January 13th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
निर्वनो वध्यते व्याघ्रः निर्व्याघ्रं छिद्यते वनम् ।
तस्माद्व्याघ्रो वनं रक्षेत् वनं व्याघ्रञ्च पालयेत् ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योगपर्व

Transliteration:
nirvano vadhyate vyāghraḥ nirvyāghraṃ chidyate vanam ।
tasmādvyāghro vanaṃ rakṣet vanaṃ vyāghrañca pālayet ॥
- mahābhārata, udyogaparva

Meaning of the subhAShita:
If there is no forest, (then) the tiger gets killed; without the tiger the forest gets stripped. Hence, the tiger protects the forest and the forest guards the tiger!

Commentary:
This is a beautiful story of God's creation and His way of balancing nature!

It is very obvious that a tiger cannot survive if there is no forest. It is his habitat and the only home he knows. (The tigers in the zoos and circuses are not living their lives, but unfortunately enduring their lives.)

But then, how can a forest get destroyed if the tiger is not there? Wouldn't all the other animals live happily, in peace and harmony? Well, if we hypothetically imagine a scenario where there is no tiger, then all the herbivorous animals would live fearlessly, produce offspring fearlessly, roam fearlessly, and eat fearlessly. There would be no consequences for any of their actions! They would reproduce in large numbers and consume the forest endlessly. Isn't that a scary scenario for the fate of the forest? Hence, the tiger protects the forest's well-being by keeping the herbivores in check.

If we protect nature and the environment, then the environment protects us in turn. If we destroy God-given gifts for our selfish purposes, then we will be the ones who face the negative consequences. If we protect the law then the law will protect us. If we protect our fellow beings then our fellow beings will come to our protection. If we do good unto others, then we will receive the same in return. This can be extended to as many aspects as we can think of. The point is: 'Do unto others as you want others to do to you'.

God's ways of balance can be seen in every aspect of creation! He did not generate a single ounce of waste in any way, shape or form.

There is a purpose for the existence of every being, every animal.

pada vigrahaH:
निर्वनो वध्यते व्याघ्रः निर्व्याघ्रं छिद्यते वनम् ।
nirvano vadhyate vyāghraḥ nirvyāghraṃ chidyate vanam ।

तस्मात् व्याघ्रः वनं रक्षेत् वनं व्याघ्रं च पालयेत् ॥
tasmāt vyāghraḥ vanaṃ rakṣet vanaṃ vyāghraṃ ca pālayet ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
nirvano vadhyate vyaaghraH nirvyaaghraM Chidyate vanam ।
tasmaadvyaaghro vanaM rakShet vanaM vyaaghra~ncha paalayet ॥
- mahaabhaarata, udyogaparva

nirvano vadhyate vyaaghraH nirvyaaghraM Chidyate vanam ।
tasmaat vyaaghraH vanaM rakShet vanaM vyaaghraM cha paalayet ॥

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