February 7th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
निर्धनश्चापि कामार्थी दरिद्रः कलहप्रियः ।
मन्दशास्त्रो विवादार्थी त्रिविधं मूर्खलक्षणम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि


Transliteration:
nirdhanaścāpi kāmārthī daridraḥ kalahapriyaḥ ।
mandaśāstro vivādārthī trividhaṃ mūrkhalakṣaṇam ॥
- subhāṣitasudhānidhi

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Penniless yet desirous; poor yet contentious; weak in knowledge yet seeking disputes—(these) three characteristics are that of an idiot.

Commentary:
One should not stretch his wants and desires beyond his means. It will only get him in trouble. Desire is a strange thing. It will convince the mind to perform all kinds of unethical actions to fulfill itself. The wise are very aware of this fact. Only the foolish indulge in stretching beyond their means.

A contentious and quarrelsome attitude in anyone is not appreciated.  It is especially harmful to those who can't afford to expend extra energy instead of making ends meet. Their efforts will be spent on fighting, unnecessarily.  Only the silly engage in such actions.

To get into an argument, one should know what he is talking about. One needs to be knowledgeable to understand if there is validity to his argument.  There is no point in entering an argument if he does not have the required acumen.  The wise do not involve themselves in such situations; only the foolish do.

Hence, the above 3 characteristics do not suit the wise. It is a screaming indication of foolishness to engage in any of the above.

Now, it is up to us to determine whether we want to be foolish or wise!

pada vigrahaH:
निर्धनः च अपि कामार्थी दरिद्रः कलहप्रियः ।
nirdhanaḥ ca api kāmārthī daridraḥ kalahapriyaḥ ।

मन्दशास्त्रो विवादार्थी त्रिविधं मूर्ख लक्षणम् ॥
mandaśāstro vivādārthī trividhaṃ mūrkha lakṣaṇam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
nirdhanashchaapi kaamaarthI daridraH kalahapriyaH ।
mandashaastro vivaadaarthI trividhaM mUrkhalakShaNam ॥
- subhaaShitasudhaanidhi

nirdhanaH cha api kaamaarthI daridraH kalahapriyaH ।
mandashaastro vivaadaarthI trividhaM mUrkha lakShaNam ॥

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