October 31st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उत्तमा आत्मना ख्याताः पितुः ख्याताश्च मध्यमाः ।
अधमा मातुलात् ख्याताः श्वशुरात् चाधमाधमाः ॥


Transliteration:
uttamā ātmanā khyātāḥ pituḥ khyātāśca madhyamāḥ ।
adhamā mātulāt khyātāḥ śvaśurāt cādhamādhamāḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The noble are known by their own (noble deeds); the mediocre are famous because of their father; the inferior are known because of their maternal uncle; (and) the bottom of all are identified because of their father-in-law.

Commentary:

The message carried here is not tagging anyone as noble or mediocre. Rather, the main aim is to illustrate how the noble attain their status through their own prowess.

Children, especially, should not become arrogant because their parents or uncles or some other relatives are 'rich and famous'. The name, fame, and humility should emerge from their own acts and deeds, because of their own character.

This is a message for the grown-ups too.  It is not enough to pass down a name, fame, and some money as an inheritance to children.  It is better to leave them a legacy of morality and splendor which is needed to be solid individuals. This is more important than allowing them to plunder and splurge on their unearned inheritance.  We should let children make their own space and carve their own niche.  

An inheritance is what we leave for people.  Whereas, a legacy is what we leave in them.  Leave a legacy! 

pada vigrahaH:

उत्तमाः आत्मना ख्याताः पितुः ख्याताः च मध्यमाः ।
uttamāḥ ātmanā khyātāḥ pituḥ khyātāḥ ca madhyamāḥ ।

अधमाः मातुलात् ख्याताः श्वशुरात् च अधम-अधमाः ॥
adhamāḥ mātulāt khyātāḥ śvaśurāt ca adhama-adhamāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
uttamaa aatmanaa khyaataaH pituH khyaataashcha madhyamaaH ।
adhamaa maatulaat khyaataaH shvashuraat chaadhamaadhamaaH ॥

uttamaaH aatmanaa khyaataaH pituH khyaataaH cha madhyamaaH ।

adhamaaH maatulaat khyaataaH shvashuraat cha adhama-adhamaaH ॥