संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 4123 of 4582

Abhanga 4123

Worldly attachments like wealth, children, and spouse cannot save you from time running out, so let go of your grip on them and surrender yourself fully instead.

When you catch yourself believing money or family alone will secure your future.

When you notice time passing and realize you have made no real effort toward what matters most.

When you decide to stop clinging to possessions and relationships and instead offer your whole self to something greater.

The verse

भवाचिया संगें बहु च नाडिले । कळिकाळें पाडिले तोंडघसीं ॥१॥ तया भवसंगें गुंतलासी वांयां । धन पुत्र जाया भुलों नको ॥ध्रु.॥ जेजे घडी जाय तेते काळ खाय । प्राण्या तरणोपाय काय केला ॥२॥ तुका म्हणे करीं सर्व ही तूं त्याग । अर्पी हें सर्वांग जगदीशीं ॥३॥

Literal translation

Bhava-sanga-deceived — Kali-Kāḷa-face-down. Tangled-vain — dhana-putra-jāyā-don't-fool. Each-ghaḍī-Kāḷa-eats — what-tarṇōpāya. Tukā: tyāga — arpī-sarvānga-Jagadīśa.

What it means

A 3-verse mortality-warning. By the company of becoming, many have been much-deceived; Kali-Kāḷa has thrown them face-down. In that company you are tangled in vain; don't be fooled by wealth-son-wife. Each moment that passes is eaten by Kāḷa; what means of crossing have you done, O creature? Make total renunciation; offer the whole body to Jagadīśa.

For someone today

Tukaram warns that attachment to worldly life has deceived countless people, leaving them thrown face down by time and death. Don't be fooled by wealth, children, or spouse into thinking they will save you, because every passing moment is being consumed by death regardless. He asks bluntly: what have you actually done to cross over safely? His answer is total surrender, to let go of your grip on these attachments and offer your whole self to God.

मराठी: तुकाराम सांगतात की संसाराच्या आसक्तीने अनेकांना फसवले आहे आणि काळाने त्यांना तोंडघशी पाडले आहे. धन, मुलगा, बायको यांच्या मोहात अडकून राहू नका, कारण जो जो क्षण जातो तो काळ खाऊन टाकतो. ते थेट विचारतात, तू पैलतीराला जाण्यासाठी काय केले आहेस? त्यांचे उत्तर म्हणजे संपूर्ण त्याग करा आणि आपले सर्वांग जगदीश्वराला अर्पण करा.

Where this applies

When you assume your wealth, family, or possessions will somehow protect you from loss and death
When days keep slipping by without you asking what you're actually doing with your limited time
When you realize you've become so wrapped up in worldly attachments that you've forgotten to prepare for what truly matters
When you feel you need to finally let go of your grip on things and surrender to something greater