September 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
न भार्यया समं मित्रं न च धर्मो दयासमः ।
न स्वातन्त्र्यसमं सौख्यं गार्हस्थ्यान्नाश्रमो वरः ॥
- पद्मपुराण

Transliteration:
na bhāryayā samaṃ mitraṃ na ca dharmo dayāsamaḥ ।
na svātantryasamaṃ saukhyaṃ gārhasthyānnāśramo varaḥ ॥
- padmapurāṇa

Meaning of the subhAShita:

There is no friend equal to the wife; there is no dharma (ordinance) that equates to compassion; there is no comfort parallel to freedom; there is no āśrama (stage of life) more blessed than that of a householder.

Commentary:

Unparalleled aspects of life -

• One cannot find a friend better than a spouse.  There are many stages of life and one leans on different people at different times for different requirements.  He eventually does outgrow them all.  One depends on parents in childhood, but then, the parents pass on... One may think children, but, they grow their wings and move on...  Friends come and go.  It is only the spouse that hops on the wagon during the prime of one's life and stays on till the end - be it good times or bad!  The most intimate and longest relationship one can possibly share throughout his life is with the spouse.  Hence, there is no friend better than the wife/husband!
• The essence of all scriptures preaches one chosen ordinance - compassion.  If that is learnt and imbibed, there is no need for reading or chanting any religious/spiritual texts.  Whether one is literate in the various practices or not, if one can have compassion towards all beings just the same, his spiritual training has already excelled.
• One can have the best of comforts.  But, if he is imprisoned in the shackles of a jail cell, or even inside the walls of a palatial mansion for that matter, he can't be happy!  The sense of liberation one feels in freedom is second to none and all beings always long for that complete freedom.
• The householder's stage has been deemed the best of all stages of life!  The technical definition of a gṛhastha (householder) is a person who is married and is undertaking the responsibilities of the family.  Why is this stage considered as the best of all stages of life?  It is because he is in the prime years of his life.  His schooling is completed, his body is hale and healthy, and his children and elders alike look for support from him.  He is the one who helps sustain all the other 3 stages of life in the society, namely - student-hood; retirement; old age.

Nothing equals the happiness of the person who performs his deeds to the best of his abilities and knows the value of these privileges when he has them.

pada vigrahaH:
न भार्यया समं मित्रं न च धर्मः दया-समः ।
na bhāryayā samaṃ mitraṃ na ca dharmaḥ dayā-samaḥ ।

न स्वातन्त्र्य-समं सौख्यं गार्हस्थ्यात् न आश्रमः वरः ॥
na svātantrya-samaṃ saukhyaṃ gārhasthyāt na āśramaḥ varaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
na bhaaryayaa samaM mitraM na cha dharmo dayaasamaH ।
na svaatantryasamaM saukhyaM gaarhasthyaannaashramo varaH ॥
- padmapuraaNa

na bhaaryayaa samaM mitraM na cha dharmaH dayaa-samaH ।
na svaatantrya-samaM saukhyaM gaarhasthyaat na aashramaH varaH॥

August 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
स्वभावो नोपदेशेन शक्यते कर्तुमन्यथा ।
सुतप्तमपि पानीयं पुनर्गच्छति शीतताम् ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्र, मित्रभेद

Transliteration:
svabhāvo nopadeśena śakyate kartumanyathā ।
sutaptamapi pānīyaṃ punargacchati śītatām ॥
- pañcatantra, mitrabheda

Meaning of the subhAShita:

It is not possible to change the intrinsic nature (of a person) through advice. Even after being boiled intensely, water goes back (to being) cold.

Commentary:

One may bring the water to a rolling boil for many hours!  However, all that boiling is not capable of changing the inherent nature of water which is to be cold to the touch.  The nature of water is to be colder than its surroundings.  Water doesn't have to make an effort to be cold.  It is designed that way!  So, any amount of boiling will not change its innate attributes.

Similarly, one comes across people in life that may seem to be doing things differently.  One may be intensely tempted to shake him up and tell him to do it in a more efficient way.  What may seem very natural to him, may not be comprehended by the other in the same fashion.  Giving sessions of advice will not help enlighten the person whose intrinsic nature is on a completely different platform.  Just like one can't teach water to be hot or fire to be cold by intense education, a person's indelible nature can't be changed through counseling, be it good or bad.  Just as a fish can't be counseled into flying like a bird, acknowledge that each one is the 'best version of themselves'! 

Save your effort.  It may just be beyond one's capacity to heed.  Know when not to waste breath in futility or prepare to be disappointed due to another person's composition.  Accept it and move on!

pada vigrahaH:
स्वभावः न उपदेशेन शक्यते कर्तुम् अन्यथा ।
svabhāvaḥ na upadeśena śakyate kartum anyathā ।

सुतप्तम् अपि पानीयं पुनः गच्छति शीतताम् ॥

sutaptam api pānīyaṃ punaḥ gacchati śītatām ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
svabhaavo nopadeshena shakyate kartumanyathaa।
sutaptamapi paanIyaM punargachChati shItataam॥
- pa~nchatantra, mitrabheda

svabhaavaH na upadeshena shakyate kartum anyathaa ।
sutaptam api paanIyaM punaH gachChati shItataam॥

July 6th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
पितृभिस्ताडितः पुत्रः शिष्यस्तु गुरुशिक्षितः ।
घनाहतं सुवर्णञ्च प्राप्यते जनमण्डनम् ॥

Transliteration:
pitṛbhistāḍitaḥ putraḥ śiṣyastu guruśikṣitaḥ ।
ghanāhataṃ suvarṇañca prāpyate janamaṇḍanam ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A son (child) disciplined by his parents, students trained by a teacher, intensely clobbered gold - all these attain praiseworthiness.   

Commentary:

By nature, children are, by nature, curious.  They are curious not just about the world around them, but also about the boundaries of what they should or shouldn't do!  Their inquisitive minds want to see how far they can go.  Many times, despite knowing the dos and don'ts, they may still want to try their luck.  At that point, it becomes essential for the parents, teachers or whoever is their guiding figure, to give them the proper direction.  If the people guiding cushion the follies of the children in an effort to not make them sad, they would be doing a disservice to them!

Like they say, 'Do not prepare the road for your children, prepare your children for the road!'  When real-life issues strike, those are the children who are better prepared and recover soon if they fall.

In reality, both parents and teachers strive to imbibe excellence in children.  The sayings go as - पुत्रादिच्छेत् पराजयम् (putrādicchet parājayam) and शिष्यादिच्छेत् पराजयम् (śiṣyādicchet parājayam).  This means that parents are desirous of defeat from their children and gurus yearn for defeat from their students!  In fact, the whole reason why they put so much effort into guiding the youngsters is to see them surpass themselves!

The example given in the verse is that of gold.  Gold, when mined from the mines, is dull and lustreless.  The goldsmith melts it, beats it repeatedly on the anvil and shapes it.  Only then does it gain its lustre as well as value!  Similarly, children who are disciplined and shaped with values from a young age accrue praiseworthy traits that shall make them happier adults in the future.  Hence, it is of paramount importance for parents as well as teachers, to equip their children and students with this quintessential skill.

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.  Be that fundamental bridge for the future generation's accomplishments!

pada vigrahaH:
पितृभिः ताडितः पुत्रः शिष्यः तु गुरु-शिक्षितः ।
pitṛbhiḥ tāḍitaḥ putraḥ śiṣyaḥ tu guru-śikṣitaḥ ।

घन आहतं सुवर्णं च प्राप्यते जन-मण्डनम् ॥
ghana āhataṃ suvarṇaṃ ca prāpyate jana-maṇḍanam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
pitRubhistaaDitaH putraH shiShyastu gurushikShitaH ।
ghanaahataM suvarNa~ncha praapyate janamaNDanam ॥

pitRubhiH taaDitaH putraH shiShyaH tu guru-shikShitaH ।

ghana aahataM suvarNaM cha praapyate jana-maNDanam ॥

June 22nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उभयोर्नास्ति भोगेच्छा परार्थं धनसञ्चयः ।
कृपणोदारयोः पश्य तथापि महदन्तरम् ॥
- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Transliteration:
ubhayornāsti bhogecchā parārthaṃ dhanasañcayaḥ ।
kṛpaṇodārayoḥ paśya tathāpi mahadantaram ॥
- subhāṣitasudhānidhi

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Neither of them has the desire to indulge, (both) earn wealth for the benefit of others!  Yet, see the huge difference (between) a miser and a generous (one).

Commentary:

The poet very tactfully compares and (in the next moment) contrasts the attributes of a miser vs a giver.  In the first part of the verse, he says there is a stark similarity between two people - both earn wealth for the benefit of others!  On first thought, the listener would think the verse is about two noble people.  But the second half brings attention to the distinct disparity between the two!

If one has to see the difference between a miser and a giver, it is quite easy.  A miser hoards his assets whereas a generous, charitable, giver readily parts with his bounty!  The world considers a giver as a magnanimous soul whereas a hoarder is considered stingy and selfish.  So far, the points are precise and comprehensible.

How about the similarity between the two?  Well, the author cleverly points to the impact of each one's actions.  When a hoarder accumulates wealth, he is neither enjoying the resources himself nor is he utilizing it for the benefit of others.  His affluence gets stagnated and comes to no use for anyone. But one day, at least on the day he passes away, he has to part with his wealth.  That which he had so carefully and diligently accumulated is finally enjoyed (or misused) by his survivors! After all, there is no saying if one's assets were put to good use or utilized for the wrong causes by others.  Whereas, a generous giver willingly parts with his money when alive.  He gets the opportunity to revel in the happiness of the beneficiaries of his good deeds, which in turn makes him happy!  At least there is a guarantee that it was used for the right cause.

Whether willingly or unwillingly, when the wealth accumulated is eventually for the benefit of others, might as well do good and be happy.  It is impossible for one's heart to be enlightened and still be a miser!  Happiness isn't a result of what we get, but of what we give.  For, it is in the giving that we receive!

pada vigrahaH:

उभयोः न अस्ति भोग इच्छा परार्थं धन-सञ्चयः ।

ubhayoḥ na asti bhoga icchā parārthaṃ dhana-sañcayaḥ ।

कृपण-उदारयोः पश्य तथा-अपि महत् अन्तरम् ॥

kṛpaṇa-udārayoḥ paśya tathā-api mahat antaram ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ubhayornaasti bhogechChaa paraarthaM dhanasa~nchayaH ।
kRupaNodaarayoH pashya tathaapi mahadantaram ॥
- subhaaShitasudhaanidhi

ubhayoH na asti bhoga ichChaa paraarthaM dhana-sa~nchayaH ।
kRupaNa-udaarayoH pashya tathaa-api mahat antaram ॥

May 21st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
खल्वाटो दिवसेश्वरस्य किरणैस्सन्तापितो मस्तके 
गच्छन्देशमनातपं द्रुतगतिस्तालस्य मूलं गतः ।
तत्राप्यस्य महाफलेन पतता भग्नं सशब्दं शिरः 
प्रायो गच्छति यत्र दैवहतकस्तत्रैव यान्त्यापदः ॥
-नीतिशतक
Transliteration:
khalvāṭo divaseśvarasya kiraṇaissantāpito mastake
gacchandeśamanātapaṃ drutagatistālasya mūlaṃ gataḥ ।
tatrāpyasya mahāphalena patatā bhagnaṃ saśabdaṃ śiraḥ
prāyo gacchati yatra daivahatakastatraiva yāntyāpadaḥ ॥
-nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A bald man scorched in the head due to the sun's rays, in search of a place of shade rushed hurriedly to the base of a palm tree.  There too, due to the falling of a huge palm fruit, his head was fractured with a huge noise!  Alas! perils probably go where ever those cursed by destiny go...

Commentary:

This story is an example of the fate of the ill-fated.  To begin with, he is a bald man without even a strand of hair to protect him from the scorching sun.  On a hot day in a barren place, all he could find was a palm tree.  He scurried beneath the tree to get some scraps of shade (a palm tree doesn't have dense foliage to cast a thick shadow anyway.)  As soon as he stood, a huge palm fruit (palm fruits are not very large, to begin with) fell on his head.  Just by that, his head cracked, with a loud noise!

Alas! Looks like he was ill-fated... Reminds of the saying 'Sometimes, the road of life takes an unexpected turn and you have no choice but to follow it and end up in the place you are supposed to be!'  Otherwise, why would he go beneath a palm tree of all places and offer his scorching bald head to the unusually large, falling fruit, so his head can break?!!  There were a million other places he could have been at that time, but the circumstances and his won decisions led him to where he was.  There will be times in one's life, where sometimes no matter how one prepares or handles his circumstances, things may not appear to be going right.

In such circumstances, where no logic, rhyme or reason can explain the happenings, one decides to attribute it to destiny.  And rightly so!  There is only so much a human can understand and explain.  Some things are beyond his limitations.  It is just the way it is!  Whatever has to happen, happens.  If we were able to explain everything, shouldn't we deem ourselves as God?!  Even with our infinite limitations, humans as a species is known to have a complex ego.  What if we were given that ultimate power where we knew and understood why everything happened a certain way?!  Then there would be no respite for the universe.

While luck/fate is a factor, one can do things to better his chances.  Then again, the Lord may choose to override them all!  At that time, one's mantra should be - what can't be cured, has to be endured!

pada vigrahaH:
खल्वाटः दिवसेश्वरस्य किरणैः सन्तापितः मस्तके 
khalvāṭaḥ divaseśvarasya kiraṇaiḥ santāpitaḥ mastake

गच्छन् देशम् अनातपं द्रुत-गतिः तालस्य मूलं गतः ।
gacchan deśam anātapaṃ druta-gatiḥ tālasya mūlaṃ gataḥ ।

तत्र अपि अस्य महा-फलेन पतता भग्नं सशब्दं शिरः 
tatra api asya mahā-phalena patatā bhagnaṃ saśabdaṃ śiraḥ

प्रायः गच्छति यत्र दैव-हतकः तत्र एव यान्ति आपदः ॥
prāyaḥ gacchati yatra daiva-hatakaḥ tatra eva yānti āpadaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
khalvaaTo divaseshwarasya kiraNaissantaapito mastake
gachChandeshamanaatapaM drutagatistaalasya mUlaM gataH ।
tatraapyasya mahaaphalena patataa bhagnaM sashabdaM shiraH
praayo gachChati yatra daivahatakastatraiva yaantyaapadaH ॥
-nItishataka

khalvaaTaH divaseshwarasya kiraNaiH santaapitaH mastake
gachChan desham anaatapaM druta-gatiH taalasya mUlaM gataH ।
tatra api asya mahaa-phalena patataa bhagnaM sashabdaM shiraH
praayaH gachChati yatra daiva-hatakaH tatra eva yaanti aapadaH ॥

April 16th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
यत्र विद्वज्जनो नास्ति श्लाघ्यस्तत्राल्पधीरपि ।
निरस्तपादपे देशे एरण्डोऽपि द्रुमायते ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

Transliteration:
yatra vidvajjano nāsti ślāghyastatrālpadhīrapi ।
nirastapādape deśe eraṇḍo'pi drumāyate ॥
- subhāṣitaratnasamuccaya

Meaning of the subhAShita:

In a place where there are no learned people, even a dull-witted person becomes laudable.  In a place where there is no vegetation, even a castor plant passes for a tree!

Commentary:

This verse is a dig at people who are in power in a weak setup.  When everyone around is of mediocre capacity, one with even a few accolades becomes the hero!  The example given here is that of a castor plant, which at its tallest, is a few inches high.  Even that shrub, will be considered a 'tree' in a place where there is no vegetation!!  (What if one gave directions saying, 'turn left near the tree'.  The one who is following the directions may find himself stranded as he will be looking for a 'tree' :)

One should be able to claim ownership of his abilities even within his own capacity.  It should certainly not be dependent on the company.  Calling oneself better than those around will only aid in boosting ego and nothing else!  It is quite natural to compare oneself to his surroundings and feel a sense of accomplishment.  Like the frog in the well, who thought he was the best swimmer in the world without having ever seen the ocean!  If the bar was raised higher for him, maybe, he would have learnt better or would have humbled his false pride about his own abilities.  Similarly, if the general average of the company kept is low, one may not even know there are bigger options out there in the world.  He would put a ceiling on himself and stop his growth thereafter.

One way of raising the bar is keeping the company of the learned and noble.  Even with that, the best competitor one can have is - himself!  If he bettered himself a little more every day, then there are no bounds to where he can reach! That way, his ego will not creep in nor is he dependent on external factors for his betterment.

Bottom line, it is better to be an achiever in harsh circumstances than shine amid easy situations!  Take risks, better yourself.  That truly is the difference between the ordinary and the exceptional.

pada vigrahaH:
यत्र विद्वत् जनः न अस्ति श्लाघ्यः तत्र अल्प-धीः अपि ।
yatra vidvat janaḥ na asti ślāghyaḥ tatra alpa-dhīḥ api ।

निरस्त पादपे देशे एरण्डः अपि द्रुमायते ॥
nirasta pādape deśe eraṇḍaḥ api drumāyate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yatra vidvajjano naasti shlaaghyastatraalpadhIrapi ।
nirastapaadape deshe eraNDo.pi drumaayate ॥
- subhaaShitaratnasamuchchaya

yatra vidvat janaH na asti shlaaghyaH tatra alpa-dhIH api ।
nirasta paadape deshe eraNDaH api drumaayate ॥

March 30th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सदयं हृदयं यस्य भाषितं सत्यभूषितम् ।
कायः परहिते यस्य कलिस्तस्य करोति किम् ॥
- सुभाषितावलि
Transliteration:
sadayaṃ hṛdayaṃ yasya bhāṣitaṃ satyabhūṣitam ।
kāyaḥ parahite yasya kalistasya karoti kim ॥
- subhāṣitāvali

Meaning of the subhAShita:

(He) whose heart is filled with compassion, speech is adorned with truth, (and) whose constitution (form) is for the benefaction of others - what can Kali (puruṣa) do to him?!

Commentary:

The current era, Kaliyuga, is deemed the most corrupt and atrocious of all 4 eras.  It is said that the reigning master of the era, Kalipuruṣa, causes havoc in the world.  But the poet states that if one's heart is brimming with compassion, speech is adorned with honesty and he is readily available for the welfare of others, what can the Kalipuruṣa do to such an individual?!  Even the most atrocious of the masters, Kali, can do nothing to shake the resolve or cause havoc in the life of such a person.  The tenacity of these attributes in one's character is so strong that he can ward off the worst effects brought about by the yuga-dharma (nature of the era).

• If one is compassionate to his fellow beings, the happiness that the giver and the receiver get is immense.

• If there is honesty in one's words, he has nothing to hide or defend.

• If one is readily available to do welfare for others, then there is no ounce of selfish motive in him.  

How can such a person not be happy?  When one is internally happy, what can anyone do to deter his well being or contentment?!!

May we all win over Kalipuruṣa's atrocities, develop these traits and make the world a happier place!

pada vigrahaH:
सदयं हृदयं यस्य भाषितं सत्य-भूषितम् ।
sadayaṃ hṛdayaṃ yasya bhāṣitaṃ satya-bhūṣitam ।

कायः परहिते यस्य कलिः तस्य करोति किम् ॥
kāyaḥ parahite yasya kaliḥ tasya karoti kim ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
sadayaM hRudayaM yasya bhaaShitaM satyabhUShitam ।
kaayaH parahite yasya kalistasya karoti kim ॥
- subhaaShitaavali

sadayaM hRudayaM yasya bhaaShitaM satya-bhUShitam ।
kaayaH parahite yasya kaliH tasya karoti kim ॥

February 12th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दुर्जनेन समं वैरं प्रीतिं चापि न कारयेत् ।
उष्णो दहति चाङ्गारः शीतः कृष्णायते करम् ॥
Transliteration:
durjanena samaṃ vairaṃ prītiṃ cāpi na kārayet ।
uṣṇo dahati cāṅgāraḥ śītaḥ kṛṣṇāyate karam ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Do not have (develop) enmity or affection with the evil.  When hot, coal burns; when cold, blackens the hand!

Commentary:

When one comes across an evil-doer, what kind of bond should he build?  Should he make friends with him, so that he doesn't get in the evil-doer's bad books?  Or, should get on his bad side erupting an argument and declaring open enmity?!

Poet says, "neither!"  He establishes his stance as thus - a piece of charcoal, when hot, will burn the hand holding it.  Now, does that mean, it is okay to hold when it is not hot?  Not necessarily!  A piece of charcoal when cold will blacken the hand that handles it!!  It is not a pleasant outcome either way. Who wants a lose-lose situation?!

Similar is the companionship of an evildoer.  When he is angry, the enmity with him will prove fatal. That said, even when he is calm, his friendship may cost heavily as his values are not placed in the right direction.  His motives can be driven out of selfishness or simply wrong!  Hence, the best approach to such a person is staying away and keeping it neutral.  One needs to be aware of one's company at all times, in order to keep positive aspects like joy, peace, love and hope in his life.

pada vigrahaH:
दुर्जनेन समं वैरं प्रीतिं च अपि न कारयेत् ।
durjanena samaṃ vairaṃ prītiṃ ca api na kārayet ।

उष्णो दहति च अङ्गारः शीतः कृष्णायते करम् ॥
uṣṇo dahati ca aṅgāraḥ śītaḥ kṛṣṇāyate karam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
durjanena samaM vairaM prItiM chaapi na kaarayet ।
uShNo dahati chaa~ngaaraH shItaH kRuShNaayate karam ॥

durjanena samaM vairaM prItiM cha api na kaarayet ।
uShNo dahati cha a~ngaaraH shItaH kRuShNaayate karam ॥

January 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अनुगन्तुं सतां धर्म कृत्स्नं यदि न शक्यते ।
स्वल्पमप्यनुगन्तव्यं मार्गस्थो नावसीदति ॥
Transliteration:
anugantuṃ satāṃ dharma kṛtsnaṃ yadi na śakyate ।
svalpamapyanugantavyaṃ mārgastho nāvasīdati ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Although following the righteous path of the noble is difficult and seems impossible, if one follows even a little bit, he will not slump (from the goal of his life).

Commentary:

No need for gigantic steps!  If one wants to and attempts to tread on the path of the noble, there may be many hurdles he may face on the way.  It may not only be difficult, but it might even seem impossible!  In spite, if one continues to grasp at least a little bit and persist on the same path, he will be progressing in the right direction.

It is said that even an ant can traverse miles by just keeping at it.  The fact that it is moving means it is covering ground and reaching someplace else.  Finally, due to its persistence, it would have left its starting point miles behind!  Similar is a person on the path of dharma.  If he keeps doing righteous acts (however small in size or calibre) through his lifetime, he will accumulate a great deal of virtue to his credit!  How can one with virtue in his account ever fall off from the path of dharma?!

Great acts are made up of small deeds.  In reality, true happiness comes from the joy of deeds that are done well with good intentions.  These are the things that shape one's fate.  True winners are not people that never fail but people that never quit.

So, let's take charge of our fate and give it the right direction through virtuous actions!

pada vigrahaH:
अनुगन्तुं सतां धर्म कृत्स्नं यदि न शक्यते ।
anugantuṃ satāṃ dharma kṛtsnaṃ yadi na śakyate ।

स्वल्पम् अपि अनुगन्तव्यं मार्गस्थः न अवसीदति ॥
svalpam api anugantavyaṃ mārgasthaḥ na avasīdati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
anugantuM sataaM dharma kRutsnaM yadi na shakyate ।
swalpamapyanugantavyaM maargastho naavasIdati ॥

anugantuM sataaM dharma kRutsnaM yadi na shakyate ।

swalpam api anugantavyaM maargasthaH na avasIdati ॥