Abhanga 3101
Tukārām's heroism-redefinition. Conquer samsāra — by this name (only) is (one) called a hero. The others — what (are they)? — helpless — only mere horses of ahamkāra. With such a vow, Deva can be held with bhāva. Live (so that) — true fame is good. The verse permits the bhakti-redefinition: real-heroism is conquering-samsāra.
The verse
जिंकावा संसार । येणें नांवें तरी शूर ॥१॥
येरें काय तीं बापुडीं । कीर अहंकाराचीं घोडीं ॥ध्रु.॥
पण ऐशा नांवें । देवा धरिजेतो भावें ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे ज्यावें । सत्य कीर्तीनें बरवें ॥३॥
Literal translation
Jinkāvā samsāra — conquer samsāra; yeṇe nāve tarī śūra — by that name (only) is one śūra. Yere kāya tīm bāpuḍīm — the others — what — bāpuḍī; kīra ahamkārāñcīm ghōḍīm — mere horses of ahamkāra. Paṇa aiśā nāve — with such a paṇa; Devā dhariliyetō bhāve — Deva can be held with bhāva. Tukā mhaṇe jyāve — Tukā says: live; satya kīrtīne baravē — (so that) true kīrti is good.
What it means
A short 3-verse heroism-redefinition by Tukārām.
The claim: True-heroism is conquering-samsāra; others are-just-mere-horses-of-ahamkāra; with-such-a-vow, the-Deva-can-be-held; live-by-true-kīrti.
The horses-of-ahamkāra image is striking: the-conventional-heroes ride-horses-of-pride; the-real-hero conquers-samsāra. Bhakti-heroism inverts-conventional-heroism.
For someone today
Tukārām's heroism-redefinition. Conquer samsāra — by this name (only) is (one) called a hero. The others — what (are they)? — helpless — only mere horses of ahamkāra. With such a vow, Deva can be held with bhāva. Live (so that) — true fame is good. The verse permits the bhakti-redefinition: real-heroism is conquering-samsāra.
Where this applies
- When you're praised for ambition, status, or winning, and it still feels hollow inside
- When you notice pride quietly driving your choices while you mistake it for strength
- When you want a definition of courage that has nothing to do with beating other people
- When you care too much about how others see you and want a reputation built on something true