March 12th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
परोपदेशे पाण्डित्यं सर्वेषां सुकरं नृणाम् ।
धर्मे स्वीयमनुष्ठानं कस्यचित्तु महात्मनः ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका


Transliteration:
paropadeśe pāṇḍityaṃ sarveṣāṃ sukaraṃ nṛṇām ।
dharme svīyamanuṣṭhānaṃ kasyacittu mahātmanaḥ ॥
- samayocitapadyamālikā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

When advising others it is very easy for everyone to show off their erudition. But when it comes to oneself, following the path of dharma is possible only for a select few mahātmās (noble people).

Commentary:

When one falters or makes the slightest mistake, everyone around offers their opinions and thoughts generously. They won't hesitate for a minute to stop and think if their advice is wanted or not. Everyone shares their expertise eagerly to show off their knowledge bank and make a big show of their aptitude.

When it comes to themselves staying on the path of dharma, only very few great souls (mahātmās) can keep their feet on the ground, while keeping their sights on higher goals. Instead of making huge speeches from a podium, their focus will remain on following the words of wisdom themselves, every step of the way, while analyzing their thoughts and actions incessantly. The strength of their words comes from the very fact that their thoughts, actions, and speech are all in sync and aligned. They follow what they say and they say what they think. They are not pompous about their scholarliness either. They are the true mahātmās.

Preach what you practice and practice what you preach!

pada vigrahaH:
पर-उपदेशे पाण्डित्यं सर्वेषां सुकरं नृणाम् ।
para-upadeśe pāṇḍityaṃ sarveṣāṃ sukaraṃ nṛṇām ।

धर्मे स्वीयम् अनुष्ठानं कस्यचित् तु महात्मनः ॥
dharme svīyam anuṣṭhānaṃ kasyacit tu mahātmanaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
paropadeshe paaNDityaM sarveShaaM sukaraM nRuNaam ।
dharme swIyamanuShThaanaM kasyachittu mahaatmanaH ॥
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

para-upadeshe paaNDityaM sarveShaaM sukaraM nRuNaam ।

dharme swIyam anuShThaanaM kasyachit tu mahaatmanaH ॥