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 ||