A great delight was gained, O King, but it could not be sustained. It lasted only a short while, then endured many different kinds of blows.
This couplet speaks about taking a big chance or enjoying a significant advantage that unfortunately couldn't be sustained by the one in charge. It suggests that a grand opportunity was seized, but due to a failure in leadership or upkeep, its joy was short-lived. What followed was not just an end to the good times, but a period of intense and varied suffering. It's a poignant reflection on how a lack of foresight or capability can turn a promising beginning into a challenging ordeal, where the initial gain is overshadowed by subsequent hardships.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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