Autobiography, true coin not rubbish
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
सत्य आह्मां मनीं । नव्हों गाबाळाचे धनी ॥1॥
ऐसें जाणा रे सकळ । भरा शुद्ध टांका मळ ॥ध्रु.॥
देतों तीक्ष्ण उत्तरें । पुढें व्हावयासी बरें ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे बरें घडे । देशोदेशीं चाले कोडें॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
We hold truth in our minds; we are not masters of rubbish. Let everyone know this and fill the mint with pure, unadulterated coin. I give sharp answers so that good may come of it in the future. Says Tuka, when a thing is done well, its fame travels across the land.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
We hold truth in our minds. We are not the masters of rubbish. Let everyone know this: fill the mint with pure, clean coin. I give sharp answers so that good may come of it later. Tuka says: when a thing is done well, its fame travels from land to land.
What it means
Tukaram defends his honesty using the image of a mint. His mind is set on truth alone; he refuses to deal in counterfeit or worthless stuff. He calls everyone to do the same: strike only pure, unalloyed coin, meaning words and devotion with no falseness mixed in. This is why his answers are sharp, even cutting, because the harshness now serves a good that comes later. The closing line is the assurance: what is made honestly does not stay hidden; genuine work carries its own reputation across the land.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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