Exhortation, the impermanence of all
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
येथें नाहीं उरों आले अवतार । येर ते पामर जीव किती ॥1॥
विषयांचे झणी व्हाल लोलिंगत । चेवलिया अंत न लगे मज ॥ध्रु.॥
वाहोनियां भार कुंथसील ओंझे । नव्हे तें चि माझें थीता त्याग ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे कैसी नाहीं त्याची लाज । संतीं केशीराज साधियेला ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Even the great incarnations did not endure in this world forever; how much less so these ordinary souls? Beware of wallowing in sense-pleasures. Once fully seized by them, you cannot reach the end. Carrying and groaning under a heavy load does not make it yours; true renunciation is relinquishing what is not yours to begin with. Says Tuka, have they no shame? The saints have already won Keshiraja.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Not even the great avatars stayed here forever; how much less these ordinary souls. Beware that you do not lie sunk in the pleasures of the senses. Once you are seized by them, there is no reaching the end for me. You groan under a heavy load you carry, but carrying it does not make it yours; true renunciation is giving up what was never yours. Tuka says: have they no shame? The saints have already won Keshiraja.
What it means
Tukaram is shaking the listener awake with the fact of death. If even God's own incarnations did not remain in this world, no ordinary person should imagine he will; so do not lie wallowing in sense-pleasure, because once it has you completely there is no climbing back out. He turns to possessions: you strain under the load of what you call yours, but carrying a thing never made it yours, and real renunciation is just letting go of what was never yours in the first place. Then he names the shame of inaction by holding up the contrast: the saints have already won Keshiraja, the Lord; what is your excuse?
Appeals and Exhortations
Direct calls to action: wake up, seek God, do not waste this human birth.
More in this theme →