संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 1178 of 4582
Abhanga 1178
Learning without genuine devotion still leaves a person empty-handed, since real fullness comes from bhakti, not accumulated knowledge alone.
When the paṇḍita with all his learning has hands stretched out in hope (still a beggar) — and you have to recognize this register
The verse
क्या बिचारे पंडित करो रे । हात पसारे आस ॥१॥
Literal translation
Kyā bicārē paṇḍita — hāta pasārē āsa.
मराठी: कुठें बिचारा पंडित — हात पसरून आशा (= भिक्षा-मागे).
Word-by-word gloss
| Marathi/Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| क्या बिचारे पंडित करो रे | "kyā bicārē paṇḍita" |
| हात पसारे आस | "hāta pasārē āsa" |
What it means
Sākhyā 11 of 30 — sharp Kabīr-style anti-pedant critique. What use the poor paṇḍita — his hands are still stretched out in hope (still a beggar despite learning)? The Kabīr theme: book-knowledge without bhakti leaves you with hands begging.
[T]
For someone today
For today: kyā-bicārē-paṇḍita; hāta-pasārē-āsa.
Where this applies
- When you've collected degrees or knowledge but still feel spiritually empty or anxious inside.
- When you're tempted to respect someone purely for their credentials rather than their inner devotion.
- When you notice that being clever hasn't actually solved your deeper longing.