October 3rd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
मूलं भुजङ्गैः शिखरं प्लवङ्गैः
शाखा विहङ्गैः कुसुमानि भृङ्गैः ।
श्रितं सदा चन्दनपादपस्य
परोपकाराय सतां विभूतयः ॥


Transliteration:
mūlaṃ bhujaṅgaiḥ śikharaṃ plavaṅgaiḥ
śākhā vihaṅgaiḥ kusumāni bhṛṅgaiḥ ।
śritaṃ sadā candanapādapasya
paropakārāya satāṃ vibhūtayaḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The base with serpents, the tops with monkeys, the branches with birds, flowers with bees—(just) as (all these parts of) a sandal tree are always occupied, similarly, the wealth of the noble is for the benevolence (of others).

Commentary:

The description of the sandal tree here is very vivid. The tree not only makes its surroundings fragrant, but it also hosts a hoard of other beings. Snakes love to dwell by their roots, monkeys dangle from the high branches, an infinite number of birds make their nests in the cozy branches, and then, some bees are attracted to its flowers. The sandal tree is teeming with activity.  Its very existence is for the benefit of others. 

Such is the nature of the noble. Altruism is engrained in their every breath. Everything they do is for the good of others. paropakāra (para-upakāra - helping others) is their defining trait.

The highest benevolence acts without purpose, without selfishness.  Their selfless pursuits make the noble, well, 'noble'! 

pada vigrahaH:

मूलं भुजङ्गैः शिखरं प्लवङ्गैः
mūlaṃ bhujaṅgaiḥ śikharaṃ plavaṅgaiḥ

शाखाः विहङ्गैः कुसुमानि भृङ्गैः ।
śākhāḥ vihaṅgaiḥ kusumāni bhṛṅgaiḥ ।

श्रितं सदा चन्दन पादपस्य
śritaṃ sadā candana pādapasya

पर-उपकाराय सतां विभूतयः ॥
para-upakārāya satāṃ vibhūtayaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
mUlaM bhuja~ngaiH shikharaM plava~ngaiH
shaakhaa viha~ngaiH kusumaani bhRu~ngaiH ।
shritaM sadaa chandanapaadapasya
paropakaaraaya sataaM vibhUtayaH ॥

mUlaM bhuja~ngaiH shikharaM plava~ngaiH

shaakhaaH viha~ngaiH kusumaani bhRu~ngaiH ।

shritaM sadaa chandana paadapasya

para-upakaaraaya sataaM vibhUtayaH ॥