Tukaram, Poem 1240

The cowherds say, “Come, let us mix our provisions together! Let me see what victuals each one has got. Speak the truth; do not keep anything back. The cheat shall find himself cheated; drive him away! God gives nothing of his own without examining what you have got.” All keep their eyes on each other; nobody is let off; one brings butter-milk, another rice, another bread; God sits in the middle and takes what is brought, though he does not force an offering from anyone. Here is an impatient one; hurriedly he empties out his bag; some will be untying their knots, others are still coming up. One stands still with his load, an idle insincere fellow; some bring up their boiled grain and look pleased as though they were ready; some have halted their cows; some turn them away; there are others whose cows are intractable, they wheel round and scatter themselves. Some cowherds fasten on the broken victuals; they are not intent on real satisfaction. Some say to each other, “Come along,” some go on dancing round. Some have sent astray the simple and ignorant children among them; some are sunk in worldly affairs and have left the flowers on their garlands to wither. Some will not open their bundles to eat what others have brought; they are like pressed men carrying a load, who die under the burden. Some are immersed in family affection; they are deeply engaged; they know nothing of this occasion for they know nothing of anything. They are doomed to eat what stale food they had; when they had finished it, then their eyes were opened. Some put streaks on their arms and legs; some covered themselves with ashes. Some have shaved their heads clean; some have removed their tuft entirely; some are idlers at heart, but make a pretence of penance with uplifted arms. Those who employed their intellects without any offering to God have all been made miserable. Tuka says, Now let Kanhoba give us each our share; Thou knowest we have kept nothing to ourselves. If thou leavest us, to whom shall we go? The merciful one has shown mercy to us; let us eat our fill.