Vriksh Valli Amha Soyari Vanachare

 

वृक्षवल्ली आम्हां सोयरीं वनचरें

पक्षीही सुस्वरें आळविती
वृक्षवल्ली आम्हां सोयरीं वनचरें
येणें सुखें रुचे एकांताचा वास

नाही गुण दोष अंगा येत

वृक्षवल्ली आम्हां सोयरीं 

आकाश मंडप पृथिवी आसन
रमे तेथें मन क्रीडा करीं
कंथा कमंडलु देह उपचारा
जाणवितो वारा अवसरु

वृक्षवल्ली आम्हां सोयरीं वनचरें

हरिकथा भोजन परवडी विस्तार, हरिकथा

करोनि प्रकार सेवूं रुची

तुका म्हणे होय मनासी संवाद
आपुलाचि वाद आपणांसी

वृक्षवल्ली आम्हां सोयरीं वनचरें
पक्षीही सुस्वरें आळविती
वृक्षवल्ली आम्हां सोयरीं वनचरें

After I had sent the post today about caring for the birds and animals around us I suddenly remembered one of Sant Tukaram’s abhanga, another one made popular by Lata Didi. 

Strangely this abhanga ties together the themes of my last two posts. I had not seen it coming together like this! 

As Tukaram progressed in his spiritual quest he increasingly lost interest in his home and worldly affairs. He left the village and went into the nearby Bhandara Bhamnath mountains to meditate. It was during his stay here that he has composed the aforementioned abhanga.

In that secluded location away from the chaos of human civilization he feels a connection to the trees, creepers, birds and animals of the forests. He declares them as his near and dear ones (soyare). The birds to him appear to be singing the praise of God with their perfectly pitched notes. He has started to rejoice in their company while simultaneously enjoying solitude. The beauty and advantage of being away from people is that there is no threat of being influenced by the vices or virtues of others. There is neither praise nor criticism to endure. No one to put you on a pedestal nor put you down, he observes.

He goes on to describe the “luxury” of this dwelling. He has the Earth as his seat and Sky as canopy. Here the mind enjoys total freedom and is engrossed in its own sport. He is able to witness this quietude and state of inner peace. At his disposal are his blanket for cover and a pot of water to quench thirst. The breeze visits from time to time to benevolently confer coolness and comfort. The food here is nothing ordinary. Various spiritual texts and discourses serve to satisfy his hunger. A normally unruly mind has become settled in these conditions. It makes conversations with itself. Even arguments occur within his mind. But eventually there is peace and only peace. 

The abhanga highlights the benefits of solitude, simple living, fewer needs and connecting with surrounding nature comprising of plants and animals as well as elements such as soil, water, sky and wind.  Such experience purifies and elevates the soul, brings the mind into focus, cultivates detachment and brings you one step closer to the Creator.

These saints like Tukaram have indeed left behind markers for a path to unshakable peace and harmony. We just need to go in search of the markers. 

The saree is another Vidarbha Karvati Kinar Tussar, this time with Gond hand painting. More about Gond painting in another post in the future. This saree has depiction of the forests of Madhya Pradesh with its trees, birds and animals. The subdued colors create a soothing effect upon an already elegant saree.