Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
गोविंदावांचोनि वदे ज्याची वाणी । हगवण घाणी पिटपिट ते ॥1॥
मस्तक सांडूनि सिसफूल गुडघां । चार तो अवघा बावऑयाचा ॥ध्रु.॥
अंगभूत ह्मूण पूजितो वाहाणा । ह्मणतां शाहाणा येइल कैसा ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे वेश्या सांगे सवासिणी । इतर पूजनीं भाव तैसा ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The tongue that speaks without uttering Govinda's name produces nothing but foul and putrid noise. One who adorns his knees instead of his head with the sacred mark is wholly a fool. He who worships his own shoes because they are part of his body, how can he ever become wise? Says Tuka, a courtesan lecturing a chaste wife on propriety; such is the devotion of those who worship lesser things.
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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