Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गुणैरुत्तमतां याति नोच्चैरासनसंस्थिताः ।
प्रासादशिखरस्थोऽपि काकः किं गरुडायते ॥
- चाणक्य नीति
Transliteration:
guṇairuttamatāṃ yāti noccairāsanasaṃsthitāḥ ।
prāsādaśikharastho'pi kākaḥ kiṃ garuḍāyate ॥
- cāṇakya nīti
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Excellence is attained through efficacy, not by clinging to a tall throne. Can a crow transform into an eagle by simply sitting on a pinnacle?
Commentary:
A 'great big throne' is only an indication or a physical representation of one's greatness. One's greatness comes from his own vices and virtues. The way he builds his personality is entirely upon himself. He could choose to keep more vices than virtues, or vice versa. But, it is foolish to think that anyone physically sitting on a throne will become great!
The metaphor given here is that of a crow who poses and sits on the pinnacle of a mountain and thinks he has become an eagle! The eagle is deemed as the king of birds. He gets that title not because he sits on the highest altitudes, but because he carries with him, the grace and tenacity, of a king. That is what qualifies him for the title. If a crow imitates an eagle and sits on the apex of a tree, it won't automatically instill in him the rest of the eagle's natural qualities.
The metaphor given here is that of a crow who poses and sits on the pinnacle of a mountain and thinks he has become an eagle! The eagle is deemed as the king of birds. He gets that title not because he sits on the highest altitudes, but because he carries with him, the grace and tenacity, of a king. That is what qualifies him for the title. If a crow imitates an eagle and sits on the apex of a tree, it won't automatically instill in him the rest of the eagle's natural qualities.
An eagle's wings may be silken, but its claws are made of steel! And if you want to fly with the eagles, you should stop swimming with the ducks. Titles or designations don't matter for the truly excellent. Their actions are true to their nature and they continue working, irrespective of the accolades they may or may not receive.
pada vigrahaH:
गुणैः उत्तमतां याति न उच्चैः आसन-संस्थिताः ।
guṇaiḥ uttamatāṃ yāti na uccaiḥ āsana-saṃsthitāḥ ।
प्रासाद-शिखरस्थः अपि काकः किं गरुडायते ॥
prāsāda-śikharasthaḥ api kākaḥ kiṃ garuḍāyate ॥
pada vigrahaH:
गुणैः उत्तमतां याति न उच्चैः आसन-संस्थिताः ।
guṇaiḥ uttamatāṃ yāti na uccaiḥ āsana-saṃsthitāḥ ।
प्रासाद-शिखरस्थः अपि काकः किं गरुडायते ॥
prāsāda-śikharasthaḥ api kākaḥ kiṃ garuḍāyate ॥
guNairuttamataaM yaati nochchairaasanasaMsthitaaH ।
praasaadashikharastho.pi kaakaH kiM garuDaayate ॥
- chaaNakya nIti
guNaiH uttamataaM yaati na uchchaiH aasana-saMsthitaaH ।
praasaada-shikharasthaH api kaakaH kiM garuDaayate ॥
An excellent observation.
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