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सुंदर ते ध्यान Meaning — Line by Line

सुंदर ते ध्यान

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of सुंदर ते ध्यान with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

Sundar Te Dhyan Ubhe Vitevari |

सुंदर ते ध्यान उभे विटेवरी कर कटावरी ठेवूनिया

Sundar Te Dhyan Ubhe Vitevari | Kar Katavari Thevuniya ||

Meaningसुंदर है वह ध्यान-योग्य रूप, ईंट पर खड़ा, कमर पर हाथ रखे हुए।

Verse 2#

Tulasihar Gala Kase Pitambar |

तुळसीहार गळां कासे पीतांबर आवडे निरंतर तेंचि ध्यान

Tulasihar Gala Kase Pitambar | Aavade Nirantar Techi Dhyan ||

Meaningगले में तुलसी की माला, कमर पर पीतांबर — वही दर्शन मुझे निरंतर प्रिय है, अनंत काल तक।

Verse 3#

Makarakundale Talapati Shravani |

मकरकुंडले तळपती श्रवणीं कंठीं कौस्तुभमणि विराजित

Makarakundale Talapati Shravani | Kanthi Kaustubhamani Virajit ||

Meaningकानों में मकरकुंडल झिलमिलाते हैं, और वक्ष पर कौस्तुभमणि शोभायमान है।

Verse 4#

Tuka Mhane Majhe Hechi Sarva Sukh |

तुका म्हणे माझे हेंचि सर्व सुख पाहीन श्रीमुख आवडीने

Tuka Mhane Majhe Hechi Sarva Sukh | Paahin Shrimukh Aavadine ||

Meaningतुका कहते हैं — यही मेरा सम्पूर्ण सुख है, कि मैं बार-बार प्रेमपूर्वक उस श्रीमुख के दर्शन करूँ।

Word-by-Word Breakdown

सुंदर ते ध्यान
Sundar Te Dhyan
That beautiful form (worthy of meditation)
उभे विटेवरी
Ubhe Vitevari
Standing upon the brick (the vit at Pandharpur)
कर कटावरी
Kar Katavari
Hands placed upon the waist (the iconic Vitthal posture)
ठेवूनिया
Thevuniya
Having placed / resting
तुळसीहार
Tulasihar
A garland of tulsi (holy basil) leaves
गळां
Gala
Around the neck
कासे पीतांबर
Kase Pitambar
Yellow silk (pitambara) wrapped at the waist
आवडे निरंतर
Aavade Nirantar
Ever-dear, beloved without end
तेंचि ध्यान
Techi Dhyan
That very form, that meditation
मकरकुंडले
Makarakundale
Fish/crocodile-shaped ear-ornaments (makara kundalas)
तळपती श्रवणीं
Talapati Shravani
Glitter and sparkle upon the ears
कंठीं
Kanthi
Upon the throat / chest
कौस्तुभमणि
Kaustubhamani
The Kaustubha jewel (the famous gem worn by Vishnu)
विराजित
Virajit
Shines resplendently
तुका म्हणे
Tuka Mhane
Tuka (Sant Tukaram) says
हेंचि सर्व सुख
Hechi Sarva Sukh
This alone is all my happiness
पाहीन श्रीमुख
Paahin Shrimukh
I shall gaze upon the blessed face
आवडीने
Aavadine
With loving delight

Origin & History

Source: Tukaram Gatha (Marathi abhang tradition of the Varkari sampradaya)

Author: Sant Tukaram

Period: 17th century CE

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Sundar Te Dhyan' mean?
It means 'That beautiful form (worthy of meditation)'. The abhang is a contemplative description of Vitthal standing on the brick at Pandharpur, meant to fix that beautiful image in the devotee's mind.
Who composed 'Sundar Te Dhyan'?
It was composed by Sant Tukaram (17th century), the great Varkari poet-saint of Dehu, whose abhangs to Vitthal (Panduranga) are sung across Maharashtra. The signature line 'Tuka Mhane' (Tuka says) marks it as his.
Why does it describe the Lord's ornaments in detail?
The detailed description of the tulsi garland, yellow silk, makara earrings and Kaustubha jewel is a meditation aid: by dwelling on each beautiful feature, the devotee's wandering mind becomes absorbed in the Lord's form (saguna dhyana).
When is it best sung?
It is sung in daily morning or evening worship, during bhajan and kirtan, on Ekadashi, and especially during the Ashadhi and Kartiki pilgrimages to Pandharpur.

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