Social criticism, counsel wasted on the closed
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
हेंदयाचें भरितां कान । हलवी मान भोंक रितें ॥1॥
नाहीं मी येथें सांगों स्पष्ट । भावें नष्ट घेत नाहीं ॥ध्रु.॥
अवगुणी वाटलें चित्त । तया हित आतळे ना ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे फजितखोरा। ह्मणतां बरा उगा रहा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
When worthless talk is poured into the ears, the head merely nods while the opening remains empty. I cannot speak plainly here, for the wicked will not receive it with sincerity. When the mind has been squandered on bad qualities, good counsel cannot reach it. Says Tuka, to the shameless one, the best advice is simply to remain silent.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Pour worthless talk into his ears and the head just nods while the hole stays empty. I will not speak plainly here, for the wicked do not take it in good faith. When the mind is given over to bad ways, no good can reach it. Tuka says: to the shameless one, the best counsel is just to stay quiet.
What it means
Tukaram is describing the futility of advising someone who has closed himself off. Empty talk goes in and the listener only nods, while nothing actually lands; and good counsel is refused outright by one whose mind is already given over to its faults. He decides not to waste plain speech on the wicked, since it will be met without sincerity. The hard conclusion, that with the shameless silence is the wisest course, is aimed at the pattern of a hardened mind; read inward, it warns us not to become the ear that nods while staying empty.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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