Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः केशाः दन्ता जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः ।
चक्षुःश्रोत्रे च जीर्येते तृष्णैका तु न जीर्यते ॥
- महाभारत, अनुशासनपर्व
Transliteration:
jīryanti jīryataḥ keśāḥ dantā jīryanti jīryataḥ ।
cakṣuḥśrotre ca jīryete tṛṣṇaikā tu na jīryate ॥
- mahābhārata, anuśāsana parva
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Hairs ripen with age; teeth wear out with age; eyes and ears get feeble too. But alas! (the thirst of) desire is not placated!
Commentary:
As time passes, hair turns gray, teeth fall out, and hearing and vision decline. The skin wrinkles, the back hunches, and the limbs weaken. The effects of aging become visible in every part of the body.
At this stage, one might expect to have come to terms with the impermanence of material things, including the body. But no! Desires remain strong, and persistence only intensifies. The craving for self-gratification and material possessions grows with greater urgency as if there is a looming deadline to fulfill every need in the limited time left. Desires are inherently such that the more they are indulged, the more they multiply. There is no end to wants. Trying to quench an unquenchable thirst only drains one’s energy, causing the true purpose of life to be lost in the process.
Can one simply cut off all desires in old age? Not likely! It all depends on the training of the mind. If one has been accustomed to indulging in likes and dislikes throughout life, it’s unrealistic to expect sudden changes in old age. It’s not about magically renouncing everything to become a saint. Instead, one must consistently guide the mind, keeping it focused on the higher purpose of life and constantly reminding oneself of the transient nature of the world.
Start early—put a leash on desires. Isn’t it easier to train a horse with reins than to tame a wild one running recklessly?
pada vigrahaH:
जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः केशाः दन्ताः जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः ।
jīryanti jīryataḥ keśāḥ dantāḥ jīryanti jīryataḥ ।
चक्षुः-श्रोत्रे च जीर्येते तृष्णा एका तु न जीर्यते ॥
cakṣuḥ-śrotre ca jīryete tṛṣṇā ekā tu na jīryate ॥
जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः केशाः दन्ताः जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः ।
jīryanti jīryataḥ keśāḥ dantāḥ jīryanti jīryataḥ ।
चक्षुः-श्रोत्रे च जीर्येते तृष्णा एका तु न जीर्यते ॥
cakṣuḥ-śrotre ca jīryete tṛṣṇā ekā tu na jīryate ॥
jIryanti jIryataH keshaaH dantaa jIryanti jIryataH ।
chakShuHshrotre cha jIryete tRuShNaikaa tu na jIryate ॥
- mahaabhaarata, anushaasanaparva
jIryanti jIryataH keshaaH dantaaH jIryanti jIryataH ।
chakShuH-shrotre cha jIryete tRuShNaa ekaa tu na jIryate ॥
That is so true of course. There is no taming of that Shrew except through true conversion of that old nature. I was a child when I first read the following Scripture, which has been my constant ever and that I share frequently with my kids: REMEMBER NOW your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, "I have no pleasure in them (pleasures); ....
ReplyDeleteFirst time i come to your blog via facebook & this is realy such a very nice blog.
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Thanks for your encouraging words Yashwanth.
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