Prayer, come running, do not delay
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
धांवा केला धांवा । श्रम होऊं नेदी जीवा ॥1॥
वर्षे अमृताच्या धारा । घेई वोसंगा लेंकरा ॥ध्रु.॥
उशीर तो आतां । न करावा हे चिंता ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे त्वरें । वेग करीं विश्वंभरे ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Come running, come quickly, and do not let weariness touch my jiva. Pour down showers of nectar and take this child into Your arms. Do not delay any further; this is my only anxiety. Says Tuka, O Sustainer of the universe, make haste.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Come running, come quickly. Do not let my soul grow weary. Pour down streams of nectar; take this child into your lap. Do not be late now; this is my one worry. Tuka says: hurry, be swift, O Sustainer of the universe.
What it means
Tukaram prays as a tired child calling for a parent who is taking too long. He begs God to come running before his soul wears out, and asks not for argument but for nectar poured down and for the simple shelter of being lifted into God's lap. His single anxiety is the delay itself: that help will arrive too late. Addressing God as Vishvambhar, the sustainer of the whole universe, he urges that same vast power to make haste for one small, waiting child.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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