Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
आणिकां उपदेशूं नेणें नाचों आपण । मुंढा वांयां मारगेली वांयां हांसे जन ॥१॥
तैसा नव्हे चाळा आवरीं मन डोळा । पुढिलांच्या कळा कवतुक जाणोनी ॥ध्रु.॥
बाहिरल्या वेषें आंत जसें तसें । झाकलें तों बरें पोट भरे तेणें मिसें ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे केला तरी करीं शुद्ध भाव । नाहीं तरी जासी वांयां हा ना तोसा ठाव ॥३॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
I do not know how to preach to others; I simply dance for myself. The shaven-headed one may wander in vain, and the people may laugh in vain. But this is no idle amusement; restrain your mind and eyes. Observe the tricks of those ahead and understand them for what they are. Beneath the outer costume, the inside remains as it is; so long as it is covered, all is well, and the belly gets filled under that pretense. Says Tuka, if you have taken up this role, then hold a pure intent within. Otherwise you go to waste, belonging neither here nor there.
This translation is auto-generated and may contain errors. We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram’s original Marathi.
Autobiography
Tukaram's own account of his life, struggles, awakening, and mission.
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