Social criticism, the empty boaster
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
फटएाचे बडबडे चवी ना संवाद । आपुला चि वाद आपणासी ॥1॥
कोणें या शब्दाचे मरावें घाणी । अंतरें शाहाणी राहिजे हो ॥ध्रु.॥
तुका ह्मणे ज्यासी करावें वचन । त्याचे येती गुण अंगास ते ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A braggart's chatter has neither flavor nor substance. It is just his own argument with himself. Why should anyone suffer the stench of such words? Stay wise within and keep your distance. Says Tuka, the qualities of the one you choose to counsel will naturally come upon you.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
A braggart's chatter has no flavor and no substance. It is only his own argument with himself. Why should anyone die in the stench of such words? Stay wise within, and keep your distance. Tuka says: the qualities of the one you choose to speak with come onto your own body.
What it means
Tukaram is warning against the man who talks loudly and says nothing. His noise is just an argument he is having with himself; there is no flavor in it and no truth. So do not waste your breath answering him; stay quiet and wise inside and step back from the foul air of his words. The closing line names the real stake: whatever quality belongs to the person you keep talking with rubs off onto you, so choosing your company is choosing what you become.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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