Tukaram Gatha Abhanga 556 - Taree ka nenate hote maage rushee

 Marathi Text

तरि कां नेणते होते मागें ॠषी । तींहीं या जनासी दुराविलें ॥१॥

वोळती जया अष्ट महासिद्धी । ते या जनबुद्धी नातळती ॥२॥

कंदमूळें पाला धातूच्या पोषणा । खाती वास रानांतरी केला ॥३॥

लावुनियां नेत्र उगेचि बैसले । न बोलत ठेले मौन्यरुप ॥४॥

तुका म्हणे ऐसें करीं माझ्या चित्ता । दुरावीं अनंता जन दुरी ॥५॥

English

1.      Taree ka nenate hote maage rushee, jihee ya janasee duraavile

2.      Volatee jaya ashthamaha siddhee, te ya janabuddhi naatalatee

3.      Kandamule paala dhaatoochya poshana, khatee vaas raanantaree kela

4.      Laavooniya netra ugechi baisale, na bolat thele maunyaroop

5.      Tuka mhane aise karee majhya chitta, duraavee ananta jan dooree.

Translation

1.      The Rishi's and the munis of the ancient times stayed away from the masses. Was that due to ignorance?

2.      Those who have achieved a status of being blessed with the 8 big  siddhis (ashtamahasiddhi, meaning 8 superhuman powers) they have also refused to live life with thinking of ordinary people.

3.      Those who have stayed in jungles for spiritual pursuit, have been eating only edible roots and vegetable leaves; only to sustain their bodies.

4.      These seeker have adopted a steady posture of meditation. They have closed their eyes. They are observing silence and are concentrating on God.

5.      Tuka says, Oh God, let my heart also reach this state. Please keep me in solitude, away from the ordinary people.

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About Ashta Maha Siddhi:

अणिमा महिमा चैव लघिमा गरिमा तथा |

प्राप्तिः प्राकाम्यमीशित्वं वशित्वं चाष्ट सिद्धयः ||

According to this shloka, Anima, Mahima, Laghima, Garima, Prapti, Prakramya, Ishitva and Vashitva are the eight Siddhis, known as ‘Ashta Maha Siddhi’. Powers and speciality of these Siddhis are:

Anima (‘अणिमा’)

The ability to become smallest in size is known as Anima Siddhi. By gaining this siddhi, the being can reduce its size to ‘smaller of smallest’. One can even reduce the size to the size of an atom or even smaller than that, whenever needed. This siddhi gives a supernatural power to the practitioner. One can even reduce the size of other objects. Lord Hanuman used this siddhi to enter Lanka. He reduced his size to enter from downside of the door.

Mahima (‘महिमा’)

Mahima siddhi is the ability to expand one's body to an infinite large size. By attaining this siddhi the practitioner is able to expand the size of his body larger than the Universe. He can attain the power equivalent to god who has created the Universe. The one can even make other things bigger in size. One can expand unlimitedly. Lord Hanuman used this siddhi many times in Ramayana. Lord Vamana used this siddhi when he covers the whole earth in one step and whole swargaloka in second step.

Garima (‘गरिमा’) :-

The ability to become infinitely heavy is known as Garima siddhi. The practitioner can make himself as heavy as he desires to be and cannot be moved by anyone or anything. His body size would remain same but weight would increase. One can increase his weight so much that others may not be able to even move him. In Mahabharata, Lord Hanuman increased his weight so much that Bheema could not lift his tail.

Laghima (‘लघिमा’)

The power to become weightless or lighter than air can be achieved from Laghima siddhi. The practitioner can become any creature on this earth and enter into his body after attaining this siddhi. The one can even be able to fly or go to any place on earth or bring anything to him. One can even become weightless on attaining this siddhi.

Prapti (‘प्राप्ति’)

As its name suggests, the practitioner can attain or achieve anything. The ability to construct anything is known as Prapti siddhi. The practitioner can achieve anything he desired through this siddhi. There is nothing impossible for him to get such as providing water in the desert, or any other supernatural things.The one can construct anything on this earth. He can also call someone or something to him. This siddhi can make someone so powerful that he can rule the whole world.

Prakamya (‘प्राकाम्य’)

Prakamya Siddhi is the capability to get whatever you want and make your aspirations a reality. The thoughts of the person change drastically and he experiences a flow of supernatural energy. By achieving this ability the practitioner is able to do anything he wants. He can fly in the sky or walk on the water. He can also enter someone else’s body. The one can even listen to someone else's mind or whatever he thinks in his mind, even if the someone does not tell us whatever he thinks, we can know what he is thinking.

Ishitva (‘इशित्व’)

As the name suggests, Ish means Lord and Ishitva means ‘Lordship’. Knowing all powers and getting a control over everyone and everything is known as Ishitva Siddhi. The practitioner is able to get control on all the elements of universe and possess absolute lordship. He gets the privilege to practice lordship on anyone from states to empires. He gets converted into God himself. The one will become equal to the God himself.

Vashitva (‘वशित्व’)

Vashitva or Vashikaran is the ability of getting a control on life and death. With the help of this siddhi one attain control over all kinds of living and non -living things. The one who excels in this siddhi can influence any person on this Earth. The one can control someone else's mind and make him do anything he wants, even animals, birds, humans or any other creatures like Gandharvas, demons etc.). The one can make anyone win or lose. He cannot be won.

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