2583. Is this the nature of this world?
Some ignorant people worship small gods
and it is if they were worshiping a wooden plank
when they have a mother who gave birth to them.
When they have their own ancient first god
who created, split open, and measured the earth,
giving them his grace,
they do not worship him but they worship small gods
thinking that they are the real gods.
They offer them meat and then eat it
and do many wrong things,
worshiping in a way that will give them only sorrow.
As they enjoy their lives,
they are involved in the illusions of this world,
only to be born again and suffer again in life.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
ulagu — this earth; padaiththu — (in the beginning) creating; idandhu — (during varāha avathāram) digging out (from the walls of the universe); uṇdu — (during deluge) eating it; umizhndhu — (at the time of intervening creation) spitting out; al̤andhu — (at the time of thrivikrama avathāram) measuring; thĕrndhu — deeply thinking (about its protection); al̤ikkum — protecting; mudhal perum kadavul̤ — the primary cause and supreme lord, ṣrīman nārāyaṇan; niṛpa — while he remains (as the refuge); pudai — (considered as his) wealth; pala — of different types; thān aṛi dheyvam — (a few) dhĕvathās (deities) known to him [jīvāthmā] (as refuge); pĕṇudhal — supporting them (as protectors); thanādhu pul aṛivu — his lowly intelligence; āṇmai porundhakkātti — showing in such a way that it enters (the minds of) learned people; īnṛŏl̤ irukka — when one’s mother is there; maṇai nīrātti — bathing a wooden plank (which is an insentient entity); seygai — the activities of those dhĕvathās; kolvana mudhalā — harmful acts; allana muyalum — carrying out banned activities; inaiya — having qualities like these; al̤i — the strength (given by those dhĕvathās); thunbu — together with sorrow; inbu — joyful; thol — from time immemorial; mā — being huge; māyam — amaśing; piṛaviyul̤ — in this samsāram (materialistic realm); nīngā — instead of leaving; pal mā — being variegated; māyaththu — worldly pursuits such as ṣabdham etc (sound, touch etc) (lustful); nal̤irndhu — very well; azhundhumā — being fully sunk; ulaginadhu iyalvu — nature of this world; ŏh ŏh — how is it!
Detailed Explanation
Oḥ Oḥ – āzhvār proceeds to those locales inhabited by samsārins and vociferously calls out to them, ensuring they are within earshot.
**ulaginadhiyalvē – āzhvār is stricken with sorrow that Emperumān has orchestrated this samsāra, populated with beings who harbor animosity towards Him, contrasting starkly with nityavibhūti, where entities revel in His presence without