Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चला लक्ष्मीश्चलाः प्राणाः चलं जीवितयौवनम् ।
चलाचले च संसारे धर्म एको हि निश्चलः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति
Transliteration:
calā lakṣmīścalāḥ prāṇāḥ calaṃ jīvitayauvanam ।
calācale ca saṃsāre dharma eko hi niścalaḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Variable is wealth, unsteady is life's vital breath, changeable is life and youth. In this world of steady and unsteady, virtue is the one and only firm (aspect).
Commentary:
One may be the richest in town, but in an instant, his riches could be burnt to ashes. A healthy person could die, his breath stopping without even giving a hint. It is a known fact that youth is short lived and passes on fast, as does life.
In a world of uncertainties and variable factors, people have a tendency to hang on to something that is unstable itself! How can a sinking boat, support a person from drowning? There is no shore until absolution is attained. If he wants to stay above water, he needs to hang on to a boulder which will not get battered by the high winds or water. Virtue or dharma is the one lone boulder which is eternal and remains, whether one hangs on to it or not.
Why hang on to the impermanent materialistic comforts when we are offered reliable support to get through life? This makes the journey through the ocean of saṃsāra much easier and much more pleasant. Again, the choice is ours and ours alone!
pada vigrahaH:
चलाः लक्ष्मीः चलाः प्राणाः चलं जीवित-यौवनम् ।
calāḥ lakṣmīḥ calāḥ prāṇāḥ calaṃ jīvita-yauvanam ।
चला-अचले च संसारे धर्मः एकः हि निश्चलः ॥
calā-acale ca saṃsāre dharmaḥ ekaḥ hi niścalaḥ ॥
In a world of uncertainties and variable factors, people have a tendency to hang on to something that is unstable itself! How can a sinking boat, support a person from drowning? There is no shore until absolution is attained. If he wants to stay above water, he needs to hang on to a boulder which will not get battered by the high winds or water. Virtue or dharma is the one lone boulder which is eternal and remains, whether one hangs on to it or not.
Why hang on to the impermanent materialistic comforts when we are offered reliable support to get through life? This makes the journey through the ocean of saṃsāra much easier and much more pleasant. Again, the choice is ours and ours alone!
pada vigrahaH:
चलाः लक्ष्मीः चलाः प्राणाः चलं जीवित-यौवनम् ।
calāḥ lakṣmīḥ calāḥ prāṇāḥ calaṃ jīvita-yauvanam ।
चला-अचले च संसारे धर्मः एकः हि निश्चलः ॥
calā-acale ca saṃsāre dharmaḥ ekaḥ hi niścalaḥ ॥
chalaa lakShmIshchalaaH praaNaaH chalaM jIvita-yauvanam ।
chalaachale cha saMsaare dharma eko hi nishchalaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti
chalaaH lakShmIH chalaaH praaNaaH chalaM jIvita-yauvanam ।
chalaa-achale cha saMsaare dharmaH ekaH hi nishchalaH ॥
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