Marathi Abhangs from Tukaram Gatha as slide show of images.

Tukaram Gatha - Translation of select abhangs Part 3

A harvesting implement of iron is turned into gold after Midas Touch. Now its curved shape does not look ugly.

Whatever pressure is there on the mind, it is causing much uneasiness. Later one finds through experience that the pressure was not that much disturbing as was made out to be.

A dead tiger filled with stuff appears like a tiger. Actually it is not a tiger. A coin with gold plating is not a coin of gold. This fact is clear if it is observed closely. A monkey dances as per the training of its master, it does not have any talents of its own. Tukaram Maharaj says, he who keeps stock of absurd virtues has to suffer embarrassment.

Dharma demands that they who have wandered away from the path of truth should be brought back. There is no sin for using force to bring back such persons. Doing so adds to the stock of virtues. A person cannot be cured of a disease unless he swallows a bitter pill.

Because of the downtrodden people like us the God has got the status of the uplifter of downtrodden. Darkness has given greatness to light. Doctors are revered due to persons suffering from diseases. Gold is great because of bronze.

Those, who end life of others for enjoying meat, will understand the gravity of their actions on suffering the consequences.

Those, who are weak, think that God is also weak. Foolish offend the intellectuals in a gathering. Unmanly persons whisper among themselves on seeing the courageous ones. Face the truth without jealousy for others.

A monkey sees the outer tough cover of the coconut. A sane person enjoys the inner stuff of the coconut. A person receives benefit from the philosophy taught to him depending on his ability to assimilate the knowledge. An ignorant just ignores whatever is taught to him. Fools carry the weight of ego. Intelligent ones assimilate the knowledge.

He, who has merged his identity with the God, cannot see others suffering. Tukaram Maharaj says, making the mind calm is the true worship.

He, who rakes up quarrels, is always embroiled somewhere or other. A grass on the banks of a river is not uprooted by the flow of water. A tough one is always challenged by a harsh one. Everyone likes him, who loves to be in harmony with anyone.

If bad elements in the society are not penalised then they will be nuisance for all. If grass is not weeded out then harvest wont be good. Levying a penalty on evil is not a vice. Honest persons should not be put to trouble.

The form of acquiring merit should not be like filling a tank. It should take a form of unending source of water.

Speak such words that will cause your benefit. Tukaram Maharaj says, purify yourself instead of pointing out impurities of others.

Nothing will accompany while departing from this world even if wealth of crores is accumulated. However comfortable may be your bed but the last rest will be on the bare ground. You keep your mouth fresh by chewing mouth fresheners. But on the last day, the mouth will be dry. Being away from truth is always a cause of agony.

Respect and place in a society does not come free of cost. One has to wear out for its gain.

Jealousy to others, cruel mind, taking extreme positions are the signs of being evil. Whatever is in the mind that manifests itself in the behaviour? Good people always have regard to the time while behaving. They are always equanimous and pure.

If mother goes away child wont be comfortable for a second. The child becomes uneasy. Others may try to pacify the child but they could not. The child does not like to hear anything from others but dances with joy on seeing the mother. Tukaram Maharaj says, Mother Vitthal I dont like anything without you.

His devotees do not have fear or worries. Narayan takes care of all miseries. There is no need to be affected by the push and pulls of the world, Narayan is standing near. Let there be patience always and let there be equanimity. Tukaram Maharaj says, my friend Panduranga has occupied the whole universe.

Baked seeds were sown in the field. Now whether uncle will pay for the land revenue? He who does not know how to maintain the activity should not take the pains of initiating the activity.

A black sugar cane contains sweet juice. One should value the sweet juice and ignore the black cover.

Pandavas were sent to exile in the woods but they held God in their hearts. Pralhada was tortured by his father but still he meditated on Narayana in his mind. Sudama, a brahmin, was afflicted by poverty but he did not forget Narayana. Tukaram Maharaj says, O God we should not forget you even at the time of being under the mountain of miseries.

On meeting a rich person he serves him by spending his own money. This is not a good thing and does not result in any addition to the stock of virtue. He does not offer water to a thirsty person and offers wholesome meals to one who is satisfied. He does not even talk to someone and tells others that he is their servant. On seeing one he hides a piece of bread and invites other to lunch by grasping his feet. He, who behaves like this, is a donkey and wastes his life.

Dont rejoice at others misery. For a moment you may feel happy but later on you will suffer. Abstain from such thinking that is sinful. Jealousy having taken roots in the mind will lead to a total disaster. Anger reduces stock of virtues. Whatever happens that does happen due to the effect of our past actions.

He whose devotion is for making money, what knowledge can he gain. He is meditating with his mind full of lust, how God can reside in his mind. He keeps his eyes on fruits of work, can he ever be united with the God. His mind is always engrossed with sensual subjects, whether he can understand the God. Tukaram Maharaj says, that those who remember God with such motives will burn their faces.

Tukaram Maharaj says, many people claim to have acquired the status of God. They will experience downfall. God has lifted the earth in his incarnation in the form of Warah. Can you lift a bag of grain? God has killed many monsters and demons. Can you break a leaf of grass? He who longs for the status of God should be considered as a mine of meanness.

A person thought that he was one with the all-pervading Brahma. He saw a donkey and tried to catch hold of it as donkey was also Brahma. Donkey kicked him and ran away. Now the status of oneness with Brahma has also gone and donkey has also gone.

He, who has an unueasy mind, may not come before our eyes. Such a person is actually devoid of life. He, who has polluted his speech by dirty words, should not speak to us. Tukaram Maharaj says, one should always speak for causing welfare of others.

If others' ladies are considered as our mothers then for that no money is spent. If we do not indulge in saying bad words for others or if we do not crave for others' wealth then we are not put to any odd. There is no great labour involved for doing meditation. If we trust words of saints then we are not doing anything onerous. For speaking the truth what are the pains to be taken, tell me. Tukaram Maharaj says, God can be realised only through such actions and no special efforts are required for that.

One, who is able to control his sense-organs, is capable of forgiving others. Such a person gains recognition and establishes his relation with God. Even if a huge agricultural field has been inherited then that won't give harvest unless it is cultivated. Tukaram Maharaj says, one should understand this fact without burning one's heart.

He, who does not have sense of behaving, is bound to perish.

Brush aside your notions of earning good name and getting offended. He, who has an equanimous mind, is realising the God. A peaceful mind is not affected by the happenings around. Tukaram Maharaj says, the basic thing is that one should be able to bear the ripple created in one's mind.

Tukaram Maharaj says, that the basic thing is only this much. The mind should bear whatever happens to it. There should not arise any cravings and aversions in the mind. Let all the ripples in the mind be offered to Panduranga. Tukaram Maharaj says, let me tell you the crux of all the techniques that relieve you of your sorrows. Renounce your ego.

He, who is not of pure mind and is argumentative, should be identified as a man of low breed. He, who does not believe in Vedas and Neetis and who does not listen to the elders, is an evil person. He should be considered as untouchable as wine.

He, who does not have patience while speaking and whose mind is not stable. He, who condemns saints and praises evil persons and maintains difference in his thoughts and words. Neither such person should have meals with me nor should he come before my eyes.

At his home his wife and children are hungry. He glorifies himself in the public. What will he show to someone who is willing to see his house? This person, who has lost his face face, won't see others eye to eye. Tukaram Maharaj says, we understand the truth about such persons and won't be fooled.

He offers everything to God and still offends God. This is very strange. What to say to such person? He says that he has renounced the world and is affected by the music of the world. What a terror this is? Such persons make laziness their accomplice and go waste.

If you panic then you become more panicky. He who has patience is courageous. If nothing is done then such nonsense is absurd. Many will agree to your plans but none will come forward to do your work. Tukaram Maharaj says, don't allow a single moment to slip out of your hands.

A flower does not know the value of its fragrance. A bee enjoys fragrance of the flower. Similarly God does not know the happiness that comes from abiding to his qualities. That is only known to the devotees of God. A cow feeds on grass and offers sweet milk to her calf. A virtuous person cannot enjoy his virtue. That is enjoyed by others. A shell nurtures a gem but the gem is enjoyed by someone else.

Let the dogs bark. We need not learn from them. The devotees should not give their ears to the wicked. The wicked should be made to suffer as much as we can make them to suffer. There is no sin in making wicked suffer.

A measure does job of filling bag of a receiver from the stock of grain. Having finished its job the measure is empty. That is what a preacher is. He should not raise his ego for his preachings. A coin commands value because of the guarantee given by the government. Otherwise what value it will fetch? He is great who is controlling the theme.

Tukaram Maharaj says, he is fond of teaching ethics to the society. He wants to embarrass the wrong doers. He is selling the unlimited stock of truth. Therefore he is neither concerned about the anger of public nor he is misguided by ignorance.

He, who is thirsty, has come to the banks of Ganga. He, who is hungry, has got nectar. This is what has happened to me after installing the beautiful idol of Vitthal in my mind.

A mother is feeding her child. Now the child need not bother or worry. Let us sing and dance to celebrate our happiness. Now we are no different. Everything has become one. Now no worries for the next birth.

Free mind and sweet speech are very great qualities. He, who is blessed with such qualities, earns wealth and good fortune. Politeness that is being polite to all and not changing the colors of mind. One becomes satisfied on remembering a person having aforesaid qualities.

A donkey was applied sandalwood on its body. It immediately mixes sandalwood with ash. A person's basic traits cannot be changed. A valuable gem was tied to the neck of a monkey. It has spitted the gem after chewing it. He, who does not like his well-being, does harm to himself on his own.

People are God but still we should touch only their feet. We cannot control temperament of people. Fire is courteous as long as it relieves someone of cold. One should not carry fire in one's arms. Tukaram Maharaj says, snakes and scorpions are also forms of God. But such creatures should be paid respect by maintaining safe distance and should not be touched.

He, who supports anyone comiting a sin, becomes a party to the sin. Both are doomed for the same downfall. Nectar turns into poison when it is mixed with the poison.

All welfare is accomplished when association with wicked is shunned. If an animal is seen as entering into a field for grazing then one should shout loudly at that time. One, who does not yield to comforts of avoiding labour, can perform his duty.

Let such wicked be many. They are doing a service to us. They washout our meanness without charging for the soap. They are labourers without wages who carry weight. We are purified due to their actions while they themselves go to hell.

An honest person is one who listens to the truth. The wicked torture others. A devotee speaks his experience. A liar speaks senseless. He, who causes well being of others, is good. Adamant does not have mercy. He who understands the structure knows his level. One who is ignorant lays anywhere. One who does harm to oneself instead of doing any good is wayward.

Someone like him is very rarely seen who attains to that happiness. Likes of such are many who wander away after asking for the path. Those are blessed who are able to get to the roots of the pairs of opposites. Others are dancing without any sense. He is united with the God whose mind is attentive at all times. He, who is confused, is entangled in something petty. He is in the state of complete meditation whose mind is equanimous and satisfied. He who just closes his eyes is pretending. For realising God one has to offer one's mind and wealth to God.

He, who is full of lust, neither has any fear nor is ashamed of anything. For him his body does not have any purpose and is like a leaf of grass. He dances to the tune of his destiny (effect of accumulated actions). He has all attachment for wealth and is concerned about nothing else. He, who is hungry, is least concerned about his preference for food served to him.

Who is the creator and who is the creation? Who is the beggar and who is the donor? Who is exploiting and who is being exploited? Who is beautiful and who is ugly? Tukaram Maharaj says, I am not able to get any answer to the above questions. To me the all-pervading God is present everywhere.

If the foundation is strong then a great castle can be built. Learn to bear the blows of joy and sadness. Let the mind become free from cravings and aversions. Let the ego die.

There won't be any prestige among people for wearing clothes of others. People will only laugh at such person. What is the benefit of stirring butter-milk or beating dust? Nothing is obtained and the efforts are wasted. Creation of capital is not possible without systematic efforts. Third grade grain received in alms cannot be used as seed for sowing in the field.

Through persistent efforts even the tender roots of a tree are able to pierce through the rock.

Showing mercy means protecting the afflicted and destroying the wicked.

Tukaram Gatha - Translation of select abhangs Part 2

What matters is the courage. The words are empty and easy. He, who is patient, is supported by the God. Tukaram Maharaj says that the God protects his disciples who follow the path he had shown.

He, who throws away a wish-yielding stone on getting a white stone, is a victim of his own foolishness. The result depends not upon the happening of any event but on your ability to react to that event. Rainfall occurs everywhere in the Swati Nakshatra. A drop that falls in a shell becomes a gem. A drop that falls on a cotton crop spoils the crop. A drop that falls into the mouth of a snake becomes poison. What would you say about a person, who is served a wholesome food, vomits by putting his fingers deep inside into his throat while eating. A child that has a habit of weeping without any reason is made to weep more by his mother who gives him a dosage of bitter medicine.

Snakes reside on trees of sandalwood. The essence of sandalwood is enjoyed by those who live far away. Snakes do not derive any pleasure from sandalwood. A bloodsucker ant that sits on the nipple of a cow sucks blood of cow instead of her milk. Tukaram Maharaj says, people like snakes and such ants are worse than dead rocks.

Tukaram Maharaj says, having removed ego from my head, I feel relieved. Now I am also free from the vice of lust and anger.

A snake does not eat food and thus observes a fast. A heron stands in the state of contemplation. They do not have a pure mind. They act with malice. Rats hide out in very difficult locations. A donkey too applies ash to its body. A crocodile lives in a sacred river. A crow takes bath in a sacred river. An action performed without underlying purity of mind is useless.


He, who has an intoxicated mind, dances in a naked state. He speaks everything rubbish. Who will correct him? He listens to none. He will understand when his actions bear fruits.

Before grinding grains of wheat into flour, stones should be thrown out after scrutiny. Otherwise the flour will be spoiled. Similarly grass should be weeded out to get good harvest of the crop. This policy should be applied while dealing with bad elements in the society. He, who forgets this policy, is put to a loss.

We kick the stone in our path to keep it clean. He, who is an evil, should be made to lose his reputation without disturbing our peace of mind. We easily remove useless nails from our fingers. He who puts others in trouble should be kept at a safe distance from us.

Someone who has King as his name may be a petty worker barely meeting his both ends meet. What's in name. Look at the performance.

A stomach is of a small size. But it makes to dance like a monkey. He, who becomes donkey of thirst by raising his ego, is doing everything to book his place in hell.


He, who eats an onion, acquires smell worse than that of an onion. Similarly he, who keeps in the company of evil, faces more severe consequences.

He, who drinks wine for pacifying his mind, immediately loses balance of his mind. Whatever may be the intentions, company of bad persons cannot bring anything good.

He, who speaks the truth, becomes sad at the sight of other's sorrow, gets good results of his actions.

He, who does welfare of others, is protected by the God. He, who twists his tongue for cursing others, is kicked by the God.

He, who does not serve his parents during their lifetime and offers rice to them after their death, is useless.

A pony is more animated than wind. It learns to carry stock of merchandise after proper training. Similarly we should learn to tide over cravings and aversions of mind by consistent practice. Unless butter is fully converted into a purified butter during its conversion, it makes noise. A stone is converted into an idol of God only after bearing hits of chisel.

He, who wants to realise God, should purify his mind. He should not rejoice at others plight and should not feel sad for others prosperity. He should keep his head on the feet of saints. He should speak words that will not disturb balance of his mind. He should do whatever social welfare he can.

Words do not pierce through the body. But words pierce through the mind like a weapon. Mouth does not become spicy by uttering words. Similarly stomach does not become full on hearing words. Still all these problems happen to a person who has an ego. The mind, where there is no ego, is an abode of God.

One makes great efforts for tallying his financial accounts. One should make similar efforts to wake up one's mind.

Everything that earns a bad name should be shunned. The world likes to listen the truth from you. Everything that is not considered as good should be shunned; doing this task requires a lot of courage. One earns a bad name in the world if one indulges in bad activities condemned in the world.

Let us help each other on the noble path.

You do this and that every moment for the sake of stomach. But you do not have any time for exploring the truth. He, who does not explore the truth, cannot be termed as a human being.

The best sacrifice is the sacrifice of ego. He, who sacrifices the ego, neither craves for happy moments nor shows any aversion for the adverse time. Tukaram Maharaj says, one should have an equanimous mind.

A fox roars as long as a lion is not seen An ocean roars as long as Maharishi Agasti is not seen A talk of renunciation of the material world only before seeing a beauty A talk of courage only before having encountered an outsider The pride of a show of religion as long as Tukaram Maharaj is not seen

A particle of snow looks beautiful as long as a diamond is not seen The light of a lamp looks great as long as sun does not rise The pride of sainthood as long as Tukaram Maharaj is not seen

He, who has grown his hair very long, burns with anger and always thinks about tasty meals, what knowledge he can gain? He, who always remains in the state of passion due to consuming tobacco and narcotics, is a hopeless fellow and is far away from the truth.

He, who does not demand anything from anybody, is liked by the God. He should be treated as God and we should take shelter at his feet. He, who has love for all, has presence of God in his mind.

He, who has truly renounced the world, could have a peaceful sleep in the crematorium. He, who is blessed by Panduranga, treats trees, bushes, living creatures and everything else with equanimous mind. Tukaram Maharaj says, O Panduranga when by your grace we will attain this status?

At times we have to fetch water, at times we sleep on bed. As the thing has to happen, it keeps on happening. At times we get wholesome meals, at times dry breads. At times we ride a vehicle, at times we walk with naked feet. At times very good clothing, at times worn out clothes. At times prosperity, at times adversity. At times association with good, at times association with evil. Tukaram Maharaj says, let us be equanimous in happiness and misery.

There is no discrimination for devotees in the eyes of the Almighty. He is waiting for those who have devotion in their minds. He eats coarse grain offered by Vidura. He protects Prahalada in the house of demons. He helps Rohidas to dye clothes. He helps Kabir to weave cloth. He helps Sajan Butcher selling meat. He helps Sawata Mali in petty agricultural operations. He helps Narhari in performing chores of a goldsmith. He helps Chokhamela for grazing cattle. He drives the chariot of Arjuna. He eats with great love dry food offered by Sudama. In the homes of milkmen he does the task of maintaining cows. He acts as a doorkeeper for King Bali. He repays loan of Yekoba. He takes birth as a human being for the sake of Rishi Amba. He drinks a glass of poison for Meerabai. He becomes a low breed person to pay off loan of Damaji. He carries earth for Gora Kumbhar. He repays loan of Narsi Mehta. He is still standing on a brick for Pundalik. Parents of Pundalik are great to have such a great son.

Earn money through an honest business. Spend money for noble cause by maintaining equanimity of mind. Work for others' welfare. Dont say harsh words for others. Consider others' ladies like your mother and sisters. Show kindness to all beings. Rear cows and other cattle. Make possible arrangements for drinking water at remote places for quenching the thirst of people. Dont harm others. He, who abides by the above teaching, spreads good name of his parents all around. The virtue of renunciation that is required for realising Panduranga is also acquired through such actions.

Offer anything that happens to the God. God likes very much this method of devotion. Be equanimous in the condition in which you happen to find yourself. Excitement begets sorrow. One has to pay for his past actions.

Knowledge of Brahma means purity of mind. The Sun absorbs vapours of every kind of water but it remains unaffected by the quality of water. Similarly while giving light the Sun does not discriminate among creatures. Tukaram Maharaj says, one should see the truth by maintaining equanimity of the mind.

A creeper of nectar will bear fruits of nectar. This will also result in continuous rise in the seeds of nectar. Like this association with good people results in all round increase of happiness.

From a seed originates a tree. From a tree countless seeds originate.

He, who is standing on the banks of river, should not dive into the river for crossing over. He should enquire about the means of doing so from those who have earlier crossed the river. One should not be under the impression that one is capable of doing anything on his own. If one is lethargic in learning then one has to suffer badly on this account.

In the pond of happiness, there are ripples of happiness.

He, who shows courage by putting his life at stake, earns recognition in the society and is liked by his preceptor.

Dogs barking at an elephant develop pain in their mouths. The elephant is least affected by this. Monkeys mocking at tiger invite disaster for their lives. Tukaram Maharaj says, he who mocks at saints will lose his face.

Tukaram Gatha - Translation of select abhangs Part 1

You will reap wholesome fruits if you sow a pure seed. He, who speaks sweet honeyed words, puts his body to good work and has a mind as pure as Ganga, relieves you of your sorrows and agony on casting a look at him.


He, who maintains equanimity of mind, instead of becoming miserable in the bad time of his life, learns lesson from there. Thus he transforms even bad time of his life into gold. There could be no good of a person who has a mind full of cravings. If the temperature of the body has gone up due to mental agony then there is no use of applying sandalwood to the body.


He, who generates lot of false expectations from any of his actions, cannot perform effectively and efficiently. His mind is always occupied with the thought as to what will he gain out of his work. Therefore he is not able to concentrate on his work. As poison spoils the food, false expectations spoil the work.


The best worship of God can be performed by the mind. There is no need of instruments and implements for performing a puja. The purpose of worship is to understand the mind, to understand the truth. The final benefit or loss will be caused by the mind. Mind is the seed that gives birth to the tree of action.


He, who performs the sacrifice in the fire, offers grains to the flames of the fire. He doesn't burn the aversions and cravings of his mind that he ought to have burnt. He is becoming tired unnecessarily instead of mediating on Panduranga. He who writes a lot of religious books for the sake of recognition in the society, forgets to meditate on the God. He who goes on the pilgrimage or undertakes penance raises his ego. He who donates money, gives away the wealth but adds to his ego. Tukaram Maharaj is of the opinion that all these persons have missed the essence of worship and are doing something not conducive for the dharma.



He who acts renouncing his ego, actually does a sacrifice. He who renounces his actions and keeps his ego is not doing a sacrifice in fact. The position of the dharma is somewhat paradoxical. A wish that distances from the truth is a sin. The flaming of desires is absurd. One could benefit only from actions based on intelligent thinking.




A mind shattered to pieces is very difficult to become good and healthy again. Tukaram Maharaj exhorts to keep patience. Those who do not have patience have to run back from the battlefield.




There is no need to renounce day-to-day affairs. There is no need to go to woods or to weld a stick in the hand. Tukaram Maharaj says there is no way other than meditating on the truth to realise God.




A monkey puts its hand in a vessel containing peanuts. After taking peanuts in its hand it cannot take out its hand as the mouth of the vessel is not big enough. The monkey for the sake of handful of peanuts does not go away and is caught. A parrot sits on a string laid by the hunter. The string inverts its position and so is the parrot. Due to high voltage fear the parrot firmly grasps the string and forgets that it has two feathers to fly away. The parrot is caught ultimately. Tukaram Maharaj says that it is not surprising if creatures without brains behave like this. It is surprising to see human beings forgoing their greatest interest for a pittance.




If someone, who is not from a good family or caste, makes a good point then we should listen to him. One should not abstain from enjoying inner stuff of the coconut on seeing its hard outer wrapping.



He who acts renouncing his ego, actually does a sacrifice. He who renounces his actions and keeps his ego is not doing a sacrifice in fact. The position of the dharma is somewhat paradoxical. A wish that distances from the truth is a sin. The flaming of desires is absurd. One could benefit only from actions based on intelligent thinking.



A mind shattered to pieces is very difficult to become good and healthy again. Tukaram Maharaj exhorts to keep patience. Those who do not have patience have to run back from the battlefield.



There is no need to renounce day-to-day affairs. There is no need to go to woods or to weld a stick in the hand. Tukaram Maharaj says there is no way other than meditating on the truth to realise God.



A monkey puts its hand in a vessel containing peanuts. After taking peanuts in its hand it cannot take out its hand as the mouth of the vessel is not big enough. The monkey for the sake of handful of peanuts does not go away and is caught. A parrot sits on a string laid by the hunter. The string inverts its position and so is the parrot. Due to high voltage fear the parrot firmly grasps the string and forgets that it has two feathers to fly away. The parrot is caught ultimately. Tukaram Maharaj says that it is not surprising if creatures without brains behave like this. It is surprising to see human beings forgoing their greatest interest for a pittance.



If someone, who is not from a good family or caste, makes a good point then we should listen to him. One should not abstain from enjoying inner stuff of the coconut on seeing its hard outer wrapping.




He who renounces actions without seeing the truth is a lazy person.



He, who speaks a lot without having courage to act on his words, is a useless fellow. A lot of talking leads to false concepts.



Who would like to be crucified on a cross of sandalwood? Similarly none would like to remain tied in the chain of gold. Similarly whatever knowledge one gains is a burden if that raises one's ego.



God has a thirst for love. He eats with great delight the fruits earlier tasted by Shabri and offered to Him with love. Similarly he eats with great love food offered by Sudama and doesn't say that the food is dry or meager.



There are many who proclaim themselves as saints. How can we accept unless we see their behavior. There appears a stream of water only for a while after it rains. Later not a drop of water is seen. A particle of snow appears like a diamond as long as it does not meet a hammer.




There is no happiness greater than the peace of mind. Everything else causes sorrow. Therefore make your mind peaceful to see the inner light. One with a mind agitated by anger and lust has to suffer ensuing restlessness. A peaceful mind is free from such sufferings.



The social respect does not have any relevance. The work can be effective if is based on the truth. It is more difficult to retain what has been acquired. A person who vomits has to take pains of vomiting and his pains of eating also become futile. A person was chased by thief. He ran with his belongings up to the limit of his village but lost his life due to the strain. Of what use are his efforts of making to the limit of his village. It is very easy to talk big but it is very difficult to show courage in the battlefield.



He, who is a mine of vice, feels very angry if anyone points at his vice. But what will he do when the destiny will settle his account.



He, who is lazy, interprets teachings of his Guru in a way suitable to him. Now he does not have to abide by any code of conduct nor does he follow any ethics. Tukaram Maharaj says that such a person is a donkey in fact.



A donkey that is made to have bath in a sacred river does not become a horse. He, who does not have a pure mind, does not listen to any good advice. Even if a sweet juice is fed to a snake, there won't be any reduction in its poison.




He, who is related to God, makes all creatures of this world his relatives.



We can say that a person is ours if we could read his mind. He, who has an adamant mind, has to face a rough weather. If our mind does not ratify our action then that action won't be effective. To take an extreme position is foolish. The nature has made a rule that anything gets recognition only at an appropriate time.



'An earthen pot full of nectar' and 'a gold vessel full of wine'. Think a while and decide what will you opt for.



A mother serves her child but does not show any signs of fatigue or seeking returns for having done so. Tukaram Maharaj says, don't make the show of your greatness to the world. Otherwise you will have to suffer badly.



Tukaram Maharaj prays to the God to grant him a boon of being small. A small ant gets a grain of sugar to eat. A giant elephant is made to bear pricking of the weapon by its controller. Tukaram Maharaj says, he who has a great ego undergoes great troubles. He asks us to understand the benefit of not having an ego.




Tukaram Maharaj says, it is better to be low profile. When a river is flooded even the mightiest of the trees falls by its force. But the humble grass on its shores remains intact. If we bow before the mighty wave of an ocean it passes over our head without any harm. If we grasp the feet of a very mighty enemy then his might cannot work.



He who speaks the truth comes nearer to the God. People do not pay heed to even such techniques of realising God that are free of cost. Even a word of truth causes lot of welfare of others. Unless the mind is cleaned it cannot be calmed.



He, who becomes humble before all, becomes an abode of the infinite. This is an act of great courage that gives you a victory over the Almighty. Water gets at the bottom of anything due to its low density. Similarly a person with less ego gets to the bottom of the truth.



A cow that grazes in woods has her mind involved with her calf that stays back. O Mother Vitthal, treat me like your calf. I am like a fish without water due to your neglect.



A frog in a dirty pond curses an ocean. It knows the least about the ocean and has never seen the ocean. Still it is making lot of noise. A crow blows big and considers itself a swan. A donkey says that it is far better than an elephant. A gold plated bronze coin could not be a coin of gold.



If it is a wish of the God then what anyone can do. King Harishchandra and his queen Tara fetched water in the home of a man of low breed. Lord Krishna was a friend of Pandavas but they had to step down from the throne. Tukaram Maharaj says, show the courage of going through the worst period of your life without losing your equanimity of mind.




Tukaram Maharaj says, it is better to be low profile. When a river is flooded even the mightiest of the trees falls by its force. But the humble grass on its shores remains intact. If we bow before the mighty wave of an ocean it passes over our head without any harm. If we grasp the feet of a very mighty enemy then his might cannot work.



He who speaks the truth comes nearer to the God. People do not pay heed to even such techniques of realising God that are free of cost. Even a word of truth causes lot of welfare of others. Unless the mind is cleaned it cannot be calmed.



He, who becomes humble before all, becomes an abode of the infinite. This is an act of great courage that gives you a victory over the Almighty. Water gets at the bottom of anything due to its low density. Similarly a person with less ego gets to the bottom of the truth.



A cow that grazes in woods has her mind involved with her calf that stays back. O Mother Vitthal, treat me like your calf. I am like a fish without water due to your neglect.



A frog in a dirty pond curses an ocean. It knows the least about the ocean and has never seen the ocean. Still it is making lot of noise. A crow blows big and considers itself a swan. A donkey says that it is far better than an elephant. A gold plated bronze coin could not be a coin of gold.



If it is a wish of God then what anyone can do. King Harishchandra and his Queen Tara fetched water in the home of a man of low breed. Lord Krishna was a friend of Pandavas but they had to step down from the throne. Tukaram Maharaj says, show the courage of going through the worst period of your life without losing your equanimity of mind.