Wealth is a flood that ebbs and flows - mantrA 172

srigurubhyO namahA |
   In the 172nd mantrA the sage goads us to cast aside our material desires and focus instead on gathering a higher and more subtle kind of spiritual wealth.

தேற்றத் தெளிமின் தெளிந்தீர் கலங்கன்மின்
ஆற்றுப் பெருக்கிற் கலக்கி மலக்காதே
மாற்றிக் களைவீர் மறுத்துங்கள் செல்வத்தைக்
கூற்றன் வருங்கால் குதிக்கலு மாமே. I.3.5.172

Weigh well the pros and cons, and having weighed, waver not,
Lose not your bearings, caught in wealth's eddy;
Fling aside the transient trappings of earthly treasures
And thus when the Pale Sargeant comes, for the great leap be ready. I.3.5.172

Com - Weigh well the pros and cons, Realise thoroughly the transitoriness of wealth after having examined the evidence for your self and become clear. and having weighed, waver not, and  having attained the clarity of mind to recognise the truth about material wealth fear no more and stay true to your awareness. Lose not your bearings, caught in wealth's eddy; Instead of being distracted by the dizzying rush of ever increasing waves of wealth, coming at you like flash floods after torrential rain Fling aside the transient trappings of earthly treasures cast aside your attachment for material riches, which are but transient, and focus your efforts instead towards the gathering and multiplying of higher spiritual wealth. And thus when the Pale Sargeant comes, for the great leap be ready. For if you do so, it might help to serve your cause someday when Death (who separates the body from the life force) arrives – it might serve as the tool to even transcend death!

*The term ‘Atru vellam’ is used in a measured way. Flash floods are not permanent. The water running in a great rush will soon dry up and the land is dry once again. Great wealth is also something similar. It is not perennial but is subject to ebb and decrease.  Through the agency of time or the state, the vast riches will someday reduce to ruin. The iconography of Lakshmi the goddess of wealth shown standing on a lotus situated in the wavy/choppy waters of the ocean is worth noting here. The term ‘mAttri kalaidhal’ refers to reversing the pattern – i.e. instead of pining for the lesser and transient material wealth one must seek instead the greater and ever lasting spiritual wealth. In the last line of the verse the siddar uses the term ‘kudhikkalumAmE’, which can be translated as ‘jumping over’ or ‘leaping beyond’. He indicates that it is even possible (for some select great souls, nevertheless) to jump over or transcend death/mortality when this greater spiritual wealth has been accumulated to a significant degree. The words ‘kUtran kudhitthalum kaikUdum’ of the sage thiruvalluvar conveys the similar meaning – it is even possible to transcend death.

thirucchitrambalam |