Post by subi24 on Nov 3, 2012 22:32:33 GMT 5.5
Abhangs are a sublime form of Indian music whose origin can be traced to the great saints from Maharashtra. The word Abhang itself is derived from the Sanskrit root bhang - to split, hinder or obstruct, and A-bhang, the opposite of bhang means no hindrance. It literally means into "that which goes without any hindrance." Truly, the abhangs are so composed that there is no stopping between the verses. Abhangs are sung in melodious lyrics with a smooth unbroken flow.
Having grown up in a Pune suburb – very close to Dehu village, the birth place of Sant Tukaram – I have a special fascination for Abhangs composed by Tukaram. One of Sant Tukaram’s melodious abhangs starting with the words “Sundar Te Dhayana” is a beautiful hymn in praise of Lord Panduranga Vittala of Pandharpur in Maharashtra. I am blessed to share with you the lyrics of this abhang and its meaning to the best of my ability in English. I welcome readers to share with us more such abhangs.
Having grown up in a Pune suburb – very close to Dehu village, the birth place of Sant Tukaram – I have a special fascination for Abhangs composed by Tukaram. One of Sant Tukaram’s melodious abhangs starting with the words “Sundar Te Dhayana” is a beautiful hymn in praise of Lord Panduranga Vittala of Pandharpur in Maharashtra. I am blessed to share with you the lyrics of this abhang and its meaning to the best of my ability in English. I welcome readers to share with us more such abhangs.
Sunder te dhyAn ubhe vitewari
kare katAwari thehuniya …………………………..1
Tulasi hAr gala kAnse pitamber
aawde nirantar techi roop…………………………..2
Makar kundale talapati shrwani
kanti koustubhmani virajati……………………….3
TukA mahne mAze hechi sarva sukha
pAhin shrimukh aawadine………………………….4
kare katAwari thehuniya …………………………..1
Tulasi hAr gala kAnse pitamber
aawde nirantar techi roop…………………………..2
Makar kundale talapati shrwani
kanti koustubhmani virajati……………………….3
TukA mahne mAze hechi sarva sukha
pAhin shrimukh aawadine………………………….4
Roughly translated, each verse in this abhang means as follows:
Beautiful, is the object of my meditation; standing on a brick, with arms akimbo (hands on hips and elbows bent outward) ………… (1)
A garland of "tulasi" leaves adorns his neck; yellow silk draped around His waist. I adore His form, always………………………………………. (2)
Crocodile shaped ornaments, shine brilliantly on His ears; a shiny pearl “Kaustubha" adorns His necklace ……………………………………. (3)
Tuka says, this is my entire happiness; I see His glorious face with enthusiasm ………………………………………………………………………… (4)
Beautiful, is the object of my meditation; standing on a brick, with arms akimbo (hands on hips and elbows bent outward) ………… (1)
A garland of "tulasi" leaves adorns his neck; yellow silk draped around His waist. I adore His form, always………………………………………. (2)
Crocodile shaped ornaments, shine brilliantly on His ears; a shiny pearl “Kaustubha" adorns His necklace ……………………………………. (3)
Tuka says, this is my entire happiness; I see His glorious face with enthusiasm ………………………………………………………………………… (4)