Autobiography

आजिवरी तुम्हां आम्हां नेणपण । कौतुकें खेळणें संग होता ॥१॥

Until now we shared the innocence of childhood, playing together in idle sport. But now something beyond all virtue has …

सासुरियां वीट आला भरतारा । इकडे माहेरा स्वभावें चि ॥१॥

My husband's family grew tired of me, and my own family naturally did the same. No one will hold my hand or take my side…

न बोलतां तुम्हां कळों न ये गुज । म्हणउनी लाज सांडियेली ॥१॥

Unless I speak, you cannot know the secret; that is why I have cast aside all shame. Now I fold my hands before you: let…

आम्ही सदैव सुडके । जवळीं येतां चोर धाके ॥ जाऊं पुडी भिकें । कुतरीं घर राखती ॥१॥

We are poor folk, always in rags; thieves take fright at our empty doorstep. We go out begging while the dogs guard the …

माझी पाठ करा कवी । उट लावी दारोदार ॥१॥

Some poets memorize my verses and peddle them door to door as their own. But when a true connoisseur appears, the preten…

काय दिनकरा । केला कोंबड्यानें खरा ॥१॥

Does the rooster make the sun rise? Why then, O God, do you place the burden of sainthood upon my head? If servants coul…

कपट कांहीं एक । नेणें भुलवायाचें लोक ॥१॥

I know no deceit or trickery to delude people. I simply perform your kirtan and sing your excellent qualities. I cannot …

उजळावया आलों वाटा । खरा खोटा निवाड ॥१॥

I have come to illumine the path and distinguish the true from the false. I speak only the words I am made to speak, for…

बरा कुणबी केलों । नाहीं तरि दंभेंचि असतों मेलों ॥१॥

It is good that I was made a simple farmer, otherwise I would have died of pride. You have done well, O God; Tuka dances…

बरवें बरवें केलें विठोबा बरवें । पाहोनि आंत क्षमा अंगी कांटीवरी मारविलें ॥१॥

Well done, well done, Vitthoba, you have done well. Seeing the patience within me, you had me beaten on thorns. Abuses a…

सद्गुारायें कृपा मज केली । परी नाहीं घडली सेवा कांहीं ॥१॥

The Sadguru showed me grace, though I had done no service to deserve it. He caught hold of me on the road as I was going…

आम्ही जालों गांवगुंड । अवघ्या पुंड भूतांसी ॥१॥

I have become the village rogue, a bully to all the spirits and ghosts. Whatever second player comes along, I alone spea…

आणिकां उपदेशूं नेणें नाचों आपण । मुंढा वांयां मारगेली वांयां हांसे जन ॥१॥

I do not know how to preach to others; I simply dance for myself. The shaven-headed one may wander in vain, and the peop…

जातो वाराणसी । निरवी गाई घोडे म्हैसी ॥१॥

I am going to Varanasi; settle the matter of the cows, horses, and buffaloes. Trust me truly when I say that once I have…

कास घालोनी बळकट । झालों कळिकाळासी नीट । केली पायवाट । भवसिंधूवरूनि ॥१॥

Girding my loins firmly, I have confronted Death himself and paved a path across the ocean of worldly existence. Come, c…

आम्ही वैकुंठवासी । आलों या चि कारणासी । बोलिले जे ॠषी । साच भावें वर्ताव्या ॥१॥

We are dwellers of Vaikuntha, come here for this very purpose: to live truly by the words the sages have spoken. We swee…

मजसवें नको चेष्टा । नव्हे साळी कांहीं कोष्टा ॥१॥

Do not try your tricks with me; I am no simple weaver to be fooled. Drop your pretenses and sit down, or go away with yo…

काय खावें आतां कोणीकडे जावें । गांवांत राहावें कोण्या बळें ॥1॥

What shall I eat now, where shall I go? By what strength shall I remain in this village? The village headman is angry, a…

नव्हे शब्द एक देशी । सांडी गवशी कोणाला ॥1॥

These words are not confined to one place; they do not abandon anyone. My voice has become all-pervading, filling the un…

सकिळकांच्या पायां माझी विनवणी । मस्तक चरणीं ठेवीतसें ॥1॥

I place my humble plea at the feet of all. I bow my head to everyone's feet. O listeners, speakers, all people, examine …

धन्य देहूं गांव पुण्य भूमि ठाव । तेथें नांदे देव पांडुरंग ॥1॥

Blessed is the village of Dehu, that holy land, that sacred ground where Panduranga Himself dwells. Blessed are those wh…

नाहीं आह्मी विष्णुदास । करीत आस कोणांची ॥1॥

We are servants of Vishnu; we do not depend upon anyone. Why then do these wicked people always slander us? Let us dwell…

पाखांडएांनीं पाठी पुरविला दुमाला । तेथें मी विठ्ठला काय बोलों ॥1॥

The hypocrites have spread their influence behind my back. What shall I say about that, O Vitthal? One who eats onions p…

आह्मां हें कवतुक जगा द्यावी नीत । करावे फजित चुकती ते ॥1॥

For us this is sport; to the world we give its proper teaching. Those who stumble are corrected. What harm can come from…

दिनरजनीं हा चि धंदा । गोविंदाचे पवाडे ॥1॥

Day and night, this is my only occupation: singing the glories of Govinda. This body has been pledged to God; all my lon…

आपुल्या विचार करीन जीवाशीं । काय या जनाशीं चाड मज ॥1॥

I will reason with my own soul. What concern of mine are these people? Everyone knows their own welfare; to restrain the…

संतांचीं उच्छिष्टें बोलतों उत्तरें । काय म्यां गव्हारें जाणावें हें ॥1॥

I speak only the leftovers of the saints; what should a fool like me know on my own? I cannot even pronounce the Name of…

चंदनाच्या वासें धरितील नाक । नावडे कनक न घडे हें ॥1॥

If someone covers their nose at the fragrance of sandalwood, that does not diminish the gold of its worth. The sweetness…

उपकारासाटीं बोलों हे उपाय । येणेंविण काय आह्मां चाड ॥1॥

It is for the sake of helping others that I speak these remedies. Beyond this, I have no other interest. I cannot bear t…

यातिहीन मज काय तो अभिमान । मानी तुज जन नारायणा ॥1॥

I am of low caste. What pride can I have? It is You the people honor, O Narayana. What joy or sorrow is there for me in …

क्या गाऊं कोइऩ सुननवाला । देखें तों सब जग ही भुला ॥1॥

What shall I sing? There is no one to listen. I see the whole world lost in delusion. I play with Rama on my own and spe…

याती मतिहीन रूपें लीन दीन । आणीक अवगुण जाणोनियां ॥1॥

Knowing me to be of low birth, dull of wit, plain of appearance, and full of every other fault, Vitthal still accepted m…

जग तरि आह्मां देव । परि हे निंदितों स्वभाव ॥1॥

Though the world appears godly to us, we still criticize its ways. A passionate concern for everyone's welfare arises wi…

वदे साक्षत्वेंसीं वाणी । नारायणीं मििश्रत ॥1॥

My speech flows bearing witness, intertwined with Narayana. I need not grope in the dark; I go sowing seeds of devotion.…

लोहागांवीं स्वामींच्या अंगावर ऊन पाणी घातलें - तो अभंग ॥1॥

This abhanga was composed when hot water was poured over the Swami at Lohagaon. My body is burning, caught in a wildfire…

नामदेवें केलें स्वप्नामाजी जागें । सवें पांडुरंगें येऊनियां ॥1॥

Namdev awakened me within a dream, and Panduranga came along with him. They told me to compose poetry and not to speak i…

द्याल ठाव तरि राहेन संगती । संतांचे पंगती पायांपाशीं ॥1॥

If you will give me a place, I shall remain in the company of the saints, at the feet of their assembly. I have come, dr…

याति शूद्र वैश केला वेवसाव । आदि तो हा देव कुळपूज्य ॥1॥

I am a Shudra by caste; trade was my family's occupation. Our ancestral deity has been God from the very beginning. It i…

ऐका वचन हें संत । मी तों आगळा पतित । काय काजें प्रीत । करीतसां आदरें ॥1॥

Listen to this, O saints. I am the worst of sinners. Why do you honor me with such affection? My own conscience bears wi…

बरें जालें देवा निघालें दिवाळें । बरी या दुष्काळें पीडा केली ॥1॥

It was good, O God, that I went bankrupt. It was good that the famine afflicted me. Through remorse, your remembrance to…

आह्मी क्षेत्रींचे संन्यासी । देहभरित हृषीकेशी । नाहीं केली ऐशी । आशाकामबोहरी ॥1॥

I am a sannyasi of the field, my body filled with the Lord of the senses. I have not made such a thorough renunciation o…

असें येथींचिया दिनें । भाग्यहीन सकळां ॥1॥

I am poor and unfortunate by the standards of this world. My only capital is the Name clasped to my throat. Beyond that,…

नव्हें हें गुरुत्व मेघवृिष्ट वाणी । ऐकावी कानीं संतजनीं ॥1॥

This is not the ego of a teacher; my words fall like rain, to be heard by the saints. I have offered this body as a gift…

आपुल्या माहेरा जाइऩन मी आतां । निरोप या संतां हातीं आला ॥1॥

I shall now go to my true home; the message has arrived through the hands of the saints. They heard my joys and sorrows,…

चिन्हें उमटताती अंगीं । शकुना जोगीं उत्तम ॥1॥

Auspicious signs are appearing on my body, omens of the highest kind. I am remembering my mother and father; I wonder if…

पैल आले हरि । शंख चक्र शोभे करीं ॥1॥

Look, Hari approaches. The conch and disc shine in his hands. Garuda comes with a great rush of wings, calling out, 'Fea…

शंखचक्रगदापद्म । पैल आला पुरुषोत्तम ॥1॥

With conch, disc, mace, and lotus, the Supreme Person has arrived. 'Fear not, fear not, O king of devotees; I have come …

पैल दिसतील भार । दिंडी पताका अपार ॥1॥

Look, the processions appear in the distance: palanquins and banners beyond number. The king of Pandhari has come; his s…

चला जाऊं रे सामोरे । पुढें भेटों विठ्ठल धुरे ॥1॥

Come, let us go forward to greet him. Let us meet Vitthal at the head of the procession. Says Tuka, my heart is overcome…

अवघियांच्या आलों मुळें । एका वेळे न्यावया ॥1॥

We have come for the sake of all, to carry them away at once. Be ready, be ready; I tell you in advance. As long as the …

सकळ ही माझी बोळवण करा । परतोनि घरा जावें तुह्मीं ॥1॥

All of you, bid me farewell now; return to your homes. May virtue and right conduct bring you well-being; accept my word…

बोलिलों तें आतां पाळावें वचन । ऐसें पुण्य कोण माझे गांठी ॥1॥

The words I have spoken must now be honored. What merit in my store could equal such grace? I take your leave now, O Lor…

आह्मी जातों तुह्मी कृपा असों द्यावी । सकळा सांगावी विनंती माझी ॥1॥

I am going now; may your grace remain with all. Please convey my humble request to everyone. It is the hour of departure…

तुका उतरला तुकीं । नवल जालें तिहीं लोकीं ॥1॥

Tuka dissolved into the essence of Tuka, and wonder spread through all three worlds. My daily practice is kirtan; that a…

वाराणसीपयपत असों सुखरूप । सांगावा निरोप संतांसी हा ॥1॥

From the holy site of Varanasi, may all be well. Carry this farewell message to the saints. From here I must proceed to …

द्वितीया सोमवासरीं प्रथमप्रहरीं तुकोबा गुप्त जाले ॥1॥

On the second day of the dark half of Phalguna, in the first watch, on a Monday, in the Virodhi year of Shake 1571, Tuko…

मायबाप करिती चिंता । पोर नाइके सांगतां ॥1॥

The parents worry and try to advise, but the child will not listen to a word they say. Do not go to the temple, they war…

बोलविसी माझें मुख । परी या जना वाटे दुःख ॥1॥

You make my mouth speak, but the world finds pain in what it hears. Each person resents the medicine that touches their …

बोलविले जेणें । तो चि याचें गुहए जाणे ॥1॥

The one who makes me speak is the only one who knows the secret of these words. I am merely the laborer; I must beg humb…

कां हो तुह्मी माझी वदविली वाणी । नेदा हे निवडूनि पांडुरंगा ॥1॥

Why, O Panduranga, have You set my tongue in motion and yet will not let me sort out the meaning? Whom else shall I cons…

नेणें अर्थ कांहीं नव्हती माझे बोल । विनवितों कोपाल संत झणी ॥1॥

I know nothing of meaning; these words are not my own. I pray the saints will not be angered. These are not my words; it…

गुरुकृपे मज बोलविलें देवें । होइऩल हें घ्यावें हित कांहीं ॥1॥

By the Guru's grace, God has moved me to speak; may some good come of it for you. God has truly accepted me; there is no…

बोलिलों जैसें बोलविलें देवें । माझें तुम्हां ठावें जातिकुळ ॥1॥

I have spoken as God moved me to speak; you know my caste and lineage. Forgive me; do not hold anger in your hearts. Sai…

नव जातां घरा । आह्मी कोणाच्या दातारा ॥1॥

We do not go to anyone's door, O Generous Lord. Then why do these thorny people come to harass us? We do not eat or touc…

मोहरोनी चित्ता । आणूं हळूं चि वरि हिता ॥1॥

Slowly winning the mind's trust, I try to draw it toward what is good. But then obstacles arise; the pandits find fault …

धर्माचे पाळण । करणें पाषांड खंडण ॥1॥

To protect dharma and to destroy hypocrisy: this is our appointed task. The work given to us is to nurture and spread th…

नका धरूं कोणी । राग वचनाचा मनीं ॥1॥

Let no one hold anger in the heart at these words. The good of many is at stake here; keep your mind pure and clear. I h…

आरुश माझी वाणी बोबडीं उत्तरें । केली ते लेकुरें सलगी पायीं ॥1॥

My speech is rough, my words stammering; like a child, I have taken liberties at Your feet. O saints, O mother and fathe…

प्रायिश्चत्तें देतो तुका । जातो लोकां सकळां ॥1॥

Tuka offers atonement to all people. Those who hold it in their hearts will be saved; the rest will go to waste. He give…

केल्यापुरती आळी । कांहीं होते टाळाटाळी ॥1॥

The excuses served their purpose for a while; there was some delay and avoidance. But when the fruit of a true resolutio…

आतां नेम जाला । या च कळसीं विठ्ठला ॥1॥

Now the vow is made, O Vitthal, and this is its culmination. I will not take up the pen again; what use is this chaff of…

थोर अन्याय केला तुझा अंत म्यां पाहिला । जनाचिया बोलासाटीं चित्त क्षोभविलें ॥1॥

I committed a great wrong against You by testing Your limits. For the sake of people's talk, I disturbed my own mind. I …

तूं कृपाळू माउली आह्मां दीनांची साउली । न संरित आली बाळवेशें जवळी ॥1॥

You are a compassionate Mother, a sheltering shade for the wretched like us. Unreserved, You came to me in the guise of …

कापो कोणी माझी मान सुखें पीडोत दुर्जन । तुज होय सीण तें मी न करीं सर्वथा ॥1॥

Let anyone cut my throat; let the wicked torment me freely. But I will never do what causes You pain, not under any circ…

काय जाणें मी पामर पांडुरंगा तुझा पार । धरिलिया धीर काय एक न करिसी ॥1॥

What do I, a wretch, know of Your depths, O Panduranga? When You hold firm, there is nothing You cannot accomplish. I wa…

नव्हती आली सीसा सुरी अथवा घाय पाठीवरी । तो म्यां केला हरी एवढा तुह्मां आकांत ॥1॥

No blade came to my throat, nor blows upon my back, yet I caused You, O Hari, this much anguish. You divided Your care b…

मागें बहुतां जन्मीं हें चि करित आलों आह्मी । भवतापश्रमी दुःखें पीडिलीं निववूं त्…

Through many past births, this is what we have been doing. We cool those who are scorched by the heat of worldly sufferi…

काय Yाानेश्वरीं उणें । तिंहीं पाठविलें धरणें ॥1॥

Was something lacking in Dnyaneshwar that he sent a petitioner to our door? Having heard it written, this matter has bee…

माझ्या बापें मज दिधलें भातुकें । ह्मणोनि कवतुकें क्रीडा करीं ॥1॥

My Father has given me a toy; with delight I play with it. I made my demands, I spoke my words, and from that, supreme k…

बोलिलीं लेकुरें । वेडीं वांकुडीं उत्तरें ॥1॥

Like a child, I have spoken crooked and stammering words. Forgive my transgressions, O great lords, you who are perfecte…

तुह्मी येथें पाठविला धरणेकरी । त्याची जाली परी आइका ते ॥1॥

You sent a petitioner here; hear what became of him. Now, without expanding the story further, hear the outcome. As was …

गोदे कांठीं होता आड । करूनि कोड कवतुकें॥1॥

By the bank of the Godavari there was a well, dug as a playful labor of love. Those with discerning eyes gathered and ch…

निष्ठ‍ मी जालों अतिवादागुणें । हें कां नारायणें नेणिजेल ॥1॥

I have become hard through excessive quarreling. Can this be unknown to You, O Narayana? You abandoned all arrangements …

बोलावे ह्मुण हे बोलतों उपाय । प्रवाहें हें जाय गंगाजळ ॥1॥

I speak these remedies because they must be spoken; these waters flow onward like the Ganga. By good fortune, some may p…

नव्हती माझे बोल जाणां हा निर्धार । मी आहें मजूर विठोबाचा ॥1॥

These are not my own words; know this for certain. I am but a laborer of Vithoba. The compassionate One has released the…

नसता चि दाउनि भेव । केला जीव हिंपुटी ॥1॥

By showing a fear that did not exist, my life was made wretched. When the truth was revealed, people saw the alarm had b…

तरी हांव केली अमुपा व्यापारें । व्हावें एकसरें धनवंत ॥1॥

I undertook this immeasurable enterprise with the ambition to become wealthy all at once. I became a servant of Hari wit…

शिकवूनि बोल । केलें कवतुक नवल ॥1॥

He taught me what to say and created this wonderful spectacle. My father Vitthal has delighted Himself through me. He pl…

शूद्रवंशी जन्मलों । ह्मणोनि दंभें मोकलिलों ॥1॥

I was born in a lowly caste, and so I was abandoned to my own pretensions. But now You alone are my everything, O Lord o…

नेणें काुंफ्कों कान । नाहीं एकांतींचें Yाान ॥1॥

I do not know how to close my ears to the world; I have no knowledge born of solitude. O saints, please hear my humble a…

तोंवरि तोंवरि शोभतील गारा । जंव नाहीं हिरा प्रकाशला ॥1॥

Pebbles appear splendid only until the diamond has not begun to shine. Lamps seem radiant only until the sun has not ris…

तुका वेडा अविचार । करी बडबड फार ॥1॥

Tuka is a madman of indiscretion, babbling on and on. This is the one constant refrain upon his tongue: Rama, Krishna, H…

आतां माझे नका वाणूं गुण दोष । करितों उपदेश याचा कांहीं ॥1॥

Now, do not enumerate my virtues and faults, nor say I am giving sermons to anyone. I swear by the feet of Vithoba: I do…

2872. परतें मी आहें सहज चि दुरी । वेगळें भिकारी नामरूपा ॥1॥

I stand apart by nature, inherently distant, separate from name and form, a beggar. You need not feel offended or hold b…

चिंतामणिदेवा गणपतीसी आणा । करवावें भोजना दुजे पात्रीं ॥1॥

Bring Lord Ganapati of Chintamani to dine at a second plate. The gods said, 'O Tuka, from where did such boldness come? …

आपुलिया काजा । आह्मीं सांडियेलें लाजा ॥1॥

For my own sake, I have cast aside all shame. I remain only to keep you awake to your own welfare. You are oblivious to …

सत्य आह्मां मनीं । नव्हों गाबाळाचे धनी ॥1॥

We hold truth in our hearts; we are not masters of rubbish. Let everyone know this and fill the mint with pure, unadulte…

भूतीं देव ह्मणोनि भेटतों या जना । नाहीं हे भावना नरनारी ॥1॥

Seeing God in all beings, I greet every person I meet; I make no distinction of man or woman. Panduranga knows the devot…

हितावरी यावें । कोणी बोलिलों या भावें ॥1॥

Let someone come to benefit from these words; that is the spirit in which I have spoken. These are not casual remarks ma…

इहलोकीं आह्मां भूषण अवकळा । भोपळा वाकळा आणि भिक्षा ॥1॥

In this world, shabbiness is our ornament: a gourd, a coarse blanket, and begging for alms. This is a wealth free of car…