Social criticism, license called freedom
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
ग्रंथाचे अर्थ नेणती हे खळ । बहु अनर्गळ जाले विषयीं ॥1॥
नाहीं भेदू ह्मुण भलतें चि आचरे । मोकळा विचरे मनासवें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे विषा नांव तें अमृत । पापपुण्या भीत नाहीं नष्ट ॥3॥
विश्वास तो करी स्वामीवरी सत्ता । सकळ भोगिता होय त्याचें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे चित्त करावें निर्मळ । येऊनि गोपाळ राहे तेथें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
These wicked ones do not understand the meaning of the scriptures; they have become utterly unrestrained in sensual pursuits. Claiming there is no distinction, they do whatever they please, roaming freely with the mind. Says Tuka, they call poison by the name of nectar; the vile one has no fear of sin or merit. One who places faith in the Master gains sovereignty over all; he becomes the enjoyer of everything that is the Master's own. Says Tuka, purify the mind, and Gopala will come and dwell there.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
These wicked ones do not know what the scriptures mean; they have run wild in the pleasures of the senses. Saying there is no difference between things, they do whatever they like, roaming loose with the mind. Tuka says: they call poison by the name of nectar; the vile one has no fear of sin or merit. The one who trusts and gives the Master full power gains everything; he comes to enjoy all that is the Master's own. Tuka says: make the mind clean, and Gopala comes and stays there.
What it means
Tukaram attacks a misuse of high teaching: people who twist the scripture's word that all is one into a license to do as they please. They are unrestrained in sense-pleasure, claim there is no distinction, and so feel free to act however the mind wanders, calling poison nectar and losing all fear of right and wrong. The criticism is aimed at the self-deceiving pattern, the way lofty words get bent to excuse appetite, not at any single person. Against this he sets the true way, that one who hands real authority over to God gains everything that is God's, and that a mind made clean is the room where Gopala will come and live.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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