संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 2353 of 4582

Abhanga 2353

Real longing for God needs no justification, it simply runs toward him and asks, plainly, to be seen.

When you feel a sudden pull to pray or sit in stillness and cannot explain the reason.

When you have chased after someone's attention for a long time and want them to finally stop and look at you.

When you drop formal words and simply ask, directly, to be truly seen.

The verse

आपुल्या आम्ही पुसिलें नाही । तुज कांहीं कारणें ॥१॥ मागें मागें धांवत आलों । कांहीं बोलों यासाटीं ॥ध्रु.॥ बहुत दिस होतें मनीं । घ्यावी धणी एकांतीं ॥२॥ तुका म्हणे उभा राहें । कान्हो पाहें मजकडे ॥३॥

Literal translation

We have asked nothing of our own — for any reason of yours. I've come running behind you — to speak something for this. For many days the mind held — to take fill in solitude. Tuka says — stand still — Kānhō, look toward me.

What it means

GOPĪ-PURSUIT ABHANG. Second of the gopikā-līlā cluster (2352-2357).

The closing — Kānhō-stand-look: Tukā mhaṇē ubhā rāhē — Kānhō pāhē majakaḍē — Tuka says — stand still — Kānhō, look toward me. The gopī's-urgent-call: stop running, Kānhō; look at me.

[T]

For someone today

For today: I've come running behind you — Kānhō, stand still, look toward me.

Where this applies

When you feel a sudden pull toward prayer or meditation and cannot fully explain why.
When you have been chasing someone's attention for a long time and simply want them to stop and notice you.
When you are tired of formal words and want one honest, direct moment with the divine.
When a longing has quietly built up for days before you finally say it out loud.

Bhakti