Prayer, asking for love and service
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
करुनि उचित । प्रेम घालीं हृदयांत ॥१॥
आलों दान मागायास । थोरी करूनियां आस ॥ध्रु.॥
चिंतन समयीं । सेवा आपुली च देई ॥२॥
तुकयाबंधु म्हणे भावा । मज निरवावें देवा ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Receive what is proper from me and place your love within my heart. I have come to beg a gift, carrying a great hope. At the hour of remembrance, grant me the privilege of your own service. Says Tuka's brother, entrust me to the care of God.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Do what is fitting, and place your love inside my heart. I have come to beg a gift, carrying a great hope. At the time of remembrance, give me your own service. Tuka's brother says: entrust me to your care, O God.
What it means
The prayer asks for two inward gifts rather than any outward thing. First, that God set his own love within the heart; second, that at the hour of remembrance the speaker be given the privilege of serving God. He comes openly as a beggar, but the great hope he carries is for nearness and devotion, not goods. The closing line, signed by Tuka's brother, asks God to take charge of him, to entrust him to his own keeping. The whole movement is a handing-over: let God supply the love, the service, and the safekeeping.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
More in this theme →