Metaphor, the leader sets the tone
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
जया शिरीं कारभार । बुिद्ध सार तयाची ॥1॥
वर्ते तैसें वर्ते जन । बहुतां गुण एकाचा ॥ध्रु.॥
आपणीयां पाक करी । तो इतरीं सेविजे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे शूर राखे । गाढएा वाखेसांगातें॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The one upon whose head rests responsibility, his wisdom is what counts. As the leader acts, so follow the people; the qualities of one shape the many. One who cooks the meal provides for all who partake of it. Says Tuka, a hero protects even the cowardly who march alongside him.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The one with responsibility on his head, his wisdom is what counts. As the leader acts, so the people act. The quality of one shapes the many. One cooks the meal, and many eat from it. Tuka says: a brave man protects even the cowards who march beside him.
What it means
Tukaram is saying that a whole group takes its character from whoever leads it. The person who carries the burden of decision sets the pattern, and the many fall in line behind that one. He gives plain images: one cook feeds the crowd, one brave man shields even the timid alongside him. The point is that leadership is not just a privilege but a weight, since the good or harm of many flows from the wisdom of one.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
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