वायुर्वाव संवर्गो यदा वा अग्निरुद्वायति वायुमेवाप्येति यदा सूर्योऽस्तमेति वायुमेवाप्येति यदा चन्द्रोऽस्तमेति वायुमेवाप्येति ॥ ४.३.१ ॥
vāyurvāva saṃvargo yadā vā agnirudvāyati vāyumevāpyeti yadā sūryo’stameti vāyumevāpyeti yadā candro’stameti vāyumevāpyeti || 4.3.1 ||
1. The air swallows everything. When fire is extinguished, it disappears into the air. When the sun sets, it disappears into the air. And when the moon sets, it disappears into the air.
Word-for-word explanation:
Vāyuḥ vāva samvargaḥ, the air swallows everything; yadā vai agniḥ udvāyati, when fire is extinguished; vāyum eva apyeti, it disappears into the air; yadā sūryaḥ astam eti, when the sun sets; vāyum eva apyeti, it disappears into the air; yadā candraḥ astam eti, when the moon sets; vāyum eva apyeti, it disappears into the air.
Commentary:
Earlier, the question of imparting spiritual instructions has been discussed. Here, how the instruction is given is being shown. The instruction begins with the forces of nature (adhidaivata)—by stressing the importance of air. Air can overcome everything, including even the sun, the moon, and fire.