Metaphor, the soldier who masters the field
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
पाईक जो जाणे पाइकींनीं भाव । लाग पगें ठाव चोरवाट ॥1॥
आपणां राखोनि ठकावें आणीक । घ्यावें सकळीक हरूनियां ॥ध्रु.॥
येऊं नेदी लाग लागों नेदी माग । पाईक त्या जग स्वामी मानी ॥2॥
ऐसें जन केलें पाइकें पाईक । जया कोणी भीक न घलिती ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे ऐसे जयाचे पाईक । बिळया तो नाइक त्रैलोकींचा ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The paik who knows the inner bhav of paiki gains his footholds through hidden paths and secret trails. Protecting himself, he outmaneuvers all others, stripping and taking everything. He gives no opening for pursuit and lets no one follow his track. The world regards such a paik as Swami. Such paiks, to whom no one would give even alms, have become lords of the world. Says Tuka, the one whose paiks are such as these, that commander is the Lord of all three worlds.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The paik who knows the inner heart of his service finds his footholds by hidden paths and secret trails. Guarding himself, he outmaneuvers all the rest, stripping and seizing everything. He gives no opening for pursuit and lets no one track him. The world regards such a paik as Master. Such paiks, to whom no one would give even alms, have become lords of the world. Tuka says: the one whose paiks are like this, that commander is the Lord of all three worlds.
What it means
Tukaram pushes the soldier-figure into the language of skilled war: the paik who knows the inner heart of his service moves by hidden ways, protects himself, and overcomes all rivals, taking everything. He leaves no opening for pursuit and cannot be tracked, so the world comes to honor him as a master. The striking turn is the reversal of station: men so poor that no one would give them alms become lords of the world through this devoted skill. And the final line lifts the whole metaphor to God: the commander whose servants are such as these is the Lord of all three worlds. The hidden paths and seizing are the seeker's inwardness and total devotion, not literal plunder.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
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