Worldly Metaphors

अवगुणांचे हातीं । आहे अवघी फजीती ॥१॥

When faults hold the reins, all ends in disgrace. Where the vessel has no worth, even sweetness turns insipid by that me…

हिरा ठेवितां ऐरणीं । वांचे मारितां जो घणीं ॥१॥

A diamond placed upon the anvil survives the blows of the hammer. That alone fetches its true worth; the imitation is cr…

तेलनीशीं रुसला वेडा । रागें कोरडें खातो भिडा ॥१॥

श्वान शीघ्रकोपी । आपणा घातकर पापी ॥१॥

The dog is quick to anger. The sinful creature strikes itself. It has no sense of shame, no patience. The milk of instru…

देखोनि हरखली अंड । पुत्र जाला म्हणे रांड ॥ तंव तो जाला भांड । चाहाड चोर शिंदळ ॥१…

At the birth, the mother rejoiced: a son is born! But the son turned out a wretch, a buffoon, a betrayer, dissolute. Whe…

कानडीनें केला मर्‍हाटा भ्रतार । एकाचें उत्तर एका न ये ॥१॥

A Kannada woman took a Marathi husband; neither one can grasp the other's words. Do not let my fate be like theirs, O Ka…

मांडवाच्या दारा । पुढें आणिला म्हातारा ॥१॥

An old man was brought before the wedding canopy. He says, "Bring the whore! Burn the groom's face!" He does not know th…

मायबाप जोहार । सारा साधावया आलों वेसकर ॥१॥

Johar, my lords and patrons! I have come as the village watchman to settle all accounts. Clear your debts, past and fut…

येऊं द्या जी कांहीं वेसकरास । आंतून बाहेर वोजेचा घास ॥१॥

Let whatever comes be given to the watchman. A share of every load passing in and out is his due. Whoever enters must n…

देती घेती परज गेली । घर खालीं करूनियां ॥१॥

While giving and taking went on, what was held in trust slipped away. The house was stripped bare. What the raid seized…

माकडें मुठीं धरिलें फुटाणे । गुंतले ते नेणे हात तेथें ॥१॥

A monkey grabs roasted grain in its fist. Its hand is stuck there, and it does not know it. What fault can be laid upon…

झेला रे झेला वरचेवर झेला । हातिचें गमावी तो पाठीं साहे टोला ॥१॥

Catch it! Catch it! Keep catching, over and over! Lose what is in your hand, and you pay with a blow to the back. The b…

कोडें रे कोडें ऐका हें कोडें । उगवूनि फार राहे गुंतोनियां थोडें ॥१॥

A riddle, a riddle, hear this riddle: so much is solved, yet tangled over a trifle. I ask you, tell me: is this "I" and…

आम्हां घरीं एक गाय दुभता हे । पान्हा न समाये त्रिभुवनीं ॥१॥

In our house there is one milch cow whose yield overflows beyond the three worlds. Her hide is dark; her name is Shridh…

सिद्ध करूनियां ठेविलें कांडण । मज सांगातीण शुद्ध बुद्धि गे ॥१॥

I have prepared the grain for pounding, and pure wisdom is my companion at the stone. Hold this remembrance and wake me…

सावडीं कांडण ओवी नारायण । निवडे आपण भूस सार ॥१॥

In the quiet hours, pound the grain while singing the ovi of Narayana, and the chaff will separate from the grain on its…

शुद्धीचें सारोनि भरियेली पाळी । भरडोनि वोंगळी नाम केलें ॥१॥

Having sifted the pure portion, you filled the tray. But then you ground everything coarsely and ruined the Name. Sift …

शुद्ध दळणाचें सुख सांगों काई । मानवित सईबाई तुज ॥१॥

How shall I tell you the joy of pure grinding, dear sister? Let me satisfy you with this. Pure flour, well ground, is q…

जीवशिवाच्या मांडूनि हाला । अहं सोहं दोन्ही भेडती भला ॥१॥

The game of Hal is set between the soul and Shiva; "I" and "I am That" charge at each other like rams. One rushes acros…

त्रिगुणांचे फेरी थोर कष्टी होसी । या चौघांसी तरी धरीं सोई रे ॥१॥

Caught in the cycles of the three gunas, you suffer greatly. Hold fast to these four companions and maintain your course…

सर्प विंचू दिसे । धन अभाग्या कोळसे ॥१॥

To the unlucky man, treasure appears as serpents, scorpions, and lumps of coal. A film has covered his eyes, and what w…

सोनियाचें ताट क्षीरीनें भरिलें । भक्षावया दिलें श्वाना लागीं ॥१॥

A golden plate filled with milk-rice was set before a dog to eat. A pearl necklace was put upon a donkey, and musk was …

दिवट्या वाद्यें लावुनि खाणें । करूनि मंडण दिली हातीं ॥१॥

With torches and music and a feast laid out, they prepare the bride in all her finery and place her hand in the groom's.…

कुंभ अवघा एक आवा । पाकीं एकीं गुफे डावा ॥१॥

All pots come from the same kiln of clay, yet some are baked to strength while others crumble in the fire. So has desti…

मृगजळा काय करावा उतार । पावावया पार पैल थडी ॥१॥

Why build a crossing over a mirage when there is no far shore to reach? Children play with broken pottery as if it were…

आंधळ्यासि जन अवघे चि आंधळे । आपणासि डोळे दृष्टी नाहीं ॥१॥

To a blind man, all the world appears blind, for he has no sight of his own. To the sick man, even a delicious meal tas…

अंगीं ज्वर तया नावडे साकर । जन तो इतर गोडी जाणे ॥१॥

One who has fever finds no sweetness in sugar, while others savor its taste freely. What falls as dirt in one person's …

गहूं एकजाती । परी त्या पाधाणी नासिती ॥१॥

Wheat is of one kind, yet stones mixed in ruin it. Know the essential secret and discern where the impurity lies, howev…

वीट नेघे ऐसें रांधा । जेणें बाधा उपजे ना ॥१॥

Cook in such a way that no one feels disgust with the food and no harm arises from it. Only then does it remain sweet, n…

गर्भाचें धारण । तिनें वागविला सिण ॥१॥

The mother bore the burden of the womb and endured all the pain of labor. But she gave birth to an axe-handle; it will …

साच माझा देव्हारा । भाक ठेवा भाव खरा । त्रिगुणाचा फुलवरा । आणा विनति सांगतों ॥१॥

My shrine is true; place your vow there with honest devotion. Bring a garland of the three qualities and I will tell you…

संबाल यारा उपर तलें दोन्हो मारकी चोट । नजर करे सो ही राखे पश्वा जावे लुट ॥१॥

Guard yourself, friend; the blows fall from both above and below. Whoever keeps a watchful eye is saved, but the heedles…

नजर करे सो ही जिंके बाबा दुरथी तमासा देख । लकडी फांसा लेकर बैठा आगले ठकण भेख ॥१॥

The one who watches wins; from a distance, my friend, watch the spectacle. The trickster sits with his staff and snare, …

टाक रुका चाल रांडे कां गे केली गोवी । पुसोनियां आलें ठाव म्हणोनि देतें सिवी ॥१॥

Toss a coin and move on, you wretch; why have you tangled yourself? I have wiped the old slate clean and will stitch a n…

मोकळी गुंते रिती कुंथे नाहीं भार दावें । धेडवाडा बैसली खोडा घेतली आपुल्या भावें …

She is free yet entangles herself, empty yet groans as if carrying a burden. She has sat down in the untouchable quarter…

सातें चला काजळ घाला तेल फणी करा । दिवाणदारीं बैसले पारीं नाचों फेर धरा ॥१॥

Come, all of you, apply the collyrium, oil your hair, and take your combs. The court is in session; let us form a circle…

घर केलें दार केलें । घरीं नाहीं वरो । सेजारणी पापिणीचीं पांच पोरें मरो ॥१॥

She built a house and made a door, but there is no bridegroom within. May the five children of that sinful neighbor peri…

मज चि भोंवता केला येणें जोग । काय याचा भोग अंतरला ॥१॥

This husband of mine has set me going in circles; has he renounced anything at all? All comforts walk right past our doo…

काय नेणों होता दावेदार मेला । वैर तो साधिला होउनि गोहो ॥१॥

Who knows what creditor died and took his revenge by raising this uproar in my life. How long must I endure this sufferi…

गोणी आली घरा । दाणे खाऊं नेदी पोरा ॥१॥

A sack of grain comes home, but he will not let the children eat a morsel. He fills the bowls of strangers; this wretche…

आतां पोरा काय खासी । गोहो जाला देवलसी ॥१॥

What will your children eat now? Your husband has become a god-mad devotee. He shakes his head, sways, and wears garland…

बरें जालें गेलें । आजी अवघें मिळालें ॥१॥

Good riddance, it all came together today. Now I will eat my fill, whether the bread is fresh or dry. How long should I…

न करवे धंदा । आइता तोंडीं पडे लोंदा ॥१॥

He will not do any work; lumps of food just fall into his mouth. Whatever rises up, he turns it into the clapping of cym…

कोण घरा येतें आमुच्या काशाला । काय ज्याचा त्याला नाहीं धंदा ॥१॥

Who comes to our house, and for what reason? Does everyone not have their own work to attend to? For God's sake, the who…

भाव धरी तया तारील पाषाण । दुर्जना सज्जन काय करी ॥१॥

One who holds sincere faith can be saved even by a stone, but what can even a saint do for the wicked? A dog's tail can …

पोटीं जन्मती रोग । तरि कां ह्मणावे आप्तवर्ग ॥1॥

Diseases are born within the body itself; then why call them strangers? Medicinal herbs grow in the wild; then why call …

नाहीं निर्मळ जीवन । काय करील साबण ॥1॥

If the water is not clean, what can soap do? Likewise, if the chitta is not purified, what can any teaching accomplish? …

एका बीजा केला नास । मग भोगेल कणीस ॥1॥

When a single seed is destroyed, only then does it yield a full ear of grain. Everyone understands this principle, from …

लोह चुंबकाच्या बळें । उभें राहिलें निराळें ॥1॥

As iron stands upright, drawn by the force of a magnet, so You play within us and around us. A wick is consumed by fire,…

करी संध्यास्नान । वारी खाउनियां अन्न ॥1॥

He performs his daily rituals and prayers after filling his belly with food. For him there is neither gain nor loss; he …

शूकरासी विष्ठा माने सावकास । मिष्टान्नाची त्यास काय गोडी ॥1॥

A pig finds comfort in filth; what taste can it have for fine food? In the same way, those without devotion love hypocri…

रासभ धुतला महा तीर्थांमाजी । नव्हे जैसा तेजी शामकर्ण ॥1॥

Even if a donkey is bathed in the holiest waters, it does not become a fine horse. Likewise, what good is teaching to a …

जेवीं नवज्वरें तापलें शरीर । लागे तया क्षीर विषातुल्य ॥1॥

Just as a body burning with fever finds even milk to taste like poison, so too one who has turned away from spiritual tr…

आदि मध्य अंत दाखविला दीपें । हा तों आपणापें यत्न बरा ॥1॥

The lamp has illuminated the beginning, the middle, and the end. This effort of making it visible was well worth it. Th…

सांटविले वाण । पैस घातला दुकान ॥1॥

The goods have been stocked the capital has been invested, and the shop has been opened. Whatever anyone needs, at any t…

लागलिया मुख स्तनां । घाली पान्हा माउली ॥1॥

When the infant's lips meet the breast, the mother's milk flows forth. Both are delighted; love and play fulfill each lo…

दर्पणासी नखटें लाजे । शुद्ध खिजे देखोनि ॥1॥

An ugly person is offended by the mirror; seeing purity, the impure become angry. Such is the effect of faults: what is …

बरगासाटीं खादलें शेण । मिळतां अन्न न संडी ॥1॥

For lack of proper food he ate dung, but once real grain was found, he would not give it up. He has already been shamed …

गंगेचिया अंताविण काय चाड । आपुलें तें कोड तृषेपाशीं ॥1॥

What need is there to seek the very end of the Ganga? One's own longing is met right there, at the place of thirst. Thi…

खरें भांडवल सांपडलें गांठी । जेणें नये तुटी उदमासी ॥1॥

True capital has been found and secured, of the kind that never exhausts the trade. The rare commodity has arrived at t…

निवडुनि दिलें नवनीत । संचित ते भोगीत ॥1॥

The butter has been separated and handed over. Those who have accumulated are now enjoying it. Ahead lies the essence o…

काय नाहीं लवत झाडें । विसरे वेडें देहभाव ॥1॥

Do not trees also bow their branches? Does a lunatic not also forget body-consciousness? One upon whom no teaching has …

रडे अळंकार दैन्याचिये कांती । उतमा विपित्तसंग घडे ॥1॥

An ornament weeps when placed upon a body degraded by misery. When the noble one encounters adversity, this is what happ…

कुशळ गुंतले निषेधा । वादी प्रवर्तले वादा ॥1॥

The clever ones are ensnared in prohibitions. The debaters are swept away in debate. How pitifully they are caught in t…

सोनें दावी वरी तांबें तयापोटीं । खरियाचे साटीं विकुं पाहे ॥1॥

One shows gold on the surface but hides copper within, hoping to sell it for the price of the real thing. But the exper…

फोडुनि सांगडी बांधली माजासी । पैल थडी कैसी पावे सहजीं ॥1॥

One breaks apart a raft and ties the planks around his waist. How will he ever reach the far shore this way? He brings …

जळो प्रेमा तैसा रंग । जाय भुलोनि पतंग ॥1॥

Cursed be the love that is mere show, like the moth that goes, deluded. A daughter-in-law weeps for her mother-in-law, …

आले भरा केणें । येरझार चुके जेणें ॥1॥

He came in fullness, He by whom the weary rounds of coming and going are cut off. He was made to stand upon the brick. …

पाइऩकपणें जोतिला सिद्धांत । सुर धरी मात वचन चित्तीं ॥1॥

Through service as a paika, the proven truth becomes clear. He holds the tone and the word of command within his chitta.…

पाइकीचें सुख पाइकासी ठावें । ह्मणोनियां जीवें केली साटीं ॥1॥

The joy of paiki is known only to the paik; and so he has pledged his very life as its price. He endures the volleys of…

पाइऩक जो जाणे पाइकींनीं भाव । लाग पगें ठाव चोरवाट ॥1॥

The paik who knows the inner bhav of paiki gains his footholds through hidden paths and secret trails. Protecting himse…

पाइकांनीं पंथ चालविल्या वाटा । पारख्याचा सांटा मोडोनियां ॥1॥

The paiks have kept the paths and routes of tradition in motion, breaking open the outsiders' stores of supply. Taking …

पाइऩक तो प्रजा राखोनियां कुळ । पारखिया मूळ छेदी दुष्टा ॥1॥

A true paik guards the people and their lineage, and cuts the outsider at the root, destroying the wicked. That one sup…

धनी ज्या पाइका मानितो आपण । तया भितें जन सकळीक ॥1॥

The paik whom the Master acknowledges as His own is feared by all the world. Those who are generous with their very liv…

पाइकपणें खरा मुशारा । पाइऩक तो खरा पाइकीनें ॥1॥

The true paik earns his true wages through genuine service. The real paik is known by paiki. The real paik knows his bo…

उंच निंच कैसी पाइकाची वोळी । कोण गांढे बळी निवडिले ॥1॥

Among the paik's file, some stand high and some stand low. Who is truly brave, and who is a coward? Some are utterly de…

एका च स्वामीचे पाइऩक सकळ । जैसें बळ तैसें मोल तया ॥1॥

All are paiks of one Master. Each is valued according to his strength. Some have an elevated place near the Master's fe…

प्रजी तो पाइऩक ओळीचा नाइऩक । पोटासाटीं एकें जैशीं तैशीं ॥1॥

The foot-paik stands in the file as commanded. Some serve only for the belly, going and coming as it suits them. Those …

जातीचा पाइऩक ओळखे पाइका । आदर तो एका त्याचे ठायीं ॥1॥

A born paik recognizes another paik. His respect is reserved for that one alone. Those who take up weapons for the bell…

घोंगडियांचा पालट केला । मुलांमुलां आपुल्यांत ॥1॥

The blankets were exchanged among the children, among their own. Kanhoba is who I now appear to be. He has set this mad…

खेळों लागलों सुरकवडी । माझी घोंगडी हारपली ॥1॥

While playing the gambling game, my blanket was lost. I have flung myself around Krishna's neck, pleading: Give it back…

घोंगडियांची एकी राशी । त्याचपाशीं तें ही होतें ॥1॥

All the blankets were piled in one heap, and His was among them too. I press my own claim; let this tangle be sorted ou…

नाहीं तुझे उगा पडत गळां । पुढें गोपाळा जाऊं नको ॥1॥

I will not simply fall silent at Your feet, O Gopala. Do not walk ahead of me. I shall expose Your tricks at home, and …

तुह्मां आह्मां उरी तोंवरी । जनाचारी ऐसें तैसी ॥1॥

Between You and me, as long as something remains, we shall go on like this in the world's way. Give me back my blanket,…

मुळींचा तुह्मां लागला चाळा । तो गोपाळा न संडा ॥1॥

Your old habit clings to You from the very beginning. You will not give it up, O Gopala. You only take; there is nothin…

घोंगडियास घातली मिठी । न सोडी साटी केली जीवें ॥1॥

I have clutched the blanket tight and will not release it; I have staked my life on this. Here is the thief, catch Him,…

आतां मी देवा पांघरों काइऩ । भिकेचें तें ही उरे चि ना ॥1॥

Now what shall I cover myself with, O God? I have nothing left, not even what I begged for. He is always poor, this wre…

मी माझें करित होतों जतन । भीतरिल्या चोरें घेतलें खानें ॥1॥

I was guarding what was mine, but the thief within took what I had stored. He was there even before I arrived, dwelling…

घोंगडें नेलें सांगों मी कोणा । दुबळें माझें नाणीत मना ॥1॥

My blanket has been stolen. To whom shall I complain? I am poor; no one brings my plight to mind. I cannot get it back …

माझें घोंगडें पडिलें ठायीं । माग तया पायीं सांपडला ॥1॥

My blanket has been found right where it was dropped. The trail leads straight to those feet. That thief is a fine one,…

घटीं बिंबलें बिंब हें ठायिठायीं । तया संगती नासु हा त्यासि नाहीं ॥1॥

The sun reflects in every pot, yet it is never diminished by their breaking. Though the body is distributed, the essenc…

दुद दहीं ताक पशूचें पाळण । त्यांमध्यें कारण घृतसार ॥1॥

Milk, curds, and buttermilk serve to nourish and sustain, but among all of these, clarified butter is the essence. This…

सोनियांचा कळस । माजी भरिला सुरारस ॥1॥

A golden goblet filled with liquor. What measure of worth should one place on it? You tell me, O saints. An earthen pot…

सेत करा रे फुकाचें । नाम विठोबारायाचें ॥1॥

Cultivate this free field: the Name of Vithoba. There is no forced labor, no tax to pay, no intermediary to satisfy. Th…

वोनव्या सोंकरीं । सेत खादलें पांखरीं ॥1॥

Neglecting to watch the field, the birds ate the crop. Do not be deceived like that; wake up from your heedless sleep. …

सेत आलें सुगी सांभाळावे चारी कोण । पिका आलें परी केलें पाहिजे जतन ॥1॥

The harvest has come; guard it on all four sides. The crop is ripe, but you must watch over it carefully. Do not rest w…

सुखें होतो कोठे घेतली सुती । बांधविला गळा आपुले हातीं ॥1॥

I was living in peace somewhere when I bound the noose around my own neck with my own hands. What shall I do now? I am …

साजे अळंकार । तरि भोगितां भ्रतार ॥1॥

Ornaments befit a woman who is with her husband. On an adulteress, they are misplaced and bring ridicule from all. To …

आइत्याची राशी । आली पाकसिद्धीपाशीं ॥1॥

A ready harvest has arrived at the kitchen, the cooking complete. Should one now abandon the feast and go begging like …

आणिकांसी तारी ऐसा नाहीं कोणी । धड तें नासोनि भलता टाकी ॥1॥

No one else ruins things quite like this: they take what was whole and break it apart carelessly. Gold in the house was…