Longing and Separation

सुखें वोळंब दावी गोहा । माझें दुःख नेणा पाहा ॥१॥

With relish she stages a performance of desperate craving. "Look, no one sees my suffering!" She has driven the poor man…

करावें गोमटें । बाळा माते तें उमटे ॥१॥

A mother wishes to do good for her child, and the child reflects that goodness back. She holds the child dearer than he…

कन्या सासुर्‍यासि जाये । मागें परतोनी पाहे ॥१॥

When the daughter leaves for her husband's home, she keeps turning back to look. My soul feels just the same: when will…

हरिबिन रहियां न जाये जिहिरा । कबकी थाडी देखें राहा ॥१॥

Without Hari, my heart cannot endure; how long must I stand here waiting? O my beloved, what fault have I committed? Why…

मनोजन्य व्यथा वेध जाला अंतरा । लवकरी आणा नंदाचिया कुमरा ॥१॥

The ache born of desire has pierced my innermost being. Bring me the son of Nanda, quickly. O friends, O confidantes, y…

मागें सांडोनि सकळ बोभाट । वंदीं पदांबुजें ठेवुनि ललाट वो ॥१॥

Leaving behind all clamor, bow and place your forehead at his lotus feet. Has anyone news of Govinda? Before, he hid; no…

परपरता तूं पळोनि जासी दुरी । अनावर या लौकिका बाहेरी वो ॥१॥

You keep running further and further away, beyond all worldly restraint. You show so much tenderness, yet how long must …

आलियें धांवति धांवति भेट होइल म्हुण । तंव ते टळली वेळ वो माझा उरला सीण ॥१॥

I came running, hoping to meet him, but the moment passed and only grief remained. How shall I meet Hari now? My life br…

वाट पाहें बाहे निडळीं ठेवुनियां हात । पंढरीचे वाटे दृष्टी लागलें चित्त ॥१॥

I stand watching the road, hand raised to my forehead, my eyes and chitta fixed upon the path to Pandharpur. When will I…

आडकलें देवद्वार । व्यर्थ काय करकर ॥१॥

The temple door is shut; why make a fuss over nothing? Come, let us go home now and not keep this pointless vigil. God h…

भक्तिप्रतिपाळे दीन वो वत्सळे । विठ्ठले कृपाळे होसी माये ॥१॥

O Vitthala, you who cherish devotion, who are tender as a cow to her calf toward the humble and full of mercy, O Mother.…

तुजविण मज कोण वो सोयरें । आणीक दुसरें पांडुरंगे ॥१॥

Who is kin to me besides you, O Panduranga? There is no other. I wait longingly for your presence, counting the days and…

कोण पर्वकाळ पहासील तीथ । होतें माझें चित्त कासावीस ॥१॥

What auspicious occasion are you waiting for, what pilgrimage date? My chitta has been in agony. Send me the gift of you…

कां हो देवा कांहीं न बोला चि गोष्टी । कां मज हिंपुटी करीतसा ॥१॥

Why, O God, do you not speak a single word to me? Why do you treat me with such contempt? My life hangs in my throat as …

उचित तें काय जाणावें दुर्बळें । थोरिवेचें काळें तोंड देवा ॥१॥

What does a poor man know of proper conduct? Greatness has turned its face dark, O God. I call out but no one at the doo…

न लगे हें मज तुझें ब्रम्हज्ञान । गोजिरें सगुण रूप पुरे ॥१॥

I have no need of your knowledge of Brahman; your beautiful form with all its sweetness is enough for me. You are taking…

कां रे माझा तुज न ये कळवळा । असोनि जवळा हृदयस्था ॥१ ॥

Why does my plight not stir compassion in you, when you dwell so close, right within my heart? O Narayana, O Formless an…

नाहीं सुख मज न लगे हा मान । न राहे हें जन काय करूं ॥१॥

I find no pleasure in worldly comforts, I have no use for honor, and people will not leave me alone; what am I to do? Co…

काय म्यां मानावें हरिकथेचें फळ । तरिजे सकळ जनीं ऐसें ॥१॥

What fruit of Hari's story should I believe in, if it is said that all people are thereby saved? For destruction has alr…

न बोलसी तें ही कळलें देवा । लाजसी आपुलिया नांवा। तुज मी नाहीं घालीत गोवा । भीड क…

Even what You do not speak, I understand, O God. You feel shame on account of Your own reputation. I am not putting You…

न पवे सन्निध वाटते चिंता । वरि या बहुतांची सत्ता । नुगवे पडत जातो गुंता । कर्मा …

I feel anxious because You are not near, and on top of that the authority of so many worldly powers presses down. I cann…

कां हो माझा मानियेला भार । ऐसा दिसे फार । अनंत पावविलीं उद्धार । नव्हे चि थार मज…

Why, does my burden seem so heavy to You? Countless others have been delivered before. Am I the one who can never be sav…

मज ते हांसतील संत । जींहीं देखिलेती मूतिऩमंत । ह्मणोनि उद्वेगलें चित्त । आहा च भ…

The saints who have beheld You in visible form will laugh at me. This is why my chitta is troubled; I appear to be a mer…

ऐक पांडुरंगा एक मात । कांहीं बोलणें आहे एकांत । आह्मां जरी तारील संचित । तरी उचि…

Listen, O Panduranga, to one thing. I have something to say in private. If my accumulated merit alone could save me, th…

कइप देखतां होइऩन डोळीं । सकळां भूतीं मूतिऩ सांवळी। जीवा नांव भूमंडळीं । जळीं स्थ…

When will I see with these eyes the dark-hued form in all beings, the one who bears the name "soul" throughout the earth…

आपुलें मागतां । काय नाहीं आह्मां सत्ता ॥1॥

When asking for what is rightfully ours, do we not have the authority? But for the sake of propriety, I have kept my wor…

असो आतां किती । तुज यावें काकुलती ॥1॥

How long must I keep pleading with You in supplication? My fate is strong indeed; perhaps You are helpless before it. I …

वाटुली पाहातां सिणले डोळुले । दाविसी पाउलें कइं वो डोळां ॥1॥

My eyes are weary from watching the road. When will You show Your feet to my gaze? You are the mother, the nurturing sha…

धांव घालीं आइऩ । आतां पाहातेसी काइऩ ॥1॥

Rush to me, O Mother. What are you waiting for? I have no patience left within me; separation has made me utterly wretch…

दर्शनाची आस । आतां ना साहे उदास ॥1॥

The longing for darshan can no longer endure this separation. My soul has already gone to Your feet; only this body rem…

कां हो एथें काळ आला आह्मां आड । तुह्मांपाशीं नाड करावया ॥1॥

Has Death come between us, to work mischief against us? Has some difficulty of understanding arisen? What strange riddle…

काय उणें जालें तुज समर्थासी । ऐसा मजपाशीं कोण दोष ॥1॥

What have You lost, O Capable One? What fault do You find in me, that You will not accept me as Your own? I will take t…

प्रीतिभंग माझा केला पांडुरंगा । भिHरस सांगा कां जी तुह्मीं ॥1॥

You have broken my love, O Panduranga. Why did You reveal the bhakti-rasa, sir? Therefore I keep nothing in reserve. I …

लटिका ऐसा ह्मणतां देव । संदेहसा वाटतसे ॥1॥

When one calls God false like this, it feels like something resembling doubt. Such has come to experience, even to me, …

जैशासाठीं तैसें हावें । हें बरवें कळलेंसे ॥1॥

For whatever purpose, one must become accordingly. This good thing has become known. You are udasina, O Narayana. I too…

बहुतां रीती काकुलती । आलों चित्तीं न धरा च ॥1॥

I have come pleading in many ways; still You do not hold me in Your chitta. Why then, O God, should I nourish this vain…

आश्चर्य तें एक जालें । मना आलें माझिया ॥1॥

One strange thing has come to my mind. I showed compassion to a dead thing, and that compassion went entirely to waste.…

पाठवणें पडणें पायां । उद्धार वांयां काशाचा ॥1॥

Sending messages and falling at feet: what liberation comes of it? All of it is wasted. What truly happens, happens in …

संदेह निरसे तरि रुचिकर । फिक्यासी आदर चवी नाहीं ॥1॥

If doubt is dispelled, then there is relish in it. For what is bland, there is no savour, no esteem. Now do not dupe me…

उगें चि हें मन राहातें निश्चळ । तरि कां तळमळ साट होती ॥1॥

If this mind were to remain still and unmoving, why would torment and restlessness arise as exchange? Who knows what pl…

तुह्मां होइऩल देवा पडिला विसर । आह्मीं तें उत्तर यत्न केलें ॥1॥

Perhaps You have forgotten, O God. We have tried our best with every word. You parade the title Purifier of the Fallen.…

नाहीं उल्लंघिले कोणाचे वचन । मज कां नारायण दुरी जाला ॥1॥

I have not transgressed anyone's word. Why then has Narayana become distant from me? With an undoubting mind I keep cal…

जीव जायवरी सांडी करी माता । हे तों आश्चर्यता बाळकाची ॥1॥

A mother endures to the point of giving up her very life for the sake of her child. Such is the wonder of an infant's po…

ह्मणउनी दास नव्हे ऐसा जालों । अनुभवें बोलों स्वामीपुढें ॥1॥

Therefore I have become like one who is no longer truly a servant. I speak before my Lord from my own experience. Why i…

तुमचा तुह्मीं केला गोवा । आतां चुकवितां देवा ॥1॥

You have entangled Yourself in Your own doing. Now You are trying to escape, O God. How long will this game of teasing …

करिसी कीं न करिसी माझा अंगीकार । हा मज विचार पडिला देवा ॥1॥

Will You accept me or will You not? This question has come to me, O God. Will You show me Your feet or will You not? My…

जीवनावांचूनि तळमळी मासा । प्रकार हा तैसा होतो जीवा ॥1॥

A fish writhes without water. Just so does my jiva feel. Like a man who knows buried treasure lies near but cannot find…

जीव खादला देवत । माझा येणें महाभूतें । झोंबलें निरुतें । कांहीं करितां न सुटे ॥1…

A divine force has devoured my life. This great elemental power has seized me entirely, and no effort can shake it loose…

हिंडवुनि पोट भरी दारोदारीं । कोंडुनि पेटारी असेरया ॥1॥

Like a performing animal led from door to door to fill its keeper's belly, then shut inside a box: just so has been my f…

सुटायाचा कांहीं पाहातों उपाय । तों हे देखें पाय गोवियेले ॥1॥

I was looking for a way to escape, but then I found my feet entangled. Caught in this trap of sorrow, my buddhi and str…

येगा येगा पांडुरंगा । घेइऩ उचलुनि वोसंगा ॥1॥

Come, O Panduranga, come! Take me up in Your arms. Though I belong to You, I appear as a stranger. Untangle this knot …

हरिसुं मिल दे एक हि बेर । पाछे तूं फिर नावे घर ॥1॥

O messenger, let me meet Hari just once; after that you may go home. O mother, listen: the go-between has come to persu…

कब मरूं पाऊं चरन तुम्हारे । ठाकुर मेरे जीवन प्यारे ॥1॥

When shall I die and find Your feet, O my Lord, my dearest life? The death the world weeps over is sweet to me; that de…

पुसावेंसें हें चि वाटे । जें जें भेटे तयासी ॥1॥

I feel the urge to ask everyone I meet: will God show me His grace? Will He guard my honor? All other concerns have bee…

तुजशीं संबंध चि खोटा । परता परता रे थोंटा ॥1॥

This relationship with You is simply false. Keep retreating, again and again, O Incomplete One. What is there to receiv…

या चि हाका तुझे द्वारीं । सदा देखों रिणकरी ॥1॥

At Your door I see only debtors, calling out again and again. You always impose cuts and penalties. O God, what a thoro…

आह्मी जाणों तुझा भाव । दृढ धरियेले पाव ॥1॥

We know Your nature. We have seized Your feet firmly. We will not be shaken loose when You try to slip away; we will no…

रिण वैर हत्या । हें तों न सुटे नेंदितां ॥1॥

Debt, enmity, and bloodshed: these do not end without being discharged. You know this well, O Panduranga; You Yourself …

नाहीं मागितला । तुह्मां मान म्यां विठ्ठला ॥1॥

I never asked You for any honor, O Vitthal. Yet what humiliation You have brought upon me, placing me in the hands of t…

बोलतों निकुरें । नव्हेत सलगीचीं उत्तरें ॥1॥

I speak with bluntness. These are not the easy words of familiarity. My mind is enraged at hearing of the suffering of …

भावबळें कैसा जालासी लाहान । मागें संतीं ध्यान वणिऩयेलें ॥1॥

By the power of devotion, You became small. The saints of old have described Your meditation. Show me that vision now, …

कृपाळु ह्मणोनि बोलती पुराणें । निर्धार वचनें यांचीं मज ॥1॥

The Puranas say You are merciful. Their words are my certainty. I know no other strategy. I simply fall where Your secr…

1242. कइप मात माझे ऐकती कान । बोलतां वचन संतां मुखीं ॥1॥

When will my ears hear the saints speak the word: that Panduranga has accepted me? Only then will my jiva find courage.…

ऐसी वाट पाहे कांहीं निरोप कां मूळ । कंा हे कळवळ तुज उमटे चि ना ॥1॥

I wait like this, watching for some message, some word from You. Does no compassion stir in You at all? O Panduranga, D…

कां गा किविलवाणा केलों दीनाचा दीन । काय तुझी हीन शिH जालीसी दिसे ॥1॥

Why have You made me so wretched, the lowliest of the low? Has Your power itself grown less? Shame comes to my mind whe…

कामें नेलें चित्त नेदी अवलोकुं मुख । बहु वाटे दुःख फुटों पाहे हृदय ॥1॥

Desire has stolen my chitta and will not let me gaze upon Your face. Great sorrow wells up. The heart is ready to burst.…

न संगतां तुह्मां कळों येतें अंतर । विश्वीं विश्वंभर परिहार चि न लगे ॥1॥

Without my telling You, You know my inner state. Before the one who pervades the universe, no defense is needed. Yet th…

बहुक्षीदक्षीण । आलों सोसुनियां वन ॥1॥

I have come exhausted, worn thin through many wastes, having endured the wilderness. O Vithoba, rest, rest. Let me fall…

तुमची तों भेटी नव्हे ऐसी जाली । कोरडी च बोली ब्रह्मYाान ॥1॥

Your meeting, O Lord, has become what is no meeting at all. All talk of Brahman-knowledge is dry words. Now, O God, I f…

पडियेलों वनीं थोर चिंतवनी । उसीर कां आझूनि लावियेला ॥1॥

I have fallen in the forest in great anguish. Why have You delayed so long? Come, O Vitthala, come! My very prana break…

आपुले गांवींचें न देखेसें जालें । परदेसी एकलें किती कंठूं ॥1॥

Nothing of my own homeland can be seen anymore. How long shall I endure this foreign land alone? Therefore I watch the …

पाहातोसी काय । आतां पुढें करीं पाय ॥1॥

What are you gazing at? Now step forward. I stand here with hands folded, waiting to place my head upon Your feet. Set…

नाहीं आलें भिHसुख अनुभवा । तो मी Yाान देवा काय करूं ॥1॥

I have not yet tasted the bliss of devotion in my own experience. Of what use then is mere knowledge, O God? O Lord, do…

मागतां विभाग । कोठें लपाल जी मग ॥1॥

When I come to claim my share, where will You hide? The saints are witnesses to these words; they know the secret signs…

माझी मेलीं बहुवरिं । तूं कां जैसा तैसा हरी ॥1॥

Many of mine have died; yet You, O Hari, remain exactly as You are. Vitthoba, how have You survived? Tell me this. Bef…

ऐसें कां जालें तें मज ही न कळे । कीर्तनाचे रळेपळे जगीं ॥1॥

Why has it come to this? Even I cannot understand it. The sacred art of kirtan has been reduced to brawling squabbles in…

तुह्मी बैसलेती निर्गुणाचे खोळे । आह्मां कां हे डोळे कान दिले ॥1॥

You sit wrapped in your formless state. Then why did you give us eyes and ears? I cannot bear to hear your glory being …

सद्गदित कंठ दाटो । येणें फुटो हृदय ॥1॥

Let my throat choke with feeling; let my heart burst open with this. O Vitthala, let the one gain of contemplating you …

पंढरीची वाट पाहें निरंतर । निडळावरी कर ठेवूनियां ॥1॥

I gaze constantly toward the road to Pandhari, my hand shading my brow. Send word with those going to my natal home: wh…

पाहें मजकडे भरोनियां दृष्टी । बहुत हिंपुष्टी जालों माते ॥1॥

Look at me with your full gaze, O Mother, for I have grown very weak and forlorn. My jiva longs to nurse at your breast.…

तुज ह्मणतील कृपेचा सागर । तरि कां केला धीर पांडुरंगा ॥1॥

They call you an ocean of mercy. Then why have you delayed so long, O Panduranga? Does my suffering still not move you …

आळवीन स्वरें । कैशा मधुरा उत्तरें ॥1॥

I will call out in sweet tones, with tender and beautiful words. Come, O Panduranga, come! Give me the flowing milk of …

सकिळकांचें समाधान । नव्हे देखिल्यावांचून ॥1॥

The satisfaction of all will not come without beholding your form. Show me your form now, adorned with four arms. Come…

आरोनियां पाहे वाट । कटकट सोसेना ॥1॥

I climb up and gaze at the road; I can bear the anguish of waiting no longer. I ask every passerby for news; my chitta i…

कोठे गुंतलासी द्वारकेच्या राया । वेळ कां सखया लावियेला ॥1॥

Where have you become entangled, O King of Dwaraka? Why have you delayed, dear friend? Uphold your own promise as protec…

कोठें गुंतलासी कोणांच्या धांवया । आली देवराया निद्रा तुज ॥1॥

Where are you caught up? Whose calls are you answering? Has sleep overtaken you, O Lord? Are you entangled in the love o…

काय तुझें वेचे मज भेटी देतां । वचन बोलतां एक दोन ॥1॥

What does it cost you to grant me an audience? What expense is there in speaking a word or two? Am I stealing your form,…

अंतरींचें जाणां । तरि कां येऊं दिलें मना ॥1॥

If you knew what was within from the start, why did you let this longing enter my mind? I came to serve you; will you no…

काय करील तें नव्हे विश्वंभर । सेवका दारिद्र लाज नाहीं ॥1॥

What is there that the sustainer of the world cannot do? Is he not ashamed that his own servant suffers in poverty? The …

जाय तिकडे लागे पाठीं । नाहीं तुटी आठवाची ॥1॥

Wherever I go, the memory of Him follows me without a break. He has stolen my mind, which was my only capital. He showe…

वाट पाहें हरि कां नये आझूनि । निष्ठ‍ कां मनीं धरियेलें ॥1॥

I watch the road, but Hari, why have you not come yet? Why have you hardened your resolve against me? My mind finds no p…

नाहीं दिलें कधीं कठिण उत्तर । तरी कां अंतर पडियेलें ॥1॥

I have never spoken a harsh word to you, so why has this distance fallen between us? This separation is unbearable, for …

क्षेम देयाला हो । स्फुरताती दंड बाहो ॥1॥

My arms tremble with eagerness to embrace you. Come quickly now, lift your feet and hasten your steps. Abandon that gra…

जेणें वेळ लागे । ऐसें सांडीं पांडुरंगे ॥1॥

O Panduranga, set aside whatever causes delay. Let throat meet throat, and take my longing into yourself. Do not bother…

करावा कांटाळा नव्हे हें उचित । आधीं च कां प्रीत लावियेली ॥1॥

It is not right for you to grow weary of me, for it was you who first kindled this love. You know the power of your own …

यावें माहेरास । हे च सर्वकाळ आस ॥1॥

My constant longing is to come home to the mother's house. I wish to eat the leftovers of the saints' meal until my bell…

आह्मां गांजी जन । तरि कां मेला नारायण ॥1॥

If the world oppresses us, is Narayana then dead? We have been left orphaned and exposed, without a roof or a shelter. I…

माझिया संचिता । दृढ देखोनि बिळवंता । पळसी पंढरिनाथा । भेणे आतां तयाच्या ॥1॥

Seeing the strength of my accumulated karma, O mighty one, You flee, O Lord of Pandhari, afraid of its force. Now I see …

लोकमान देहसुख । संपित्तउपभोग अनेक । विटंबना दुःख । तुझिये भेटीवांचूनि ॥1॥

Worldly honor, bodily comfort, wealth, and countless pleasures are all torment and misery without meeting You. So grant …

तुझा ह्मणवून तुज नेणें । ऐसें काय माझें जिणें॥1॥

To call myself Yours and yet not know You: what kind of life is this? Then on whose support shall I steady my mind? Have…