संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 3778 of 4582

Abhanga 3778

Real trust comes from honest reassurance, not empty flattery, and a genuine need can remain visible and dignified even when it is never spoken aloud.

When you have served faithfully but still need a genuine word of reassurance to trust fully.

When empty comfort from someone only deepens the grief you are quietly carrying.

When your need is plain to see even though you never actually ask for help.

The verse

आश्वासावें दास । तरी घडे तो विश्वास ॥१॥ नाहीं चुकत चाकरी । पुट लाडे शोचे थोरी ॥ध्रु.॥ स्वामीच्या उत्तरें । सुख वाटे अभयें करें ॥२॥ न मगें परि भातें । तुका म्हणे निढळि रितें ॥३॥

Literal translation

Āśvāsāvem dāsa — give the servant reassurance; tarī ghaḍe tō viśvāsa — then the trust happens. Nāhīm chukata chākarī — (my) service is not missing; puṭa lāḍe sōche thōrī — coddling (me) puffs up (my) great grief. Svāmīcyā uttare — by the svāmī's reply; sukha vāṭe abhayem karem — sukha is felt by the hand of abhaya. Na magem pari bhātem — I do not beg but the (ration-)bowl; Tukā mhaṇe niḍhaḷi rite — Tukā says: empty on the forehead.

What it means

A 3-verse servant-petition. Reassure-the-dāsa — that's-how-viśvāsa-happens; service-isn't-lacking — but-coddling-makes-grief-worse; the-svāmī's-word-brings-sukha by-the-hand-of-abhaya; I-don't-beg-but-the-bowl-stands-empty-in-plain-view. The closing image — bowl held forth on the forehead/in plain view — is the silent dignified beggar.

For someone today

Tukaram says that a servant needs real reassurance, since that is what actually builds trust between servant and master. His service has not been lacking, but empty coddling without real care only deepens his hidden grief. What truly brings him joy and courage is one honest word from the master, not flattery. He does not put his need into begging words, but like a bowl held out empty in plain sight, his need is visible to anyone willing to look.

मराठी: तुकाराम म्हणतात की सेवकाला खरी आश्वासकता हवी असते, कारण त्यानेच सेवक आणि स्वामी यांच्यात खरा विश्वास निर्माण होतो. त्यांची सेवा कधीच कमी पडलेली नाही, पण नुसते खोटे लाड केल्याने त्यांचे लपलेले दुःख अधिकच वाढते. त्यांना खरा आनंद आणि धीर देणारी गोष्ट म्हणजे स्वामीचा एक प्रामाणिक शब्द, नुसती स्तुती नव्हे. ते आपली गरज शब्दांत मागत नाहीत, पण उघड्या रिकाम्या भांड्यासारखी ती गरज कोणालाही स्पष्ट दिसू शकते.

Where this applies

When you have worked faithfully but still crave a genuine word of reassurance rather than empty flattery
When someone tries to soothe you without addressing your real need, and it only deepens your quiet grief
When you avoid asking directly for help but your need is obvious to anyone paying attention
When one honest, courageous word from someone you respect brings you more comfort than any amount of praise