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288
VAJJĀLAGGAM
( 121e
of the task undertaken by him, which he is neither able to describ(to others), nor to endure, nor to conceal (from others).
122) When fate becomes hostile to (turns its face away from), a person, he is not able to secure the desired object (fruit), even if he enters (dives) into a dangerous cavern, or crosses the ocean or strives hard with determination.
123) When fate is unpropitious to a person, his virtues are of no value (are not esteemed), his relatives become estranged, even those that were dear to him(so far) become cold and indifferent and his determined efforts are not crowned with the wished for success(or his undertakings are not completed).
124) When fate is unpropitious to a person, whatever branch he clings to, catching hold of it with his hand and rests upon breaks down with a crashing sound.
125) When fate is unpropitious to a person, such things (calamities) befall him, as are never seen by the eyes (elsewhere) and are never conceived by the mind (as being possible).
12. The Section on Providence 126) Due to the will of Providence the moon wanes and the sun sets. Alas! who in this world is not devoured by death. as a result of the adverse mutation of fate ?
127) Who in this world is always happy? Whose prosperity and affections remain constant (abiding, eduring) ? Who, pray, does not stumble (commit lapses)? Say, who is not foiled and frustrated by fate ?
123) Those who are in high position come down and those who are in low position become exalted (rise up) in a moment. Even Hari (Vişņu), Hara (Siva) and Brahman (creator) cannot comprehend the course of events as willed and fashioned by fate.
129) Whatever Providence has inscribed (once for all) on the frontal strip (of a person), in consonance with one's destiny (as determined by one's own previous acts) (a), that (even) he is not able to alter afterwards, though he may be in a relenting mood. of mind (979).
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