Surrender to the saints, like a beast of burden
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
पाठीवरी भार । जातो वाहूनियां खर ॥1॥
संत नेतील त्या ठाया । माझी आधीन त्यां काया ॥ध्रु.॥
मोटचौफळ । अंतीं उिच्छष्टाचें बळ ॥2॥
न संडीं मारग । येथें न चोरूनि अंग॥3॥
आपुलिया सत्ता । चालविती नाहीं चिंता ॥4॥
कळविळला तुका । घराचार येथें नका ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A donkey carries the burden on its back without question. The saints will lead me to whatever destination they choose, for my body is under their authority. In the end, all strength comes from partaking of their leftovers. I will not leave this path or hide my presence here. They guide me by their own power, and I have no worry. Says Tuka, do not bring the ways of the household into this place.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A donkey carries the load on its back and goes. The saints will lead me wherever they choose; my body is in their keeping. In the end all my strength comes from their leftovers. I will not leave this road. I will not hide myself here. By their own power they drive me on, and I have no worry. Tuka is overcome: do not bring the ways of the household in here.
What it means
Tukaram offers himself to the saints with the humility of a pack animal that simply carries its load and walks where it is led. He says his body belongs to them and they may take him wherever they wish. His whole strength, he adds, comes from their leftovers, the prasad of their company, and on this road he will neither turn back nor hide himself. Because they guide him by their own power, he is free of worry. The closing plea, that the habits of household life not be dragged into this place, asks for an undivided surrender, with no part held back for ordinary self-concern.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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