Citation : Singh AR (2023) Making Fun of the Puritan/Preacher .In :Ghalib, Psychology and Human Behaviour - 1 (A.R Singh and S.A Singh Eds), Mens Sana Monogr; 21:1.pg 7-8
کہاں مے خانہ کا دروازہ غالبؔ اور کہاں واعظ
پر اتنا جانتے ہیں کل وہ جاتا تھا کہ ہم نکلے
कहाँ मय-ख़ाने का दरवाज़ा ‘ग़ालिब’ और कहाँ वाइज़
पर इतना जानते हैं कल वो जाता था कि हम निकले
kahaa.n mai-KHaane kaa darvaaza ‘Ghaalib’ aur kahaa.n vaa.iz
par itnaa jaante hai.n kal vo jaataa thaa ki ham nikle
(DG 220,9:1365)
Meaning
Where the door of the tavern, Ghalib, and where the preacher?
But this much I know, that he walked in yesterday as I left.
Explanation:
The puritan/preacher is forever talking of the ill- effects of drinking and such other activities. And the believers are enamoured by his tall talks. To such gullible folk, Ghalib says, that as he was walking out of one tavern, he saw the same preacher quietly sneak in.
The people who preach against something in public may be doing exactly the same things in private.
If you need examples, see those who preach against wealth busy amassing it, those who preach celibacy indulging in lustful orgies, those who preach righteousness indulge in unethical acts, those who preach the scriptures from the pulpit do exactly the opposite in private.
Don’t get taken in by outer looks, the robes, and preachy talks. Many people make a comfortable living by making you feel eternally guilty.