The lute lay in dust, the music ceased - mantrA 162

srigurubhyO namahA |
The 162nd mantrA reiterates the fact that the cause for the animation of this physical body is the prAnA or life force. Once that departs, the body is still.

கூடம் கிடந்தது கோலங்கள் இங்கில்லை
ஆடும் இலையமும் அற்றது அறுதலும்
பாடுகின் றார்சிலர் பண்ணில் அழுதிட்டுத்
தேடிய தீயினில் தீயவைத் தார்க்களே. I.2.20.162

Deserted the banquet-hall, unlit, unadorned,
Gone the dancer's swaying shape and flashing feet;
Another song now they sang to a wailing tune,
And, seeking fire, flung the body to its consuming heat. I.2.20.162

Com - Deserted the banquet-hall, The body which served as the dancing hall or stage for the dance of life, lay still and lifeless, unlit, unadorned, and the beauty that adorned this body when life was still present is no longer there. Gone the dancer's swaying shape and flashing feet; now the ever present swaying and dancing motion of prAnA or the life force that used to animate this body is no longer there. Another song now they sang to a wailing tune,
And once the life force departed, one’s kinsmen and friends mourned their loss by wailing and crying. And, seeking fire, flung the body to its consuming heat. Afterwards, they built the pyre and placing the lifeless body on it consigned it to the flames by setting it alight.

*Once the flow of breath stops, this body remains fit only for the flames.

thirucchitrambalam |