January 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उपकारो हि नीचानां अपकारो हि जायते ।
पयः पानं भुजङ्गानां केवलं विषवर्धनम् ॥

Transliteration:
upakāro hi nīcānāṃ apakāro hi jāyate ।
payaḥ pānaṃ bhujaṅgānāṃ kevalaṃ viṣavardhanam ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Benefaction to the evil only bears misdeeds. Feeding milk to a snake only aids in increasing (its) poison.

Commentary:

It is hard to change the nature of certain things or people. The example given here is that of a snake.  No matter how much milk is fed, it will only work toward strengthening the snake, and in turn, his poison. He then strikes back with more ferociousness and tenacity.

Similarly, patronizing the evil beings only brings harm.  They incessantly work towards harming others and pollute everything around them.  Staying away from such influences is the best remedy.

Know thy friends and foes.

pada vigrahaH:

उपकारः हि नीचानां अपकारो हि जायते ।
upakāraḥ hi nīcānāṃ apakāro hi jāyate ।

पयः पानं भुजङ्गानां केवलं विष-वर्धनम् ॥
payaḥ pānaṃ bhujaṅgānāṃ kevalaṃ viṣa-vardhanam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
upakaaro hi nIchaanaaM apakaaro hi jaayate ।
payaH paanaM bhuja~ngaanaaM kevalaM viShavardhanam ॥

upakaaraH hi nIchaanaaM apakaaro hi jaayate ।

payaH paanaM bhuja~ngaanaaM kevalaM viSha-vardhanam ॥