January 27th

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

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

Meaning of the subhAShita:

One who doesn't have two pure eyes (namely) 1) the company of the wise and 2) prudence, is blind. How can he not tread wrong paths?

Commentary:

No one is born all intelligent. Our knowledge base grows as we grow. The kind of stimulus and exposure that surrounds us greatly influence us in who we become. Being around the virtuous makes one want to be virtuous, too. Company of the wise and knowledgeable comes only by God's grace. If we make use of it, their company will make us wise and prudent, too. One with wisdom rarely treads on wrong paths.

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

Keep good company and 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 ॥