Avagha Rang Ek Zala – English Translation and Commentary

For any Abhang or Marathi Spiritual Literature lover “Avagha Rang Ek Zala” by Sant Soyarabai, is not new. But, there are very few places where this abhang is explained in simple words. Here in this blog I will try to put forward translation of Abhang, Avagha Rang Ek Zala in simple Hindi and English with some commentary to make you understand the meaning between the lines and also the context in some cases.

Note:
I am not a native English speaking person so please excuse my linguistic mistakes. I hope I am able to convey the true meaning in the best way possible with expertise of these languages at my disposal.

History of Sant Soyarabai

Avagha Rang Ek Zala, is written by female Warkari sant, Sant Soyarabai. She was wife as well as disciple of another great Warkari sant, Sant Chokhamela. Both Sant Soyarabai and Sant Chokhamela were born in Mahar families (Dalit families). Sant Soyarabai was devoted to her husband and used to call herself Mahari (derived from Mahar) of Sant Chokhamela. Throughout their lives both of them as well as their family suffered immensely due to their low caste. In fact to be honest it pains me to even describe them as low in any sense.

As a humble disciple of Advaita, I honestly feel I should apologise Sant Soyarabai and Sant Chokhamela on behalf of our society, for the sufferings they went through due to casteism.

Abhang

अवघा रंग एक झाला । रंगि रंगला श्रीरंग ॥१॥
मी तूंपण गेले वायां ।पाहतां पंढरीचा राया ॥२॥
नाही भेदाचें तें काम ।पळोनि गेले क्रोध काम ॥३॥
देही असोनि विदेही ।सदा समाधिस्त पाही ॥४॥
पाहते पाहणें गेले दूरी ।म्हणे चोखियाची महारी ॥५॥

Translation and Meaning

अवघा रंग एक झाला । रंगि रंगला श्रीरंग ॥१॥

Translation:
All colours are coming together as one (colour). Colour of Shrirang (Lord Vishnu) is becoming one with this colour.

Commentary:
रंग (Rang / Colour) in Marathi language doesn’t just mean physical colour. In Marathi language रंग also means psychological status, thoughts and internal outlook (basis of existence). Sant Soyarabai, is explaining a condition or state of mind where, she can feel that all her thoughts and existence is becoming one with the supreme Lord Vishnu himself. It also signifies, journey of a devotee from Dvaita to Advaita.

मी तूंपण गेले वायां ।पाहतां पंढरीचा राया ॥२॥

Translation:
All the feelings of I and You are gone (vanished) when I witnessed (saw) the King of Pandharpur Pandurang or Vitthal.

Commentary:
You will find a lot of references to ‘मी तूंपण’ or ‘मीपण’ which literally means belief in I and You. This in other simpler words means believing in difference between existence of You and I as two separate entity. But, as a devotee climbs highs of Advaita, the difference between self and others diminishes. Sant Soyarabai is explaining about her experience of Advaita, when she sees the idol of Lord Pandurang at Pandharpur.

One might think that, what’s so special about seeing the idol of Lord Pandurang? We must understand that, being from a Dalit family Sant Soyarabai and her family were not even allowed to enter the temple. So, you can imagine the emotions of a devotee when he/she is not allowed to visit the most prestigious place for him/her!

नाही भेदाचें तें काम ।पळोनि गेले क्रोध काम ॥३॥

Translation:
There is no place for any kind of discrimination here (in Advaita). All your anger and desires die and go away in this state.

Commentary:
Sant Soyarabai is explaining the basic principle of Advaita here that, there is no place for discrimination here in Advaita. So if you really want to practice Advaita then you must leave this discriminatory thinking about you and me, me and others and me and supreme energy or Paramatma or Parabrahma. Once, you practice these principle, you will see that all kinds of malicious thoughts in your mind will die down. You will be free from क्रोध (Krodha – anger) and काम (Kama – desire).

देही असोनि विदेही ।सदा समाधिस्त पाही ॥४॥

Translation:
The supreme element ie Parabrahma (Param Tattva) even if being part of my body is in a state far away from the body (Nirguna state). I always see it in a state of samadhi (eternal meditation)

Commentary:
This verse addresses or talks about the Parabrahma (Param Tattva) and the way Sant Soyarabai witnesses and experiences it. She says that, this Param Tattva lies in our body but it is beyond bodily existence. It is Nirguna. It knows everything, rather it is the source of all knowledge. Sant Soyarabai is explaining her experience with the Param Tattva where she can always witness it in eternal meditation inside her. So, this nirguna even though exists in all bodies, it still is Nirguna and has its own existence beyond senses and mortal existence.

पाहते पाहणें गेले दूरी ।म्हणे चोखियाची महारी ॥५॥

Translation:
What is there to see and show now? I have left that state behind. So says, the Chokhamela’s Mahari (Sant Soyarabai herself) 

Commentary:
Once you reach a spiritual level where you become embodiment of Advaita, that’s the end point of the journey. That is the completion of the travel from Dvaita to Advaita. So Sant Soyarabai is explaining about her feelings after achieving this hight of spirituality. After reaching this point she feels there is nothing more remaining to see or to show. Which in a way also means, there is nothing more to gain or find, person becomes full of satisfaction and bliss. Also there is nothing more to show since, there is nothing beyond this point. So whatever was there to seek or show is left far behind in this journey. म्हणे चोखियाची महारी literally means ‘says Chokhamela’s Mahari’ ie so says Sant Soyarabai herself!

So, this was the translation and commentary on the Abhang Avagha Rang Ek Zala (अवघा रंग एक झाला) by Sant Soyarabai, in simple English. Please feel free to share if you liked!

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