Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
वृथा दानं समर्थेभ्यः वृथा दीपो दिवापि च ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसम्मुच्चय
Transliteration:
vṛthā vṛṣṭiḥ samudreṣu vṛthā tṛptasya bhojanam ।
vṛthā dānaṃ samarthebhyaḥ vṛthā dīpo divāpi ca ॥
- subhāṣitaratnasammuccaya
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Rain on the ocean is futile; feeding the satiated is in vain; bestowal to an able person is unnecessary; lighting a lamp in sunlight is useless.
Commentary:
At the right place, at the right time!
When performing deeds, one should be aware of their usefulness. Although the deed is performed in good faith, the recipient should be worthy of it as well. Money given as charity to the needy cannot be equated to money given to the already wealthy!
Similarly,
1. The cool fresh waters of rain go futile when showered on the salty ocean. There is more than sufficient water in an ocean in the first place, and the rain water won't make the water any less salty. Hence, it is a futile effort. But the same rainwater on a desert will be very welcome.
2. Feeding the already fed: even if an elaborate menu is laid out in front of them, they wouldn't be in a position to enjoy it. The needy and hungry are the ones who know the value of food; they should be fed instead.
3. Giving charity to the already rich and well-to-do doesn't even make sense!
4. What is the use of lighting a lamp during broad daylight when the Sun is shining bright? There is no requirement.
Such should be one's deeds; in the right place, at the right time. Be judicious.
pada vigrahaH:
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
vṛthā vṛṣṭiḥ samudreṣu vṛthā tṛptasya bhojanam ।
वृथा दानं समर्थेभ्यः वृथा दीपः दिवापि च ॥
vṛthā dānaṃ samarthebhyaḥ vṛthā dīpaḥ divāpi ca ॥
When performing deeds, one should be aware of their usefulness. Although the deed is performed in good faith, the recipient should be worthy of it as well. Money given as charity to the needy cannot be equated to money given to the already wealthy!
Similarly,
1. The cool fresh waters of rain go futile when showered on the salty ocean. There is more than sufficient water in an ocean in the first place, and the rain water won't make the water any less salty. Hence, it is a futile effort. But the same rainwater on a desert will be very welcome.
2. Feeding the already fed: even if an elaborate menu is laid out in front of them, they wouldn't be in a position to enjoy it. The needy and hungry are the ones who know the value of food; they should be fed instead.
3. Giving charity to the already rich and well-to-do doesn't even make sense!
4. What is the use of lighting a lamp during broad daylight when the Sun is shining bright? There is no requirement.
Such should be one's deeds; in the right place, at the right time. Be judicious.
pada vigrahaH:
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
vṛthā vṛṣṭiḥ samudreṣu vṛthā tṛptasya bhojanam ।
वृथा दानं समर्थेभ्यः वृथा दीपः दिवापि च ॥
vṛthā dānaṃ samarthebhyaḥ vṛthā dīpaḥ divāpi ca ॥
vRuthaa vRuShTiH samudreShu vRuthaa tRuptasya bhojanam ।
vRuthaa daanaM samarthebhyaH vRuthaa deepo divaapi cha ॥
- subhaaShitaratnasammuchchaya
vRuthaa vRuShTiH samudreShu vRuthaa tRuptasya bhojanam ।
vRuthaa daanaM samarthebhayaH vRuthaa deepaH divaapi cha ॥
Nice blog.
ReplyDelete