Exhortation, the boat is free, arise and go
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
उलंघूनि गेले सिंधु । हा भवबंधु तोडोनियां ॥1॥
आतां हळुहळु ते चि वाहीं । चालों कांही अधिकारें ॥ध्रु.॥
खुंटूनियां गेले नावा । नाहीं हेवा खोळंबला ।
न लगे मोल द्यावा रुका । भावें एका कारणें॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे पाहतों वाट । उभा नीट पाउलीं ।
भीमातिरीं थडवा केला । उठा चला लवलाहें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Those who crossed the ocean of existence did so by severing the bonds of worldly life. Now let me follow slowly in their wake, moving step by step as my ability allows. Their boats have been moored and no envy remains to delay anyone. No coin need be paid; only sincere devotion is required. Says Tuka, I stand watching the path, steady on my feet. The embankment is set upon the Bhima's shore; arise, let us go swiftly.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Those who crossed the ocean did so by cutting the bonds of worldly life. Now let me follow slowly in their wake, walking by what strength I have. Their boats lie moored, and no envy holds anyone back. No coin must be paid; only sincere love is needed. Tuka says: I stand watching the path, steady on my feet. The landing has been made on the Bhima's bank. Arise, come, let us go quickly.
What it means
Tukaram speaks as one calling fellow travelers to the crossing. The saints who went before broke their ties to worldly life and reached the far shore, and he asks only to follow in their wake, step by step, at whatever pace his ability allows. The way is wide open: the boat is moored and waiting, no one is held back by rivalry, and the fare is not money but only honest devotion. Standing on the embankment at Pandharpur by the river Bhima, he urges everyone to stop hesitating and set out at once.
Appeals and Exhortations
Direct calls to action: wake up, seek God, do not waste this human birth.
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