Tukaram Gatha Abhang 71 - Yuktahaar na lage aaneek sadhane

Tukaram Gatha Abhang 71

Marathi Text

युक्ताहार न लगे आणीक साधनें । अल्प नारायणें दाखविलें ।।१।।

कलियुगामाजीं करावें कीर्तन । तेणें नारायण देइल भेटी ।।२।।

न लगे हा लौकिक सांडावा वेव्हार । घ्यावें वनांतर भस्म दंड ।।३।।

तुका म्हणे मज आणि उपाव । दिसती ते वाव नामेंविण ।।४।।

 English Script

1.      Yuktahaar na lage aaneek sadhane, alpa Narayane dakhavile

2.      Kaliyugamajee karaave keertan, tene Narayan deil bhetee

3.      Na lage ha laukik sandavaa vevhaar, ghyave vanaantar bhasma danda

4.      Tuka mhane maj aani upaav, disatee te vaav Naamevin.

 Translation

This is Kaliyuga. In Kaliyuga, it is easy to reach God by the simple route of devotionally chanting His name, dancing while singing and remembering Him through His stories. There is no need to pursue any other arduous routes like Japa, Yoga, Meditation, penance in forest, fasting, Yajna, etc. Saint Tukaram is giving this assurance in this abhanga.

 1.      There is no need to follow severe diet restrictions, such as, eating only fruits and roots of certain plants. There is no need to pursue any other routes to reach God. The Lord Narayana has shown a simple path.

2.      In Kaliyuga you should pursue 'Kirtana' (which includes chanting God's name and listening to His stories. Pl see detailed description below). With the 'Kirtana' path you will meet the Lord Narayana.

3.      There is no need to stop your worldly activities. There is no need to go to forest for penance or to anoint yourself with 'bhasma' (holy ash) or become a renunciate and carry the holy 'danda' (a holy wooden stick carried by sages).

4.      Tuka says, I clearly see that any other efforts, without chanting the name of the Lord, are a waste.

 'Kirtana': In the Maharashtra state of India, 'Kirtana' is an event of group participation. People chant, dance in joy, play musical instruments and just enjoy that state of connection of the mind and body with God. The event is conducted by a 'Kirtankar' who is a senior devotee trained in this art and process of motivating people to seek God and to love Him. Lord Vishnu's well known closest devotee 'Narada' is the first proponent of 'Kirtana'. Narada is well known for his unceasing chant 'Narayan Narayan'!

All the saints of Maharashtra have stressed on taking the 'Kirtana' route to reach God.

The sequence of the steps in a 'Kirtana' is given below:

1. Namana:  Invocation

2. Stavana: Praising the Lord

3. Sadgurusmarana: Remembering the guru and offering prayer to guru

4. Purvaranga: The 'Kirtankar' selects one Abhang of a saint, sings it with music, followed by a group of other devotees called 'Taalkaris', who repeat after him and dance in rhythm while playing cymbals in their hands. After this, the 'Kirtankar' explains the meaning of the Abhang and its significance in material life as well as in spiritual pursuit. He intersperses his narration with chanting and singing other abhangas to elaborate the story further. The whole mass gathered for the 'Kirtana' follows by singing each line after the 'Kirtankar'.

5. Uttararanga: The 'Kirtankar' narrates the life story of a well known devotee or a saint, in line with the Abhang selected for the devotional service.

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