Tukaram, Poem 479

When the serpent is entranced by his flute, the charmer pounces on him; he keeps him confined in a cage for a dwelling place, and goes wandering from door to door to fill his own belly. Such is my state, O Panduranga; I am a prisoner, O set me free! Nothing can I do for myself, unless You take compassion on me. The fish gets the hook stuck in his throat because he swallows the bait; when he is drawn forth he strives to take breath. What are his father and mother to him then? A bird is snared by her desire to approach her young; as she looks on them, she is caught fast in the net; while she runs towards them with fond affection, she thinks not of death, she saves neither herself nor her brood. Through his love of sweets a fly is caught in a trap, and then he goes on fluttering wildly. Tuka says, My soul is possessed by desire; O dweller in Pandhari, take pity on me!