Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
काकः कृष्णः पिकः कृष्णः को भेदः पिककाकयोः ।
वसन्तकाले संप्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकः ॥
- कुवलयानन्द
Transliteration:
kākaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pikaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ ko bhedaḥ pikakākayoḥ ।
vasantakāle saṃprāpte kākaḥ kākaḥ pikaḥ pikaḥ ॥
- kuvalayānanda
Meaning of the subhAShita:
A crow is black, a nightingale is black... what is the difference between the two? Come spring, a crow is a crow, a nightingale is a nightingale.
Commentary:
In appearance, a crow and a nightingale aren't very different. A crow is black and so is a nightingale. How can we tell the difference? It doesn't matter! Because, when spring arrives, the difference will instantly become evident. While a nightingale sings melodiously, a crow... well... crows. The crow can hang out with the nightingale, try to eat like him, or fly like him. But these would only be external imitations. The true nature of a nightingale is its sweet voice, which is unimitable by a crow. (A crow is special in its own way and contributes in ways he was made for. But that is beside the point.)
The metaphor of the crow and nightingale is given to illustrate that we must remain who we are. It doesn't do much good if we talk, walk, or act like someone else. Each and every being is precious on this earth and God made each one with a purpose. The roles of 'others' are already taken..., by other people, obviously :). Let's be ourselves instead of pretending to be someone we are not.
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation! External appearances don't make a difference, what's inside is all that matters.
pada vigrahaH:
काकः कृष्णः पिकः कृष्णः कः भेदः पिक काकयोः ।
kākaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pikaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kaḥ bhedaḥ pika kākayoḥ ।
वसन्त काले संप्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकः ॥
vasanta kāle saṃprāpte kākaḥ kākaḥ pikaḥ pikaḥ ॥
The metaphor of the crow and nightingale is given to illustrate that we must remain who we are. It doesn't do much good if we talk, walk, or act like someone else. Each and every being is precious on this earth and God made each one with a purpose. The roles of 'others' are already taken..., by other people, obviously :). Let's be ourselves instead of pretending to be someone we are not.
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation! External appearances don't make a difference, what's inside is all that matters.
pada vigrahaH:
काकः कृष्णः पिकः कृष्णः कः भेदः पिक काकयोः ।
kākaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pikaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kaḥ bhedaḥ pika kākayoḥ ।
वसन्त काले संप्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकः ॥
vasanta kāle saṃprāpte kākaḥ kākaḥ pikaḥ pikaḥ ॥
kaakaH kRuShNaH pikaH kRuShNaH ko bhedaH pikakaakayoH ।
vasantakaale saMpraapte kaakaH kaakaH pikaH pikaH ॥
- kuvalayaananda
kaakaH kRuShNaH pikaH kRuShNaH kaH bhedaH pika kaakayoH ।
vasanta kaale saMpraapte kaakaH kaakaH pikaH pikaH ॥
हंसः श्वेतः बकः श्वेतः को भेदो बकहंसयोः |
ReplyDeleteनीर-क्षीर-विवेके तु हंसो हंसो बको बकः ||
The swan is white, the crane is (also) white. What is the difference between the crane and the swan? But in respect of separating water and milk, the swan is a swan (and) the crane is a crane.
That is right Vishwesh-ji. That would be the albino version of the above verse :). Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteFor further exposition on the verse, please do see http://sanskritpearls.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-11th.html