Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
दुधाळ गाढवी जरी जाली पाहे । पावेल ते काय धेनुसरी ॥1॥
कागाचिया गळा पुष्पाचिया माळा । हंसाची तो कळा काय जाणे ॥ध्रु.॥
मर्कटें अंघोळी लावियेले टिळे । ब्राह्मणाचे लीळे वर्तूं नेणे ॥2॥
जरी तो ब्राह्मण जाला कर्मभ्रष्ट । तुका ह्मणे श्रेष्ठ तिहीं लोकीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Even if a she-donkey began to give milk, would it match the worth of a cow? A garland of flowers around a crow's neck does not give it the grace of a swan. A monkey may bathe and wear a sacred mark, yet it cannot behave as a brahmin does. Says Tuka, even if a brahmin has fallen from his duties, he remains honored in all three worlds.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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