Social criticism, the flatterer of men
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
स्तवूनियां नरा । केला आयुष्याचा मातेरा ॥1॥
नारायणचिया लोपें । घडलीं अवघीं चि पापें ॥ध्रु.॥
जीव ज्याचें दान। त्याचा खंडूनियां मान ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे वाणी । आइके त्या दोष कानीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
By flattering mortals, he has squandered his life. By neglecting Narayana, he has earned nothing but sin. He dishonors the very one who gave him the gift of life. Says Tuka, the tongue that speaks such words pours sin into its own ears.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
By praising mere men, he has wasted his whole life. By neglecting Narayana, he has piled up nothing but sins. He cuts down the honor of the very one who gave him the gift of life. Tuka says: the tongue that speaks like this pours its own sin into its ears.
What it means
Tukaram attacks the habit of flattering powerful men while ignoring God. He says a life spent buttering up mortals is a life thrown away, and that turning your back on Narayana is itself how the sins accumulate. The sharpest line points out the ingratitude: God is the one who gave you the very life you live, and by withholding honor from God to spend it on men, you dishonor your own benefactor. The closing image makes the offense self-poisoning: the praising tongue does not just speak the sin outward, it funnels it straight back into the speaker's own ears. The warning is about where we aim our praise, and a call to examine whose approval we are really chasing.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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