Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
पोटासाठीं खटपट करिसी अवघा वीळ । राम राम ह्मणतां तुझी बसली दांतखीळ ॥1॥
हरिचें नाम कदाकाळीं कां रे नये वाचे । ह्मणतां राम राम तुझ्या बाचें काय वेचें ॥ध्रु.॥
द्रव्याचिया आशा तुजला दाही दिशा न पुरती । कीर्तनासी जातां तुझी जड झाली माती ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे ऐशा जीवा काय करूं आता । राम राम न ह्मणे त्याचा गाढव मातापिता ॥3॥
घ्या रे आपुलाल्या परी । नका ठेवूं कांही उरी । ओसरतां भरी । तोंडवरी अंबर ॥ध्रु.॥
वाहे बंदर द्वारका । खेप आली पुंडलिका । उभे चि विकिलें एका । सनकादिकां सांपडलें ॥2॥
धन्य धन्य हे भूमंडळी । प्रगटली नामावळी । घेती जीं दुबळीं । तीं आगळीं सदैव ॥3॥
माप आपुलेनि हातें । कोणी नाहीं निवारितें । पैस करूनि चित्तें । घ्यावें हितें आपुलिया ॥4॥
नाहीं वाटितां सरलें । आहे तैसें चि भरलें । तुका ह्मणे गेलें । वांयांविण न घेतां ॥5॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
For the belly's sake you labor the whole day through, yet when it comes to saying Rama, Rama, your jaw locks tight. Why can you never bring Hari's name to your tongue? What does it cost you to say Rama, Rama? For the greed of wealth, ten directions cannot satisfy you, yet when it is time for kirtan, your legs turn to clay. Says Tuka, what can be done for such a soul? One who does not say Rama, Rama, his very parents are as witless as donkeys. Take what you need, each in your own way. Do not hold back any reserve. When the tide recedes, it covers your face with sand. The harbor of Dwaraka receives the merchandise; the shipment arrived for Pundalik. It was sold to the One alone, yet Sanakadika and others found it too. Blessed, blessed is this earth where the garland of names has appeared. Those humble ones who take it become greater than all. Measure it out with your own hands; no one can stop you. Make room in the heart and take what benefits you. Says Tuka, the giving does not diminish; it remains as full as ever. Only by not taking does it go to waste.
This translation is auto-generated and may contain errors. We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram’s original Marathi.
Appeals and Exhortations
Direct calls to action: wake up, seek God, do not waste this human birth.
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