Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
दुधाळ गाढवी जरी जाली पाहे । पावेल ते काय धेनुसरी ॥1॥
कागाचिया गळा पुष्पाचिया माळा । हंसाची तो कळा काय जाणे ॥ध्रु.॥
मर्कटें अंघोळी लावियेले टिळे । ब्राह्मणाचे लीळे वर्तूं नेणे ॥2॥
जरी तो ब्राह्मण जाला कर्मभ्रष्ट । तुका ह्मणे श्रेष्ठ तिहीं लोकीं ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Even if a she-donkey began to give milk, would it match the worth of a cow? A garland of flowers around a crow's neck does not give it the grace of a swan. A monkey may bathe and wear a sacred mark, yet it cannot behave as a brahmin does. Says Tuka, even if a brahmin has fallen from his duties, he remains honored in all three worlds.
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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