SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
avathArikai (Introduction)
piLLai lOkAchAryar mercifully explains that being desirous towards these worldly pleasures which are destructive and looking for enjoyment in them, is a result of viparItha gyAnam (misunderstanding the nature of an entity), with example which is popularly quoted in SAsthram.
sUthram 184
agni jvAlaiyai vizhungi vidAy keda ninaikkumApOlEyum, AdugiRa pAmbin nizhalilE odhunga ninaikkumAp pOlEyum, vishaya pravaNanAy sukikka ninaikkai.
Simple Explanation
To try to enjoy worldly pleasures being attached to them is similar to swallowing a ball of flame to quench one’s thirst or trying to rest under the shade of a dancing snake [with expanded hoods].
vyAkyAnam (Commentary)
agni jvAlaiyai …
That is – as said in “AsvAdhya dhanajvAlAm udhanyASamanam thathA | thathA vishaya samsargAth sukachinthA SarIriNa: ||” (AthmAs trying to derive enjoyment from worldly pleasures is similar to a person trying to quench his thirst by swallowing a ball of flame) and “vishayANAnthu samsargAth yObibharthi sukam nara: | nruthyatha: paNina: chAyAm viSramAyASrEyatha sa: ||” (The person who tries to enjoy bliss through worldly pleasures is similar to resting under the shade of a snake which is dancing with expanded hoods) – one who is seeking water, due to viparItha gyAnam, is thinking to swallow a ball of flame to quench his thirst; one who has become very hot due to the rays of sun, to eliminate that heat, is thinking to rest under [the shadow of] an angry snake which is dancing with expanded hoods, without realising the disaster to come, just considering the shade alone. Similarly, one will look at worldly pleasures which are harmful, to be giving pleasure, and derive bliss by enjoying them.
adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan
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