January 30th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day: 
अश्वं नैव गजं नैव व्याघ्रं नैव च नैव च ।
अजापुत्रं बलिं दद्यात् दैवो दुर्बलघातकः ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

Transliteration:
aśvaṃ naiva gajaṃ naiva vyāghraṃ naiva ca naiva ca ।
ajāputraṃ baliṃ dadyāt daivo durbalaghātakaḥ ॥
- samayocitapadyamālikā

Meaning of the subhAShita: 

Not a horse, not an elephant, and certainly not a tiger! Give a kid (a young goat) as oblation; (alas), destiny slays the weak.

Commentary:

In our day-to-day lives, we see the weak being bullied, being sidelined, being left behind. It is not just people who leave the weak behind. Even destiny has a low priority for the weak, says this verse. At the sacrificial altar, no one would dare bring a tiger, an elephant, or even a horse, for that matter. A little helpless young one of a goat (kid) is the one slaughtered at the balipīṭha (sacrificial altar). The reason is, it doesn't protest much. No one will even consider bringing a tiger to the altar, as they know pretty well that they will become oblation instead!

This is a reminder that we have to take charge of our lives and face life's circumstances bravely. Courage is the only tool for survival through tough situations. We need to help ourselves and not expect some supernatural spirit to come to our rescue. Even destiny takes sides. It only chooses those who dare to stand up for themselves and for what matters to them. It is our primary responsibility to strive to be who we want to be and stand up for what we believe in. Life becomes less stressful when lived fearlessly. In fact, fear should come when the deeds and intentions are wrong, not otherwise.

Let's dare to think, let's dare to act - with our hearts and minds in their right places!

pada vigrahaH: 
अश्वं न एव गजं न एव व्याघ्रं न एव च न एव च ।
aśvaṃ na eva gajaṃ na eva vyāghraṃ na eva ca na eva ca ।

अजापुत्रं बलिं दद्यात् दैवः दुर्बल-घातकः ॥
ajāputraṃ baliṃ dadyāt daivaḥ durbala-ghātakaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ashvaM naiva gajaM naiva vyaaghraM naiva cha naiva cha ।
ajaaputraM baliM dadyaat daivo durbalaghaatakaH ॥
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

ashvaM na eva gajaM na eva vyaaghraM na eva cha na eva cha ।

ajaaputraM baliM dadyaat daivaH durbala-ghaatakaH ॥