Share with others before you eat - mantrA 196

srigurubhyO namahA |

The 196th mantrA forms the end of the current subsection dealing with the transitory nature of life.

அவ்வியம் பேசி அறங்கெட நில்லன்மின்
வெவ்விய னாகிப் பிறர்ப்பொருள் வவ்வன்மின்
செவ்விய னாகிச் சிறந்துண்ணும் போதொரு
தவ்விகொ டுண்மின் தலைப்பட்ட போதே. I.5.10.196

Speak not in envy, stray not from the Dharmic way,
Covet not other's riches with lustful greedy glances;
With heart to pity attuned, as you sit down to eat,
Share with others before the feast commences. I.5.10.196

Com - Speak not in envy, stray not from the Dharmic way, you must not speak ill of others (biased by envy, jealousy, anger etc) and lead yourself into the path of adharmA (improper conduct). Covet not other's riches with lustful greedy glances; you must not act out of hatred and greed and want what is not rightfully yours, you must not commit theft and violence (which stem out of greed and hatred) for improper gain. With heart to pity attuned, as you sit down to eat, You must live with a controlled mind that has learnt to be content with what is available and when sitting down to eat (with the senses controlled) Share with others before the feast commences. You must be compassionate to the needs of others, and if someone comes visiting, share at least a ladle of food with them before you commence your own meal.

*In the last mantra of this subsection the sage leaves us with a few good pointers. One must remain unaffected by envy and jealousy as they cause one to commit actions that are impure and unjust. One must also remain free of greed and anger as these will drag one to base actions that have devastating consequences. It is also good to note that these emotions cloud the mind and cause agitation that renders meditation and contemplation impossible. Learning to be content with what is available; one must live a regulated life if desirous of self knowledge. Most importantly (being aware of the momentary nature of life and the preciousness of life) we must be empathetic to the needs of those around us and be ready to share what we have with those that don’t or those who are guests in our home. Upholding these morals one must live this short life and try to rid the mind of its useless delusions and dangerous emotions. Some of these morals will be discussed in greater detail in different sub sections to follow within the body of the first tantrA. 

thirucchitrambalam ||

Pray and perform noble deeds - this is the law of life eternal - mantrA 195

srigurubhyO namahA ||

In the 195th mantrA, the sage displays his superior wit by twists on the word fate. He opines that nothing more than a proper discriminatory intellect is essential to discern what is good and what is not. Of what use are the laws and decrees in the case of one lacking the awareness that their actions have consequences.

ஆம்விதி நாடி அறஞ்செய்மின் அந்நிலம்
போம்விதி நாடிப் புனிதனைப் போற்றுமின்
நாம்விதி வேண்டும் அதென்சொலின் மானிடர்
ஆம்விதி பெற்ற அருமைவல் லார்க்கே. I.5.9.195

Perform thou noble deeds, good Karma to shape,
Praise thou the Holy One, the Holy Land to reach;
This is the law we need, this the law for men
Who, blessed with earthly life, seek the Life eternal. I.5.9.195

Com - Perform thou noble deeds, good Karma to shape, (You must) recognise that path which is pure and noble and is fitting for (your) birth and persevere till the end on such a path leading to salvation. Praise thou the Holy One, the Holy Land to reach; (after the pursuit of such a path long enough) you must go even higher (subtler) and reach the light mandala and remain in the contemplation of the supreme as pure effulgence. This is the law we need, this the law for men.Who, blessed with earthly life, seek the Life eternal. To those (like you) who have the great fortune to obtain the highest of all births – i.e. as human,  what other law or decree is needed apart from what has been said above?

*The sage plays with the word ‘விதி‘which means fate or destiny as well as law, order, command etc. He suggests that those who have had the good fortune of being born as a human being are indeed possessed of all the faculties that would enable them to tread the path towards the supreme. By proper use of their birth and body, they must understand what actions take them to higher realms and which actions pull them deeper into the realm of sorrow and suffering. Then they must choose to perform those activities that will elevate them and avoid fastidiously all that is counter productive to this end. From the perishable human body to the immortal body of light, this transformation is possible through the path of action – right action. Thus there is no need for further elaboration and issuing hundreds of decrees and laws (about how to conduct one’s life) to direct those who are aware of the consequences of their actions. They will naturally tread the right path once possessed of discrimination or vivEkA. 

thirucchitrambalam ||

Lord is the light beyond visible reach - mantrA 194

srigurubhyO namahA |
Here is the 194th mantrA which can be better understood in context with the previous one. A beautiful verse, poetic and concise.

இன்புறு வண்டிங்கு இனமலர் மேற்போய்
உண்பது வாச மதுபோல் உயிர்நிலை
இன்புற நாடி நினைக்கிலும் மூன்றொளி
கண்புற நின்ற கருத்துள்நில் லானே. I.5.8.194

The bee, that nectar seeks, flies high for its flower on top
And there, alone, it sucks the fragrant juice;
Even so, they who seek the blessed grace divine,
Aspire for the Light beyond visible reach of eyes. I.5.8.194

Com - The bee, that nectar seeks, flies high for its flower on top (Akin to) the honey bee that flits around in search of nectar and flocks to where the flowers bloom And there, alone, it sucks the fragrant juice; and feeds on the fragrant pollen of various flowers. Even so, they who seek the blessed grace divine, (are those ignorant people) who instead of seeking bliss by contemplating the hidden lotus within Aspire for the Light beyond visible reach of eyes search outside for that supreme bliss that is present (within) as the effulgence of the sOmasUryAgni mandala. They do not understand that the supreme light is beyond the reach of the mind which flows ever outward.

*When read together with the previous mantra, we can understand the import of this verse. That the practise of pratyAhArA or sense withdrawal/ sense control is essential for the sivayOgA path mentioned above.  The bee is led to the various flowers through the fragrance and attractive colours of the different blossoms and flits from bush to bush distracted by their appearance and smell. Similarly, the agitated and untrained mind is ever flowing outward. Distracted as it is by the sights and smells of the material world it is never a fit receptacle to be filled with the nectar of siva realisation. For, such a mind is deluded about the real nature of bliss, and blinded by this delusion continues to search outside for something that is hidden within. When the mind is stilled through proper practise, it is possible to tread the path of sivayOgA and attain grace. Otherwise, this life (short as it is) is simply wasted in the pursuit of simple and momentary pleasures.

thirucchitrambalam ||