Social criticism, the mark of contempt for the wise
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
मायझवा खर गाढवाचें बीज । तें ऐसें सहज कळों येतें ॥1॥
आपमानिलें जेणें श्रेष्ठाचें वचन । ते चि त्याची खुण ओळखावी ॥ध्रु.॥
मद्यपीर पुरा अधम यातीचा । तया उपदेशाचा राग वांयां ॥2॥
तुकयाबंधु ह्मणे पिसाळलें सुनें । आप पर तेणें न विचारावें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The offspring of a donkey is recognized by its nature; it shows itself plainly. One who disrespects the word of the wise: that is the mark by which to know him. For a drunkard of the lowest sort, the teaching of wisdom is wasted. Says Tukya-bandhu, a rabid dog does not distinguish between friend and stranger.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The offspring of a donkey shows its nature on its own; you can tell it easily. The man who insults the word of the wise: that is the very mark by which to know him. For a drunkard of the lowest sort, all good teaching is wasted. Tukya-bandhu says: a rabid dog does not tell friend from stranger.
What it means
The poem says a person's nature gives itself away, just as a donkey's breeding shows plainly. The clearest sign of a coarse nature is contempt for the word of the wise. To one drunk and degraded, instruction lands as nothing; like a rabid dog, such a person can no longer tell who means him well from who does not. The images are sharp, but the point is the pattern: when the heart is intoxicated with itself it cannot receive teaching or recognize a friend. Tukya-bandhu turns the eye toward that closed condition so the listener can check for it within.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
More in this theme →