Abhanga 3850
When you are worn out by your own nature, it is alright to ask directly for tender, motherly comfort instead of pretending you need none.
The verse
भागलों मी आतां आपुल्या स्वभावें । कृपा करोनि देवें आश्वासीजे ॥१॥
देउनि आलिंगन प्रीतीच्या पडिभरें । अंगें हीं दातारें निववावीं ॥ध्रु.॥
अमृताची दृष्टी घालूनियां वरी । शीतळ हा करीं जीव माझा ॥२॥
घेई उचलूनि पुसें तानभूक । पुसीं माझें मुख पीतांबरें ॥३॥
बुझावोनि माझी धरीं हनुवंटी । ओवाळुनि दिठी करुनी सांडीं ॥४॥
तुका म्हणे बापा आहो विश्वंभरा । आतां कृपा करा ऐसी कांहीं ॥५॥
Literal translation
Bhāgalōm mī ātām āpulyā svabhāve — I am exhausted by own svabhāva; krpā karōnī Deve āśvāsīje — do krpā, Deva, assure. Deunī ālingana prītīñcyā paḍibhare — give ālingana with prīti's paḍibhara; ange hīm dātāre nivavāvīm — cool angas, dātāra. Amrtāñcī drṣṭī ghālūnīyām varī — casting amrta-drṣṭi over; śītaḷa hā karīm jīva mājhā — cool my jīva. Gheī uchalūnī puse tāna-bhūka — lift, wipe thirst-hunger; pusīm mājhe mukha pītāmbare — wipe my face with pītāmbara. Bujhāvōnī mājhī dharīm hanuvaṭī — recognizing, hold my chin; ōvāḷunī diṭhī karunī sāṇḍīm — wave-light, cast-away. Tukā mhaṇe bāpā Viśvambharā — Tukā says: bāpā Viśvambhara; ātām krpā karā aisī kāmhī — now do some krpā.
What it means
A striking 5-verse tender-petition. The bhakta-asks-the-Lord-to-do-mother-actions: lift-the-baby, wipe-hunger-thirst, wipe-face, hold-chin, wave-light to-cast-away-evil-eye. Pure-Lord-as-mother imagery.
For someone today
Tukārām's Lord-as-mother petition: do-mother-actions on-me.
Where this applies
- When you feel worn out by your own habits and struggles, not just outside troubles
- When you crave simple comfort and tenderness more than advice or solutions
- When you long to be cared for the way a mother cares for a tired child
- When you are willing to ask openly for affection instead of trying to appear strong