January 10th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day: 
कन्या वरयते रूपं माता वित्तं पिता श्रुतम् ।
बान्धवाः कुलमिच्छन्ति मिष्टान्नमितरे जनाः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

Transliteration:
kanyā varayate rūpaṃ mātā vittaṃ pitā śrutam ।
bāndhavāḥ kulamicchanti miṣṭānnamitare janāḥ ॥
- subhāṣitaratnasamuccaya

Meaning of the subhAShita: 
The bride chooses - appearance; mother - possessions; father - reputation; relatives look for (good) lineage; other people - a fancy feast!

Commentary: 
When a union of two people happens through marriage, everyone associated will bring in their own set of opinions and judgments.

The bride chooses the groom based on his appearance. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.  To her, the groom has to be appealing!  If he looks good to her, she is happy.

The mother is concerned about the family's monetary status. Every mother wants her daughter to be married into a family that is more financially well-to-do than her own. That way, her daughter can have the comforts she is used to.  Even a beggar-woman wants her daughter to be married to someone who gets more alms than herself!

A father is interested in what the family rests on, their cornerstone - family background, stability, name, fame, etc.  He wants the daughter to belong to a reputable family so that she can live her life holding her head high.

Other relatives ask about lineage, where the groom's family is from, etc.

Everyone else is only interested in the fancy banquet at the wedding!

Now we know who the true well-wishers are and what criteria each person is interested in at a wedding. 

Hence, it is important to remember that it is not just the wedding (event) that is important but the marriage afterward!  A great marriage is not something that is found, but something that has to be worked upon.  After the wedding, the bride and groom have to work every day to make a nurturing home and a happy family together. 

pada vigrahaH: 
कन्या वरयते रूपं माता वित्तं पिता श्रुतम् ।
kanyā varayate rūpaṃ mātā vittaṃ pitā śrutam ।

बान्धवाः कुलम् इच्छन्ति मिष्टान्नम् इतरे जनाः ॥
bāndhavāḥ kulam icchanti miṣṭānnam itare janāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kanyaa varayate rUpaM maataa vittaM pitaa shrutam ।
baandhavaaH kulamichChanti miShTaannamitare janaaH ॥
- subhaaShitaratnasamuchchaya

kanyaa varayate rUpaM maataa vittaM pitaa shrutam ।
baandhavaaH kulam ichChanti miShTaannam itare janaaH ॥

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