Social criticism, the half-hearted devotee
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
कोणा चिंता आड । कोणा लोकलाज नाड ॥1॥
कैंचा राम अभागिया । करी कटकट वांयां ॥ध्रु.॥
स्मरणाचा राग । क्रोधें विटाळलें अंग ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे जडा । काय चाले या दगडा॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
For some, worldly anxiety stands in the way. For others, the fear of public opinion is the obstacle. Where then is Rama for such unfortunate ones? They make a futile fuss for nothing. Their attempt at remembrance is polluted by anger within. Says Tuka, what progress can be made with such dull stones?.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
For one, worry gets in the way. For another, fear of what people will say is the trap. Where is Rama for such unlucky people? They make a useless fuss for nothing. Their remembrance is soured by anger; the body is defiled with rage. Tuka says: these are dull stones. What can you do with a stone?
What it means
Tukaram looks at people who never reach God and names what stops them. For one it is anxiety about the world; for another it is the fear of public opinion, of how their devotion will look. So their remembrance of Rama is only noise, and worse, it is spoiled from inside by anger, which defiles the very body that should be a temple. He calls them dull stones, not in contempt for the persons but to expose the pattern: a heart hardened by worry, vanity, and rage cannot take the impress of the Name. The question turns back on the listener: examine which of these is blocking your own remembrance.
Worldly Life
The perplexities of action, karma, and navigating life in the world.
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