Prayer, devotion laid at the feet
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
बोलिलिया गुणीं नाहीं पाविजेत । देवा नाहीं होत हित तेथें ॥1॥
कवतुक तुझें नवल यावरि । घेसील तें शिरीं काय नव्हे ॥ध्रु.॥
नाहीं मिळों येत संचिताच्या मता । पुराणीं पाहतां अघटित ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे पायीं निरोपिला भाव । न्याल तैसा जाव सिद्धी देवा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
By the virtues spoken of, nothing is truly attained; mere words do not bring welfare, O Lord. Yet what a marvel it is: will You not take upon Your head whatever is offered? Destiny's ways do not conform to any plan; the scriptures describe events that defy all expectation. Says Tuka, I have placed my devotion at Your feet; carry it to fruition as You see fit, O Lord.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
By the merits people speak of, nothing is truly reached; mere talk brings no good there, Lord. Here is the wonder of your play: whatever is offered, will you not take it onto your head? It does not fit the reckoning of past deeds; in the old books too, such things are unheard of. Tuka says: I have laid my devotion at your feet. Carry it through to its fulfillment however you will, Lord.
What it means
Tukaram contrasts two ways of approaching God. The first, talked-up virtues and reckonings of merit, reaches nothing. The second is God's own surprising habit of accepting whatever a devotee simply offers, taking it onto his head as a gift to be honored. He marvels that this does not follow the logic of past karma and is not even found described in the scriptures; it is sheer grace. So Tukaram lets go of bargaining. He places his devotion at the feet and asks God himself to bring it to fruition, in whatever way God chooses.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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