Social criticism, the predatory teacher
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
दाढी डोई मुंडी मुंडुनियां सर्व । पांघुरति बरवें वस्त्र काळें ॥1॥
उफराटी काठी घेऊनियां हातीं । उपदेश देती सर्वत्रासी॥2॥
चाळवुनी रांडा देउनियां भेष । तुका ह्मणे त्यास यम दंडी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
They shave their beards, heads, and all, and drape themselves in fine black cloth. Carrying an inverted staff in hand, they go about giving instruction to all. They lure women by giving them a religious garb. Says Tuka, Yama will punish them.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
They shave their beards, their heads, all of it, and drape themselves in fine black cloth. They carry an inverted staff in their hand. They go about giving instruction to everyone. They lure women by handing them a religious garb. Tuka says: Yama will punish them.
What it means
Tukaram describes men who put on the full costume of a holy teacher, the shaved head, the dark robe, the staff held the wrong way, and dispense guidance to all who pass. Behind the dress is appetite, not teaching: they use the garb to draw women toward themselves. He lets the claim land hard, saying the lord of death will hold them to account. The point is the abuse of sacred trust; the costume of authority is exactly what makes the predation possible.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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