Moral counsel, truth over fame
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
जेणें वाढे अपकीतिन । सर्वाथाअ तें वर्जावें ॥1॥
सत्य रुचे भलेपण । वचन तें जगासी ॥ध्रु.॥
होइजेतें शूर त्यागें । वाउगें तें सारावें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे खोटें वर्म । निंद्यकर्म कािळमा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Whatever increases ill repute should be thoroughly avoided. Truthful speech and goodness are what the world values. One should be valiant through renunciation and set aside all that is worthless. Says Tuka, falsehood is a shameful stain, and sinful action brings only darkness.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Whatever brings you a bad name, give it up entirely. The world values truth and goodness; let your word be that. Be brave through giving up; set aside whatever is useless. Tuka says: a lie is a shameful stain, and a wrong deed leaves only a black mark.
What it means
Tukaram lays out a short rule of conduct, plainly. He tells you to drop anything that earns disgrace, because what truly lasts in the world is truthful speech and goodness. He redefines courage: the brave person is the one who can renounce and let go of what is worthless, not the one who grabs and holds. The closing line names the stakes without softening them. A lie is not a small slip but a stain on you, and a shameful act leaves a lasting black mark on the life that does it.
The Moral Ideal
Purity, sincerity, truthfulness, humility, peacefulness, and service.
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