December 4th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वनानि दहतो वह्नेः सखा भवति मारुतः ।
स एव दीपनाषाय कृशे कस्यास्ति सौहृदम् ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्र, काकोलूकीय

Transliteration:
vanāni dahato vahneḥ sakhā bhavati mārutaḥ ।
sa eva dīpanāṣāya kṛśe kasyāsti sauhṛdam ॥
- pañcatantra, kākolūkīya

Meaning of the subhAShita:
For the fire that is burning forests, wind becomes a friend. The same (wind becomes) the cause of extinguishing a lamp. Who has affection for the weak?

Commentary:
When a whole forest is ablaze, wind fans the fires making them burn with even more rage. But the same wind will become the reason for blowing out the fire in a little lamp. 

Alas, everyone befriends strength! Who wants to take the side of the weak?!

Everyone sucks up to power. Everyone wants to be around the rich and the famous. It takes a big heart and tremendous courage to befriend the downtrodden and weak. It takes a kind, gentle and understanding heart, to stand up for and with the less fortunate.

Be kind to those who are less fortunate.  It is an opportunity to show gratitude for the gifts of life that we have been bestowed with! 

pada vigrahaH:
वनानि दहतः वह्नेः सखा भवति मारुतः ।
vanāni dahataḥ vahneḥ sakhā bhavati mārutaḥ ।

सः एव दीप-नाषाय कृशे कस्य अस्ति सौहृदम् ॥
saḥ eva dīpa-nāṣāya kṛśe kasya asti sauhṛdam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
vanaani dahato vahneH sakhaa bhavati maarutaH ।
sa eva dIpanaaShaaya kRushe kasyaasti sauhRudam ॥
- pa~nchatantra, kaakolUkeeya

vanaani dahataH vahneH sakhaa bhavati maarutaH ।
saH eva dIpa-naaShaaya kRushe kasya asti sauhRudam ॥

No comments:

Post a Comment