January 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day: 
कार्येषु दासी करणेषु मन्त्री
रुपेषु लक्ष्मी क्षमया धरित्री ।
भोज्येषु माता शयनेषु रम्भा
षट्कर्मयुक्ता कुलधर्मपत्नी ॥

Transliteration:
kāryeṣu dāsī karaṇeṣu mantrī
rupeṣu lakṣmī kṣamayā dharitrī ।
bhojyeṣu mātā śayaneṣu rambhā
ṣaṭkarmayuktā kuladharmapatnī ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita: 

A servant in tasks, a minister in execution, Goddess Lakshmi in beauty, Mother Earth in forgiveness, mother in feeding, Rambhā in bed - a union of (these) six skills makes a virtuous wife.

Commentary:

At first glance, this verse might seem chauvinistic. But when one looks deeper, it reveals the wife’s role as one held in the highest regard.

• The wife serves her household with devotion—cooking, cleaning, dusting, mopping—without hesitation. 
• She is also as able and wise as a minister, skillfully managing the household and using resources prudently, without indulging in unnecessary luxuries.
• In beauty, she embodies Goddess Lakṣmī—not due to adornments, but through her inner strength. Her integrity and chastity give her a radiance and authority that command respect.
• In forgiveness, she mirrors Mother Earth, who bears the weight of all, good and bad alike. Just as Mother Earth endures, a wife forgives, protects, and gently corrects the flaws within her family.
• In feeding the hungry, she is like a mother, willing to go hungry herself to ensure her family is fed. 
• And when she is with her husband, she brings the grace and allure of a celestial nymph (like Rambhā).

This verse truly epitomizes the remarkable qualities and versatility of a virtuous wife. A woman like this is a blessing never to be taken for granted.

pada vigrahaH: 

कार्येषु दासी करणेषु मन्त्री
kāryeṣu dāsī karaṇeṣu mantrī

रुपेषु लक्ष्मी क्षमया धरित्री ।
rupeṣu lakṣmī kṣamayā dharitrī ।

भोज्येषु माता शयनेषु रम्भा
bhojyeṣu mātā śayaneṣu rambhā

षट् कर्म-युक्ता कुलधर्मपत्नी ॥
ṣaṭ karma-yuktā kuladharma patnī ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kaaryeShu daasI karaNeShu mantrI
rupeShu lakShmI kShamayaa dharitrI ।
bhojyeShu maataa shayaneShu rambhaa
ShaTkarmayuktaa kuladharmapatnI ॥

kaaryeShu daasI karaNeShu mantrI

rupeShu lakShmI kShamayaa dharitrI ।

bhojyeShu maataa shayaneShu rambhaa

ShaT karma-yuktaa kuladharmapatnI ॥