Metaphor, the seed tested by fire
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
खोल ओले पडे तें पीक उत्तम । उथळाचा श्रम वांयां जाय ॥1॥
लटिक्याचे आह्मी नव्हों सांटेकरी । थीतें घाली भरी पदरीचें ॥ध्रु.॥
कोणा इहलोकीं पाहिजे पसारा । दंभ पोट भरायाचे चाडे ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे कसीं अगी जें उतरे । तें चि येथें सरे जातिशुद्ध ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
Seed sown deep in moist soil yields the finest crop, while the shallow sower's labor is wasted. We are not hoarders of falsehood; the genuine one fills his lap with what is truly earned. Some want a grand display in this world, driven by hypocrisy and the desire to fill the belly. Says Tuka, only that which survives the test of fire is accepted here as pure gold.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
Seed sown deep in wet soil gives the finest crop; the shallow sower's labor is wasted. We are not dealers in falsehood; the true man fills his own lap with what he has really earned. Some want a grand spread in this world, driven by show and the need to fill the belly. Tuka says: only what comes through the fire passes here, pure by its very nature.
What it means
Tukaram uses farming and metal-testing to mark the difference between real and false devotion. Seed planted deep in moist ground yields a fine crop, while shallow sowing wastes the effort, just as superficial practice bears nothing. He sets himself apart from those who trade in falsehood: the genuine person gathers into his own lap only what he has actually earned. Against this he places the people who crave a grand display, moved by hypocrisy and the simple need to fill their stomachs. The closing test is hard and clear: only what survives the fire counts here, accepted as pure by its own true nature.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
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