Abhanga 3191
Once you commit to the front line of devotion, hold nothing back in reserve, and refuse fear each time it tries to slip forward again.
The verse
भजनें चि जालें । मग जीवाचें काय आलें ॥१॥
येऊं नेदावी पुढती । आड भयाची ते जाती ॥ध्रु.॥
करितां सरोबरी । कांहीं न ठेवावी उरी ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे शूर । व्हावे धुरेसीं च धुरे॥३॥
Literal translation
Bhajanēm chi jālēm — maga jīvāchēm kāya ālēm — (once it is) done by bhajana itself — what (more) came of the jīva. Yēūm nēdāvī puḍhatī — āḍa bhayāchī tē jātī — don't let (it) come forward — the obstructing jāti of fear. Karitām sarōbarī — kāmhī na ṭhēvāvī urī — while making sarōbarī — keep no urī. Tukā mhaṇe śūra — vhāve dhurēsīm chi dhurē — Tukā says: be a śūra — at the foremost-of-foremost.
What it means
A 4-verse front-rank text continuing the warrior-imagery of 3190. Bhajana itself does the work — the jīva need not add an "extra" claim. The whole jāti (clan) of fears is what stops you stepping forward — block it from re-appearing. In bhakti, sarōbarī (the front line) demands zero reserve (no urī held back). Be foremost of the foremost.
For someone today
Once you commit to a practice, don't keep a backup-self in reserve. Fear's whole family will try to slip back in front of you — refuse the line. Front-rank without reserve is the only kind that works.
Where this applies
- Tukārām's bhajana-completes; front-rank-no-reserve; foremost-of-foremost canonical
- Companion to 3190 (loot-limitless-treasury) and 3174 (no-turning-back)