December 25th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अश्वस्य भूषणं वेगं मत्तं स्याद्गजभूषणम् ।
चातुर्यं भूषणं नार्या उद्योगं नरभूषणम् ॥

Transliteration:
aśvasya bhūṣaṇaṃ vegaṃ mattaṃ syādgajabhūṣaṇam ।
cāturyaṃ bhūṣaṇaṃ nāryā udyogaṃ narabhūṣaṇam ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Speed is a horse's adornment; jaggedness suits well for an elephant; prudence is an adornment for a woman; profession is an adornment for a man.

Commentary:
A horse is known for its skill in running. No matter how fancy a horse's saddle and tack are, if the horse doesn't have speed it is not very appealing. Speed is hence the adornment for a horse. For an elephant, his ruttish state suits well. That is when he accomplishes more tasks.

Similarly, having prudence and skillfulness is essential for a woman just like profession is for a man. These particular adornments for men and women are given for a reason, gender bias not being one of them. In today's world where men and women are working as equals, this might seem outdated at first. Although women work outside the home, it is still not easy to accept an unemployed man. Similarly, if the woman of the house is not judicious about how the resources of the house are put to use, there isn't much of a chance for the family to prosper.

If one ponders more deeply, they will see that no matter what century or generation is being looked at, certain chores are best executed as nature intended.  Although one might enter into the faculty of the other, it is better to master in their own arena first, and then step into the shoe of the other. In that case, wouldn't the basic embellishments still remain the same?!

pada vigrahaH:
अश्वस्य भूषणं वेगं मत्तं स्यात् गज-भूषणम् ।
aśvasya bhūṣaṇaṃ vegaṃ mattaṃ syāt gaja-bhūṣaṇam ।

चातुर्यं भूषणं नार्या उद्योगं नर-भूषणम् ॥
cāturyaṃ bhūṣaṇaṃ nāryā udyogaṃ nara-bhūṣaṇam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ashvasya bhUShaNaM vegaM mattaM syaadgajabhUShaNam ।
chaaturyaM bhUShaNaM naaryaa udyogaM narabhUShaNam ॥

ashvasya bhUShaNaM vegaM mattaM syaat gaja-bhUShaNam ।
chaaturyaM bhUShaNaM naaryaa udyogaM nara-bhUShaNam ॥

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