51.2: Tukaram’s sickness and letter

14. O listeners, you hearkened with reverence to the beautiful story in the preceding chapter how Tuka with his heart full of love sent a letter (to Vithoba)

15. Taking this letter of twenty-four abhangs, the Warkaris (special pilgrims) at once started on their way to Pandhari. As they marched on their way, waves of delight arose in their hearts and they wagged their heads to the loud clamour of the praise (of God).

16. Thus happy in each other’s company the Vaishnavas arrived at Pandharpur. All others (at Pandharpur) as they saw them bowed prostrate at one and the same time at their feet.

17. They embraced each other and from their eyes flowed tears of joy. They lovingly waved lights over Shripati (Vithoba).

18. Then choirs with banners in their hands came to the bank of the Chandrabhaga and after bathing they performed their daily worship.

19. They visited the tomb of Pundalik, went round the sacred town, and with very many cymbals and drums they danced in full delight. 20, Then the noble Vaishnavas arrived at the chief door of the temple and as they saw before them the eagle platform they prostrated themselves before it.

21. The Vaishnavas began to sing the abhangs in the letter written by Tukaram. Hearing this piteous plea the Husband of Rukmini was overcome with grief.

22. Tuka was not in good health, so the Lord of the heart was uneasy; as is a doe at seeing her young one caught by a hunter in a net;

23. or as a mother feels uneasy when she sees her child suffering from smallpox; similarly, hearing Tuka’s letter, the Life of the world became uneasy.

24. As the water-deities dry up the water the fish struggle; in the same way, hearing the pitiful cry of Tuka, the Recliner on the Serpent Shesha was disturbed;

25. or as a miser is disturbed in mind on learning that his hoard of money is being watched by a thief, so was the Holder of the Sharang [Sharanga] bow (Krishna).

26. Then the Lord of Vaikunth [Vaikuntha] addressed Rukmini thus: ‘I feel anxious about Tuka’s condition, therefore I am overcome with sorrow in my mind; and tears stream from my lotuseyes.

27. All the Warkaris (pilgrims) have come, and Tuka alone is missing from among them,therefore I do not feel at all happy.

28. We might go away from here, were it not that so many people have come; so I ask you as to how we should act.’