April 26th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
नात्यन्तं सरलैर्भाव्यं गत्वा पश्य वनस्थलीम् ।
छिद्यन्ते सरलास्तत्र कुब्जास्तिष्ठन्ति पादपाः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
nātyantaṃ saralairbhāvyaṃ gatvā paśya vanasthalīm ।
chidyante saralāstatra kubjāstiṣṭhanti pādapāḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Do not have the simplest of demeanor. Go and see in the forest—the straight-standing trees are felled and the crooked (ones) still stand!

Commentary:

This verse is not a call for "learning a contorted disposition" in any way! 

It is mainly a call for the really simple and forthright souls. They are the ones who generally bear the brunt of the evil and spiteful people of the world. The poet gives them the example of the trees in the forest. It is easier to cut down a straight tree than a bent-out, crooked tree. Therefore, the woodcutters take the easiest route and chop down the straight trees.  And because it requires more effort, not many people bother to take down the crooked tree. 

Similarly, if one is not too straightforward and knows how to stand up for himself, he won't get into many unwanted situations. He has to be diplomatic and troublemakers will consider themselves warned and keep their distance.

It is like the story where the sage tells a snake that it is okay to hiss in self-defense, but not to hurt passers-by. This demeanor is okay to be used in self-defense, but not for afflicting pain upon others.

pada vigrahaH:
न अत्यन्तं सरलैः भाव्यं गत्वा पश्य वन-स्थलीम् ।
na atyantaṃ saralaiḥ bhāvyaṃ gatvā paśya vana-sthalīm ।

छिद्यन्ते सरलाः तत्र कुब्जाः तिष्ठन्ति पादपाः ॥
chidyante saralāḥ tatra kubjāḥ tiṣṭhanti pādapāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
naatyantaM saralairbhaavyaM gatvaa pashya vana-sthalIm ।
Chidyante saralaastatra kubjaastiShThanti paadapaaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

na atyantaM saralaiH bhaavyaM gatvaa pashya vanasthalIm ।

Chidyante saralaaH tatra kubjaaH tiShThanti paadapaaH ॥