Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
विचार नाहीं नर खर तो तैसा । वाहे ज्ञान पाठी भार लगड तैसा ॥1॥
वादावाद करणें त्यासी तों च वरी । गुखाडीची चाड सरे तों च बाहेरी ॥ध्रु.॥
सौभाग्यसंपन्न हो कां वृद्ध प्रतिष्ठ । चिकरूनि सांडी पायां लागली ते विष्ठ ॥2॥
नाहीं याति कुळ फांसे ओढी तयासी । तुका ह्मणे काय मुद्रासोंग जािळसी ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A man without discernment is no better than a donkey, carrying the load of knowledge on his back like dead weight. One may argue and debate with such a person only until the craving to relieve himself takes over. Even one blessed with fortune, age, and prestige still sticks to the filth that clings to the feet. No caste or clan can save one; karma drags everyone down. Says Tuka, what use is the show of stamps and marks?
This translation is auto-generated and may contain errors. We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram’s original Marathi.
Social Criticism
Rebuke of hypocrisy, caste pride, false teachers, greed, and religious pretence.
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