Worldly Metaphors

अवगुणांचे हातीं । आहे अवघी फजीती ॥१॥

In the hands of the unworthy, everything ends in disgrace. Without a fit vessel, both bitter and sweet lose their measur…

हिरा ठेवितां ऐरणीं । वांचे मारितां जो घणीं ॥१॥

A diamond placed upon the anvil survives the blows of the hammer. Only such a one proves its true worth; the counterfeit…

तेलनीशीं रुसला वेडा । रागें कोरडें खातो भिडा ॥१॥

The fool quarrels with the oil-seller's wife and then stubbornly eats dry food. Let each one look to his own welfare and…

श्वान शीघ्रकोपी । आपणा घातकर पापी ॥१॥

A dog is quick to anger: it is its own enemy, a sinful wretch. It has neither courtesy nor patience; it cannot digest ev…

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

Seeing the egg, the mother rejoiced: "A son is born!" But the son turned out to be a fraud, a gossip, a thief, and a sco…

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

A Kannada-speaking woman married a Marathi-speaking husband; neither understands the other's words. Do not make my pligh…

मांडवाच्या दारा । पुढें आणिला म्हातारा ॥१॥

An old man was brought before the wedding canopy. He says, bring the bride, and curses the groom. He does not recognize …

मायबाप जोहार । सारा साधावया आलों वेसकर ॥१॥

Greetings, dear elders. I have come as the village watchman to settle all accounts. Clear your past and future debts, or…

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

Let something be given to the watchman, even a small morsel of food from inside and outside the house. Whenever he comes…

देती घेती परज गेली । घर खालीं करूनियां ॥१॥

While giving and taking went on, the household was emptied out entirely. What is seized by the rushing thief cannot be r…

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

A monkey seizes roasted grain in its fist and then cannot free its trapped hand. Can you really call that the monkey's f…

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

Catch, catch, keep catching again and again; whoever lets the ball slip from his hands will suffer blows from behind. Th…

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

A riddle, a riddle, hear this riddle: one who has solved a great deal remains entangled by a trifle. I ask you, tell me,…

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

In our house there is one milch cow whose milk overflows beyond the three worlds. Her color is dark, her name is Shridha…

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

I have prepared the grain for pounding, and pure wisdom is my companion in this work. 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 name of Narayana, and the chaff will separate from the grain on it…

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 i…

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

How shall I describe the joy of pure grinding? I am telling you, O dear friend, so that you may be satisfied. Pure flour…

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

The game of Hal is set up between the individual soul and the supreme Self; the two cries of 'I' and 'He' charge at each…

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 wa…

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

A golden plate filled with sweet pudding was set before a dog to eat. A pearl necklace was put upon a donkey, and musk w…

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 destin…

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 tast…

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 m…

गहूं एकजाती । परी त्या पाधाणी नासिती ॥१॥

Wheat is of one kind, yet stones ruin it. Know the essential truth and discern what matters, large or small. By the qual…

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

Cook in such a way that no one tires of the food and no harm arises from it. Only then does it remain sweet, naturally a…

गर्भाचें धारण । तिनें वागविला सिण ॥१॥

The mother bore the burden of the womb and endured all the pain of labor. But the child she brought forth will not even …

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

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

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, woman; why have you tangled yourself? I have wiped the old slate clean and will stitch a new bo…

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 willingly in the stocks of…

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 entangled me in constant work; has he renounced anything at all? All comforts walk right past o…

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

Who knows what creditor died and took his revenge by becoming this destiny of mine. How long must I endure this sufferin…

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; morsels of food just fall into his mouth. Whatever rises up, he turns it into the clapping of c…

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 heart is not pure, what can any teaching accomplish? If a …

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 unseen force of a magnet, so You play within us and around us. A wick is consumed b…

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. The…

सांटविले वाण । पैस घातला दुकान ॥1॥

The goods have been stocked and the shop has been opened. Whatever anyone needs, at any time, is ready and available at …

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 for the full extent of the Ganga? One's own thirst is satisfied at its bank. This beautiful, graceful…

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 th…

निवडुनि दिलें नवनीत । संचित ते भोगीत ॥1॥

The butter has been separated and handed over. Those who had stored it up are now enjoying their share. Ahead lies the e…

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 a…

रडे अळंकार दैन्याचिये कांती । उतमा विपित्तसंग घडे ॥1॥

An ornament weeps when placed on a body degraded by misery. When the virtuous encounter misfortune, it is a mismatch, O …

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 trapped betw…

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 expert…

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 r…

जळो प्रेमा तैसा रंग । जाय भुलोनि पतंग ॥1॥

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

आले भरा केणें । येरझार चुके जेणें ॥1॥

He has come to the market of this world to end the wearying rounds of coming and going. He stands upon the brick. Pandha…

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

Through loyal service, the proven truth becomes clear. The soldier holds the word and spirit of the command in his heart…

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

The joy of faithful service is known only to the faithful servant, and so he has staked his very life upon it. He endure…

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

A true soldier knows the ways of soldiering: the trails, the shortcuts, the ambush routes. Protecting himself, he outman…

पाइकांनीं पंथ चालविल्या वाटा । पारख्याचा सांटा मोडोनियां ॥1॥

The soldiers have blazed the trails and broken through enemy stores of provisions. They seized supplies from enemy camps…

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

A true soldier guards the people and their lineage, and cuts down the wicked enemy at the root. That one supreme soldier…

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

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

पाइकपणें खरा मुशारा । पाइऩक तो खरा पाइकीनें ॥1॥

The true soldier earns his keep through genuine soldiering. The real soldier is known by his readiness to take a blow up…

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

Among the ranks of soldiers, some stand tall and some stand low. Who is strong and who is weak? Some are utterly devoted…

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

All are soldiers of the same Master, yet each is valued according to his strength. Some have an elevated place near the …

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

The common soldier stands in rank as commanded. Some fight only for the sake of their belly, coming and going as it suit…

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

A born soldier recognizes another true soldier. His respect is reserved only for such a one. Those who take up arms mere…

घोंगडियांचा पालट केला । मुलांमुलां आपुल्यांत ॥1॥

The blankets were exchanged among the children in play. Krishna, that is who I now appear to be. He says one thing, I si…

खेळों लागलों सुरकवडी । माझी घोंगडी हारपली ॥1॥

While playing a gambling game, my blanket was lost. I have fallen at Krishna's feet, pleading: give it back, O Gopala, s…

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 out…

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 n…

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 beginning. You will not give it up, O Gopala. You only take; there is nothing to g…

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 got from begging. A poor wretch has been…

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

I was guarding what was mine, but the thief within stole everything. He was there even before I arrived, dwelling within…

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

My blanket has been stolen. To whom shall I complain? I am poor, and no one takes me seriously. I cannot get it back now…

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. Milk cannot be separated once it is mixed w…

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

Milk, curds, and buttermilk serve to nourish the body, but among them, clarified butter is the essence. This is the secr…

सोनियांचा कळस । माजी भरिला सुरारस ॥1॥

A golden goblet filled with liquor: what value should one place on it? You tell me, O saints. An earthen pot filled with…

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. The…

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 sleep. Walking al…

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. Rest only until the grai…

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 d…

साजे अळंकार । तरि भोगितां भ्रतार ॥1॥

Ornaments befit one who serves her husband. On an adulteress, they are mere mockery and bring ridicule from all. To spea…

आइत्याची राशी । आली पाकसिद्धीपाशीं ॥1॥

A ready harvest has come to the kitchen, fully prepared. Should one now abandon the feast and go begging like a madman? …

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 …