Longing, the servant and the absent Master
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कांहीं एक तरी असावा आधार । कासयानें धीर उपजावा ॥1॥
ह्मणविल्यासाटीं कैसें पडे रुजु । धणी नाहीं उजू सन्मुख तो ॥ध्रु.॥
वेचल्या दिसांचा कोणावरी लेखा । घालावा हा सुखासुखा आह्मीं ॥2॥
नाहीं मनोगत तोंवरि हे देवा । तुका ह्मणे सेवा नेघीजे तों ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
There should be at least some support to hold onto, some means by which courage may arise. When one calls oneself a servant, how can things proceed when the Master does not come forward and face him? Upon whom should I account for the days that have been spent? We bear this cheerfully upon ourselves. Says Tuka, O Lord, until You accept the offering of service and grant Your chitta's consent, there is no fulfillment.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
There should be at least some support to hold, some means by which courage can rise. When I call myself your servant, how can it hold true if the Master will not come and face me? On whom shall I charge the days that have been spent? We bear this cheerfully on ourselves. Tuka says: Lord, until you accept the service and give your heart's consent, there is no fulfillment.
What it means
Tukaram points out that a servant needs something to lean on for his courage to hold. The relationship of servant and Master only stands if the Master shows his face; a one-sided bond cannot be made good. He raises the question of the wasted days and then waves it off, saying he carries that cost gladly rather than blame anyone. But the real condition is plain in the close: service offered is not enough by itself. Nothing is fulfilled until God actually accepts the service and gives his inner consent.
Longing and Separation
Cries from the dark night of the soul: remonstrances, complaints, and desperate yearning.
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