Moral ideal, inner and outer as one
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आहांच वाहांच आंत वरी दोन्ही । न लगा गडणी आम्हां तैशा ॥१॥
भेऊं नये तेथें भेडसावूं कोणा । आवरूनि मना बंद द्यावा ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे कांहीं अभ्यासावांचुनी । नव्हे हे करणी भलतीची ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
As one is within, so one should flow outward, both the same. We have no need for false mixing. Where there is nothing to fear, why frighten anyone? Rein in the mind and lock it shut. Tuka says: without practice, this work cannot be done by just anyone.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Let what is inside you and what shows outside be the same, both alike. We have no use for a false blend of the two. Where there is nothing to be afraid of, why go about frightening others? Hold the mind in and keep it shut. Tuka says: without practice, this is not work that just anyone can do.
What it means
Tukaram's standard for an honest life: no gap between the inner state and the outer show. The false mixing he rejects is the hypocrite's, one thing within and another without. He adds a quiet ethic: do not use fear on people when there is nothing to fear; govern your own mind instead. And he ends with realism. This integrity is not a mood you can summon; it takes practice, steady work, and not everyone is willing to do it.
The Moral Ideal
Purity, sincerity, truthfulness, humility, peacefulness, and service.
More in this theme →