Prayer for nearness, the honest reckoning
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
एका एक वर्में लावूनियां अंगीं । ठेवितों प्रसंगीं सांभाळीन ॥1॥
नेघावा जीं तुह्मी वाव बहु फार । धरूनि अंतर ठायाठाव ॥ध्रु.॥
वेव्हारें आलें तें समानें चि होतें । बळ नाहीं येथें चालों येत ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे आतां निवाडा च साटीं । संवसारें तुटी करुनि ठेलों ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Having applied one truth closely to my being, I hold it ready for the right occasion. Do not take too much distance, O Lord; maintain the proper measure of closeness. What comes through honest dealing is met in equal measure; brute force has no place here. Says Tuka, it is for the sake of this final reckoning that I have cut all ties with worldly life.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I have fixed one truth firmly on my being; I hold it ready for the right moment. Do not keep too great a distance, Lord; keep the proper measure of closeness. What comes by honest dealing is met in equal measure; force has no place here. Tuka says: now, for the sake of this final reckoning, I have cut my ties with worldly life.
What it means
Tukaram has settled on one truth and pressed it into himself, keeping it ready for when it is needed. His prayer is for the right distance: not abandonment, but God staying near in proper measure. He insists the relationship runs on honest exchange, repaid in kind, never on coercion; you cannot strong-arm God. And he reports the stake he has put down: he has broken with ordinary worldly life precisely so that this final accounting between him and God can be settled cleanly.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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