ्या भावें घेतलें ॥2॥
अझुन तरी इतक्यावरी । चुकवीं जनाचार हरी ।
तुकयाबंधु ह्मणे उरी । नाहीं तरी नुरे कांहीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
If the settlement had been made at the proper time, all this would not have been necessary. There would have been no need for such delay or formality. When the goods are genuine, why haggle? Even a thirteen-day debt can be cleared if the debtor is honest. Even now, at this late stage, O Hari, settle this account and spare us the public disgrace. Says Tukya-bandhu, if there is any honor left, let it be preserved; otherwise nothing will remain.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
If you had settled at the right time, none of this would have been needed. There would be no delay, no awkward standing on ceremony. When the goods are genuine, why haggle? Even a debt of thirteen days is cleared if the debtor is honest. I cleared mine by my own faith. Even now, this late, Hari, settle the account and spare us the public shame. Tukya-bandhu says: if any honor is left, let it be kept. Otherwise nothing will remain.
What it means
Tukaram's brother presses God like a creditor pressing a debtor who keeps stalling. The whole abhanga runs on one image: the soul has paid in full with honest devotion, and now God owes the goods and is dragging His feet. The poet warns that the longer the settlement is put off, the more it becomes a public scandal that touches God's own name. The plea is not for mercy but for fair dealing: close the account, spare both of us the disgrace. The stakes are God's honor itself, which is what the bhakta holds as collateral.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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