January 24th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day: 
कान् पृच्छामः सुराः स्वर्गे निवसामो वयं भुवि ।
किं वा काव्यरसस्स्वादुः किं वा स्वादीयसी सुधा ॥


Transliteration:
kān pṛcchāmaḥ surāḥ svarge nivasāmo vayaṃ bhuvi ।
kiṃ vā kāvyarasassvāduḥ kiṃ vā svādīyasī sudhā ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita: 
The Gods live in heaven and we live on earth. Whom shall we ask? Is the essence of poetry better? Or the taste of divine nectar?!

Commentary: 
Amṛta (divine nectar) is considered the sweetest thing possible. But here, the claim itself is being questioned. It is questioned based on the fact that the essence of poetry is not only delectable but, at the same time, it is very valuable too. The flavors of poetry have a wide range. They can depict kindness, be emotional, romantic, happiness, anxiety, pity, or teach morals and values. They not only entice the reader with their essences but also contribute to the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth of their readers.

So, how can we decide which is better - the divine nectar or the poetry?! Guess it is a tough call. We have no one to justify either claim. The Gods, who have tasted nectar, live in heaven. We, who have enjoyed the flavors and feelings portrayed in poetry, live on earth. Neither have experienced the taste of each other's possessions.  So who has the authority to give the verdict?! 

So, we can claim 'sweet as poetry' - and poetry is as sweet as nectar. Now nobody can contradict the claim either.

pada vigrahaH: 
कान् पृच्छामः सुराः स्वर्गे निवसामः वयं भुवि ।
kān pṛcchāmaḥ surāḥ svarge nivasāmaḥ vayaṃ bhuvi ।

किं वा काव्य रसः स्वादुः किं वा स्वादीयसी सुधा ॥
kiṃ vā kāvya rasaḥ svāduḥ kiṃ vā svādīyasī sudhā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kaan pRuchChaamaH suraaH swarge nivasaamo vayaM bhuvi ।
kiM vaa kaavyarasasswaaduH kiM vaa svaadIyasI sudhaa ॥

kaan pRuchChaamaH suraaH swarge nivasaamaH vayaM bhuvi ।
kiM vaa kaavya rasaH swaaduH kiM vaa svaadIyasI sudhaa ॥

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. pataa nahin Dr. Akhilesh ji...
      jab bhI srot ka maaloom hota hain, shlok ke neeche hI diya gaya hota hain

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