Abhanga 3689
Holding too tightly to any fixed plan, even a good one, breeds anxiety, so it is better to watch quietly and stay calm no matter what happens.
The verse
नको घालूं झांसां । मना उपाधिवोळसा ॥१॥
जे जे वाहावे संकल्प । पुण्य तरी ते चि पाप ॥ध्रु.॥
उपजतो भेव । होतो कासावीस जीव ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे पाहों । होइल तें निवांत राहों ॥३॥
Literal translation
Don't-throw-jhānsa-mana — upādhi-is-vōḷasā. Whatever-sankalpa-borne — puṇya-is-pāpa. Bhaya-arises — jīva-kāsāvīsa. Tukā: let's-watch — stay-nivānta-whatever.
What it means
A 3-verse anti-sankalpa text. Don't throw an illusion-veil, mana; upādhi is a twisting-trap; whatever sankalpa you bear, even puṇya becomes pāpa (when borne-as-intention); fear arises, jīva is disturbed; let's just watch — whatever happens, stay silent. Compare 3601 (canonical puṇya-on-examination-is-pāpa; niśchaḷa-alone-bhalē).
For someone today
Tukārām: even-puṇya-(borne-as-sankalpa)-is-pāpa.
Where this applies
- When you cling so tightly to a plan or outcome that it starts to work against you
- When even a good intention turns sour because you're gripping it out of anxiety rather than trust
- When fear rises up simply because you're too attached to how things must turn out
- When you choose to watch a situation calmly instead of forcing a particular result