November 28th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात् न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम् ।
प्रियञ्च नानृतं ब्रूयात् एष धर्मस्सनातनः ॥
-
मनुस्मृति

Transliteration:
satyaṃ brūyāt priyaṃ brūyāt na brūyāt satyamapriyam ।
priyañca nānṛtaṃ brūyāt eṣa dharmassanātanaḥ ॥
-manusmṛti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Speak the truth, and speak favorably. Do not tell the truth if it is not favorable. Also, do not tell an untruth (although) it is favorable.  This is the eternal dharma.

Commentary:
The discipline of life should be -
  1. to always speak the truth, but not twisting the truth for one's own benefit;
  2. to speak pleasant, endearing and agreeable words;
  3. not to speak words that although true, are hurtful;
  4. not to speak untruth either, just because it sounds favorable and loving.
These are the ways of life suggested in the book Manusmṛti in order for a person to lead a significant, meaningful and purposeful life as a human being.

In real life, one comes across many situations where opting to leave it is easiest.  But for a person who wants to live with a clear conscience and work towards the goals of his life, he has no choice but to keep up this discipline about speaking the truth!

When the very quest of human life is to realize the ultimate truth, how can one work around lies, deceit, etc. and expect to reach their goal?

Keep thy focus and reach thy goal.

pada vigrahaH:
सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात् न ब्रूयात् सत्यम् अप्रियम् ।
satyaṃ brūyāt priyaṃ brūyāt na brūyāt satyam apriyam ।

प्रियं च न अनृतं ब्रूयात् एषः धर्मः सनातनः ॥
priyaṃ ca na anṛtaṃ brūyāt eṣaḥ dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
satyaM brUyaat priyaM brUyaat na brUyaat satyamapriyam ।
priya~ncha naanRutaM brUyaat eSha dharmassanaatanaH ॥
- manusmRuti

satyaM brUyaat priyaM brUyaat na brUyaat satyam apriyam ।
priyaM cha na anRutaM brUyaat eShaH dharmaH sanaatanaH ॥

1 comment:

  1. Namaskaara
    This subashita -is so comprehensive and yet so meticulous in choice of words, is an excellent Communications Guide line- even better than all seen in our scriptures (-which are shorter,) but do not cover all aspects esp 2nd line, extremely sensitive & subtle point -
    Few are able to manage this spoken part.
    Shree Krishna's Gita Upadesh & in Mahabharata states -Not speaking out facts, truth, when essential to uphold Dharma- esp.for protection of a person & society. It is injustice to be silent at such times- is a fine subtle point Rgds TR

    ReplyDelete