Life's procession leads but to the grave - mantrA 166

srigurubhyO namahA |
Nearing the end of this subsection dealing with the transitory nature of this body, the sage mentions that death arrives at the appointed time for everyone and that there is nothing one can do to protect oneself from the messengers of death.

குடையும் குதிரையும் கொற்றவா ளுங்கொண்டு
இடையும்அக் காலம் இருந்தது நடுவே
புடையு மனிதனார் போக்கும்அப் போதே
அடையும் இடம்வலம் ஆருயி ராமே. I.2.24.166

With horse and sword and canopy outspread,
Man fills his fugitive years with pride of life;
But even as the grand cavalcade sweeps past,
Circling from left to right, expires the breath of life. I.2.24.166

Com - With horse and sword and canopy outspread, (Even though) The king marches boldly on his tall and handsome horse with the outspread white canopy, displaying his sword a symbol of his rulership Man fills his fugitive years with pride of life; and even though all his subjects that he has ruled in the period of his life marched along with him flanking him on all sides But even as the grand cavalcade sweeps past, and even though the great procession of soldiers, horsemen and commoners enclosed him from all sides Circling from left to right, expires the breath of life. At the appointed time, death never fails to strike and when he does, the (ruler’s) breath stops after spiralling once suddenly from the left to the right.

*Even if one were an anointed king and the ruler of vast peoples, and even if one were surrounded on all sides with an immense army accumulated over the period of time known as life, who were fully armed and ready to defend their king, there is nothing that can stop death. If that was the appropriate time for the king to die, then this army and grand cavalcade can offer no protection from death. Even in the middle of all this, the king’s life breath would simply spin from left to right once and stand still forever after.

thirucchitrambalam |