Metaphor, the cart that overturns
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
बाईल चालिली माहेरा । संगें दिधला ह्मातारा ॥1॥
सिधा सामग्री पोटाची । सवें स्वारी बइलाची ॥ध्रु.॥
जाता पाडिली ढोरानें । सिव्या देती अन्योविन्ये ॥2॥
न सावरी आपणातें । नग्न सावलें वरतें ॥3॥
फजित केलें जनलोकीं । मेला ह्मणे पडे नरकीं॥4॥
गोहाची हे गेली लाज । गांजितां कां तुह्मी मज ॥5॥
तुका ह्मणे जनीं । छी थू केली विटंबणी ॥6॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The wife set off for her mother's home, taking the old husband along. Provisions for the journey and a bullock cart were arranged. On the way, the bullocks threw them off, and curses flew between them. The old man could not control himself; his clothes fell off, leaving him naked and exposed. He was humiliated before all the people. He cursed himself, saying he would fall into hell. All modesty and dignity were lost. 'Why do you torment me so?' he cried. Says Tuka, shame was heaped upon them before the whole world.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
The wife set out for her mother's home and took the old man along. Food for the road was packed, and a bullock to ride. On the way the beast threw them down, and they hurled curses at each other. The old man could not steady himself; his clothes came off and he was left bare. He was shamed in front of everyone. He cursed himself and said he would fall into hell. All his modesty was gone. Why do you torment me so, he cried. Tuka says: before the whole world, people spat and jeered at the disgrace.
What it means
Tukaram tells a small, brutal story: a journey set out with care, with food packed and a bullock to ride, that ends in the cart overturning, the old man thrown down, stripped bare, and jeered at in public. Like his other tales it works as a parable of worldly ventures, undertakings begun with confidence and provisions that collapse and leave a person exposed and humiliated. The cursing back and forth, the lost dignity, and the cry of why are you tormenting me show how quickly a comfortable plan turns to shame when the supports give way. The point is the fragility of any journey through the world that leans on its own arrangements, and the verse leaves the reader to feel the exposure rather than to mock the man.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
More in this theme →