Stand firm or be cut, the test is the deed
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
प्रजी तो पाईक ओळीचा नाईक । पोटासाटीं एकें जैशीं तैशीं ॥1॥
आगळें पाऊल आणिकांसी तरी । पळती माघारीं तोडिजेती ॥ध्रु.॥
पाठीवरी घाय ह्मणती फटमर । धडा अंग शूर मान पावे ॥2॥
घेईल दरवडा देहा तो पाईक । मारी सकळीक सर्व हरी ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे नव्हे बोलाचें कारण । कमाईचा पण सिद्धी पावे ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The foot-paik stands in the file as commanded. Some serve only for the belly, going and coming as it suits them. Those who take a step out of line are pulled back and severed. A blow on the back marks a shirker; one who stands firm with body forward earns honor. The true paik raids at the cost of his own body, slays all, and takes everything. Says Tuka, this is not a matter of words. The wager of one's service alone reaches fulfillment.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The foot-soldier stands in the file as he is ordered. Some serve only for the belly, coming and going as it suits them. Those who step out of line are pulled back and cut down. A blow on the back marks the shirker; the one who stands firm with his body forward earns honor. The true soldier raids at the cost of his own body, kills all, and takes everything. Tuka says: this is not a matter of words. Only the wager of real service reaches its goal.
What it means
The picture is a battle line, and the figure is the servant of God under command. Some are there only to be fed, drifting in and out as it suits them, and those who break ranks are pulled back and destroyed. Tukaram reads the wounds: a blow on the back marks the man who turned to run, while the one who took it from the front, body forward, is the one honored. Real service is like a raid that risks the whole body and holds nothing back. The closing line lands the claim: this cannot be done with talk. Only service actually staked, like a wager of one's life, ever reaches its end.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
More in this theme →