November 6th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
आशा नाम मनुष्याणां काचिदाश्चर्यशृङ्खला ।
यया बद्धाः प्रधावन्ति मुक्तास्तिष्ठन्ति पङ्‍गुवत् ॥

Transliteration:
āśā nāma manuṣyāṇāṃ kācidāścaryaśṛṅkhalā ।
yayā baddhāḥ pradhāvanti muktāstiṣṭhanti paṅ‍guvat ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Desire is the name of a strange binding for man. Those tied keep running, but those free (muktāḥ) sit as if limp.

Commentary:

Those tied to desires keep running to achieve them. Those devoid of desires sit relaxed.

The irony is that if one is tied, he should be limited to a place - unable to run. But this verse shows that, those who are tied (to desires) are the ones always on the run!  Desire is such a strong thing. It can drive one to extremes while on the path of acquiring them.  But those who are free from desires have nothing to run after.  They sit unperturbed and without agitations.

Caution: Beware of desires and where they take you.

pada vigrahaH:
आशा नाम मनुष्याणां काचित् आश्चर्य-शृङ्खला ।
āśā nāma manuṣyāṇāṃ kācit āścarya-śṛṅkhalā ।

यया बद्धाः प्रधावन्ति मुक्ताः तिष्ठन्ति पङ्‍गुवत् ॥
yayā baddhāḥ pradhāvanti muktāḥ tiṣṭhanti paṅ‍guvat ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
aashaa naama manuShyaaNaaM kaachidaashcharya shRu~nkhalaa ।
yayaa baddhaaH pradhaavanti muktaastiShThanti pa~nguvat ॥

aashaa naama manuShyaaNaaM kaachit aashcharya-shRu~nkhalaa ।

yayaa baddhaaH pradhaavanti muktaaH tiShThanti pa~nguvat ॥