February 5th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
नीतिज्ञा नियतिज्ञाः वेदज्ञाऽपि भवन्ति शास्त्रज्ञाः ।
ब्रह्मज्ञा अपि लभ्याः स्वाज्ञानज्ञानिनो विरलाः ॥
- वैराग्यशतक, अप्पय्यदीक्षित


Transliteration:
nītijñā niyatijñāḥ vedajñā'pi bhavanti śāstrajñāḥ ।
brahmajñā api labhyāḥ svājñānajñānino viralāḥ ॥
- vairāgyaśataka, appayyadīkṣita

Meaning of the subhAShita:

There are many people (in this world) who know (about) morality, know the inner order of conduct, know the Vedas (sacred knowledge), know the scriptures, or know the Supreme Spirit Himself. But rare are those who know about their own ignorance.

Commentary:

In the world, we see people who are experts in many different arenas. They are well-versed in morality, the code of conduct, the Scriptures, and many other highly regarded subjects of life. They pride themselves in their prowess (and preach too!) We find such people in abundance.

But rare is a person who is aware of the ignorance of his true nature! No one wants to acknowledge that they do not know something. Ego blocks one's ability to accept his ignorance.  This arrogance then impedes personal growth.  Ignorance and arrogance feed off of each other.  Learning gets stunted as soon as ignorance is ignored.

Who is this semblance for?! By being arrogant, aren't we robbing ourselves of learning opportunities? Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity! 

Knowledge governs ignorance. Get learning! 

pada vigrahaH:

नीतिज्ञाः नियतिज्ञाः वेदज्ञाः अपि भवन्ति शास्त्रज्ञाः ।
nītijñāḥ niyatijñāḥ vedajñāḥ api bhavanti śāstrajñāḥ ।

ब्रह्मज्ञाः अपि लभ्याः स्व-अज्ञान-ज्ञानिनः विरलाः ॥
brahmajñāḥ api labhyāḥ sva-ajñāna-jñāninaḥ viralāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
nItij~naa niyatij~naaH vedaj~naa.pi bhavanti shaastraj~naaH ।
brahmaj~naa api labhyaaH swaaj~naanaj~naanino viralaaH ॥
- vairaagyashataka, appayyadIkShita

nItij~naaH niyatij~naaH vedaj~naaH api bhavanti shaastraj~naaH ।

brahmaj~naaH api labhyaaH swa-aj~naana-j~naaninaH viralaaH ॥