Prayer, steady the wavering mind
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
डगमगी मन निराशेच्या गुणें । हें तों नारायणें सांतवीजे ॥1॥
धीरें तूं गंभीर जीवनें जगाचें । जळो विभागाचें आत्रीतत्या ॥ध्रु.॥
भेईल जीव हें देखोनि कठिण । केला जातो सीण तो तो वांयां ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे आवश्यक हें वचन । पाळावें चि वान समयो आहे ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The mind wavers under the weight of despair. This must be soothed by Narayana alone. You are patient, profound, the sustainer of all life; let the petty divisions burn away. The jiva is frightened, seeing only harshness; all effort made seems to go to waste. Says Tuka, these words must be heeded, for the promise must be kept; the appointed time is here.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The mind sways under the weight of despair. Only Narayana can soothe this. You are patient, deep, the one who sustains the world. Let these petty divisions burn away. The jiva is frightened, seeing only harshness, and all the strain it takes goes to waste. Tuka says: these words must be heeded, for the promise must be kept. The appointed time is here.
What it means
Tukaram admits his mind is unsteady, tipping toward despair, and says only God can calm it. He appeals to God's nature as patient, deep, and the sustainer of all life, asking that the small divisions and quarrels in him be burned off. The frightened soul sees only sternness in God and wears itself out for nothing. So Tukaram urges that his plea be heard now: the promise God made still stands, and the moment to keep it has come.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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