Moral ideal, finish what you begin
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
दावूनियां बंड । पुरे न करी तें भांड ॥1॥
जळो जळो तैसें जिणें । फटमरे लाजिरवाणें ॥ध्रु.॥
घेतलें तें सोंग । बरवें संपादावें सांग ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे धीरें । देवें नुपेिक्षलें खरें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The one who raises rebellion and yet does not see it through is a mere pretender. Cursed be such a life, deceitful and shameful. Once you have assumed a role, see it through properly and completely. Says Tuka, God does not neglect the one who perseveres with patience.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The one who starts a revolt and does not carry it through is just a pretender. Cursed, cursed be such a life, deceitful and shameful. Once you have taken up a role, see it through well and to the end. Tuka says: God never neglects the one who holds on with patience.
What it means
Tukaram lays down a plain ideal of integrity. The man who raises a banner and then fails to follow through is exposed as a fraud, and Tukaram pours scorn on a life lived that way, half-hearted and false. The standard he sets is simple: whatever role you have taken on, carry it out fully and well rather than abandoning it midway. He frames this as spiritual counsel, not just worldly grit. God does not overlook the one who endures with patience, so steadiness in what you have begun is itself rewarded.
The Moral Ideal
Purity, sincerity, truthfulness, humility, peacefulness, and service.
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