This poem by Sant Tukaram (Tuka) encompasses our current existence in Time. Being has changed over Time as well as Place. As you read it, I doubt whether you will not conclude that in a sense we are all Brahmins now. --venantius j pinto ______________________________________________
>From Tukaram: Says Tuka (Penguin Clasics) Translated from the Marathi by Dilip Chitre, Pune Tukaram was born in 1608 (in Dehu) and disappeared at the age of forty-one, leaving behind nearly 5000 poems (abhangs). (from the above book) Dilip Chitre was born in 1938 in Baroda, India. Among his published works are two collections of Marathi poems-- Kavita and Kavitenantarchya Kavita -- a collection of short stories and an anthology of contemporary Marathi poetry in translation. He is also a painter and a film-maker. His feature film Godam won the Jury's Special Prize at the Festival des Trois Continents, Nantes, France. Dilip Chitre lives in Pune with his family. ______________________________________________ People display their own daughters like goods for sale And marry them off to the highest bidder This is the done thing in this Age of the Infidel Kali Virtue is the beggar, vice is the king Drop-outs from decency Brahmins lie and steal They have wiped off the sacred mark on the forehead And they now wear trousers and leather things They occupy seats of power And mete out injustice to the poor They write inventories of the pantry Thinking of ghee, oil, and soap They become the hired servants of the corrupt The warrior strikes at the suffering masses The merchants and the labourers Were born low to begin with Its is all a superficial show Hiding the ugliness within Says Tuka, have you dozed off, my Lord? Run to their rescue, be quick. ______________________________________________