Prayer, the hired servant's surrender
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
अपराधी ह्मणोनि येतों काकुलती । नाहीं तरी होती काय चाड ॥1॥
येइल तारूं तरी तारा जी देवा । नाहीं तरी सेवा घ्या वो भार ॥ध्रु.॥
कासया मी आतां वंचूं हे शरीर । आहें बारगीर जाई जनें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे मन करूनि मोकळें । आहें साळेंढाळें उदार मी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I come pleading because I am a wrongdoer. Otherwise, what need would there be? If it pleases You, save me, O God. If not, then at least accept the burden of my service. Why should I now deceive this body, when I am but a hired servant destined to depart? Says Tuka, I have made my mind free and am generous with wholehearted surrender.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I come pleading because I am a wrongdoer. Otherwise, what need would there be? If a boat comes, then ferry me across, O God. If not, then at least take on the burden of my service. Why should I cheat this body now? I am only a hired hand who will leave with the crowd. Tuka says: I have set my mind free; I am open-handed and generous.
What it means
Tukaram comes to God precisely as a wrongdoer; he says that if he had no fault he would have no reason to plead, so his failing is what brings him. He asks either to be ferried across or, failing that, simply taken into God's service. He sees no point in sparing or protecting his body, since he is only a hired laborer who will depart when the work ends. So he gives himself away freely, with a mind made loose of its holdings, open-handed in surrender.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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