Abhanga 3790
With the essential truth already in hand, Tukaram boldly clings to his devotion, focusing his whole attention on it while letting go of every other opinion that does not serve it.
The verse
ऐसीं वर्में आम्हां असोनियां हातीं । कां होऊं नेणतीं दिशाभुली ॥१॥
पोटाळुनी पाय कवळीन उभा । कृपे पद्मनाभा हालों नेदीं ॥ध्रु.॥
आपुले इच्छेसी घालीन संपुष्टीं । श्रीमुख तें दृष्टी न्याहाळीन ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे बहु सांडियेलीं मतें । आपुल्या पुरतें धरुनी ठेलों ॥३॥
Literal translation
Such-varma-in-our-hand — why-diśā-bhulī? Embrace-pāya — hold-standing — krpā-Padmanābha — won't-let-move. Confine-to-my-ichchhā — gaze-Śrī-mukha. Tukā: dropped-many-opinions — held-just-essential.
What it means
A 3-verse possessive-bhakti text. We have such secrets-and-keys in hand — why should we wander in confusion? I'll wrap arms around your feet, hold you standing — O krpā Padmanābha, I won't let you move. I'll confine you to my own wish — I'll gaze your sacred-face with my eyes. I have dropped many opinions — held onto only what serves me. The legal-hostage image (sampuṣṭī ghālīna) and the leg-grasping-won't-let-move are characteristic Tukārām bhakta-arrogance.
For someone today
Tukaram says that having such precious keys of truth already in hand, there is no reason to keep wandering around confused about which direction to take. He speaks with playful boldness, saying he will wrap his arms around Vitthal's feet and hold him standing there, not letting the compassionate Lord move an inch. He will confine God to his own wish and simply gaze at that beloved face with his eyes. He admits he has dropped many other opinions and beliefs along the way, keeping only the ones that actually serve his devotion.
मराठी: तुकाराम म्हणतात की सत्याच्या इतक्या मौल्यवान किल्ल्या हातात असताना, कोणत्या दिशेने जावे याबद्दल गोंधळून भटकत राहण्याची गरज नाही. ते खेळकर धाडसाने म्हणतात की ते विठ्ठलाचे पाय आपल्या मिठीत घट्ट धरतील आणि त्या करुणामय देवाला हलूही देणार नाहीत. ते देवाला आपल्या इच्छेत बद्ध करतील आणि फक्त त्या प्रिय मुखाकडेच डोळे भरून पाहत राहतील. ते कबूल करतात की वाटेत आलेली अनेक मते त्यांनी सोडून दिली आहेत, फक्त आपल्या भक्तीला उपयोगी पडतील तेवढीच जपली आहेत.
Where this applies
- When you already have the tools and knowledge you need but keep wandering unsure which way to go
- When you commit boldly to holding onto something precious and refuse to let it slip away
- When you narrow your focus to one clear devotion instead of chasing every idea that comes along
- When you realize you have let go of many opinions over time to protect what truly matters to you