April 22nd


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् ।
पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततस्सुखम् ॥

- हितोपदेश

Transliteration:
vidyā dadāti vinayaṃ vinayādyāti pātratām ।
pātratvāddhanamāpnoti dhanāddharmaṃ tatassukham ॥
- hitopadeśa

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Knowledge (vidyā) gives humility; with humility comes recognition; recognition brings wealth; through wealth (comes) virtue; and then follows happiness.

Commentary:
True knowledge does not stop at just making one knowledgeable. It teaches him humility. Arrogance is an attribute of ignorant egos. True education eliminates the ego and makes one humble. If this is not learnt, it is not 'education' in the first place, it is mere certification!

Once humility is learnt, recognition comes looking for a person. Recognition does not necessarily mean that he will be in the newspaper one fine morning! People will respect him and recognize that he is learned. His humility paves way for that recognition.

This respect and recognition bring him a good position in society and a well-paying line of work, making him wealthy!

That wealth should be put to use for accomplishing virtuous deeds (dharma). True vidyā teaches him not to misuse his wealth or authority. Instead, it teaches him that 'With great power comes great responsibility'. A responsible person does not indulge himself in non-meritorious actions.

There is no internal discord when one performs dharma. The conscience always directs the mind to do rightful deeds. When there is no internal conflict of ideas within one's mind and intellect, the person is automatically happy!

This way, vidyā leads to happiness. Hence, happiness cannot be achieved overnight. It needs patience and perseverance. True knowledge teaches this too!

pada vigrahaH:
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयात् याति पात्रताम् ।
vidyā dadāti vinayaṃ vinayāt yāti pātratām ।

पात्रत्वात् धनम् आप्नोति धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥
pātratvāt dhanam āpnoti dhanāt dharmaṃ tataḥ sukham ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
vidyaa dadaati vinayaM vinayaadyaati paatrataam ।
paatratvaaddhanamaapnoti dhanaaddharmaM tatassukham ॥
- hitopadesha

vidyaa dadaati vinayaM vinayaat yaati paatrataam ।
paatratvaat dhanam aapnoti dhanaat dharmaM tataH sukham ॥

4 comments:

  1. I see in this an excellent companion of two passages in the Christian bible (somewhere). 1) To whom much is given, much is required; and 2) To those who KNOW what to do (dharma) and does not do it, that is sin (e.g., disobedience).

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  2. nikhita kashi [im a kid who's 8 yrs old]5/5/10, 5:46 PM

    I like vidyaa![knowledge] It makes me smart!

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  3. Nice post! Could you specify the shloka number (chapter and verse number) from where this shloka originates?

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