14. The strongest mind [that of a jnani], which is never shaken even by chains of miseries that befall it, will melt more and more and weep when devotees and others who come to Him undergo sufferings.
[Sadhu Om: It is well know that Sri Bhagavan remained unruffled and His face was as cheerful as ever when some thieves beat Him, when hundreds of hornets stung His thigh, and finally when the tumour on His left arm gave unbearable pain continuously for eleven months. Yet there were occasions on which Sri Bhagavan melted and shed tears when some devotees came to Him grieving over the loss of their children or relatives, or when they were suffering with some incurable disease. Thus Sri Bhagavan Himself exemplified the idea expressed in this verse.]
822. The boat may remain in water, but if water enters the boat it will bring great catastrophe. [Likewise] a man may live in the world, but if the world enters [the mind of] the man the whole life will be miserable.
[Sri Muruganar: It is not the world itself but only the attachment towards the world which constitutes samsara-bandha [the bondage of mundane existence]. Attachment is caused by the mind, and not by what is outside. No harm will befall one by one’s merely living in the world; but all miseries come into existence only because of one’s desire to enjoy the world.]
-GURU VACHAKA KOVAI
