Abhanga 3533
Real reverence keeps a respectful distance, choosing humility over false familiarity even while longing for closeness.
The verse
पाळितों वचन । परि बहु भीतें मन ॥१॥
करितें पायांशीं सलगी । नये बैसों अंगसंगीं ॥ध्रु.॥
जोडोनियां कर । उभें असावें समोर ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे संत । तुम्ही मी बहु पतित ॥३॥
Literal translation
I-keep-vachana — but-mana-fears. Salagī-with-feet — not-anga-sanga. Folding-kara — stand-in-front. Tukā: santa-you-(honored), I-bahu-patita.
What it means
A 3-verse proper-distance sant-veneration text. I keep the word, but the mana fears; intimacy is with the feet, not body-companionship; one should fold hands standing in front; you are sants, I am very fallen.
For someone today
Tukaram admits he keeps the sant's word out of respect, yet his heart still trembles with fear in their presence. He allows himself closeness only at their feet, never presuming the familiarity of standing as an equal beside them. The proper posture, he says, is to fold your hands and stand humbly in front, not to push into casual companionship. He closes by naming the gap plainly: they are true sants, honored and elevated, while he considers himself deeply flawed.
मराठी: मी तुझी आज्ञा पाळतो, तरी माझे मन खूप घाबरते, असे तुकाराम सांगतात. मी फक्त तुझ्या पायांशी जवळीक करतो, समान म्हणून तुझ्याजवळ बसण्याचा अधिकार मला नाही. हात जोडून समोर नम्रपणे उभे राहावे, हीच योग्य रीत आहे असे ते सांगतात. शेवटी तुकाराम स्पष्टपणे म्हणतात, तुम्ही संत आहात, आणि मी मात्र फार पतित आहे.
Where this applies
- When you deeply respect someone but still feel nervous or humbled in their presence
- When you want closeness with a mentor or teacher but know not to overstep into false familiarity
- When you choose a posture of humility, like standing with folded hands, rather than claiming equality
- When you're honest with yourself about your shortcomings compared to someone you admire