Subdue the senses, birth cycle ends - mantrA 183

srigurubhyO namahA |
Comparing the body to a bag with five thick needles in it and the five senses to the crow which eats without discrimination, the sage gets us to understand the nature of this transmigratory cycle. The practise of pratyAhArA or sense withdrawal is being spoken of here where the outward flowing nature of the sense instruments is curtailed and made to flow within by focusing them on the light present in the crown of the head.

பருவூசி ஐந்துமோர் பையினுள் வாழும்
பருவூசி ஐந்தும் பறக்கும் விருகம்
பருவூசி ஐந்தும் பனித்தலைப் பட்டால்
பருவூசிப் பையும் பறக்கின்ற வாறே. I.4.7.183

The five needles thick, this bag of senses holds
The five needles thick in this bestial body roam free;
If the five needles thick you tame and subdue,
No more this bag that life's cycle involves. I.4.7.183

Com - The five needles thick, this bag of senses holds the five indriyAs (sense instruments) akin to five thick needles are present within the bag like body. The five needles thick in this bestial body roam free; But like the crow that flies to seek out, scavenge (things that are vile and unsuitable) and consume, these five indriyAs roam free without regard for what is good and what is not. If the five needles thick you tame and subdue, If these five indriyAs were subdued by focusing them on the brilliant (snow like) light that is present at the crown of the head No more this bag that life's cycle involves. Then one will be free from the taint and memory of this physical body limited by the activities of the five indriyAs.

*The term’ பருவூசி ‘means thick needle. It is used as a metaphor for the indriyAs or sense instruments to suggest their sharpness as well as the fact that they are highly subtle. The term’ பை ‘or bag refers to the body. The word‘விருகம் ‘ meaning crow is used here to imply the fact that these sense instruments are constantly seeking out much that is impure and unsuitable as the crow is ever ready to eat without discrimination.  The term ‘பனித்தலை‘or snow capped head refers to the orb of brilliant light (white as snow) that is present at the crown of the head. The last line of the verse implies that when one is established in the state of nirmala jAgrat (the untainted or pure wakeful state) consciousness, then the limitations of the physical body will be transcended.  Thus through subduing the five senses, it is possible to rise to a plane of elevated consciousness.

thirucchitrambalam ||