December 13th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
आशायाः ये दासाः ते दासास्सर्वलोकस्य ।
आशा येषां दासी तेषां दासायते लोकः ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका


Transliteration:
āśāyāḥ ye dāsāḥ te dāsāssarvalokasya ।
āśā yeṣāṃ dāsī teṣāṃ dāsāyate lokaḥ ॥
- samayocitapadyamālikā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Those who are enslaved to desire, are enslaved to the entire world; (but) for those under whom desire is enslaved, to them the whole world is enslaved.

Commentary:

'Desire' has a strange power. Once it gets its hold on a person, he will act as if he's possessed by it! His sole purpose in life becomes fulfilling that desire. In due course, he will throw his true goals of life, as well as his values, morals, and self-esteem to the wind. A person with no self-esteem or morals will stoop to any level, only to achieve his desires. He would be willing to be a slave to anyone or anything just so his desires are met!  Hence, he is considered a slave to the whole world.

It is difficult to control desire but keeping it under check is a mark of maturity.  Life is merry to a person with the willpower to overcome his 'desires'. He will have higher and nobler goals in mind and will strive to achieve them. Naturally, he earns the respect of those around him. He can grow to heights where the entire world is ready to work with him, look up to him, and be willing to serve him!  

Brutal is the power of desire! But, once that grip is overcome, then there is no stopping the growth and magnanimity of that person.

pada vigrahaH:

आशायाः ये दासाः ते दासाः सर्व लोकस्य ।
āśāyāḥ ye dāsāḥ te dāsāḥ sarva lokasya ।

आशा येषां दासी तेषां दासायते लोकः ॥
āśā yeṣāṃ dāsī teṣāṃ dāsāyate lokaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
aashaayaaH ye daasaaH te daasaassarvalokasya ।
aashaa yeShaaM daasI teShaaM daasaayate lokaH ॥
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

aashaayaaH ye daasaaH te daasaaH sarva lokasya ।

aashaa yeShaaM daasI teShaaM daasaayate lokaH ॥