Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
वाघाचा काळभूत दिसे वाघाऐसा । परी नाहीं दशा साच अंगीं ॥1॥
बाहेरील रंग निवडी कसोटी । संघष्टणें भेटी आपेआप ॥ध्रु.॥
सिकविलें तैसें नाचावें माकडें । न चले त्यापुढें युिH कांहीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे करी लटिक्याचा सांटा । फजित तो खोटा शीघ्र होय ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
A painted imitation may look like a tiger, but it does not have the tiger's true nature within. Outward color is tested by the touchstone; true contact reveals itself of its own accord. A monkey dances as it has been trained, and no cleverness can change that. Says Tuka, the one who stores up falsehood is quickly exposed and put to shame.
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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