March 20th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यः मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Transliteration:
dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ ।
tasmāddharmo na hantavyaḥ mā no dharmo hato'vadhīt ॥
- manusmṛti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Dharma only destroys (those) that destroy it. Dharma protects those that protect it. Hence, dharma should not be destroyed. Know that, 'dharma that is destroyed, destroys'.

Commentary:
When a person or an animal is destroyed and killed, it will not have the vitality to come back and strike. When a person is protected, he takes refuge and shelters himself under its protector.

But this rule does not apply to dharma(virtue). Virtue is such an entity that - when killed, it strikes back and kills its killer! The words look strong for a reason... such IS the strength of dharma! One way or the other, one day or another, the offender of dharma will have to pay the price. No pardons, no excuses and no concessions!

Also, dharma protects its protectors. Those who abide by dharma will always be protected and taken care of. Like a mother who protects her child; like a bear that protects her cubs; dharma takes care of those who care to take care of dharma!

At all times, one's deeds and thoughts should be coherent with dharma. Doing dharmic actions not only protects the doer, but it also elevates him from his current platform. He grows as an individual, strengthens his visions, and broadens his outlook. He feels happy, contented, and peaceful. His heart is cheerful and he is at ease. There is absolutely no downside in doing dharma.

Be virtuous, do dharma, get protected by dharma!

pada vigrahaH:
धर्मः एव हतः हन्ति धर्मः रक्षति रक्षितः ।
dharmaḥ eva hataḥ hanti dharmaḥ rakṣati rakṣitaḥ ।

तस्मात् धर्मः न हन्तव्यः मा नः धर्मः हतः अवधीत् ॥
tasmāt dharmaḥ na hantavyaḥ mā naḥ dharmaḥ hataḥ avadhīt ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakShati rakShitaH ।
tasmaaddharmo na hantavyaH maa no dharmo hato.vadhIt ॥
- manusmRuti

dharmaH eva hataH hanti dharmaH rakShati rakShitaH ।
tasmaat dharmaH na hantavyaH maa naH dharmaH hataH avadhIt ॥

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