Abhanga 3146
True readiness for service means standing prepared and willing, having already accepted the command, and simply waiting to be called into action.
The verse
दोहीं बाहीं आम्हां वास । असों कास घालूनि ॥१॥
बोल बोलों उभयतां । स्वामीसत्ता सेवेची ॥ध्रु.॥
एकसरें आज्ञा केली । असों चाली ते नीती ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे जोहारितों । आहें होतों ते ठायीं ॥३॥
Literal translation
Dōhīm bāhīm āmhām vāsa — our dwelling is on both sides; asōm kāsa ghālūnī — let us be with kāsa tied. Bōla bōlōm ubhayatām — let us speak both; svāmī-sattā sevecī — (in) the svāmī-sattā of sevā. Ekasare ājñā kelī — single-fold command given; asōm chālī te nītī — let us be in that nīti. Tukā mhaṇe jōhāritōm — Tukā says: I salute; āhe hōtōm te ṭhāyīm — I was at that place.
What it means
A short 3-verse sevā-readiness text by Tukārām. The claim: we-dwell-on-both-sides (in-this-world-and-Lord's); kāsa-tied (ready-for-service); speak-ubhayatā (both-sides, mutually) by-svāmī-sattā; single-command given; let-us-be-in-the-proper-mode. I-salute — I-was-there.
The jōhāra (salute) is the Marathi-Maharashtra warrior-salute, also-used-in-bhakti-contexts.
For someone today
Tukārām's sevā-readiness. Our dwelling is on both sides — let us be with loin-cloth tied (ready). Let us speak — both (of us) — (in) the master's authority of service. The single-fold command has been given; let us be in that proper-mode. I salute — I was at that place. The verse permits the bhakti-readiness for-sevā on-both-sides.
Where this applies
- When you want to describe the feeling of being fully prepared and willing to serve the moment you are called
- When you are working under someone's authority but still want an honest, open conversation with them
- When you have received clear instructions and just need to commit to following through faithfully
- When you want a simple way to show respect and readiness before taking on a task