सुंदर ते ध्यान — Benefits & How to Chant
सुंदर ते ध्यान
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting सुंदर ते ध्यान
Establishes a clear, beautiful mental image of Vitthal for steady meditation (dhyana)
Fills the heart with santosha (contentment), teaching that the Lord's darshan is itself complete happiness
A perfect bhajan to begin or close daily worship in the Varkari tradition
Cultivates one-pointed devotion and turns the restless mind toward the Lord's form
Simple, melodious and easy for the whole family to learn and sing
Especially loved on Ekadashi and during the Pandharpur Wari
How to Chant सुंदर ते ध्यान
Instructions
Sit calmly before an image of Vitthal, close your eyes, and as you sing each line build the picture the abhang describes — the brick, the hands on the waist, the tulsi garland, the earrings, the Kaustubha jewel. Let the song become a guided meditation (dhyana) on the Lord's form, ending by resting the mind on His blessed face. It is often sung together with 'Yei O Vitthala' and the Pandurang aarti.
Spiritual Significance
It is told of Sant Tukaram that his abhangs, once cast into the Indrayani river by those who opposed him, were miraculously restored after thirteen days of his unbroken prayer to Vitthal — a sign, devotees say, that the Lord Himself guarded the songs in which His beautiful form is so lovingly meditated upon.
Origin & History
Source: Tukaram Gatha (Marathi abhang tradition of the Varkari sampradaya)
Author: Sant Tukaram
Sant Tukaram of Dehu poured his devotion to Vitthal into thousands of abhangs collected as the Tukaram Gatha. In 'Sundar Te Dhyan' he lovingly contemplates the standing image of Panduranga at Pandharpur — the form with hands on the waist that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Rather than asking for anything, Tukaram declares that simply beholding the Lord's blessed face (Shrimukh) is the whole of happiness, making the abhang a model of pure, desireless devotion.