The rarity of human birth, do not waste it
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
अनंतजन्में जरी केल्या तपरासी । तरी हा न पवे ह्मणे देह ॥1॥
ऐसें जें निधान लागलेंसे हातीं । त्याची केली माती भाग्यहीना ॥ध्रु.॥
उत्तमाचें सार वेदाचें भांडार । ज्याच्यानें पवित्र तीथॉ होती ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे तुकयाबंधु आणीक उपमा । नाहीं या तों जन्मा द्यावयासी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Even if one performs austerities for countless lifetimes, this human birth is hard to attain. Such is the treasure that has come into one's hands, yet the unfortunate one turns it to dust. It is the essence of the highest, the storehouse of the Vedas, that by whose presence even sacred waters are purified. Says Tuka, speaking for Tuka's brother, there is no other comparison worthy of this birth.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Even if you do austerities for countless lives, this human body is still hard to reach. Such a treasure has come into your hands, and the luckless one turns it to dust. It is the essence of the highest, the storehouse of the Vedas; by it even holy waters are made pure. Tuka says: Tuka's brother, there is no other thing to compare this birth to.
What it means
Tukaram measures what a human birth is worth and warns against squandering it. Even endless lifetimes of penance do not earn it easily, so to hold it is to hold a treasure. The unfortunate person lets that treasure rot, treating the rare chance as if it were nothing. He then raises its value higher: this birth is the very essence of what is best, the Vedas' own storehouse, and so charged that even sacred rivers are purified by it. Nothing else can be set beside it, which is exactly why wasting it is the great loss.
Appeals and Exhortations
Direct calls to action: wake up, seek God, do not waste this human birth.
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