संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 2335 of 4582
Abhanga 2335
Now, my mind — let her upāsanā happen.
When you notice your prayers have become mechanical words instead of felt experience
When you stop yourself from fully singing or praising out of fear of tiring or embarrassment
When you find yourself in the company of people who share your devotion and feel nourished just by being there
The verse
आतां माझ्या मना । इची घडो उपासना ॥१॥ ऐसें करींपांडुरंगा । प्रेमवोसंडेसें अंगा ॥ध्रु.॥ सर्व काळ नये । वाचेविट आड भये ॥२॥ तुका वैष्णवांसंगती । हें चि भजन पंगती ॥३॥
Literal translation
Now, my mind — let her upāsanā happen. Do this, Pāṇḍurangā — prema-overflowing into the body. Not at all times — out of fear of tongue-fatigue. Tukā — vaiṣṇava-company — this is the bhajana-pankti.
Where this applies
- When you catch yourself only going through the motions of prayer instead of actually feeling it
- When you hold back from singing or chanting because you worry about getting tired or looking foolish
- When you are tempted to treat devotion as a rare, special event instead of an everyday habit
- When you find yourself among like-minded people and realize their company alone feels like nourishment