Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
ऋणानुबन्धरूपेण पशुपत्नीसुतालयाः ।
ऋणक्षये क्षयं यान्ति तत्र का परिदेवना ॥
- महासुभाषितसङ्ग्रह
Transliteration:
ṛṇānubandharūpeṇa paśupatnīsutālayāḥ ।
ṛṇakṣaye kṣayaṃ yānti kā tatra paridevanā ॥
- mahāsubhāṣitasaṅgraha
Meaning of the subhAShita:
As per his ṛṇā (indebtedness), he gets his cattle, spouse, children, and home. As the ṛṇā diminishes, they get razed too. Then what is there to lament about?!
Commentary:
It is often said that "marriages are made in heaven," yet the celestial realm orchestrates far more than mere unions. The children we cherish, the homes we build, and the animals that grace our lives—all are intertwined in a tapestry of predestined connections. Each relationship, each jīva (loosely translated as soul) that crosses our path, arrives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
This reflection speaks to the enduring nature of lifetime relationships, the bonds for which we owe a debt that transcends our current existence. These connections, woven through the fabric of previous lives, create a mutual indebtedness between souls—what the ancients referred to as ṛṇā.
Unlike financial debt, which can be quantified and settled with precision, ṛṇā represents a complex web of ties that cannot be easily measured or understood. It encompasses a multitude of parameters, extending beyond the grasp of human intellect. The notion that our relationships are forged in the heavens speaks of the profound interconnectedness of our souls and the intricate accounts of our pasts.
As a soul navigates life, it is born carrying these ṛṇā-s, and as time passes, it begins to exhaust them. When these debts are fully settled, the jīva will exit, a cycle ordained by the universe itself. In light of this divine order, the poet muses: what is there to lament over the loss of a spouse, a child, or a beloved pet?! For that matter, even the place we live in or for how long is also predestined. While this truth offers comfort, it is essential to acknowledge that grief is an undeniable part of our human experience.
Letting go of what is lost, is perhaps, the greatest challenge one faces. One must learn to release attachment to physical existence while preserving the love that binds him to those who have departed. Time, the greatest healer, gently guides through this process, allowing understanding to pave the way for healing.
Yet, the irony lies in our assumption that we have abundant time. We never know how many moments remain. This uncertainty serves as a touching reminder to cherish every day and to never take anything or anyone for granted. After all, life is not merely a destination but a journey in itself. We must honor the bonds we share and cherish a wholesome life.
Live well, love well, and laugh much!
pada vigrahaH:
ऋण-अनुबन्ध-रूपेण पशु-पत्नी-सुत-आलयाः ।
ṛṇa-anubandha-rūpeṇa paśu-patnī-suta-ālayāḥ।
ऋण-क्षये क्षयं यान्ति तत्र का परिदेवना ॥
ṛṇa-kṣaye kṣayaṃ yānti tatra kā paridevanā॥
RuNaanubandharUpeNa pashupatnIsutaalayaaH ।
RuNakShaye kShayaM yaanti tatra kaa paridevanaa ॥
- mahaasubhaaShitasa~ngraha
RuNa-anubandha-rUpeNa pashu-patnI-suta-aalayaaH ।
RuNa-kShaye kShayaM yaanti tatra kaa paridevanaa ॥
