January 9th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
किं कुलेन विशालेन विद्याहीनस्य देहिनः ।
अकुलीनोऽपि विद्यावान् देवैरपि सुपूज्यते ॥

Transliteration:
kiṃ kulena viśālena vidyāhīnasya dehinaḥ ।
akulīno'pi vidyāvān devairapi supūjyate ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

What is the use of a broad lineage for a person devoid/deficient of knowledge? An educated (person) is worshipped by the Gods, even if born in a lower clan.

Commentary:

Lineage and family background have no bearing on the respectability one attains. Respect has to be commanded, not demanded. An educated person is honored and celebrated wherever he goes. Although his birth is from a lower class (according to social divisions), an educated and learned person will be seen differently. History has proven this claim. Many people with humble beginnings have achieved great things in life!  Origins didn't matter to them and nothing or no one could stop them from accomplishing what they were determined to accomplish. Also, just because someone is from a rich and famous family doesn't mean they can forgo learning. Education is the only tool that grooms one to attain all heights in life.

According to this verse, even the Gods revere such people.  So, knowledge is the wing with which one can attain the Gods too.  Three cheers to knowledge and learning!

pada vigrahaH:

किं कुलेन विशालेन विद्या हीनस्य देहिनः ।
kiṃ kulena viśālena vidyā hīnasya dehinaḥ ।

अकुलीनः अपि विद्यावान् देवैः अपि सुपूज्यते ॥
akulīnaḥ api vidyāvān devaiḥ api supūjyate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kiM kulena vishaalena vidyaahInasya dehinaH ।
akulIno.pi vidyaavaan devairapi supUjyate ॥

kiM kulena vishaalena vidyaa hInasya dehinaH ।

akulInaH api vidyaavaan devaiH api supUjyate ॥