June 24th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उदीरितोऽर्थः पशुनापि गृह्यते
हयाश्च नागाश्च वहन्ति देशिताः ।
अनुक्तमप्यूहति पण्डितो जनः
परेङ्गितज्ञानफला हि बुद्धयः ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

udIrito.rthaH pashunaapi gRuhyate
hayaashcha naagaashcha vahanti deshitaaH |
anuktamapyUhati paNDito janaH
pare~ngitaj~naanaphalaa hi buddhayaH ||
- hitopadesha, suhRudbheda

Meaning of the subhAShita:
That which is enunciated clearly, is grasped by even animals, (just as) horses and serpents execute on orders.  The intelligent perceive even that which is unsaid.  Certainly the consequence of intelligence is, an understanding of the intent of others.

'Stay', 'fetch', 'run', 'dance', 'jump' - even animals respond to such instructions.  A horse can run when whipped.  A snake can nod it's head according to the snake charmer's flute movements.  Animals (at least the domestic ones :), promptly do what they are told.  Doing what they are told, is no rocket science to the animals.  They do not have to use much intellect or make decisions to follow instructions.

Shouldn't the intellect of man set him apart?  The intelligence of man allows him to understand and perceive even the untold words.  He can deduce and act, depending upon previous experiences, reactions and responses from those around him.  He thinks his actions through, comprehends the repercussions and executes intelligently.  He takes initiative to do even those tasks that were not assigned to him, in so many words.  Initiative is doing the right thing without being told!  Many a scientists, mathematicians and even philosophers have tread paths that were never explored before.  That is exactly why they were able to make their discoveries or theories!  That is why someone once said, 'Discoveries are often made by not following the instructions, by going off the main road, by trying the untried'!!  Else, the world would see no discoveries uncovered nor have inventions invented :).  The author says, in fact, the consequence of proper intelligence is - the ability to perceive the untold stories!

Get smart.  Do not wait for someone to give instructions all the time.  Take charge, take initiative... Give it your best in all good faith and see what comes!  The color of life shall change as you see it!!

pada vigrahaH:
उदीरितः अर्थः पशुना अपि गृह्यते

udIritaH arthaH pashunaa api gRuhyate

हयाः च नागाः च वहन्ति देशिताः ।
hayaaH cha naagaaH cha vahanti deshitaaH |

अनुक्तम् अपि ऊहति पण्डितः जनः
anuktam api Uhati paNDitaH janaH

पर-इङ्गित-ज्ञान-फला हि बुद्धयः ॥
 para-i~ngita-j~naana-phalaa hi buddhayaH ||

June 17th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
तृणानि भूमिरुदकं वाक्चतुर्थी च सूनृता ।
एतान्यपि सतां गेहे नोच्छिद्यन्ते कदाचन ॥

-महाभारत, उद्योग

tRuNaani bhUmirudakaM vaakchaturthI cha sUnRutaa |
etaanyapi sataaM gehe nochChidyante kadaachana ||
- mahaabhaarata, udyoga

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Grass, land, water and fourth being pleasant and honest speech - these are never severed off from the home of a righteous person.

A righteous man, may not be rich and famous.  He may not have cushions of silk with threads of gold.  He may not have silver plates and golden spoons to eat from.  He may not have an elaborate 7 course menu to offer either.  But, there is never a scarcity of grass.  Grass, because during those days, they would offer a seat of grass.  Hence that means, the virtuous people always welcome and offer a seat to their guest.  They have land, meaning, a place to sit or lie down even, so the guest is comfortable.  Water, a very essential element for the survival of any kind of being.  Be it a rich man or a poor man, be it an animal or a human, be it a bird or a beast, no one can survive without water.  Infact, that is the reason for inhabitants only on planet earth and not any other solar planet - water!  An honorable man always offers a drink for his visitor to quench his thirst.  There is no special water for the rich man or an ordinary water for the common man.  They may come in different packages, but the basic composition of all waters are invariably the same.  The rich man's water can't comprise of some traces of gold obviously :).  All these are basic elements that one can provide which is already  given to him by the Lord.

But then, the fourth, is a distinct one.  Pleasant and gentle speech!  This is a faculty that comes through cultivating a good disposition and having a generous heart.  It doesn't need any special equipment or privileges or possessions.  All it takes, is a pure, pleasing and gentle demeanor and a great big heart.  Reminds of another poem by a saint (basavaNNa).  He says, 'If you greet others at the first sight with a - How do you do? Do come in! - will yo turn ugly?  If you say - please sit down - will your floor cave in?  If you are first to greet (without waiting for the other to speak first), would your head or belly burst?'  He says even if you don't have anything to offer, if you can't offer these basic hospitality, will the Lord appreciate you?

The author of this verse says, these four faculties are never severed from the home of a virtuous person.  No matter his financial status, any human can provide these four.  Then that means, each and every one of us qualify to become a virtuous person!  So what's holding us back?  Why are there so many animosities amongst people and why are there so many wars strewn across history?  Looks like there is a very simple solution!  Adapting these four, completely inexpensive traits, shall lead us to the path of happiness and peaceful co-existence.  Let us work towards adapting them and see where it takes us.  After all, they cost nothing :).

Be nice!

pada vigrahaH:
तृणानि भूमिः उदकं वाक् चतुर्थी च सूनृता ।
tRuNaani bhUmiH udakaM vaak chaturthI cha sUnRutaa |

एतानि अपि सतां गेहे न उच्छिद्यन्ते कदाचन ॥
etaani api sataaM gehe na uchChidyante kadaachana ||

June 10th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उच्चैरुच्चरितव्यं यत्किञ्चिदजानतापि पुरुषेण ।
मूर्खा बहु मन्यन्ते विदुषामपि संशयो भवति ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

uchchairuchcharitavyaM yatki~nchidajaanataapi puruSheNa |
mUrkhaa bahu manyante viduShaamapi saMshayo bhavati ||
- subhaaShitasudhaanidhi

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Whatever little is spoken by a person, should be pronounced intensely, even if unaware of everything.  For, (not only shall) the imbecile  regard highly, even the wise shall become incredulous.

While speaking, the conviction of the speaker weighs in quite a bit, along with what is being spoken!  Like it or not, if the speaker is not certain of himself, how can he expect his audience to have any faith in what he is saying?  Swallowing the words, stuttering or stammering, catches no attention of the onlooker, nor does mumbling or droning.

They say, 'write to be understood, speak to be heard'!  If one wants to be heard, he needs to speak and speak clearly, he MUST!  Speech is power, when used aptly, or one will regret that he ever opened his mouth :).  But when he does, he should make sure it is loud and clear.

The poet goes a step further and says, even if unaware of everything, one should speak clearly!  Because, the dull witted shall have a high regard, due to one's delivery and the smart ones too shall doubt for a moment, that one might know everything ;). Deception is not the purpose here, nor is he promoting pompousness!  All the author is saying is, be confident and present whatever little you know, in a crystal clear manner.

Don't mumble... SPEAK UP, so you can be heard! 

pada vigrahaH:
उच्चैः उच्चरितव्यं यत् किञ्चित् अजानता अपि पुरुषेण ।
uchchaiH uchcharitavyaM yat ki~nchit ajaanataa api puruSheNa |

मूर्खाः बहु मन्यन्ते विदुषाम् अपि संशयः भवति ॥
mUrkhaaH bahu manyante viduShaam api saMshayaH bhavati ||

June 3rd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उद्यन्तु शतमादित्या उद्यन्तु शतमिन्दवः ।
न विना विदुषां वाक्यैर्नश्यत्याभ्यन्तरं तमः ॥

- सभारञ्जन शतक

udyantu shatamaadityaa udyantu shatamindavaH |
na vinaa viduShaaM vaakyairnashyatyaabhyantaraM tamaH ||
- sabhaara~njana shataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:
May a hundred suns rise, may (there) rise hundred moons.  (But) without listening to the words of the wise men, the internal darkness can not be annihilated!

They say, 'there isn't enough darkness in the world to put out the light of even one little candle'.  At the same time, at the other end of the spectrum, 'there isn't enough light in this world to eradicate even an ounce of the darkness within, without listening to the wise words of wisdom of the learned'! 

A human is in a unique situation than any other living being.  He is the only animal blessed with the faculty of speech and understanding.  He is the only being who has been blessed with a thinking mind and an intellect to make choices!  Ever since the dinosaur era, has anyone ever heard of a more intelligent animal than a human?  Why on earth did God give that facility if  it did not mean for Him, to set humans apart from the rest of the creatures?  Would the Lord ever create a strand of hair without a purpose?!!  Then, why did He create such an elaborate and complicated structure of language and thought process, explicit just for the homo sapiens?!!  Obviously, there was an equally specific and essential purpose for it!  Would it be to show the supremacy of the humans over other animals?  Definitely not!  Dominion and surrender aren't natural to any being.  That which doesn't come naturally, can not be dharma.  That which is not dharma, CAN NOT be the purpose in the Lord's mind!  Then, what could it be?  The only possible reason could be, to spread the knowledge..., the knowledge of the ultimate truth. The poet says, the ignorance within, which is equated to darkness, can be eradicated only through listening to the wise words of the learned!  Even if a hundred suns rise all at once and a hundred moons emerge along with that, the unanimous light is not sufficient to decimate the ignorance of the within!  The one and only ray of hope to cure that murkiness is, listening to the teaching of the great masters and seers of all times.  No other choice!

Isn't it better to light a candle than curse the darkness!  May each find his guiding light and tread towards attaining his goal with ease.

pada vigrahaH:
उद्यन्तु शतम् आदित्याः उद्यन्तु शतम् इन्दवः ।

udyantu shatam aadityaaH udyantu shatam indavaH |

न विना विदुषां वाक्यैः नश्यति आभ्यन्तरं तमः ॥
na vinaa viduShaaM vaakyaiH nashyati aabhyantaraM tamaH ||