Renunciation, inward not outward
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
केलें नाहीं मनीं तया घडे त्याग । उबगें उद्वेग नाहीं चित्तीं ॥1॥
देव चि हा जाणे अंतरींचा भाव । मिथ्या तो उपाव बाहए रंग ॥ध्रु.॥
त्यागिल्याचें ध्यान राहिलें अंतरीं । अवघी ते परी विटंबना ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे आपआपण्यां विचारा । कोण हा दुसरा सांगे तुह्मां ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
True renunciation cannot happen until it arises within the mind; it holds no weariness or revulsion of spirit. God alone knows the inner disposition; outward display is a false remedy. If what has been renounced still occupies one's thoughts, then the whole show is only self-torment. Says Tuka, reflect upon this for yourself; who else is there to tell you?.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Renunciation does not happen until it happens in the mind. Then there is no weariness, no disgust in the heart. God alone knows the feeling within. Outward show is a false cure. If what you gave up still lives in your thoughts, the whole thing is only self-torment. Tuka says: think this over for yourself. Who else is there to tell you?
What it means
Tukaram insists that giving up things is worthless unless the mind itself has let go. Real renunciation leaves no inner restlessness behind; if the heart still aches for what the hands released, the renunciation is a performance and only tortures the person. He points to the one witness who cannot be fooled: God, who sees the inner state, not the outward gesture. The close throws the test back on the listener, since no outside judge can settle whether your detachment is real; only honest self-examination can.
Renunciation
The case for letting go of worldly attachments and turning wholly to God.
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