January 27th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सत्सङ्गश्च विवेकश्च निर्मलं नयनद्वयम् ।
यस्य नास्ति नरः सोऽन्धः कथं न स्यादमार्गगः ॥
- गरुडपुराण


Transliteration:
satsaṅgaśca vivekaśca nirmalaṃ nayanadvayam ।
yasya nāsti naraḥ so'ndhaḥ kathaṃ na syādamārgagaḥ ॥
- garuḍapurāṇa

Meaning of the subhAShita:

One who doesn't have two pure eyes (namely)—the company of the wise and (intellectual) prudence—is blind. How can he not tread on the wrong paths?!

Commentary:

No one is born intelligent. Our knowledge base grows as we grow. The kind of stimulus and exposure that surrounds us, greatly influences who we become. The measure of intelligence truly is the ability to change. 

Being around the virtuous makes one want to be virtuous, too. The company of the wise and knowledgeable comes only by God's grace. If we make the best of it, their company will make us wise and prudent, as well. One with wisdom rarely treads on the wrong paths.

Hence the poet opines that wisdom and the company of the wise should act as two eyes, giving a person clarity of vision. One with a clear vision stays on his path. A person who can't see is termed as—blind. Therefore, anyone who doesn't possess these two essential eyes is deemed blind.  It is no wonder he can't see straight!

It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see! Keep good company and wisdom for your clarity of vision.  

pada vigrahaH:

सत्सङ्गः च विवेकः च निर्मलं नयन-द्वयम् ।
satsaṅgaḥ ca vivekaḥ ca nirmalaṃ nayana-dvayam ।

यस्य न अस्ति नरः सः अन्धः कथं न स्यात् अमार्गगः ॥
yasya na asti naraḥ saḥ andhaḥ kathaṃ na syāt amārgagaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
satsa~ngashcha vivekashcha nirmalaM nayanadwayam ।
yasya naasti naraH so.ndhaH kathaM na syaadamaargagaH ॥
- garuDapuraaNa

satsa~ngaH cha vivekaH cha nirmalaM nayana-dwayam ।

yasya na asti naraH saH andhaH kathaM na syaat amaargagaH ॥