Social criticism, austerity without God
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
2327. तामसाचीं तपें पापाची सिदोरी । तमोगुणें भरी घातले ते ॥1॥
राज्यमदा आड सुखाची संपित्त । उलंघूनि जाती निरयगांवा॥ध्रु.॥
इंिद्रयें दमिलीं इच्छा जिती जीवीं । नागविती ठावीं नाहीं पुढें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे हरिभजनावांचून । करिती तो सीण पाहों नये ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The austerities of the tamasic are only provisions of sin, filled and loaded by the quality of darkness. The pride of power and the comforts of kingship cause them to overstep all bounds and plunge into hell. Even when the senses are subdued, if desire remains alive within, it deceives them, and no path lies ahead. Says Tuka, what they endure apart from the worship of Hari should not even be looked upon.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The austerities of the dark-natured are only a packed lunch of sin, loaded full by the quality of darkness. The pride of power and the comforts of kingship make them overstep all bounds and fall into hell. Even when the senses are subdued, if desire still lives inside, it robs them, and no path lies ahead. Tuka says: what they suffer apart from the worship of Hari is not worth even looking at.
What it means
Tukaram attacks a religion of effort that is hollow at the center, and the target is the pattern, not any single person. When austerity is done in the grip of tamas, it does not burn sin away but packs it as provisions for the road, and the pride of power and comfort drives such a one past all limits straight toward hell. Even outward control of the senses fails if desire stays alive inside; it quietly robs the practitioner and leaves no way forward. The test he offers is simple and worth turning on oneself: any discipline cut off from the worship of Hari is wasted toil, not worth a glance.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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