Longing, the missed meeting
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आलियें धांवति धांवति भेट होइल म्हुण । तंव ते टळली वेळ वो माझा उरला सीण ॥१॥
आतां काय करूं सांग वो मज भेटेल कैसा । हरिलागीं प्राण फुटे वो थोरी लागली आशा ॥ध्रु.॥
लाविला उशीर बहुतीं बहु ओढिती ओढा । सांभाळितां सांग असांग दुःख पावल्यें पीडा ॥२॥
जळो आतां संसारु वो कई शेवट पुरे । तुकयाच्या स्वामी गोपाळालागीं जीव झुरे ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I came running, hoping to meet him, but the moment passed and only grief remained. How shall I meet Hari now? My life breaks apart, so great is the longing. Many pulled me back with their claims and delays, and in trying to manage all duties I suffered grievous pain. Let this worldly life burn away. Says Tuka, my soul pines only for my Lord Gopala.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I came running and running, thinking I would meet him. But the time slipped past, and only my exhaustion was left. Now tell me, what shall I do? How will he meet me? My life breaks for Hari; the longing has grown so great. Many delayed me; many pulled me their own way. While I tried to mind every duty, fit and unfit, I came to grief and pain. Let this worldly life burn away now. When will it ever end? Tuka says: my soul pines for my Lord Gopala.
What it means
Here the seeker arrives too late: she ran to meet the Lord but the moment had passed, and all her effort left only weariness. Tukaram names what cost her the meeting, the many who delayed and pulled her aside while she tried to keep up with worldly duties, fit and unfit alike. That tending of obligations is exactly what brought her grief. So she curses samsara itself and asks when its tug will ever stop. The abhanga lands on the plain ache of the soul that wants only Gopala and keeps being held back from him.
Longing and Separation
Cries from the dark night of the soul: remonstrances, complaints, and desperate yearning.
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