February 21st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
न स्वल्पस्य कृते भूरि नाशयेन्मतिमान् नरः ।
एतदेवात्रपाण्डित्यं यत्स्वल्पाद्‍भूरिरक्षणम् ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्र, मित्रभेद


Transliteration:
na svalpasya kṛte bhūri nāśayenmatimān naraḥ ।
etadevātrapāṇḍityaṃ yatsvalpād‍bhūrirakṣaṇam ॥
- pañcatantra, mitrabheda

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A prudent man won't trade a big gain for the sake of a small one. It is prudence here, to give up the smaller for the protection of the bigger interest.

Commentary:

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish!

Many times, when we focus on minute details the bigger picture gets lost. That is not prudent, says the verse. In achieving the higher good, even if a couple of smaller interests have to be sacrificed, it is quite alright.

This reminds the saying, 'Lose the battle but win the war'.  While accomplishing trivial agendas, make sure to not forget the main goal/purpose of the entire task. This is what wise people do.

Great achievements are born of great sacrifices.  Who knows?!  Today's sacrifice may be the greatest investment for tomorrow! 

pada vigrahaH:

न स्वल्पस्य कृते भूरि नाशयेत् मतिमान् नरः ।
na svalpasya kṛte bhūri nāśayet matimān naraḥ ।

एतत् एव अत्र पाण्डित्यं यत् स्वल्पात् भूरि रक्षणम् ॥
etat eva atra pāṇḍityaṃ yat svalpāt bhūri rakṣaṇam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
na swalpasya kRute bhUri naashayenmatimaan naraH ।
etadevaatrapaaNDityaM yatsvalpaadbhUrirakShaNam ॥
- pa~nchatantra, mitrabheda

na swalpasya kRute bhUri naashayet matimaan naraH ।

etat eva atra paaNDityaM yat svalpaat bhUri rakShaNam ॥