March 31st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
माता शत्रुः पिता वैरी येन बालो न पाठितः ।
न शोभते सभामध्ये हंसमध्ये बको यथा ॥
- चाणक्यनीति


Transliteration:
mātā śatruḥ pitā vairī yena bālo na pāṭhitaḥ ।
na śobhate sabhāmadhye haṃsamadhye bako yathā ॥
- cāṇakyanīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Mother is an enemy, father is a foe—by whom children are not taught. He (the child) does not shine in a gathering, just as a stork amidst swans.

Commentary:

As parents, the prime duty of a mother and father is to educate their children and equip them with necessary life skills. Parents need to take a very active role in helping their children become good-hearted, responsible adults with deep-rooted values. This is what keeps society strong and surviving. This is the gift parents give to their children and leave to the world. It is alright if they do not make a small fortune to last 3 generations, but they must educate their children. Such children make the world a happier place to live in and will be happy people themselves.

Otherwise, children will not shine in their lives and might even become a bane of society. They will prove to be misfits in their surroundings, just as a limp stork is amidst a group of graceful swans. Swans are known for their grace. A crane is wobbly and limps in comparison to a swan. A crane in the middle of a group of swans would stick out like a sore thumb. Nobody wants to be a sore thumb. While growing up, children do not realize the importance of learning or its applicability. So, it becomes all the more important for parents to teach them all the tricks and trades for leading a successful life. This includes—education, good values, and self-confidence.

Parents who do not do this for their children are as good as their foes because they are contributing to their downfall, just as rivals would.

Adults, equip youngsters with knowledge. Youngsters, allow them to!

pada vigrahaH:
माता शत्रुः पिता वैरी येन बालः न पाठितः ।
mātā śatruḥ pitā vairī yena bālaḥ na pāṭhitaḥ ।

न शोभते सभा-मध्ये हंस-मध्ये बको यथा ॥
na śobhate sabhā-madhye haṃsa-madhye bako yathā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
maataa shatruH pitaa vairI yena baalo na paaThitaH ।
na shobhate sabhaamadhye haMsamadhye bako yathaa ॥
- chaaNakyanIti

maataa shatruH pitaa vairI yena baalaH na paaThitaH ।

na shobhate sabhaa-madhye haMsa-madhye bako yathaa ॥