srigurubhyO namahA |
Without preamble (though it has been seven months since my last post here), I will begin on the next mantrA in the series. This will take us into the next sub section of this tantrA which speaks of the transitoriness of youth.
4. TRANSITORINESS OF YOUTH
Without preamble (though it has been seven months since my last post here), I will begin on the next mantrA in the series. This will take us into the next sub section of this tantrA which speaks of the transitoriness of youth.
4. இளமை நிலையாமை
4. TRANSITORINESS OF YOUTH
As the title of this sub section clearly suggests,
the next 10 mantrAs speak of the transience
of youth. It is only natural for all living things that have taken birth to
pass through the four stages of bAla
(childhood) yuva (youth) vrddha(old age) and finally into mrita or death. Some also add the kAumara (after infancy but before maturity)
as another stage occurring between bAla
and yuva stage. Everything apart from
the supreme consciousness (described as sat,
chit AnandA) is bound to pass through these stages in the natural order of
things. Here, the fact that one’s vitality and youthful body may not be a steady
and constant experience is detailed. Urging us to make the most of the good
health and vigour we may have at this moment in life by engaging in the
spiritual path, he cautions us against wasting our lives.
கிழக்கெழுந்த் தோடிய ஞாயிறு மேற்கே
விழக்கண்டும் தேறார் விழியிலா மாந்தர்
குழக்கன்று மூத்தெரு தாய்ச்சில நாளில்
விழக்கண்டும் தேறார் வியனுல கோரே. I.4.1.177
விழக்கண்டும் தேறார் விழியிலா மாந்தர்
குழக்கன்று மூத்தெரு தாய்ச்சில நாளில்
விழக்கண்டும் தேறார் வியனுல கோரே. I.4.1.177
Rising Sun Sets; Glowing Youth Fades
They see the sun rises in the east and sets in the west,
Yet blind of eye, the truth they ne'er apprehend,
The tender calf grows, fattens for a while and dies;
But this wonder-pageant of the world they do not comprehend. I.4.1.177
They see the sun rises in the east and sets in the west,
Yet blind of eye, the truth they ne'er apprehend,
The tender calf grows, fattens for a while and dies;
But this wonder-pageant of the world they do not comprehend. I.4.1.177
Com - They see the sun rises in the east it is an apparent fact that everyday the sun which
rises in the east full of vigour and light and
sets in the west, continues to fade gradually through the day until it sets
(and disappears from view) in the west. Yet
blind of eye, the truth they ne'er apprehend, though we see this occur
everyday, we are still ignorant of the truth that youth is a temporary thing. The tender calf grows, fattens for a while
and dies; similarly, we can see the new born calf grow over time into a
strong and hefty ox; after some time it will grow old and weak (to be of use in
the farm) and eventually die. But this
wonder-pageant of the world they do not comprehend. Though the temporary
nature of youth is a fact of life (and one that we see echoed everywhere, if
only we look) the ignorant continue to believe that they will remain youthful
(and go to extraordinary lengths to give that appearance).
*The
rising sun and the new born calf are the visible pramAnAs or material evidence
for the case for the transience of youth.
thirucchitrambalam ||
2 comments:
Back again, my God.
At times, 7 months is so long. And then, it is so short too.
But then,
Which is my clock.
Give me my calendar.
End of Story.
Bala. !!!
srigurubhyO namahA |
Dear Bala,
Back again! Though for how long remains to be seen;) Legend has it that the siddar thirumular would come out of his trance once a year and utter one mantra of the thirumandiram each time and re enter his samadhi! Such is the nature of this text that one could easily spend a year meditating on the various layers of meaning in many of the mantras here.
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