November 24th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य  ।
यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥

- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
dānaṃ bhogo nāśastisro gatayo bhavanti vittasya ।
yo na dadāti na bhuṅkte tasya tṛtīyā gatirbhavati ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Charity, indulgence and destruction are the 3 alternatives to wealth. One who does not apply their wealth to charitable giving, or self enjoyment will eventually attain the 3rd state.

Commentary:
One's wealth and possessions are the most temporary of all. Wealth can attain 3 different states -
1. It can be put to use for charitable purposes; given for the benefit of others.
2. It can be used in self-indulgence; to entertain and please oneself.
3. It can be destroyed by falling into the wrong hands, theft, fire or other kinds of natural calamities.

That which doesn't achieve the 1st or 2nd state will automatically attain the third.

One's wealth or resources shouldn't be limited to stagnating in a bank account.  Instead, it has to be put to use. This is a message for the stingy: accumulating wealth is not worthwhile. Even if one succeeds in keeping all his acquisitions intact until his last breath, they won't crossover with him to afterlife. Then on, there is no guarantee whether his wealth will be put to good use or fall into the wrong hands. What is the use of such wealth which he neither enjoyed nor used for the sake of making someone happy?!

Give some; enjoy some!

pada vigrahaH:
दानं भोगः नाशः तिस्रः गतयः भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
dānaṃ bhogaḥ nāśaḥ tisraḥ gatayaḥ bhavanti vittasya ।

यः न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिः भवति ॥
yaḥ na dadāti na bhuṅkte tasya tṛtīyā gatiḥ bhavati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
daanaM bhogo naashastisro gatayo bhavanti vittasya ।
yo na dadaati na bhu~nkte tasya tRuteeyaa gatirbhavati ॥
- nItishataka

daanaM bhogaH naashaH tisraH gatayaH bhavanti vittasya ।
yaH na dadaati na bhu~nkte tasya tRuteeyaa gatiH bhavati ॥

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