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.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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