Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
 मथनासाटीं धर्माधर्म । त्याचें वर्म नवनीत ॥1॥
 तें चि तें घाटूं नये । आलें जाय नासूनि ॥ध्रु.॥
 सांभाळावें वरावर । वर्म दूर न वजावें ॥2॥
 तुका ह्मणे घालें पोट । मग बोटचांचणी॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Dharma and adharma are like the churning; the butter is their inner essence. That essence should not be handled carelessly; it spoils if it comes and goes. Guard it carefully, layer upon layer; do not let the essence drift far. Says Tuka, first fill the belly, then pick at the crumbs.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
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