Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
भोरप्यानें सोंग पालटिलें वरी । ध्यान धरी मत्स्या जैसें ॥१॥
टिळे माळा मैंद मुद्रा लावी अंगीं । देखों नेदि जगीं फांसे जैसे ॥ध्रु.॥
ढीवर या मत्स्या चारा घाली जैसा । भीतरील फांसा कळों नेदी ॥२॥
खाटिक हा स्नेहवादें पशु पाळी । कापावया नळी तया साठीं ॥३॥
तुका म्हणे तैसा भला मी लोकांत । परी तूं कृपावंत पांडुरंगा ॥४॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The charlatan changes his outward appearance while keeping his eye fixed on the prey, like a fisherman watching a fish. He wears sacred marks, rosaries, and holy insignia on his body, hiding his snares so the world cannot see them. Just as the fisherman baits the hook and conceals the barb within, the butcher lovingly raises the animal only to slaughter it in the end. Says Tuka, I am just such a fraud among people, yet You, O Panduranga, are merciful.
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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