यथा काष्ठं च काष्ठं च समेयातां महार्णवे।
समेत्य च व्यपेयातां कालमासाद्य कंचन॥
एवं भार्याश्च पुत्राश्च ज्ञातयश्च धनानि च।
समेत्य व्यवधावन्ति ध्रुवो ह्येषां विनाभवः॥
yathā kāṣṭhaṁ ca kāṣṭhaṁ ca sameyātāṁ mahārṇave
sametya ca vyapeyātāṁ kālam āsādya kañcana
evaṁ bhāryāś ca putrāś ca jñātayaś ca dhanāni ca
sametya vyavadhāvanti dhruvo hy eṣāṁ vinā-bhavaḥ
yathā kāṣṭham ca = when a piece of wood; kāṣṭham ca = with another piece of wood; sameyātām = comes in touch; mahārṇave = in a great ocean; sametya ca = they are together; vyapeyātām = and separated; kālam āsādya kañcana = after some time; evam = similarly; bhāryāḥ ca = wives; putrāḥ ca = sons; jñātayaḥ ca = relatives; dhanāni = riches; ca = and; sametya = come together and; vyavadhāvanti = go away; dhruvaḥ hi = certain; eṣām = for them; vinā-bhavaḥ = separation is.
When a piece of wood comes in touch with another piece of wood in a great ocean, they are together and separated after some time. Similarly wives, sons, relatives and riches come together and go away. Separation is certain for them.
Because the separation of those [currently] united [in various affectionate relationships] is certain, such separation should also not be an object of lamentation. That is stated here.