22. When death comes knocking

 

Verse 22

நீளவீடு கட்டுறீர் நெடுங்கதவு சாத்துறீர்

வாழவேண்டும் என்றலோ மகிழ்ந்திருந்த மாந்தரே

காலன் ஓலை வந்தபோது கையகன்று நிற்பிரே

ஆலம் உண்ட கண்டர் பாதம் அம்மை பாதம் உண்மையே

Translation:

You build long houses, you close the huge doors (for security),

Isn’t it to live happily, Ye humans?

When the summon comes from Death, you will stand helpless,

By the feet of the One who drank the poison and the feet of the Mother - this is true.

Commentary:

We humans make all kinds of plans as if we are going to live forever.  We accumulate material possessions and act as if we can protect and retain them indefinitely so that we will have a happy life.  Civavākkiyar equates this to building a huge house and closing the enormous doors to keep everything at bay. 

However, when death comes knocking on our doors, we are utterly helpless. None of these possessions can save us from death, nor can we hold on to any of them. None of the doors can keep it out.  We have to go away with empty hands spread out helplessly.  Pattinattar says that even en ‘eyeless’ needle will not accompany one at the end.  Civavākkiyar swears by the sacred feet of Lord Śiva and Śakti that this is the truth.