Metaphor, the fuss-maker and God's order
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
नारे तरि काय नुजेडे कोंबडें । करूनियां वेडें आघ्रो दावी ॥1॥
आइत्याचें साहे फुकाचा विभाग । विक्षेपानें जग ची थू करी ॥ध्रु.॥
नेमून ठेविला करत्यानें काळ । नल्हायेसें बळ करूं पुढें॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे देव साहे जाल्यावरी । असांग चि करी सर्व संग ॥3॥ ॥7॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Even a hen will not sit still if you simply prod it; it makes a great fuss and display over nothing. It readily consumes what comes free and then makes a show of indignation. The capable one has set a time and order; the incompetent wants to bathe ahead of his turn. Says Tuka, once God is on your side, He dispassionately orchestrates all connections.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
If you simply poke it, will the hen not squawk? It acts crazy and makes a great show. It eats up what comes free, takes its share for nothing. Then with its fuss it spits at the whole world. The Maker has set the time in order. The one with no strength wants to push ahead in line. Tuka says: once God is on your side, He calmly arranges every connection.
What it means
Tukaram is mocking a kind of person through the picture of a fussing hen: poke it lightly and it shrieks and makes a great display over nothing, while happily eating whatever comes free and then turning to scold the whole world. He sets against this the order set by the Maker, who has appointed each thing its proper time; the impatient and incapable man only wants to jump the queue. The lesson is to stop the noise and self-importance, because once God is truly on your side He quietly arranges every relation and outcome, without your forcing it.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
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