In plain words
What is this life?
Again birth, again death, again lying in a mother's womb; in this saṃsāra, so hard to cross, in Your compassion, to the further shore: save me, O Murāri!
So said Śaṅkarācārya. One day, as he was going with his disciples to the Gaṅgā, he saw on the way a brāhmin reciting over and over, “Ḍukṛñkaraṇe, ḍukṛñkaraṇe”, went up to him: “My boy! What is it you are reciting?” he asked. The brāhmin said, “I am learning Pāṇini's grammar.” When Śaṅkara asked what use would come of it: “I shall become a great scholar, enter the royal court and earn as much wealth as I want. With that wealth I and my family will live in comfort,” he said. “How long will you enjoy those comforts?” he said. As to what would happen after that, he said he did not know. Then Śaṅkara spoke.
Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind! When the appointed time draws near, no, no, ‘ḍukṛñkaraṇe’ will not save you.
“Simpleton! You will enjoy them for as long as you live. After that, who will look after you? So worship Govinda. Worldly learning helps only for a while. Do not gloat over your youth. As it came, so it will go. So put your trust in God. Grow in self-confidence,” he taught. It is from self-confidence that self-satisfaction comes. Only when there is self-satisfaction can self-sacrifice be made. Only when self-sacrifice is made does realisation of the Ātma come.