Abhanga 3902
The verse
कीर्तनाच्या सुखें सुखी होय देव । पंढरीचा राव संगीं आहे ॥१॥
भक्त जाय सदा हरि कीर्ति गात । नित्यसेवें अनंत हिंडतसे ॥ध्रु.॥
त्रैलोक्य भ्रमण फिरत नारद । त्यासंगें गोविंद फिरतसे ॥२॥
नारद मंजुळ सुस्वरें गीत गाये । मार्गा चालताहे संगें हरि ॥३॥
तुका म्हणे त्याला गोडी कीर्तनाची । नाहीं आणिकांची प्रीति ऐसी ॥४॥
Literal translation
Kīrtana-sukha — Deva-becomes-sukhī — Paṇḍharī-rāva-in-sanga. Bhakta-goes-singing-Hari-kīrti — Ananta-roams-for-nitya-sevā. Trailokya-bhramaṇa-Nārada — Govinda-roams-with-him. Nārada-mañjuḷa-sus-svara-gītī — Hari-on-path-with-him. Tukā: gōḍī-of-kīrtana — no-other-prīti-like-it.
What it means
★★ THE canonical 4-verse Lord-roams-with-kīrtana-bhakta text. With the joy of kīrtana, even Deva becomes joyful — Paṇḍharī's-king is in the company. The bhakta goes ever-on, singing Hari's glory; for the sake of perpetual-service, Ananta roams (with him). Nārada wanders the three worlds — and Govinda roams with him. Nārada sings the song in sweet melody; on his path Hari walks with him. (Says Tukā:) he has fondness for kīrtana — no other love is like it for him. The Lord himself becomes-sukhī through kīrtana; he roams with the kīrtana-singing bhakta — this is the foundational claim for Vārkarī kīrtana-tradition. The Nārada-paradigm (kīrtana-sage par-excellence, whom Hari accompanies) gives the foundational warrant. Pair with 2864 (clap-hands kīrtana), 2919 (kīrtana-supremacy), 3833 (kīrtana-rasa).
For someone today
Tukārām: the-Lord-himself-becomes-joyful-with-kīrtana; he-roams-with-the-singing-bhakta; he-has-no-greater-love.
Where this applies
- ★★ Tukārām's Lord-roams-with-kīrtana-bhakta; Nārada-paradigm foundational
- Pair with 2864 (clap-hands kīrtana), 2919 (kīrtana-supremacy), 3833 (kīrtana-rasa)