Metaphor, the soldier who pledges his life
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
पाइकीचें सुख पाइकासी ठावें । ह्मणोनियां जीवें केली साटीं ॥1॥
येतां गोळ्या बाण साहिले भडमार । वर्षातां अपार वृिष्ट वरी ॥ध्रु.॥
स्वामीपुढें व्हावें पडतां भांडण । मग त्या मंडन शोभा दावी ॥2॥
पाइकांनीं सुख भोगिलें अपार । शुद्ध आणि धीर अंतर्बाहीं ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे या सिद्धांताच्या खुणा । जाणे तो शाहाणा करी तो भोगी ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The joy of paiki is known only to the paik; and so he has pledged his very life as its price. He endures the volleys of arrows and the endless downpour of rain upon his body. Before the Master, he steps forward when battle breaks out, and then his adornment and splendor are revealed. The paiks have enjoyed immeasurable joy, pure and steadfast, within and without. Says Tuka, these are the marks of this truth: the one who knows it is wise; the one who acts on it reaps the fruit.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The joy of the paik's service is known only to the paik. So he has pledged his very life as its price. He endures the volleys of arrows and the endless downpour of rain on his body. When battle breaks out he steps forward before the Master, and then his glory and splendor are shown. The paiks have enjoyed boundless joy, pure and steadfast, within and without. Tuka says: these are the marks of this truth. The one who knows it is wise. The one who acts on it reaps the fruit.
What it means
Tukaram continues the soldier-image: only the paik himself knows the joy of his service, and that is why he stakes his very life on it. He stands under arrows and endless rain, enduring everything for his lord. The moment battle comes, he steps forward before the Master, and only then is his true splendor revealed. Such servants have known a joy that is pure and unshaken, inside and out. The verse closes with a test of seriousness: knowing this truth makes one wise, but only acting on it, only paying the price with one's life as the paik does, lets one actually taste the fruit.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
More in this theme →