Abhanga 3699
A mind that is honest with itself already knows what is truly good, and only genuine, real effort survives the test that surface appearances cannot pass.
The verse
हित जाणे चित्त । कळों येतसे उचित ॥१॥
परिहार ते संपादनी । सत्य कारण कारणीं ॥ध्रु.॥
वरदळ तें नुतरे कसीं । आगीमध्यें तें रसीं ॥२॥
तुका म्हणे करुनी खरें । ठेवितां तें पुढें बरें ॥३॥
Literal translation
Chitta-knows-hita — uchita-known. Parihāra-sampādanī — satya-kāraṇa-in-kāraṇa. Varadaḷa-doesn't-pass-kasī — rasī-stays-in-fire. Tukā: making-real-keep-ahead-good.
What it means
A 3-verse practical-wisdom. The chitta knows its own hita; the proper becomes known. Real-doing is the achievement; cause is in true-causing. The surface doesn't pass the assay; only the essence stays in fire. Making it real, keep it for the future — that's good. Compare 3482 (kasī-agi-fire-test).
For someone today
Tukārām says the mind, when honest with itself, already knows what is truly good for it, and what is right becomes clear on its own. Real change comes from addressing the real cause, not from surface fixes that only look like solutions. Like metal tested in fire, a shallow, showy layer cannot survive the test, only the genuine essence underneath holds up. So Tukārām's advice is simple: make what you build real and solid now, so it holds up and serves you well later.
मराठी: तुकाराम म्हणतात की मन जर स्वतःशी प्रामाणिक असेल तर त्याला आपले खरे हित आधीच कळते, आणि योग्य काय आहे हे आपोआप उमगते. खरा बदल हा खऱ्या कारणाला हात घालण्यातून येतो, वरवरच्या उपायांतून नाही जे केवळ उपायांसारखे दिसतात. आगीत तापवलेल्या धातूप्रमाणे, वरवरचा, दिखाऊ थर या कसोटीत टिकत नाही, फक्त आतला खरा सत्त्वांशच टिकून राहतो. म्हणून तुकारामांचा सल्ला साधा आहे, जे काही तुम्ही उभारता ते आताच खरे आणि भक्कम बनवा, म्हणजे ते पुढे टिकेल आणि तुमच्या उपयोगी येईल.
Where this applies
- Tukārām's chitta-knows-hita; varadaḷa-doesn't-pass-kasī canonical
- Companion to 3482