संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 2525 of 4582

Abhanga 2525

Steady, one-pointed effort, like churning milk, brings out the essence and sweetness, while anything done half-heartedly simply melts away.

When you are tempted to give something only half your effort.

When someone's strictness looks harsh but is actually protecting you.

When you need to focus a scattered mind on one true purpose.

The verse

निष्ठ‍ तो दिसे निराकारपणें । कोंवळा सगुणें प्रतिपाळी ॥१॥ केला च करावा केला कइवाड । होईंल तें गोड न परेते ॥ध्रु.॥ मथिलिया लागे नवनीत हातां । नासे वितळितां आहाच तें ॥२॥ तुका म्हणे आतां मनाशीं विचार । करावा तो सार एकचित्त ॥३॥

Literal translation

The firm appears formless — tender for the with-guṇa protects. What's done, do it — sweet, doesn't pass. By churning, butter comes to hand — destruction by-melting away. Tuka says: now make consideration with mind — essence with one-pointed chitta.

What it means

THE FIRM-FORMLESS-TENDER-WITH-FORM ABHANG.

The paradox: niṣṭhura tō disē nirākāra-paṇē — kōnvaḷā sa-guṇē pratipāḷī — the firm appears formless — tender for the with-guṇa protects. The firm/severe (niṣṭhura) appears as-the-formless (nirākāra); the-tender (kōnvaḷā) with-the-form (sa-guṇa) protects. A bhakti-Vedānta synthesis — the nirguṇa-form is-firm-and-severe; the saguṇa-form is-tender-protective. Bhakta-prefers-the-tender.

The churning: mathiliyā lāgē navanīta hātām — by churning, butter comes to hand. Discipline yields-the-essence.

[T]

For someone today

For today: firm-formless, tender-with-form; churning yields butter.

Where this applies

When someone or something seems harsh or distant but is actually caring for you underneath.
When you're tempted to do something half-heartedly and wonder if the effort is even worth it.
When you keep working at something without seeing results yet.
When your mind is scattered and you need to gather it toward one true purpose.

Bhakti