தத்துவங்க எறியாத தறுதலைகள்
தழைதேடி யலைவார் வீணே
உத்தியுறுந் தவமில்லா உயிர்ச்சவங்கள்
உரைபிதற்றி யுழல்வார் கோடி
thaththuvanga eRiyaadha thaRuthalaigaL
thazhaithEdi yalaiVaar veeNE
uththiyuRun thavamillaa uyirchchavangaL
uraipithattri yuzhalvaar kOdi.
The reckless fools who do not “cast off / burn up” the tattvas (principles/elements)
Wander about in vain, searching for leaves.
Living-corpse beings, without austerity that is firm in intent,
Babbling words, they roam—by the millions.
Those who have not purified or transcended the basic constituents of their being (tattvas) keep seeking external “greens”—herbs, objects, or superficial remedies—and it yields nothing. Without steady, purposeful tapas (inner discipline), they are “living corpses”: biologically alive but spiritually inert. Many merely multiply talk—doctrine, debate, recitation—yet continue to drift without realization.
Karai Siddhar’s rebuke targets a common misdirection in spiritual and Siddha-alchemical pursuit: substituting outward search and verbal proficiency for inner transformation.
1) “Not burning/casting away the tattvas” points to the failure of tattva-śuddhi (purification of the elemental/psychic principles). In yogic-Siddha terms, one must transform the play of earth/water/fire/air/space (and their subtle correlates: senses, mind, ego, etc.) through disciplined practice—breath, restraint, concentrated awareness, and inner heat (tapas). Without this, any attempt at higher attainment remains unstable.
2) “Searching for leaves” can be read as a critique of externalism: chasing herbs, leafy remedies, or the outward paraphernalia of medicine/alchemy without grasping the underlying principles. It can also point to the pursuit of perishable pleasures (the ‘green’ of transient allure) rather than the enduring work of inner refinement.
3) “Living corpses” is a severe Siddhar idiom: breath and speech may continue, but the person lacks awakened consciousness, ethical restraint, and yogic vigor. The body moves, yet the inner life is dormant.
4) “Babbling words” criticizes empty discourse—scriptural talk, argumentative learning, or mantra-like repetition done without lived realization. The Siddhar implies that mere speech (urai) without tapas and tattva-transformation becomes delirium (pithattral), not wisdom.
Overall, the verse contrasts two paths: outward searching and wordy performance versus inner discipline that transmutes the tattvas and yields genuine siddhi/clarity. The tone is intentionally harsh to shake the aspirant out of complacency.