Namasthe- Njanappaana 16

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Njanappaana 16

Sukruthangalumokke otungumbol

Paripaakavumellolamillavar

Parichodangirunnittu bhoomiyil (jaatharrayi)

duritham cheythu chatthavar pinneppoyi

narkangalil vevvaere veezhunnu

When the results of the good karmaas are exhausted (sukruthangalokke otungumbol), souls remaining in heaven (parichotangirunnittu) are reborn on earth (bhhomiyil jaatharrayi). When their previous good and bad experiences do not impart any maturity and knowledge (paripaakavum ellolam illa-not even as much as little sesame seed), they end up doing more and more bad karmaas (duritham cheythu). Again after death (chatthavar) they suffer the consequences of their various negative karmaas in different ways or in different types of hells. (In one old version the word " jaatharaayi " is not there and with out that meaning can be interpreted in a different way. In that case, the word " parichotangirunnittu " can be for the life on earth or bhoomi itself. When the  the good results of the past sukrutham experiencing in this life on Bhoomi is exhausted, with out any realisation of how transient the pleasures are, some commit more sins to end up in different hells) 

In this stanza Poonthaanam explains how important is " pascchaatthaapam " or atonement. Even when we enjoy a good life here on earth, we tend to forget how blessed we are and keep hurting others in several ways. When subjected to miseries also, some people often do not realize the sins or mistakes they have committed and refuse to learn and correct themselves. Poonthaanam is talking about such people and he says that they commit more and more sins with out atonement and go through more suffering. If we realize our mistake and do " praayasccchttham " sincerely, we will not be tempted to do more sins. Famous story of the prostitute Pingala is an example for purifying one's mind with " pascchaatthaapam " . She realized how wrong it was to sell her body for a living and later with deep atonement surrendered herself at Bhagavaa's feet and attained Mukthi.

" Aviveka: paramaapadaam padam " is illustrated in this stanza. This means " avivekam " or lack of wise discrimination is the root cause of all miseries. When there is no maturity of mind, the power of discrimination will not be there. So instead of going after " sreyas " or what is good, we go after " preyas " or what gives pleasure. Swami Desikan describes nine steps for a spiritual aspirant and vivekam is the first step. Poonthaanam used the word " paripaakam " of the mind to indicate this vivekam or wise discrimination. Lack of Vivekam or paripaakam of mind leads us to hell by performing adhaarmic and bad deeds .

Purity of mind is very important in spiritual advancement. Only from a pure mind knowledge is emerged. With all temptations around us, it is harder to purify our mind in Kaliyuga.

Kalau kalmasha chitthaanaam

Paapadravyopajeevanam

vidhikriyaavihinaanaam

Gathir Govindakeerthanam

In Kaluyuga, mind of ordinary human beings are tainted by Kaamam, krodham, madam, moham etc (kalamsha chittham) and often end up doing adharmam (paapam) to make money (dravyam) for living (for upajeevanam). Ordinary people do not have the time or inclination to do good karmaas as prescribed in vedaas (vidhikriyaheenam). The only thing that can give relief from the sufferings of Kaliyuga is Govinda naama sankeerthanam. Bhagavaan and Bhagavaan's naama are never separated. Naamam is called Kalpa vruksham of the earth. Let us do Govinda keerthanam along with Shri Poonthaanam and millions of other devotees:

Krishna! Krishna! Mukunda! Janaardana!

Krishna! Govinda! Naaraayana! Hare!

Achyuthaananda! Govinda! Maadhava!

Sachidaananda! Naaraayana! Hare!

Samasthaaparadham kshamaswa.

Sreekrishaarpanamasthu.

Regards and prayers 

savitri

 

 

P.S. If you have a different view or interpretation, please do share. I will add those as addendum and resend them. This is only an attempt to understand and express in English what I understood mainly based on one interpretation in Malayalam called " Thatwadeepika vyakhyaanam " by K.R. Neelakandhan Nambishan and some other references I have collected over the years. I am trying to add relevant quotations and stories that come to my mind and please do share your thoughts to enrich all of us.