Novmeber 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सन्तप्‍तायसि संस्थितस्य पयसो नामापि न श्रूयते
मुक्ताकारतया तदेव नलिनीपत्रस्थितं दृश्यते ।
स्वात्यां सागरशुक्तिमध्यपतितं सन्मौक्तिकं जायते
प्रायेणाधममध्यमोत्तमगुणाः संसर्गतो जायते ॥
- नीतिशतक


Transliteration:
santap‍tāyasi saṃsthitasya payaso nāmāpi na śrūyate
muktākāratayā tadeva nalinīpatrasthitaṃ dṛśyate ।
svātyāṃ sāgaraśuktimadhyapatitaṃ sanmauktikaṃ jāyate
prāyeṇādhamamadhyamottamaguṇāḥ saṃsargato jāyate ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Water, when placed on a hot iron disappears without a sign. When placed on a lotus leaf, the droplet of water shines as if it were a pearl. (However,) if the same water falls into a pearl shell during the svātī rains, it turns into a good pearl! Most likely, inferior, mediocre, and noble qualities arise from the company kept. 

Commentary:

A single droplet of water can attain a completely different state, depending on where it falls.

When placed on a hot iron the droplet evaporates almost instantly, leaving no trace behind. This is akin to keeping inferior company—nothing of value remains.

If the same droplet lands on a lotus leaf, it glistens like a pearl. Though it only seems like a pearl, it is still preserved, unlike the one on the iron. This mirrors the impact of mediocre company—while it may appear valuable on the surface, its true worth remains unfulfilled.

However, if the droplet falls into a pearl shell at the right time—during the svātī rains—it transforms into a genuine pearl of high quality. Though it began as mere water, it attained the honor of becoming something precious. Such is the effect of noble company.

As the saying goes, "Tell me your friends and I will tell you your character." Our environment shapes our outcomes, and the company we keep deeply influences our growth. To nurture nobility and virtue, we must surround ourselves with people who embody those qualities. 

Whether through people, books, or even thoughts—good company brings out the best in us.  

Character-building subhāṣitas too, like noble company, guide us toward growth and transformation. They help cultivate virtues, refine our character, and lead us to true nobility. Surrounding ourselves with these pearls of wisdom enriches us and gives us the best company.  

This analogy of the droplet and its transformation beautifully encapsulates the essence of seeking noble company and timeless wisdom. Therefore, this verse serves as the inspiration for the title of this collection, 'Sanskrit Pearls', symbolizing the journey from simplicity to refinement, from latent potential to realized brilliance. 

May we all strive to reflect our highest potential always!  

pada vigrahaH:

सन्तप्‍त-अयसि संस्थितस्य पयसः नाम अपि न श्रूयते
santap‍ta-ayasi saṃsthitasya payasaḥ nāma api na śrūyate

मुक्त-आकारतया तत् एव नलिनी-पत्र-स्थितं दृश्यते ।
mukta-ākāratayā tat eva nalinī-patra-sthitaṃ dṛśyate ।

स्वात्यां सागर-शुक्ति-मध्य-पतितं सत् मौक्तिकं जायते
svātyāṃ sāgara-śukti-madhya-patitaṃ sat mauktikaṃ jāyate

प्रायेण अधम-मध्यम-उत्तम-गुणाः संसर्गतः जायते ॥
prāyeṇa adhama-madhyama-uttama-guṇāḥ saṃsargataḥ jāyate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
santaptaayasi saMsthitasya payaso naamaapi na shrUyate
muktaakaaratayaa tadeva nalinIpatrasthitaM dRushyate ।
swaatyaaM saagarashuktimadhyapatitaM sanmouktikaM jaayate
praayeNaadhamamadhyamottamaguNaaH saMsargato jaayate ॥
- neetishataka

santapta-ayasi saMsthitasya payasaH naama api na shrUyate

mukta-aakaaratayaa tat eva nalinI-patra-sthitaM dRushyate ।

swaatyaaM saagara-shukti-madhya-patitaM sat mouktikaM jaayate

praayeNa adhama-madhyama-uttama-guNaaH saMsargataH jaayate ॥