संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 2509 of 4582

Abhanga 2509

For today: without fulfillment, what greatness for you?

When you notice you call yourself devoted but are still driven by fear

When you question whether an unmet need means your faith is not working

When you want your devotion to bring real relief, not just words

The verse

माझी मज जाती आवरली देवा । नव्हतां या गोवा इंद्रियांचा ॥१॥ कासया मी तुझा म्हणवितों दास । असतों उदास सर्व भावें ॥ध्रु.॥ भयाचिया भेणें धरियेली कास । न पुरतां आस काय थोरी ॥२॥ तुका म्हणे आपआपुलीं जतन । कैचें थोरपण मग तुम्हां ॥३॥

Literal translation

My caste returned, Dēvā — without indriya-entanglement. Why do I call myself your dāsa — am udāsa in all bhāva. By fear's fear, held the pallu — without fulfillment, what greatness. Tuka says: each one's own keeping — what greatness for you.

What it means

THE BHAKTA-ASKING-FOR-LORD'S-GREATNESS ABHANG.

The argument: if-the-bhakta is-not-fulfilled, then-the-Lord-has-no-thōrapaṇa (greatness/reputation). Each-one's-own-keeping must-include the-bhakta's-fulfillment for-the-Lord-to-maintain-greatness.

[T]

For someone today

For today: without fulfillment, what greatness for you?

Where this applies

When you keep saying you have faith but you are still ruled by fear
When you wonder whether your prayers or devotion are actually changing anything in your life
When you cling to something out of anxiety rather than genuine trust
When being spiritual has not actually made you feel less afraid

Anti-caste / Egalitarianism Bhakti