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vitthalpandurangaabhangmarathi

Hechi Dan Dega Deva

हेचि दान देगा देवा

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 Daily, morning or evening; during bhajan, kirtan and satsang·📜 Tukaram Gatha (Marathi abhang tradition of the Varkari sampradaya)

Also known as: hechi dan dega deva · heche dan dega deva · tukaram abhang hechi dan · santsang dei sada · हेचि दान देगा देवा

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Meaning

Hechi Dan Dega Deva is one of Sant Tukaram's most loved abhangs, a short prayer of pure, desireless devotion to Vitthal (Panduranga). Tukaram asks for one gift alone — never to forget the Lord — refusing even liberation and wealth, and begging instead only for the constant company of saints (satsang). He famously declares that he would gladly accept rebirth itself, if only it keeps him singing the Lord's glory.

Origin & Story

Tukaram Gatha (Marathi abhang tradition of the Varkari sampradaya) · Sant Tukaram · 17th century CE

Among the thousands of abhangs of Sant Tukaram of Dehu, 'Hechi Dan Dega Deva' stands out as a jewel of selfless devotion. Refusing both liberation and riches, the saint asks his Lord Vitthal for a single boon — that he should never forget Him — and for the unfailing company of saints. His willingness to accept even rebirth, so long as he can go on singing the Lord's praise, has made the abhang a touchstone of the Varkari ideal of love without desire for reward.

As told in scripture

Tradition relates that when Tukaram's abhangs were thrown into the Indrayani river by those who doubted him, he sat in unbroken prayer to Vitthal and after thirteen days the manuscripts rose undamaged from the waters — testimony, devotees say, to a heart that wished for nothing but never to forget the Lord.

Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

हेचि दान देगा देवा तुझा विसर व्हावा

Hechi Dan Dega Deva | Tujha Visar Na Vhava ||

Meaning:Grant me only this gift, O Lord: that I may never forget You.

Verse 2

गुण गाईन आवडी हेचि माझी सर्व जोडी

Gun Gain Aavadi | Hechi Majhi Sarva Jodi ||

Meaning:Let me sing Your glories with love — this alone is all my gain and treasure.

Verse 3

नलगे मुक्ति आणि संपदा संतसंग देई सदा

Nalage Mukti Aani Sampada | Santsang Dei Sada ||

Meaning:I do not ask for liberation or for riches; only give me, always, the company of the saints.

Verse 4

तुका म्हणे गर्भवासी सुखें घालावें आम्हांसी

Tuka Mhane Garbhavasi | Sukhe Ghalave Aamhansi ||

Meaning:Tuka says: even if I must dwell again in the womb (be reborn), place me there gladly — so long as I do not lose Your remembrance.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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हेचि दान🔊Hechi DanThis very gift / this alone as a boon
देगा देवा🔊Dega DevaGrant (me), O Lord
तुझा विसर🔊Tujha VisarForgetfulness of You
न व्हावा🔊Na VhavaMay it never happen (let me never forget You)
गुण गाईन🔊Gun GainI shall sing (Your) virtues / glories
आवडी🔊AavadiWith love and delight
हेचि माझी सर्व जोडी🔊Hechi Majhi Sarva JodiThis alone is all my gain / earning / treasure
नलगे🔊NalageI do not want / I have no need of
मुक्ति आणि संपदा🔊Mukti Aani SampadaLiberation and wealth (worldly prosperity)
संतसंग🔊SantsangThe company of saints (holy fellowship)
देई सदा🔊Dei SadaGive (me) always / forever
तुका म्हणे🔊Tuka MhaneTuka (Sant Tukaram) says
गर्भवासी🔊GarbhavasiDwelling in the womb (i.e. (re)birth, embodied existence)
सुखें घालावें आम्हांसी🔊Sukhe Ghalave AamhansiPlace us (in it) happily / gladly (if it keeps us near You)

Benefits of Chanting Hechi Dan Dega Deva

Cultivates pure, desireless devotion that seeks only the Lord's remembrance

Teaches the supreme value of satsang (the company of saints) above mukti and wealth

A short, profound prayer easily memorised and recited daily

Steadies the mind against forgetfulness of the Divine amid worldly life

Inspires contentment and detachment from worldly gain

Beloved in Varkari bhajan and sung across Maharashtra in devotion to Vitthal

How to Chant Hechi Dan Dega Deva

Repetitions1times
Best TimeDaily, morning or evening; during bhajan, kirtan and satsang

Recite or sing this brief abhang slowly, dwelling on its single prayer — never to forget the Lord. It is sung in Varkari bhajan and is a fitting daily prayer for anyone seeking devotion. Reflect on each line, especially the request for satsang in place of liberation or wealth, and let the abhang quiet the heart into loving remembrance of Vitthal.

Frequently Asked Questions

It means 'Grant me only this gift, O Lord'. The 'one gift' Tukaram asks for is that he may never forget the Lord — a prayer for unbroken remembrance and devotion rather than any worldly or even spiritual reward.
It was composed by Sant Tukaram (17th century), the Varkari poet-saint of Dehu, whose signature 'Tuka Mhane' (Tuka says) closes the abhang. It is part of his vast collection of devotional abhangs to Vitthal.
For the devotee of the Varkari path, loving remembrance of the Lord and the company of saints are sweeter than mukti itself. Tukaram says he would even accept rebirth gladly, if it means he can keep singing the Lord's glory in the company of the holy.
Santsang means the company or fellowship of saints and devotees. Tukaram values it above all worldly prosperity and even liberation, because in the company of the holy the remembrance of God is kept alive and devotion grows.

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