Even the fuel proved insufficient, oh dear. My brother, on the bank of the Satlaj river...

This couplet paints a vivid and heartbreaking picture. It speaks of a tragedy so immense that there wasn't enough wood, or 'fuel,' to cremate all the departed. Imagine the sheer scale of loss, when even the pyres fall short. The speaker addresses a 'brother,' perhaps a loved one or a fellow countryman, pointing to the 'bank of the Sutlej river.' This specific mention of the Sutlej adds a layer of historical sorrow, often associated with partition or conflicts where countless lives were lost. It's a poignant reminder of overwhelming grief and the lasting impact of such events, urging us to remember the forgotten.