April 21st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
तृणं लघु तृणात्तूलं तूलादपि च याचकः ।
वायुना किं न नीतोऽसौ मामयं याचयिष्यति ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
tṛṇaṃ laghu tṛṇāttūlaṃ tūlādapi ca yācakaḥ ।
vāyunā kiṃ na nīto'sau māmayaṃ yācayiṣyati ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Grass is light, cotton is more nimble than grass, (and) a scrounger (yācaka) is more insignificant than cotton. (But) why is he not blown away by the wind? (Because wind) is (afraid) that the scrounger will solicit (something) from him (too)!

Commentary:
Whether a person is valued or not, whether he is taken seriously or not, depends on his own values and vices. A person's significance comes from his conduct, not his possessions. One may accumulate multitudes of objects following the 'beg, borrow, or steal' principle. That brings no respect to him. 

In the poet's opinion, a freeloader is more wretched and obsolete than a twig of grass or a speck of cotton! These two are so light that they are blown away by the smallest whiff of wind. Then, shouldn't a borrower or a moocher—who is more insignificant than these—be carried away by the wind?! NO! Even the wind is apprehensive of the badgering which the beggar might resort to, for something he wants!! That sure is petty.

Ethics and values account for the true weight of a person. Asking for favors constantly from friends and family is no different from being a scrounger. Just as people would avoid a beggar, will start avoiding such a person. Don't diminish your self-worth.  

pada vigrahaH:
तृणं लघु तृणात् तूलं तूलात् अपि च याचकः ।
tṛṇaṃ laghu tṛṇāt tūlaṃ tūlāt api ca yācakaḥ ।

वायुना किं न नीतः असौ माम् अयं याचयिष्यति ॥
vāyunā kiṃ na nītaḥ asau mām ayaṃ yācayiṣyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
tRuNaM laghu tRuNaattUlaM tUlaadapi cha yaachakaH ।
vaayunaa kiM na nIto.sau maamayaM yaachayiShyati ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

tRuNaM laghu tRuNaat tUlaM tUlaat api cha yaachakaH ।

vaayunaa kiM na nItaH asau maam ayaM yaachayiShyatI iti ॥