Discernment, the wicked and the saint
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
असंत लक्षण भूतांचा मत्सर । मनास निष्ठ अतिवादी॥1॥
अंतरीचा रंग उमटे बाहेरी । वोळखियापरी आपेंआप॥ध्रु.॥
संत ते समय वोळखती वेळ । चतुष्ट निर्मळ चित्त सदा ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे हित उचित अनुचित । मज लागे नित आचरावें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The mark of the wicked is envy toward other beings, cruelty of mind, and excessive quarreling. The color within shows itself outwardly, and by its own signs one recognizes it. Saints are those who discern the moment and the occasion. Their chittas are pure and spotless at all times. Says Tuka, what is right, what is fitting, and what is improper are things I must practice continually.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The mark of the wicked is envy of other beings, a cruel mind, endless quarreling. The color that is inside shows itself outside. By its own signs you know it. The saints are those who read the moment and the occasion. Their minds are pure and spotless at all times. Tuka says: what is good, what is fitting, what is wrong, these I must practice every day.
What it means
Tukaram lays out how to tell an inner state by its outward signs, then turns it on himself. The wicked are known by envy, cruelty, and a love of strife, because what fills the heart cannot help leaking out into conduct. The saints, by contrast, sense the right time and act with a heart kept clean. Rather than condemning the wicked person, he ends by setting himself the daily task: to keep watch over what is good, fitting, or wrong, and to practice it continually.
The Saints
The character and service of true saints: softer than butter, harder than diamond.
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