srigurubhyO namahA |
In this the 180th mantrA, the sage compares youth to sugarcane and old age to the bitter nux vomica. Not only is youth a momentary phase certain to be lost, old age is very unattractive.
In this the 180th mantrA, the sage compares youth to sugarcane and old age to the bitter nux vomica. Not only is youth a momentary phase certain to be lost, old age is very unattractive.
விரும்புவர் முன்என்னை மெல்லியன் மாதர்
கரும்பு தகர்த்துக் கடைக்கொண்ட நீர்போல்
அரும்பொத்த மென்முலை ஆயிழை யார்க்கும்
கரும்பொத்துக் காஞ்சிரங் காயுமொத் தேனே. I.4. 4.180
கரும்பு தகர்த்துக் கடைக்கொண்ட நீர்போல்
அரும்பொத்த மென்முலை ஆயிழை யார்க்கும்
கரும்பொத்துக் காஞ்சிரங் காயுமொத் தேனே. I.4. 4.180
Time
was when fond damsels on him their love bestowed;
Like cane's sugary juice, slow sucked, was he to them,
The idol of wenches with budding breasts and jewelled shapes;
But now the sweetest cane has bitter nux vomica become. I.4.4.180
Like cane's sugary juice, slow sucked, was he to them,
The idol of wenches with budding breasts and jewelled shapes;
But now the sweetest cane has bitter nux vomica become. I.4.4.180
Com -
fond damsels many beautiful women Like cane's sugary juice, slow sucked, was he to them, (used to) love me and delight in my company,
finding pleasure that was so sweet and addictive on him their love bestowed; Time
was when and spent long hours lavishing their love and the ecstasies of
their youthful bodies in the past (when I was youthful and attractive). of
wenches with budding breasts and jewelled shapes; To those attractive women
with breasts so tender that resemble the budding lotus blossom, dressed in
wonderful silks and all finery The idol
I was (in my youth) the hero and the centre of all their attention. But now the sweetest cane has bitter nux
vomica become. And though they enjoyed me like sugarcane (when I was
possessed of youth), now that I am old, they are disgusted by me and have
deserted me.
*Highlighting
the transience of youth, the sage uses a common and everyday example to point
out another fact. Not only is it true that one’s youth is not permanent but it
also true that old age (and its debilitation's and the change that comes over
the body with age) is unattractive. The sweet sugar cane is compared to kAnjirankAi or nux vomica which is
exceptionally bitter and causes one to retch and vomit when consumed. That is
to say, what was so attractive and delightful in youth becomes disgusting and
unappealing when that youthfulness is lost.
thirucchitrambalam ||
4 comments:
would you let me differ Sir?
Is not old age so beautiful exactly like a baby age too, when you know your speed, your limits, and you dont have a false set of aspirations, for at this age, everything is defined without any doubt and all that you are doing at this age is enjoying your ambiance and biding your time...
just thought so..
Sri.
i was just talking from my window Sir, at an age of 67 plus, everything looks beautiful for me.
Sri.
srigurubhyO namahA|
@Sri,
Dear sir, it is neither the intention of the sage nor of mine to declare downright that old age is bitter. What is being said here is that the young women who appeared to enjoy the delights of the youthful body, are not so keen on one when the body is frail and wrinkled.
''when you know your speed, your limits, and you dont have a false set of aspirations,''
If this is true, then any age whether young or old is a beautiful time!! That is indeed the intention of the sage - to break one's false aspirations and delusions by making clear that youth is momentary.
srigurubhyO namahA |
@Sri,
Indeed old age is a boon in its own way, when finally we may be rid of some false ideas through life's lessons over the years. As this section is trying to impress upon the reader the dream like (here one minute and gone the next)nature of youth and the verses must be understood only in that context. The idea that youth is momentary must encourage the aspirant to make haste and prepare himself already for insight and the Grace of the Lord, while the body is still supple and can undergo austerities and penance.
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