Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
काय सर्प खातो अन्न । काय ध्यान बगाचें ॥1॥
अंतरींची बुिद्ध खोटी । भरलें पोटीं वाइऩट ॥ध्रु.॥
काय उंदीर नाहीं धांवीं । राख लावी गाढव ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे सुसर जळीं । काउळीं कां न न्हाती ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Does a serpent eat grain? Does a crane truly meditate? The inner intention is corrupt; the belly is full of wickedness. Does a mouse not run on the threshing floor? Does a donkey roll in ash for purification? Says Tuka, does a crocodile not live in water? Yet crows never become clean by bathing.
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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