Prayer, a mother's pull toward the child
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
माउलीची चाली लेंकराचे ओढी । तयालागीं काढी प्राणें प्रीती ॥1॥
ऐसी बिळवंत आवडी जी देवा । संतमहानुभावा विनवितों ॥ध्रु.॥
मोहें मोहियेलें सर्वकाळ चित्त । विसरु तो घेत नाहीं क्षणें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे दिला प्रेमाचा वोरस । सांभािळलें दास आपुलें तें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A mother's nature is to be drawn toward her child, and she would give her very life out of love for it. I pray to the saints and great souls for such powerful devotion toward God. The mind is enchanted with love at all times and does not forget even for a moment. Says Tuka, the Lord has given the gift of love and has protected His own servant.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A mother is drawn after her child by its own pull. For its sake she would give up her life out of love. Such strong love I ask for, O God. I beg it of the saints and the great souls. Let my mind be caught in that love at every moment. Let it not forget you even for an instant. Tuka says: he has given the flood of love, and he has guarded his own servant.
What it means
Tukaram prays for one thing: a love for God as helplessly strong as a mother's pull toward her child, a love that would give up its own life. He does not assume he has it; he begs it of God and asks the saints and great souls to intercede. What he wants is an enchanted mind, held fast at every moment, never forgetting God even for an instant. The closing line answers the prayer as already granted: God has poured out that flood of love and has kept his servant safe.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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