Prayer, the stingy host
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ताकें कृपण तो जेवूं काय घाली । आहाच ते चालीवरुनि कळे ॥1॥
काय तुह्मां वेचे घातलें सांकडें । माहें आलें कोडें आजिवरि ॥ध्रु.॥
सेवेंविण आह्मी न लिंपों काया । जाला देवराया निर्धार हा ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे तुझीं राखावया ब्रीदें । येणें अनुवादें कारियासी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A miser with buttermilk, how will he serve a proper meal? His very demeanor reveals his greediness. What cost does it impose on You to fulfill my wish? Until now, my simple request has remained unanswered. Without Your service, I will not so much as anoint this body; this, O Lord, is my firm resolve. Says Tuka, it is to uphold Your own titles and honor that I make this appeal.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A miser who is tight even with buttermilk, how will he serve a full meal? His whole manner gives away his greed. What does it cost you to grant my small request? It has stayed unmet to this very day. Without your service I will not even anoint this body. This, my Lord, is my firm resolve. Tuka says: it is to guard your own good name that I keep making this appeal.
What it means
Tukaram presses God with a homely image: a man too mean to share even buttermilk can never lay out a proper feast, and his stinginess shows in everything he does. He asks what it could possibly cost the Lord to grant one small thing that has gone unanswered so long. He stakes his own life on it: he will not so much as care for his body apart from God's service. And he reminds God that the honor at risk is God's, not Tukaram's; God is known as the generous one, and ignoring a devotee would shame that name.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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