मूर्खलक्षणे - संत रामदास

धरून परावी आस । प्रेत्न सांडी सावकास । निसुगाईचा* संतोष । मानी तो येक मूर्ख ॥ (*आळशीपणाचा)
घरी विवेक उमजे । आणी सभेमध्ये लाजे । शब्द बोलता निर्बुजे * । तो येक मूर्ख ॥ (*काही कळत नाही - घाबरून)
नायके त्यास सिकवी । वडिलांसी जाणीव दावी । जो आरजास* गोवी । तो येक मूर्ख ॥ (*भोळ्या, सरळ माणसास)
औषध ने घे असोन व्यथा । पथ्य न करी सर्वथा । न मिळे आलिया पदार्था । तो येक मूर्ख ॥
घरिच्यावरी खाय दाढा । बाहेरी दीन बापुडा । ऎसा जो का मूढ वेडा । तो येक मूर्ख ॥
जिवलगास परम खेदी । सुखाचा शब्द तोहि नेदी । नीच जनांस वंदी । तो येक मूर्ख ॥
कळह पाहात उभा राहे । तोडविना कौतुक पाहे । खरे अस्ता खोटे साहे । तो येक मूर्ख ॥
विचार न करिता कारण । दंड करी अपराधेविण । स्वल्पासाठी जो कृपण । तो येक मूर्ख ॥

In Sarth Shridasbodh, Sant Ramdas gives general and common symptoms of idiots and of intelligent people. Above is a selection from the symptoms of the Idiots. These are basically the "Don'ts" for living a life.
Sant Ramdas says, one who keeps hope on somebody, stops his own efforts and enjoys laziness is an Idiot. He wants us not to stop efforts in any situation, we can take help from others but should not totally depend on them, and should continue our efforts.
Next, he talks about the persons who become very intelligent at home and are too shy to speak in meetings outside (or on stage) and out of stage-fear are unable to utter a word, he is an idiot. Here, he is urging people to become fearless and courageous to speak your mind in public, and to be intelligent in doing so.
One who teaches the person who does not listen to him, who tries to teach what is right and what is wrong to his elders, who tries to put simple (naive) and straightforward person into difficult situations, is an idiot.
One who does not take medicine even though he is ill, and does not restraint his food as required for curing the disease, who is not satisfied in the current situation, is an idiot. He wants us to take up medicines and restraint ourselves so as to get well from the diseases, here controlling the desires of taste and short term pleasures is important.
He who shouts on his family members, fights with them, but is very kind and poor fellow for outsiders, one who is such a mad person, is an idiot.
One who is always gives pains to his loved ones, and never speaks a kind word to them but salutes mean people, is an idiot. i.e. one who is good for bad people and bad for his loved ones is an idiot.
Watching the quarrel of others and enjoying it, not trying to resolve the problem, who accepts (endures) a false/lie even when he knows the truth, is an idiot.
One who thoughtlessly punishes others without their mistake, who is a miser even for very small things, is an idiot!

Mind - Dangerous Tiger

Below is a verse from Adi Shankaracharya's Vivekchudamani.

मनो नाम महाव्याघ्र: विषयारण्यभूमिषु |
चरत्यत्र न गच्छतु साधवो ये मुमुक्षव: ||

मन नावाचा खूप भयानक वाघ, विषयांच्या अरण्यात शिकारीसाठी फिरत असतो. सज्जन आणि मुमुक्षू लोक हे तिथे जात नाहीत.
A dangerous tiger named Mind lives in the vast jungle of the sense-objects. Good people and seekers of salvation do not go there.

Adi Shankaracharya has used an excellent metaphor to describe the nature of mind, sense-objects and its effect on us. He says mind is a tiger who hunts in the vast jungle of sense-objects, if we go there we would surely get killed. Hence, seekers should not allow the mind to wander in this vast jungle of the sense-objects i.e. they should control their mind. If they do not, they will surely get destroyed.

तुका म्हणे विंचु सर्प नारायण, वंदावे दुरोन शिवो नये - संत तुकाराम

We know that God is equally present in all living entities. So we must love and respect all the living entities.
In this case, if we come across a person who is difficult, having bad habits or is trying to disturb/distract our path, how to handle such a person. Tukaram Maharaj explains beautifully in the below Abhang:

जन देव तरी पाया चि पडावे | त्याचिया स्वभावे चाड नाही ||१||
अग्नीचे सौजन्य शीतनिवारण | पालवी बांधोनि नेता नये ||२||
तुका म्हणे विंचु सर्प नारायण | वंदावे दुरोन शिवो नये ||३||

As God is present in all the people, we should pay our respects to them, but should not keep dealing with them if we are not able to handle them. We cannot change anybody's nature easily, we should rather stay away from such a person.
Fire is very beneficial to us, in that, it saves us from cold. But if we put tender leaves of the tree in the fire, they'll surely get burnt. Here, tender leaves do not have capability to handle the fire (which in itself is not bad), hence they are expected to stay away from fire.
He further says, God is also present in snakes and scorpion, hence one should respect them but should not go and touch them.
This is the way to handle difficult people, if you cannot manage them, stay away from them!

Doubts/Questions - Sant Tukaram (प्रश्न - संत तुकाराम)

जनी जनार्दन ऐकतो हे मात | कैसा हा वृत्तांत न कळे आम्हां ||
जन्म जरा मरण कवण भोगी भोग | व्याधी नाना रोग सुखदु:खे ||
पापपुण्ये शुद्धाशुद्ध आचरणे | ही कोणाकारणे कवणे केली ||
आम्हा मरण नाश तू तव अविनाश | कैसा हा विश्वास साच मानू ||
तुका म्हणे तू चि निवडी हा गुढार | दाखवी साचार ते चि मज ||

Tukaram maharaj is asking doubts directly to the God, about reasons behind different mysteries of life like birth, death, miseries etc and is asking God to clarify those:

I hear that, God lives in every living being, I do not understand how this comes to be.
Why and who has created birth, aging, death, enjoying material desires, diseases, happiness, sadness, sin, good deeds, pure and impure ways of living?
We have death and destruction and You are imperishable, how should I believe this?
Tuka says, please you resolve these puzzles for me and show me the truth.

नाम महिमा - १० - संत तुकाराम

हे चि माझे तप हे चि माझे दान | हे चि अनुष्ठान नाम तुझे ||

हे चि माझे तीर्थ हे चि माझे व्रत | सत्य हे सुकृत नाम तुझे ||

हा चि माझा धर्म हे चि माझे कर्म | हा चि नित्यनेम नाम तुझे ||

हा चि माझा योग हा चि माझा यद्न्य | हे चि जपध्यान नाम तुझे ||

हे चि माझे द्न्यान श्रवण मनन | हे चि निजध्यासन नाम तुझे ||

हा चि कुळाचार हा चि कुळधर्म | हा चि नित्यनेम नाम तुझे ||

हा माझा आचार हा माझा विचार | हा माझा निर्धार नाम तुझे ||

तुका म्हणे दुजे सांगायासी नाही | नामेविण काही धनवित्त ||

My austerity, my good works of donations, my religious ritual is (chanting of) your Name.

My holy place, my vow, my true good deed is (chanting of) your Name.

My religion, my duty, my daily rules and regulations is (chanting of) your Name.

My yoga, my sacrifice, my meditation, my chanting is (chanting of) your Name.

My knowledge, my listening, my thoughts, my continuous focus is (chanting of) your Name.

My family rituals, family religion, my daily regulations is (chanting of) your Name.

My way of living, my thoughts, my commitment is (chanting of) your Name.

Tuka says I don't have any other possessions (money etc) except your Name.

नाम महिमा - ९ - संत तुकाराम

नाम साराचे ही सार | शरणागत यमकिंकर ||

उत्तमाउत्तम | वाचे बोला पुरूषोत्तम ||

नाम जपता चंद्रमौळी | नामे तरला वाल्हाकोळी ||

तुका म्हणे वर्णू काय | तारक विठोबाचे पाय ||

Name of the God is the summary of the summaries of all the scriptures, even the Lord of Death surrenders before the one who takes the name of the God.

O people! Whether you are good or bad, still chant the name of the God.

Even Lord Shiva continuously chants God's name. Rishi Valmiki (Valya koli – who was a deadly dacoit) was delivered by the name of the God.

Tuka says, how much shall I explain you, the feet of the God are deliverer.

नाम महिमा - ८ - संत तुकाराम

पवित्र तो देह वाणी पुण्यवंत | जो वदे अच्युत सर्व काळ ||

तयाच्या चिंतने तरतील दोषी | जळतील रासी पातकाच्या ||

देव इच्छी रज चरणींची माती | धावत चालती मागे मागे ||

काय त्या उरले वेगळे आणीक | वैकुंठनायक जया कंठी ||

तुका म्हणे देवभक्तांचा संगम | तेथे ओघ नाम त्रिवेणीचा ||

Holy is his body and pious his talks, who always talks about God.

Bad people who even think about him, they will be delivered and loads of their impious past activities will get burnt (they will be relieved from the results of their impious activities).

Demi gods run behind him to accomplish their desire to touch the soil where he puts his feet on the ground.

What is left to achieve for such a person in whose speech God resides?

Tuka says, where there is meeting of the (rivers of) God and devotees, there comes the third flow of God's names! 

नाम महिमा - ७ - संत तुकाराम

मुखी नाम हाती मोक्ष | ऐसी साक्ष बहुतांसी ||

वैष्णवांचा माल खरा | तुरतुरा वस्तूसी ||

भस्म दंड न लगे काठी | तीर्थां आटी भ्रमण ||

तुका म्हणे आडकाठी | नाही भेटी देवाचे ||

Many have had this experience that if one always has God's names in his mouth then he has enlightenment (deliverance) in his hands.

The possessions of the Vaishnava's (devotees) are the real possessions.

One does not need bhasm, dand, kathi (signs of a Sanyasi i.e. one does not have to leave everything and become a monk) or one doesn't even have to go to holy places.

Tuka says, there are no obstacles to meet the God (if one chants the names of the God).

नाम महिमा - ६ - संत तुकाराम

नाम उच्चारिता कंठी | पुढे उभा जगजेठी ||

ऐसे धरोनिया ध्यान | मने करावे चिंतन ||

ब्रम्हादिकांच्या ध्याना नये | तो हा कीर्तनाच्या सोये ||

तुका म्हणे सार घ्यावे | मने हरिरूप पाहावे ||

When we take the name of the God, He Himself stands before us.

We have to keep this in mind and then we should meditate.

Even Bramha and other great demi Gods cannot catch hold of Him in their meditations and here He is with us if we do Kirtana (singing/chanting name/glories of God).

Tuka says, understand summary of all the philosophies and scriptures which seeing the God with your mind.

नाम महिमा - ५ - संत तुकाराम

नाम घेता उठाउठी | होय संसाराची तुटी ||

ऐसा लाभ बांधा गाठी | विठ्ठलपायी पडे मिठी ||

नामापरते साधन नाही | जे तू करिशी आणीक काही ||

हाकारोनि सांगे तुका | नाम घेता राहो नका ||

You'll be freed from the Samsara if you chant the names of the God every now and then.

You should do such nice things (pious things) that you may be able to reach His lotus feet.

If you are thinking of other ways of reaching God, there is no better way than the chanting of God's name.

Tuka is telling you from the bottom of the heart, don't live another moment without chanting the name of the God.

नाम महिमा - ४ - संत तुकाराम

करी हे चि काम | मना जपे राम राम ||

लागो हाचि छंद | मना गोविंद गोविंद ||

तुका म्हणे मना | मज भीक द्यावी दीना ||

O My mind, only do this task – chant the name of the God, Ram Ram!

Dear mind, please develop the hobby of singing/chanting Govind, Govind (names of God)

Tuka says, O my dear mind, I'm begging you, please grant my this wish.

नाम महिमा - 3 - संत तुकाराम

सेवा ते आवडी उच्चारावे नाम | भेदाभेदकाम निवारुनि ||

न लगे हालावे चालावे बाहेरी | अवघे चि घरी बैसलिया ||

देवाचीच नावे देवाचिया शिरी | सर्व अळंकारी समर्पावी ||

तुका म्हणे आहे भावे चि संतोषी | वसे नामापाशी आपुलिया ||

Service of the God is to chant the names of the God, letting go of all the dualities/differentiations and lust.

One does not have to go and roam outside to do this, he/she can do everything just sitting at home.

We just have to offer God's name with all the decorations to God as gift.

Tuka says, God is happy with our feelings only and lives wherever His names are.

नाम महिमा - २ - संत तुकाराम

न कळे ते कळो येईल उगले | नामे या विठ्ठले एकाचिया ||

न दिसे ते दिसो येईल उगले | नामे या विठ्ठले एकाचिया ||

न बोलो ते बोलो येईल उगले | नामे या विठ्ठले एकाचिया ||

न भेटे ते भेटो येईल आपण | करिता चिंतन विठोबाचे ||

अलभ्य तो लाभ होईल अपार | नाम निरंतर म्हणता वाचे ||

तुका म्हणे आसक्त जीव सर्वभावे | तरतील नावे विठोबाच्या ||

If one recites the names of the Vitthala (God), he/she will understand the things which one could not understood previously.
If one recites the names of the Vitthala (God), he/she will see the things which one could not see previously.
If one recites the names of the Vitthala (God), he/she will talk what was not talked previously.
If one keeps thinking of the Vitthala (God), he/she will meet ones, meeting whom was impossible (or get the things which he would not get) previously.
Great things which are not easy to get, one will get if he recites the names of God continuously.
Tuka says, fallen living beings will cross the ocean of samsara with the help of names of Vitthala (God).

नाम महिमा

सरळी हिं नामें उच्चारावी सदा | हरी बा गोविंदा रामकृष्णा ||1||
पुण्य पर्वकाळ तीर्थे ही सकळ | कथा सिंधुजळ न्हाऊ येती ||
अवघे चि लाभ बैसलिया घरा | येती भाव धरा एके ठायी ||
सेळ्या मेंढ्या गाई सेवा घेती म्हैसी |  कामधेनु तैसी नव्हे एक||
तुका म्हणे सुखे पाविजे अनंता | हे वर्म जाणता सुलभ चि ||

One should simply recite these name of God - Hari, Govinda, Ram and Krishna. All the punya, all the benefits of travelling to Teerth or holy places, all the best of the times, purity which comes by the water of the holy river and purity by listening to the story of Gods, He will get all this just by sitting at home if he has single-pointed faith in God and recites his names. We have to serve goats, cows and buffaloes before we get something from them but Kamdhenu (heavenly cow, supposed to fulfill all the wishes) is different, one just has to wish and the wish is fulfilled. Names of the God are like Kamdhenu. Tuka says, if one understands this secret, he will get infinite bliss.