Indian Antiquary Vol 11

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 75

MARCH, 1882.]
TUKÅRÅM
13
Much has been said, of the greatness of holy
16 places;
Pakshini prabháte tsdräyásí zdya-- But like to Pandhari there is no holy place
As when the mother-bird at dawn goes to feed, Even were Vaikunth itself exhibited.
The brood remain fasting at home, Such a Chandrabhågå-such a Bhima bank
So longeth my heart for thee; Such a god upon the brick-where is there ? The whole night it thinketh of thy feet. Such slaves of Hari-such sweetness of love When the unweaned calf is bound, O god, Such resounding of the name—where is there? In his heart is the cry for his dam. Says Tuka-For us, unhappy ones,
Says Tuki-Thou art of near kin to me; Was Paņdhari created by the god.
Quickly show kindness, O helper of the helpless!
17 Ápuliyá baļe náhí mí bolata
Untsa nicha kahi nene BhagavantaOf his own providing nought the poet singeth; Of high and low Bhagavån nothing knows ; God, the gracious, bringeth
He stands (revealed) on beholding faith and Strains melodious.
devotion. When the sweet solankhi her clear note out- The son of a female slave, Vidur-he ate his poureth,
grain ; He gives, as she soareth,
In the Daitya's house he rescued Pralhad; All the rapture. For Sajan the butcher he set to selling flesh; I can offer nothing of my heart's own treasure; For Såvatâ the gardener be set to weeding; All from His good pleasure
With Rohidas he set to colouring leather ; Flows the music.
At the loom of Kabir he wove scarfs ; Tuka says, His marvels no one comprehendeth ; | For Narhari, the goldsmith, he set to knocking To the lame He lendeth
and blowing; Feet to walk with. With Tsokhå meļå he bore off (dead) cattle; 14
With Namâ he dined-no narrowness in him;
The wall of Jõânî he made to move; Dharma rakshavayé avatára ghest
With Mirâbâî he took the poison-cup; To preserve religion thou becomest incarnate;
For Damaji he became a Pagevár (Mhår); Thine owo worshippers thou dost preserve;
On his body he bore a load of clay for Gorâ the For Ambarishi thou didst endure several births;
potter; Various wicked men hast thou destroyed ;
The hundis of Mehetâ he paid himself; Blessed ocean of grace will they call thee.
With Nama's Jani he picked up cowdung ; Thine own word do thou make good!
In the house of Dharm Hari carried water; Toka says-The Purâņas celebrate thee;
For Pundalik still he stands upright ;Thou art a cloud of mercy; an ocean of grace.
Says Tuki-His wondrous doings no one com15
prehends. Tú májhi mauli mi tuzhė lenkari
18 Thou art my mother, I am thy child;
Tondi bole Brahma jñánaSend me not from thee, O VithAbai !"
Ah, he speaks the words of heaven Thou art my mother-cow, I am thy calf;
With a heart to murder given,Keep not back the milk, 0 Vithâbâi !
Loudly praise to God he sings, Thou art my mother-deer, I am thy fawn ;
But his soul to lucre clings, Cut not off my hope, O Vithâbâi !
Takê says-A wretch so baseThou art my mother-bird, I am thy chick;
Smite him, slap him on the face! Give me to eat, O Vithâbâi ! As the glance of the tortoise falls on its young,
19 So show me kindness, O Vithâbâi !
Kaya tuzhe vetse maza bheți detaSays Tuka-Quick, run swiftly to me,
What will it cost thee to meet me, I sink in deep waters; draw mo forth!
And to speak a word or two? The god is here addressed as a female.