Social criticism, the hollow preacher
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
परस्त्रीतें ह्मणतां माता । चित्त लाजवितें चित्ता ॥1॥
काय बोलोनियां तोंडें । मनामाजी कानकोंडें ॥ध्रु.॥
धर्मधारिष्टगोष्टी सांगे । उष्टएा हाते नुडवी काग ॥2॥
जें जें कर्म वसे अंगीं । तें तें आठवे प्रसंगीं ॥3॥
बोले तैसा चाले । तुका ह्मणे तो अमोल ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
One speaks of another man's wife as 'mother,' yet the chitta shames itself before the chitta. What is the use of mouthing such words when inwardly one cringes with embarrassment? He preaches virtue and righteousness, then with his leftover hand beckons the crow. Whatever habit lives in the body, it rises to the surface at every occasion. Says Tuka, only the one who walks as he talks is truly priceless.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A man calls another's wife 'mother,' and inside, one mind shames the other. What use are such words from the mouth when the heart cringes in secret? He preaches duty and courage, then with his soiled hand beckons the crow. Whatever habit lives in the body rises up at every chance. Tuka says: only the one who walks as he talks is priceless.
What it means
Tukaram is pointing at the gap between the pious word and the inward truth. A man may name his neighbor's wife 'mother,' but if his own mind is ashamed before itself, the word is empty; the same hand that gestures at virtue still reaches for what is unclean. His point is that conduct will not stay hidden: whatever is actually lodged in a person surfaces when the moment comes. The challenge lands on self-examination, not on a particular target. Only the one whose walk matches his talk is of any worth.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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