Exhortation, spend yourself on what is true
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ऐसी एकां अटी । रीतीं सिणती करंटीं ॥1॥
साच आपुल्या पुरतें । करून नेघेती कां हितें ॥ध्रु.॥
कां हीं वेचितील वाणी। निरर्थक चि कारणीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे देवा । कांहीं समर्पूनि सेवा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
In such futile toil the wretched ones exhaust themselves. Why do they not take what is true and make it their own for their genuine benefit? Why do they spend their speech on utterly fruitless things? Says Tuka, O Lord, offer something in service and surrender.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
On such an empty round the wretched wear themselves out. Why do they not take what is true, enough for themselves, and turn it to their own good? Why spend their speech on what has no use at all? Tuka says: O Lord, let them offer something in service, in surrender.
What it means
Tukaram watches people exhaust themselves in routines that lead nowhere and asks the obvious question: why not take hold of what is real and bend it to your own benefit? He grieves that breath and speech are poured out on fruitless things when the true good lies within reach. The closing turn is a prayer rather than a scolding: he asks God that they might offer even a little in genuine service and surrender. The aim of the rebuke is the wasteful pattern, and the cure he names is self-giving, not cleverness.
Appeals and Exhortations
Direct calls to action: wake up, seek God, do not waste this human birth.
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