संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 2443 of 4582

Abhanga 2443

In your darkest need, cry out to God urgently and directly, and don't be ashamed to ask for rescue right now instead of quietly waiting.

When you feel like an orphan with no one watching out for you.

When you keep scanning the road or your phone for any sign that help is coming.

When you have been patient too long and are finally ready to shout for help.

The verse

धांव धांव गरुडध्वजा । आम्हां अनाथांच्या काजा ॥१॥ बहु जालों कासावीस । म्हणोनि पाहें तुझी वास ॥ध्रु.॥ पाहें पाहें त्या मारगें । कोणी येतें माझ्या लागें ॥२॥ असोनियां ऐसा । तुज सारिखा कोंवसा ॥३॥ न लवावा उशीर । नेणों कां हा केला धीर ॥४॥ तुका म्हणे चाली । नको चालूं धांव घालीं ॥५॥

Literal translation

Run, run, Garuḍa-bannered — for our orphan's cause. Very distressed — therefore look for your scent. Look on the road — anyone coming for me. Even with such — like-you, refuge. No delay — don't know why this patience. Tuka says: don't walk — run!

What it means

THE RUN-RUN-GARUḌA-BANNERED-FOR-ORPHAN ABHANG. One of the most-celebrated kākulatī (urgent pleading) abhangs.

THE OPENING URGENCY: dhāmva dhāmva Garuḍa-dhvajā — āmhām anāthāñchyā kājā — run, run, Garuḍa-bannered — for our orphan's cause. RUN, RUN, Garuḍa-bannered-one (= Viṣṇu, who-rides-Garuḍa, the eagle-banner); for-our orphan's-cause (anātha = parentless, helpless). The bhakta's-emergency-call — invoking the Lord's epithet of-protector-of-the-helpless.

The road-watching: pāhē pāhē tyā māragē — kōṇī yētē mājhyā lāgē — look on the road — anyone coming for me. Watching the-road for-the-Lord's approach.

THE CLOSING: Tukā mhaṇē chālī — nakō chālūm dhāmva ghālīm — don't walk — run!. Don't-walk (chālī); RUN! Urgency amplified: not even-walking will-do; only-running.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This abhang is a classic Vārkarī kākulatī (urgent-plea) song, used in kīrtans when the bhakta needs to invoke the Lord's swift-intervention. The Garuḍa-dhvaja epithet evokes the Gajendra-mokṣa story (cf. 2445) where Viṣṇu rode-Garuḍa to-rescue-the-elephant-king.

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For someone today

For today: run, run, Garuḍa-bannered — for our orphan's cause; very distressed; don't walk — RUN .

Where this applies

When you feel completely alone, like an orphan with no one else to turn to
When you have been quietly praying for a long time and finally need to cry out loud
When you keep checking the road, your phone, or the door for any sign that help is coming
When you feel embarrassed asking urgently for help and need permission to stop being patient

Bhakti Surrender (śaraṇāgati)