Shloka 3:

jvalatu jaladhikroDa krIDat krupIDa bhavaprabhA
pratibhaTa paTujvAlAmAlAkulo jaTharAnalaH |
truNamapi vayaM sAyaM sampulla mallimatallikA
parimaLamuchA vAchA yAchAmahe na mahIshvarAn ||

Meaning:
Like the huge fire (krupIDa bhava) that burns in the middle of the ocean (jaladhi kroDa), let this fire known as hunger (jaThara anala:) with its row of (mAlA Akula:) flames (paTu jvAlA) burn (jvalatu). We will not ask (na yAchAmahe) for even a blade of grass (truNam api) from the kings (mahIshvarAn) using our words (vAchA) which have the fragrance (parimaLa muchA) of the just blossomed evening jasmine (malli matallikA).

It is believed that a giant fire burns in the middle of the ocean which burns away the excess water, which is why the ocean does not exceed its boundaries. Similar to that, a fire burns in our stomach called Jataragni which consumes all the food put into it. Swami Desikan is saying, let this fire burn as much as can - that is, let our hunger know no bounds. Even then we will not go to any small king or devata and ask for anything - not even the smallest or slightest of things (truNam).

Azhvar too says "en nAvil in kavi yAn oruvarkkum kodukkakillEn". Thirumazhisai Azhvar says "nAk koNdu mAnidam pAdEn".

Here Desikan is saying that his words have the fragrance of jasmine flowers in the evening that have blossomed. Azhvar too had said "in kavi" when describing his words. Is this ahankAram on their part? Not really. This is known as "sAttvika ahankAram". Because their words are used to praise the Lord, it is ok for them to use such adjectives. Thondaradippodi Azhvar said "iLaiya pun kavidhaiyElum empirARku iniyavARE". The words gain their greatness because of the subject matter and because it is pleasing to Him.

Embar too said "illai enakkedhir illai enakkedhir illai enakkedhirE" - not because he thought he was great on his own, but because Ramanuja was inside his heart - "eppozhudhum ethirAsan vadivazhagu en idhayaththu uLadhAl".

There is a story about Embar. One time some people heaped some praise on him. People around him thought he would display naichchyam and decline such praise, but were surprised when Embar said "okkum" and accepted the praise. So, they went to Ramanuja and told him what happened. Ramanuja said, let's go ask Embar himself. When they did, Embar replied "All this praise was given to me because I am your disciple. If I decline it, it would mean that I am denying your greatness. I cannot do that and hence I accepted it".