Hinduism

Tukaram, Poem 1917

What? Can thy power achieve nothing now? Is thy strength turned into weakness? Has my destiny prevailed against Thee, O Hari? Is it stronger than Thou? Hast Thou lost Thy wheel and mace, that shame makes thee silent, O Govinda? What avail Thy assurance? says Tuka; give up thy name of helper of the distressed.
In earlier days men accomplished their own
salvation, they went through the whole process.
What charity is there in paying back a loan? They
fixed out their thoughts on you; you were bound
to devote yourself to them. When was any man
who like me had gone astray saved by you? Take
days. Let me tell you, your deeds are not like
your name.

Source The Poems of Tukârâma, trad. J. Nelson Fraser et K. B. Marathe, 3 vol., 1909-1915, archive.org · Contents