संत साहित्य · Tukārām · Abhanga 4440 of 4582

Abhanga 4440

Destroying yourself in a moment of anger solves nothing and brings no relief, but turning toward remembrance in that same moment genuinely eases the burden.

When rage or despair over something that will eventually pass makes drastic action feel like the only option.

When you need to remind yourself that ending your suffering destructively does not actually end it.

When you reach for prayer or remembrance as a real anchor in an unbearable moment.

The verse

अतित्याईं देतां जीव । नये कींव देवासि ॥१॥ थोड्यासाटीं राग आला । जीव दिला गंगेंत ॥ध्रु.॥ त्यासि परलोकीं नाहीं मुक्ति । अधोगति चुकेना ॥२॥ तुका म्हणे कृष्णराम । स्मरतां श्रम वारती ॥३॥

Literal translation

Atityāī-giving-jīva — Deva-doesn't-pity. For-small-anger — jīva-in-Gangā. No-mukti-in-para-loka — adhō-gati-doesn't-leave. Tukā: Krṣṇa-Rāma-smaraṇa — śrama-leaves.

What it means

A 3-verse anti-suicide text. In extremity giving the soul — no pity comes to Deva. For a small matter, anger came — (and one) gave the soul in the Gangā. To such — in the next world there's no liberation — the downward-fate does not slip away. Tukā says: remembering Krṣṇa-Rāma — trouble leaves. The argument: suicide-in-anger does not earn Lord's-pity; the soteriological-result is adhō-gati-continued, not mukti. The legitimate-relief is Krṣṇa-Rāma-smaraṇa, not jumping-into-the-Gangā. Sharp pastoral-counsel.

For someone today

Tukārām speaks here to someone who, in a fit of anger over something ultimately small, considers throwing their life away, he specifically mentions giving oneself to the river in a rage. He says plainly that such an act does not bring divine mercy, and it doesn't lead anywhere good, the suffering simply continues rather than ending. What actually eases the burden, he says, is turning to remembrance of Krishna and Rāma in that painful moment instead. The verse is a piece of urgent, caring counsel, it tells you that whatever crisis has you in its grip will pass, and that destroying yourself over it solves nothing, while turning toward something greater than the anger genuinely can.

मराठी: तुकाराम इथे अशा माणसाला उद्देशून बोलतात जो एका क्षुल्लक गोष्टीवरून आलेल्या रागाच्या भरात आपला जीव देण्याचा विचार करतो, विशेषतः रागाच्या भरात नदीत जीव देण्याचा उल्लेख येतो. ते स्पष्टपणे सांगतात की असे करण्याने देवाची कृपा मिळत नाही, आणि त्यातून काही चांगले घडत नाही, दुःख संपत नाही तर तसेच चालू राहते. त्याऐवजी अशा वेदनादायी क्षणी कृष्ण-रामाचे स्मरण केल्याने खरा दिलासा मिळतो, असे ते सांगतात. हा अभंग एक तातडीचा, कळकळीचा सल्ला आहे, तो सांगतो की जे संकट सध्या तुम्हाला घेरून आहे ते निघून जाईल, आणि त्यावरून स्वतःचा नाश करणे कशाचेच निराकरण करत नाही, तर रागापेक्षा मोठ्या कशाकडे वळणे खरोखर मदत करू शकते.

Where this applies

When a moment of overwhelming anger or despair makes drastic, self-destructive thoughts feel tempting
When a small conflict or setback suddenly feels unbearable and out of proportion
When you're supporting someone in crisis and need words that take their pain seriously while pointing toward hope
When you need a practice, like remembrance or prayer, to hold onto during an emotional breaking point