Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha
मराठी मूळ
प्रजी तो पाइऩक ओळीचा नाइऩक । पोटासाटीं एकें जैशीं तैशीं ॥1॥
आगळें पाऊल आणिकांसी तरी । पळती माघारीं तोडिजेती ॥ध्रु.॥
पाठीवरी घाय ह्मणती फटमर । धडा अंग शूर मान पावे ॥2॥
घेइऩल दरवडा देहा तो पाइऩक । मारी सकळीक सर्व हरी ॥3॥
तुका ह्मणे नव्हे बोलाचें कारण । कमाइऩचा पण सिद्धी पावे ॥4॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
The common soldier stands in rank as commanded. Some fight only for the sake of their belly, coming and going as it suits them. Those who step out of line are cut down and cast away. A blow on the back brands one a deserter, while the one who faces the enemy head-on earns honor. The true soldier raids the enemy's camp at the cost of his own body, slays all, and seizes everything. Says Tuka, this is not a matter of words alone. The pledge of true effort alone reaches fulfillment.
This translation is auto-generated and may contain errors. We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram’s original Marathi.
Worldly Metaphors
Poems using images from games, occupations, and daily life as spiritual teaching.
More in this theme →Continue exploring