Autobiography, shame set aside
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
न बोलतां तुम्हां कळों न ये गुज । म्हणउनी लाज सांडियेली ॥१॥
आतां तुम्हां पुढें जोडीतसें हात । नका कोणी अंत पाहों माझा ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे आम्ही बैसलों शेजारीं । करील तें हरी पाहों आतां ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Without speaking, you cannot know this secret. That is why I have set aside all shame. Now, before you, I join my hands. Let no one seek my end. Tuka says: I have sat down beside Hari. Now let us see what He does.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
You cannot know this secret unless I speak it, so I have set my shame aside to tell you. Now I fold my hands before you all: let no one test how far I can be pushed. Tuka says: I have gone and sat down beside Hari. Now let us see what he chooses to do.
What it means
Tukaram explains why he says such exposing things in public. The secret of his love cannot be known unless he speaks it, so he gives up his shame in order to be honest. Then a plea and a surrender: he folds his hands and asks not to be provoked past his limit, and he hands the outcome over. He has taken his place beside Hari and will simply wait to see what God does. The boldness and the helplessness are held together. He has said everything and now controls nothing.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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