Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
जातीचें तें चढे प्रेम । पक्षी स्मरे राम राम ॥1॥
ते काय गुण लागती येरां । कागा पिंजरा शोभेना ॥ध्रु.॥
शिकविलें तें सुजात सोसी । मग तयासी मोल चढे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे वेषधारी ॥ हिजडएा नारी नव्हती ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Innate love rises according to one's nature; a bird remembers Ram, Ram on its own. Such qualities do not attach to lesser creatures; a crow in a cage does not become beautiful. A well-born creature endures training gladly, and its value only rises. Says Tuka, a eunuch wearing woman's dress does not become a woman.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
More in this theme →