Hinduism

Tukaram, Poem 3687

Words apart from God are a fruitless end to follow; they are like wrestlers employed to amuse a gathering. The performance of prescribed duties, apart from God, is like the pliant smoothness of a reptile’s skin. Tuka says, If you are wanting in devotion, you are truly unfortunate.

Source The Poems of Tukârâma, trad. J. Nelson Fraser et K. B. Marathe, 3 vol., 1909-1915, archive.org · Contents