Abhanga 3602
Tukārām admits plainly that he isn't wise, but he still insists on saying the Name, Nārāyaṇa, over and over. He says he has devoted himself fully to this one task, trying to draw a response, to make the divine speak back to him. He even invites anger if that's what it takes, come in whatever form, be angry if you must, just come. Underneath the urgency is a simple awareness that time, this precious moment, is passing, so he cannot afford to wait quietly.
The verse
नव्हे मी शाहाणा । तरी म्हणा नारायणा ॥१॥
तुम्हां बोलवाया कांहीं । ये च भरलोंसे वाहीं ॥ध्रु.॥
आणावेति रूपा । कोपलेती तरी कोपा ॥२॥
कळोनि आवडी । तुका म्हणे जाते घडी ॥३॥
Literal translation
Not-śāhāṇā — say-Nārāyaṇa. Filled-in-vāhī-to-make-you-speak. Bring-to-rūpa — if-angry-be-angry. Tukā: knowing-āvaḍī — ghaḍī-passing.
What it means
A 3-verse petition. I'm not wise — but say Nārāyaṇa; I've taken-on this occupation to make you speak; come into form — be angry if you must; the minute is passing.
For someone today
Tukārām admits plainly that he isn't wise, but he still insists on saying the Name, Nārāyaṇa, over and over. He says he has devoted himself fully to this one task, trying to draw a response, to make the divine speak back to him. He even invites anger if that's what it takes, come in whatever form, be angry if you must, just come. Underneath the urgency is a simple awareness that time, this precious moment, is passing, so he cannot afford to wait quietly.
मराठी: तुकाराम मोकळेपणाने कबूल करतात की ते शहाणे नाहीत, तरीही ते नारायण हे नाव पुन्हा पुन्हा घेण्याचा हट्ट धरतात. ते म्हणतात की त्यांनी हे एकच काम पूर्णपणे स्वीकारलं आहे, प्रतिसाद मिळवण्यासाठी, देवाला बोलतं करण्यासाठी. रागावशील तरी चालेल, कोणत्याही रूपात ये, राग आलाच तर येऊ दे, पण ये, अशी विनवणी ते करतात. या तळमळीच्या मागे एक साधी जाणीव आहे की वेळ, हा अनमोल क्षण, निघून जातो आहे, म्हणून शांत बसून राहणं परवडणारं नाही.
Where this applies
- When you don't feel wise or accomplished but keep calling out anyway because you need a response
- When you fear provoking someone's anger but decide to speak up regardless because staying silent costs more
- When you sense time slipping away and it pushes you to act now rather than wait
- When you're willing to risk an uncomfortable reaction just to get real connection or acknowledgment