Social criticism, the flatterer who forgets God
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
आपुल्या पोटासाटीं । करी लोकांचिया गोष्टी ॥1॥
जेणें घातलें संसारीं । विसरला तो चि हरी ॥ध्रु.॥
पोटा घातलें अन्न । न ह्मणे पतितपावन ॥2॥
मी कोठील आणि कोण । हें न कळे ज्यालागून ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे नरस्तुति । करितो भाट त्रिजगतीं॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
For the sake of his own belly, he gossips about others. He has forgotten Hari, the very one who placed him in this world. When food is placed in his belly, he does not even say 'Purifier of the Fallen.' He does not know who he is or where he came from. Says Tuka, he goes about praising mortals like a court bard in all three worlds.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
For the sake of his own belly, he tells tales about other people. The very Hari who placed him in this world, that one he has forgotten. Food goes into his belly, and he never says, Purifier of the fallen. Who he is, where he came from: this he does not know. Tuka says: he goes about praising mortals like a court bard, through all three worlds.
What it means
Tukaram is exposing the man who lives by flattering others for his own gain. To fill his belly he gossips and tells tales, and in doing so he has forgotten the very Hari who put him into this life. He eats his food without once naming the Lord, the Purifier of the fallen; he has no idea who he is or where he came from. Tukaram fixes the pattern in a single image: such a man is a court bard, wandering the three worlds singing the praises of mere mortals instead of God. The warning is for anyone who spends their voice on flattering people while staying silent toward the One who gave them everything.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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