Abhanga 3380
The deepest obedience does not decide — it asks. Even the framing of the question is offered up.
The verse
देऊं कपाट । कीं कोण काळ राखों वाट ॥१॥
काय होईंल तें शिरीं । आज्ञा धरोनियां करीं ॥ध्रु.॥
करूं कळे ऐसी मात। किंवा राखावा एकांत ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे जागों । किंवा कोणा नेंदूं वागों ॥३॥
Literal translation
Deūm kapāṭa — kīm koṇa kāḷa rākhōm vāṭa — should I step aside — or watch for which time? Kāya hoīla te śirīm — ājñā dharoniyām karīm — whatever falls on (my) head — taking (it) as ājñā in hand. Karūm kaḷe aisī māta — kimvā rākhāvā ekāmta — should I act as I know — or keep myself in ekāmta? Tukā mhaṇe jāgōm — kimvā koṇā nemdūm vāgōm — Tukā says: should (I) stay awake — or let no one stir?
What it means
A 3-verse text of radical-awaiting-orders. Tukārām presents the Lord with a series of paired dilemmas — step-aside-or-keep-watch, act-or-remain-in-solitude, stay-awake-or-let-no-one-move — and refuses to choose. The middle verse contains the principle: whatever falls on my head, I take as ājñā in my hand. The will is wholly surrendered.
For someone today
The deepest obedience does not decide — it asks. Even the framing of the question is offered up.
Where this applies
- Canonical awaiting-Lord's-ājñā; take-whatever-falls obedience
- Companion to 2867 (ṭhevilē-Anantē equanimity)