Social criticism, the learned fool
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
विचार नाहीं नर खर तो तैसा । वाहे ज्ञान पाठी भार लगड तैसा ॥1॥
वादावाद करणें त्यासी तों च वरी । गुखाडीची चाड सरे तों च बाहेरी ॥ध्रु.॥
सौभाग्यसंपन्न हो कां वृद्ध प्रतिष्ठ । चिकरूनि सांडी पायां लागली ते विष्ठ ॥2॥
नाहीं याति कुळ फांसे ओढी तयासी । तुका ह्मणे काय मुद्रासोंग जािळसी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A man without discernment is no better than a donkey, carrying the load of knowledge on his back like dead weight. One may argue and debate with such a person, but only until the urge to defecate drags him away. Even one blessed with fortune, age, and prestige still clings to the excrement that sticks to the feet. No caste or clan can save such a one; the noose drags him down all the same. Says Tuka, what will you gain by keeping up this pretense of sectarian marks and seals?
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A man with no discernment is just like a donkey, carrying the load of knowledge on his back as dead weight. You can argue and debate with such a one, but only until the urge to relieve himself drags him outside. Even a man rich in fortune, old age, and prestige still clings to the filth stuck to his own feet. No caste, no clan can save him; the noose drags him down all the same. Tuka says: what will you gain by keeping up this costume of marks and seals?
What it means
Tukaram attacks learning without discernment. He compares the undiscerning scholar to a donkey hauling a load it cannot use: knowledge sits on the back as dead weight, never digested. His earthy image deflates pretension, the great debater whose high talk lasts only until the body's plain needs pull him away, and the man of wealth, age, and status who still grasps at filth. He insists that caste and clan are no rescue when the end comes; the noose takes everyone the same. The closing question turns on the reader: the outward marks and seals of piety are a mere costume, so examine whether your own religion is discernment or just display.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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