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Tukarama's Prayers page 1

Translated by J. Nelson Fraser and K.B. Marathe

6 - The prayer of the wandering beggar

This is not my own country or garb; by chance I have wandered here. What can I claim as mine? Where have I found a resting place? Though I call my feet and my hands my own, how bereft I am of them! I am a friendless stranger blind and lame. O Lord, regard and relieve me; I have neither brother nor child, I commit myself to the saints. I tremble as I follow the path before me, whereon many have traveled and none returned. I cannot see what happens though my ears perceive a sound. I sit at the crossroads, holding thee fast in my thoughts. I cry out for mercy like one that has lost his way. My belly is never filled; my feet are never at rest. I am weary with wandering through the eight million villages. I cling to this inhabited spot; what can I trust to? Who will bring me an unexpected alms? Often have I heard its praises sung in such a strain that now I cry, O meritorious Lord, be my friend! I am very hungry, but you give freely. Any merits I had, I resign. Wealth, family, son, mother, all these ties I have cast off. O God, I have renounced desire, for so it was decreed I should do. Tuka says, You are now my all-powerful protector.

Tukarama's Prayers page 2

Translated by J. Nelson Fraser and K.B. Marathe

214 - How shall we worship?

What manner of faith shall we offer; what single thing is fit to present you? You fill all and lie beyond all; you are present in our bodily form, whether we speak, eat, taste, or smell. How shall we control our organs, and sort out merit and guilt? What ceremonies or deeds shall we perform? Where is the scene where you are not present? What do I gain by closing my eyes? What spell or charm shall I utter? Where shall we place our faith? Where is the spot in which you are not? Whither shall we turn? Where shall we set our feet? There is no spot known to us that is void of thee; how can I search for such a place? Tuka says, Nothing but thy name shall be to us worship, liturgy, prayer beads, incense, lamp, fruits, betel-nut, flowers and water!

Tukarama's Prayers page 3

Translated by J. Nelson Fraser and K.B. Marathe

754 - No speech to describe thy glory

I have no speech to describe thy glory; I cannot truly tell the limits of thy nature. I have laid this body, thy own gift, at thy feet; now what can I renounce for thee to honor thee therewith? I have no faith to serve thee; if I offer thee my life, behold it is thine; I cannot see anything of my own to offer thee. Tuka says, I have nothing I can rely on, to pay the debt of gratitude I owe thee.

Tukarama's Prayers page 4

Translated by J. Nelson Fraser and K.B. Marathe

1670 - I will expand my being

Wherever you go, you shall see me; I will expand my own being so as to leave no place void of me. My spirit is firmly lodged at thy feet; wherever I am I will keep my eyes on them. Tuka says, I am able to speak of thee, because God is contained in my heart.

Tukarama's Prayers page 5

Translated by J. Nelson Fraser and K.B. Marathe

2033 - Let us be dumb and blind

Slothfulness begets sensual desires, give us strength by the utterance of thy name! For other speech let our mouths be dumb; I see thy feet alone, says Tuka, to all else I am blind.

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