संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 2549 of 4582

Abhanga 2549

A little distance between devotee and the divine keeps honor meaningful, and that mix of closeness and distinction is what gives the relationship its flavor.

When you're close to someone you deeply respect but still want to preserve some reverence between you.

When you notice that total equality with someone you love would strip away the meaning of honoring them.

When you enjoy playful, heartfelt exchange with someone even without fully understanding them.

The verse

तुम्हां आम्हां जंव जालिया समान । तेथें कोणां कोण सनमानी ॥१॥ उरी तों राहिली गोमटें गौरव । ओढे माझा जीव पायांपाशीं ॥ध्रु.॥ नेणपणें आम्ही आळवूं वोरसें । बोलवितों रसें शब्दरत्नें ॥२॥ तुका म्हणे लळे पाळीं वो विठ्ठले । कां हे उरविले भेदाभेद ॥३॥

Literal translation

When you-and-I become equal — who there honors whom. Reserve remained for beautiful honor — my jīva drawn to feet. By not-knowing, we call back-and-forth — speak word-jewels with rasa. Tuka says: raise lullaby, Viṭhṭhalē — why these bheda-abheda differences.

What it means

THE WHEN-EQUAL-NO-HONORING + BHEDA-ABHEDA-KEPT ABHANG.

The argument: equality eliminates honoring — Tukārām wants to preserve the bheda-abheda (distinction-and-non-distinction) for the relational-flavor of bhakti.

[T]

For someone today

For today: when equal, no honoring — keep the bheda-abheda for relational flavor.

Where this applies

When you're in a close relationship but still want a little space for respect and reverence
When you find intimacy and formality both matter, even if they seem contradictory
When you enjoy playful, affectionate exchange even without fully understanding the other
When you wonder why closeness with someone you admire doesn't erase your sense of distance from them

Non-dual / Advaita Bhakti