Plea for rescue, naming the debt
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
बुडतां आवरीं । मज भवाचे सागरीं ॥1॥
नको मानूं भार । पाहों दोषांचे डोंगर ॥ध्रु.॥
आहे तें सांभाळीं । तुझी कैसी ब्रीदावळी ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे दोषी । मी तों पातकांची राशी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Catch me as I drown in this ocean of worldly existence. Do not consider it a burden; do not look at my mountains of faults. Protect what is Yours; where is Your famous pledge otherwise? Says Tuka, I am sinful, a heap of transgressions.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
I am drowning in the ocean of this world. Catch hold of me. Do not count it a burden. Do not look at my mountains of faults. Protect what is Yours; otherwise, what becomes of Your famous pledge? Tuka says: I am a sinner, a whole heap of transgressions.
What it means
Tukaram is sinking in the round of worldly life and calls on God to pull him out before he goes under. He does not pretend to be worthy: he names himself a heap of faults, mountains high. His argument is not his own merit but God's reputation. He has heard that God is the rescuer of the fallen, and he holds God to that vow. If God will not save a wretch like him, then the famous pledge means nothing; so the very depth of his sin becomes the proof that God must act.
Prayers
Direct appeals to God: for protection, guidance, strength, and mercy.
More in this theme →