Nai Janmam

Reference to shri nrayanaswamy Subramanian' s comments 'Nai janmam? or parppan janmam?' dt 29 sept 09 on the topic in an earlier article:


Poets have their own ways of expressing their ideas. They employ similies, metaphors, comparisons, examples, allegories,anecdote s, puns,exaggerations, eulogies etc. to drive home their point. It makes the topic easier to understand and also humorous,sarcastic or serious. Those who read should not stretch it too far lest it perverts the very purpose.

Sometimes they use codified languages, when dealing with esoteric topics for security/secrecy. There are also cases where a statement may mean something, literally/superfici ally but have deeper meanings. In most cases they are as short/brief as possible. .Only scholors can explain it, which is called ' thaathparyam' in their Bhashyams.


The slokam qouted in the last issue is by the great philosopher poet Barthruhari. He has rendered his Subhashitham for the benefit of humanity. He may make an example out of a dog but his message is to the humans. He brings out the power of Manmatha on every creature, humans being no exception. Thus there is nothing objectionable to my footnote. Not only Barthruhari but all saints have said that. The great Sankaracharya has said in 'Bajagovindham' ''Nareesthanabara naabeedesam, dhrstva ma gaah mohavesam
Yethanmaamsavasaadh ivikaaram manasi vichinthaya varam vaaram

" Such is the power of Manmatha. His is the basic power of instinct in all creatures including us. It need not be that each and every dog or man physically runs behind a female.

There is no need to go further, as each one of us is a proof of what he says, If we reflect on ourselves.


Here again another slokam of Barthruhari, with dog as an nexample. Here he brings out the character of a 'Moorkha' ,a human being by comparing with the behavciour of a dog.

Krmikulachitham lalaklinnam vigandhi jugupsitham Barthruhari

Nirupamarasapreethy a Khaadhan kharaassthi niraamisham
Subhashitham

Surapathimapi sva parsvastham vilokya na sankhathey Neethi sathakam

Nahi ganayathi kshudhro Janthuh parigrahapalguthaam

moorkha padhdhathih Sl 9

The dog doesnot feel any shame even if the lord of heavens Indhra

is standing nearby while enjoying eating the fleshless bones of a mule

which is infested with worms, oozing, with unbearable bad odour.

( why? ) mean creatures do not think of the low class of what they possess.

( because they consider that to be the most valuable)

We should hope that the dog does not object, considering the way Moorkhas do now behave !!

By the bye what would a dog think if it happens to see a fashion parade or some scenes in the cinema or TV screens or some persons in the beaches, parks ? If there is a Barthruhari among them he may say

Pasya sakhey Manushyan moorkhan

dhushtan dhoorthan vyaadhipeedithan


Tharuneem nithambineem dhristva

Unmathhaiva anudhavathey
--

Ramanathan