Prayer, dullness laid before mercy
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
प्रगट व्हावें हे अज्ञानवासना । माझी नारायणा हीनबुिद्ध ॥1॥
खाणीवाणी होसी काष्टीं तूं पाषाणीं । जंतु जीवाजनीं प्रसिद्ध हा ॥ध्रु.॥
ज्ञानहीन तुज पाहें अल्पमति । लहान हा चित्तीं धरोनियां ॥2॥
परि तूं कृपाळ होसी देवराणा । िब्रदें तुझीं जना प्रसिद्ध हें ॥3॥
उतावीळ बहु भक्तांचिया काजा । होसी केशीराजा तुका ह्मणे ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
May this veil of ignorance and my dull intellect be made visible before You, O Narayana. You dwell in mines, in markets, in wood, in stone, in every creature and living being; this is well known. I seek You with meager understanding, holding this small thought in mind. But You are compassionate, O King of gods; Your pledges are famous among all people. Says Tuka, You are ever eager to rush to the aid of Your devotees, O Lord Keshi.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Let it be shown plainly, this craving born of ignorance, this poor wit of mine, O Narayana. You are found in mines, in markets, in wood and in stone, in every creature and living thing. This is well known. I look toward You with a small, dim understanding, holding only this little thought in mind. Yet You are compassionate, O King of gods. Your pledges are famous among all people. Tuka says: You are quick, so quick, to rush to Your devotees' aid, O Lord Keshi.
What it means
Tukaram brings God not his merit but his deficiency, asking that his ignorance and dullness be laid bare before the Lord rather than hidden. He sets his smallness against God's vastness: the One who fills mines, markets, wood, stone, and every living thing is the One a feeble mind is trying to reach with a single faint thought. The prayer does not rest on the seeker's capacity but on God's character. God is known to be merciful, His promises are famous, He is eager, even impatient, to run to the help of His devotees. Tukaram offers his weakness precisely because he trusts that reputation.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
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