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.