Tukaram Gatha Abhang 65 - Teel jaalile taandul, kaam krodh taisechi khal

 Tukaram Gatha Abhang 65

तीळ जाळिले तांदुळ । काम क्रोध तैसेचि खळ ।।१।।

कां रे शिणलासी वाउगा । न भजतां पांडुरंगा ।।२।।

मानदंभ पोटासाठीं । केली अक्षरांची आटी ।।३।।

तप करूनि तीर्थाटन । वाढविला अभिमान ।।४।।

वांटिलें तें धन । केली अहंता जतन ।।५।।

तुका म्हणे चुकलें वर्म । केला अवघाचि अधर्म ।।६।।

 English Script

1. Teel jaalile taandul, kaam krodh taisechi khal

2. Kaa re shinlasee vauaga, na bhajata Panduranga

3. Maandambh potasatee, kelee aksharanchee atee

4. Tap karuni teerthatan, vadhavila abhimaan

5. Vaatile te dhan, kelee ahanta jatan

6. Tuka mhane chukale varm, kela avaghaachi adharm.

 Translation

A genuine love for God and remembering God in everything that you do; these are more important than other types of rituals or external aids, like yajna (fire rite), pilgrimages etc. Saint Tukaram is giving this message, by addressing a person who is doing rituals but has no real love for God.

 1. What is the use of offering the havan of rice and sesame seeds in the holy fire fire (yajna)? The main enemies, your vices like desire and anger, have remained unchanged.

2. Why do you do all these tiring but fruitless rituals instead of chanting God's name?

3. You have learnt by heart the Holy Scriptures only to increase your esteem in the society and to feed your ego.

4. You have practiced penance and undertaken pilgrimages, but that has only increased your pride!

5. You have donated wealth, but by doing so, you have fed your ego.

6. Tuka says, you have done all these, but missed the main point, that you should always chant God's name (remember God in whatever you do). Therefore, all these rituals have become 'unrighteous' or 'wicked' acts.

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