Metaphor, you become the seed you sow
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
बळ बुद्धी वेचुनियां शक्ती । उदक चालवावें युक्ती॥1॥
नाहीं चळण तया अंगीं । धांवें लवणामागें वेगीं॥ध्रु.॥
पाट मोट कळा । भरित पखाळा सागळा ॥2॥
बीज ज्यासी घ्यावें। तुका ह्मणे तैसें व्हावें ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
One must spend strength, intellect, and skill to channel water cleverly. Water itself does not move on its own but flows swiftly after salt when drawn. Through channels, buckets, and devices one fills the water bags. Says Tuka, whatever seed you sow, that is what you become.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
You must spend strength, intellect, and skill to make water move where you want. By itself it does not stir; but drawn, it runs swiftly after the salt. Through channels, pulleys, and devices the bags and skins are filled. Tuka says: whatever seed you take to sow, that is what you become.
What it means
Tukaram draws a lesson from irrigation. Water has no movement of its own; it must be led by effort, strength, cleverness, and machinery, and then it flows readily toward where it is drawn. The point lands in the last line: the soul is like that water, shaped by what directs it, and a person becomes whatever seed they choose to plant. Effort and intention are not optional; what you cultivate is exactly what you will grow into, so choose the seed with care.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
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