Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
प्रत्यहं प्रत्यवेक्षेत नरश्चरितमात्मनः ।
किं नु मे पशुभिस्तुल्यं किं नु सत्पुरुषैरिति ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
Transliteration:
pratyahaṃ pratyavekṣeta naraścaritamātmanaḥ ।
kiṃ nu me paśubhistulyaṃ kiṃ nu satpuruṣairiti ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra
Meaning of the subhAShita:
A person should examine his own deeds this way every day—are mine comparable to animals or to that of the noble?!
Commentary:
God made humans as well as all other creatures. He made each creature in a certain way so they would behave like they were supposed to. So, made humans so they would behave like humans! Does a lion abandon its traits as a lion and act like a rabbit?! Does a flower forget to give fragrance and start pricking passersby like a thorn?! They are that way because they are naturally born to be that way.
God gave humans a huge advantage over all life forms. He gave them the faculties of thought, wisdom, and speech. He did not bestow these precious gifts on us for nothing. There was a set of expectations that accompanied these faculties. The power of thought should be put to constructive use for the benefit of others and the betterment of oneself. Wisdom should be used to make wise choices and decisions that maintain peace and make the world a better place to live in. Speech should be used to make someone happy and cheerful rather than to demean and insult them. As humans, we need to follow 'dharma' (righteousness). This is what sets us apart from the rest of the creatures.
Sometimes, humans use these faculties for deeds that make them stoop lower than we can imagine. That is unacceptable! Falling off the wagon of discipline, too, is a part of human tendency. Then, it becomes our prime duty to examine and self-reflect, daily—"Was I a good human being today or did I stoop down and behave like an animal?!" This constant self-inquiry helps one to see his follies and shortcomings on a daily basis. And the recognition of one's wrongdoings is the first step towards correcting it! Knowing oneself is the beginning of all wisdom.
Hence, this awareness and analysis of one's deeds every single day is essential to becoming a better person. Remember to introspect! Introspection leads to insights and insights tell us what needs to change.
pada vigrahaH:
प्रति-अहं प्रति-अवेक्षेत नरः चरितम् आत्मनः ।
prati-ahaṃ prati-avekṣeta naraḥ caritam ātmanaḥ ।
किं नु मे पशुभिः तुल्यं किं नु सत्पुरुषैः इति ॥
kiṃ nu me paśubhiḥ tulyaṃ kiṃ nu satpuruṣaiḥ iti ॥
Sometimes, humans use these faculties for deeds that make them stoop lower than we can imagine. That is unacceptable! Falling off the wagon of discipline, too, is a part of human tendency. Then, it becomes our prime duty to examine and self-reflect, daily—"Was I a good human being today or did I stoop down and behave like an animal?!" This constant self-inquiry helps one to see his follies and shortcomings on a daily basis. And the recognition of one's wrongdoings is the first step towards correcting it! Knowing oneself is the beginning of all wisdom.
Hence, this awareness and analysis of one's deeds every single day is essential to becoming a better person. Remember to introspect! Introspection leads to insights and insights tell us what needs to change.
pada vigrahaH:
प्रति-अहं प्रति-अवेक्षेत नरः चरितम् आत्मनः ।
prati-ahaṃ prati-avekṣeta naraḥ caritam ātmanaḥ ।
किं नु मे पशुभिः तुल्यं किं नु सत्पुरुषैः इति ॥
kiṃ nu me paśubhiḥ tulyaṃ kiṃ nu satpuruṣaiḥ iti ॥
pratyahaM pratyavekSheta narashcharitamaatmanaH ।
kiM nu me pashubhistulyaM kiM nu satpuruShairiti ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara
prati-ahaM prati-avekSheta naraH charitam aatmanaH ।
kiM nu me pashubhiH tulyaM kiM nu satpuruShaiH iti ॥
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