Prayer, fear of death's grip
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आतां सोडवणें न या नारायणा । तरि मी न वंचे जाणा काळा हातीं ॥1॥
ऐसें सांगोनिया जालों उतराई । आणीक तें काई माझे हातीं ॥ध्रु.॥
केलियाचें माप नये सेवटासी । करितील नासि अंतराय ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे भय वाटतसे जीवा । धांवणिया धांवा लवकरी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
If Narayana does not come to rescue me now, know that I shall fall into the hands of death. Having said this much, I have discharged my part; there is nothing more that lies within my power. The measure of what has been done does not reach its fullness, and obstacles work to destroy it. Says Tuka, fear grips my jiva; O Rescuer, come running quickly.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
If You do not come to free me now, O Narayana, then know it: I will not escape the hand of death. Having told You this much, I have done my part; what more is in my power? The measure of what I have done is not full, and obstacles work to ruin it. Tuka says: fear grips my soul; O Rescuer, come running quickly.
What it means
This is a plea spoken under real dread, with death named as the threat. Tukaram puts the responsibility squarely on God: rescue must come now, or he is lost to death's hand. He marks the limit of his own effort, saying he has done all he can and discharged his side, so the rest is not in his power. He confesses his account of practice is not complete and that obstacles keep eroding even that. The poem ends in open fear and an urgent cry to the Rescuer to come running, the plain admission of someone who cannot save himself.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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