Prayer, the bond of master and servant
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
इच्छेपाशीं आलों फिरोनि मागुता । स्वामीसेवकता आवडीचे ॥1॥
द्यावें लवकरी मागितलें दान । मुळींचें जतन करूनि असें ॥ध्रु.॥
उपाय हे करीं एका चि वचना । दावूनियां खुणा ठाया येतों ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे गांठी किती तुजपाशीं । जगाच्या तोडिसी चिंतनानें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I have returned once more to the threshold of my desire: the loving bond of master and servant. Grant me quickly the gift I ask for; I have kept careful guard over the original trust. With a single word, I offer these remedies, showing You the signs as I arrive at the destination. Says Tuka, how much treasure do You hold? You sever the world's burdens through mere remembrance.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I have come back once more to the door of my desire: the loving bond of master and servant. Give me quickly the gift I ask for. I have kept careful guard over the trust that was there from the start. With one word I offer these means; I come to the place, showing you the signs. Tuka says: how much treasure do you hold, you who cut away the whole world's burdens by mere remembrance?
What it means
Tukaram returns again to the one desire he keeps circling back to: the loving relation of master and servant between God and himself. He asks for the gift to be given quickly and says he has faithfully guarded the original bond entrusted to him. He presents himself as one who has done his part, arriving at the appointed place and showing the agreed signs. The close marvels at God's wealth: the One who can dissolve the burdens of the whole world by simple remembrance surely has more than enough to grant this one servant his prayer.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
More in this theme →