संत साहित्य
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संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 3376 of 4582

Abhanga 3376

When you want the Real, do not be satisfied with states or shows. The mirage is not water. Ask for the rūpa itself.

When you accept a temporary emotional high instead of asking for what you truly need
When someone impresses you with outward show rather than real presence or commitment
When you chase something that looks promising from far away but leaves you empty once you reach it

The verse

म्हणसी दावीन अवस्था । तैसें नको रे अनंता ॥१॥ होऊनियां सहाकार । रूप दाखवीं सुंदर ॥ध्रु.॥ मृगजळाचिया परी । तैसें न करावें हरी ॥२॥ तुकयाबंधु म्हणे हरी । कामा नये बाह्यात्कारी ॥३॥

Literal translation

Mhaṇasī dāvīna avasthā — taise nakō re Anantā — if you say I will show the avasthā — don't do that, O Ananta. Hōuniyām sahākāra — rūpa dākhavīm sumdara — becoming sahākāra — show the beautiful rūpa. Mrgajaḷāchiyā parī — taise na karāve Harī — like the mirage — don't do that, O Hari. Tukayā-bamdhu mhaṇe Harī — kāmā naye bāhyātkārī — Tukyā-bamdhu says: O Hari — the outer-show does not avail.

What it means

NON-Tukārām: Kānhōbā's plea — don't tease with mirages, don't give me avasthā (states/conditions) instead of the real darśana. The mrgajaḷa (deer-water/mirage) is the standard image of seeming-water on a hot plain. Bāhyātkārī = outer-show — which does not satisfy the inner thirst.

For someone today

When you want the Real, do not be satisfied with states or shows. The mirage is not water. Ask for the rūpa itself.

Where this applies