Social criticism, the doctrine-shopper
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कानीं धरी बोल बहुतांचीं मतें । चाट त्यापरतें आणीक नाहीं ॥1॥
पावेल गौरव वोढाळाचे परी । दंड पाठीवरी यमदूतां ॥ध्रु.॥
शब्दज्ञानी एक आपुल्याला मतें । सांगती वेदांत भिन्नभावें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे एक भाव न धरिती । पडिली हे माती त्यांचे तोंडीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
He who lends his ears to every opinion and follows many doctrines is the worst kind of fool. He may win the honor of the brazen, but the rod of Yama's servants awaits his back. Some, relying on mere word-knowledge and their own interpretations, preach Vedanta in contradictory ways. Says Tuka, those who do not hold one single devotion have dirt thrown in their faces.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
He who takes every opinion to heart and follows many doctrines is the worst fool there is. He may win honor from the brazen, but the rod of Yama's servants waits on his back. Some, knowing only words and their own notions, teach Vedanta in contradictory ways. Tuka says: those who do not hold one single devotion get dirt thrown in their mouths.
What it means
Tukaram is attacking the habit of collecting doctrines instead of holding one. The man who lends his ear to every passing opinion looks well-read, but Tukaram calls him the worst kind of fool, because he is rooted in nothing. Such a person may earn applause from the equally shameless, yet the punishment of Yama is still waiting for him. He singles out the word-clever who preach Vedanta from their own scattered notions, contradicting each other. The point is not contempt for the seeker but a warning against the restless mind that prizes variety of opinion over one settled, lived devotion.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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