chintām aparimeyāṁ cha pralayāntām upāśhritāḥ
kāmopabhoga-paramā etāvad iti niśhchitāḥ
chintām — anxieties;
aparimeyām — endless;
cha — and;
pralaya-antām — until death;
upāśhritāḥ — taking refuge;
kāma-upabhoga — gratification of desires;
paramāḥ — the purpose of life;
etāvat — still;
iti — thus;
niśhchitāḥ — with complete assurance
This verse talks about people who live their lives filled with endless worries and stress. These individuals focus so much on their personal desires and pleasures that they miss out on true peace and happiness. They believe that fulfilling their physical desires—like wanting more money, possessions, or satisfying their senses—is the main goal of life. In their view, this is all that matters, and they don't think about what happens after we die or about the consequences of their actions.
Because of this mindset, they spend their whole lives planning and chasing after these desires, but it never seems to be enough. Even when they achieve something, they immediately want more. This creates a never-ending cycle of wanting and worrying. For these individuals, worries continue right up until their last breath. Even on their deathbeds, they might still focus on their unfinished plans or unrealized dreams instead of accepting their fate.
For example, we often hear of people who are critically ill yet still ask doctors for medical treatments to extend their lives just a little longer so they can complete their life goals. They struggle to let go of their desires, even when they know their time is short. This shows how consumed they are by their desires and how little they understand that life has limits. The truth is that everyone eventually faces death, and it comes based on the natural course of life, independent of our wishes or plans. No matter how much someone might want to continue living, death will occur according to their destiny, which doesn't change because of their greed or ambition.
In simpler terms, if someone is so focused on wanting more and more, they will never find true satisfaction or happiness, and they will leave this world just as troubled as when they entered it.