Social criticism, premature display
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
व्याल्याविण करी शोभनतांतडी । चार ते गधडी करीतसे ॥१॥
कासया पाल्हाळ आणिकांचे देखी । सांगतां नव्हे सुखी साखरेसि ॥ध्रु.॥
कुंथाच्या ढेकरें न देवेल पुष्टी । रूप दावी कष्टी मळिण वरी ॥२॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Without having delivered, the she-donkey rushes through the naming ceremony. Why all this fuss, looking at what others do? Sugar cannot be made happy by telling it so. A belch from straining gives no nourishment; it only leaves the face looking grimy.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The she-donkey rushes to hold the naming ceremony before she has even given birth. Why all this fuss, just from watching what others do? You cannot make sugar sweet by announcing that it is sweet. A belch forced out by straining brings no real nourishment; it only leaves the face looking grubby.
What it means
A string of mocking images aimed at empty show and premature claiming. Holding the baby's naming feast before the birth, declaring sugar sweet as if the word added anything, forcing a satisfied belch with no meal behind it, each is a picture of pretending to a result you have not actually reached. Tukaram's target is the person who imitates the outward signs of attainment, often just from copying others, while the substance is missing. The real thing announces itself; it does not need to be performed. Forced display only exposes the emptiness it tries to hide.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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