Taatiche Abhang: Abhang 4

 

Taatiche Abhang: Abhang 4

Shorter version

४ – वरी भगवा झाला नामें

वरी भगवा झाला नामें ।

अंतरीं वश्य केला कामें ॥१॥

त्याला म्हणूं नये साधू ।

जगीं विटंबना बाधू ॥२॥

आपआपणा शोधून घ्यावें । 

विवेक नांदे त्याच्या सवें ॥३॥

आशा दंभ अवघें आवरा ।

ताटी उघडा ज्ञानेश्वरा ॥४॥

Many purported saints don saffron robes for namesake. 

But within their hearts they are slaves to desires and greed. 

Such people must not be called saints.

They are a disgrace in this world.

One must search within and find the real self. 

Such person attains to steady wisdom.

Control all false expectations and self deception.

Open the door oh Dnyaaneshwara!

वरी On the surface or outside 

भगवा saffron colored 

झाला became 

नामें  for namesake 

अंतरीं within

वश्य captured, controlled 

केला made

कामें  by desires, greed

त्याला Him

म्हणूं call, refer to 

नये should not

साधू  ascetic, monk

जगीं in the world 

विटंबना disgrace 

बाधू affliction 

आपआपणा by oneself 

शोधून find

घ्यावें make effort 

विवेक wisdom, power of wise discrimination 

नांदे rests

त्याच्या him/ his

सवें with

आशा hopes ( in this context false hopes)

दंभ  hypocrisy, falsehood 

अवघें entirely 

आवरा avoid,clean up, resist, get hold of, eliminate 

ताटी उघडा ज्ञानेश्वरा Open the door O Dnyaaneshwara 

The Taatiche Abhang consist of a balanced recipe for what to do and what not to do when you desire to achieve perfection. 

In the previous abhang Muktabai advised taking care of every person in society irrespective of how they behave and also emphasized on maintaining humility at all times. Egoism is not the only thing however to be wary of. In the present abhang she cautions against some other shortcomings that can throw a seeker of perfection off the path. 

वरी भगवा झाला नामें ।

अंतरीं वश्य केला कामें ॥१॥

It is easy to don saffron robes, smear ash on the forehead, maintain trademark locks of hair, hang rudraksh beads around the neck, give plenty of sermons and pose as a saint. Any amateur actor can do that. It takes much more to achieve genuine sainthood. Sainthood has nothing to do with what you see on the outside and everything to do with what is inside. 

Beware of the characteristics of fake sadhus, Muktabai warns. Observe closely for behavior rather than the garb. Is the person in control of desires, greed, lust, anger, ego? Or have these tendencies enslaved that individual? If the vices control the person sooner or later there will come a downfall and disgrace. Society will condemn such people. Be vigilant and do not trust them to guide you. Do not elevate such people to a pedestal. 

त्याला म्हणूं नये साधू ।

जगीं विटंबना बाधू ॥२॥

Take a hard look within yourself as well. At every juncture ascertain the values that are desirable and those that need to be shedded. Recognize your faults and sincerely work on them. Wisdom is of more importance than knowledge. Accepting your faults is anytime better than pretending to be wise and being in denial about one’s shortcomings.

आपआपणा शोधून घ्यावें । 

विवेक नांदे त्याच्या सवें ॥३॥

Indeed it is a hypocrisy to preach and expect the world to change while you are clueless and careless about your own shortcomings. The young sister is cleverly showing a mirror to her brother here. 

आशा दंभ अवघें आवरा ।

ताटी उघडा ज्ञानेश्वरा ॥४॥

You are set to teach the world a life of spiritual perfection and you are upset with someone over a minor issue and isolating yourself to avoid hurt. Such behavior is not conforming to your beliefs. So shed the attitude, put aside the grievances and come out. 

The line to focus on from this abhang:

आपआपणा शोधून घ्यावें ।