April 9th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दुर्जनस्य च सर्पस्य वरं सर्पो न दुर्जनः ।
सर्पो दंशति कालेन दुर्जनस्तु पदे पदे ॥

- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:
durjanasya ca sarpasya varaṃ sarpo na durjanaḥ ।
sarpo daṃśati kālena durjanastu pade pade ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Between an evildoer and a snake, the snake is a blessing, not the evildoer. A snake strikes in due course of time, (whereas) an evildoer (will strike) at every step.

Commentary:
A snake, whether poisonous or not, is one of the most feared animals. But the verse says that even this creature is a blessing when weighed against an evildoer (durjana)!

The reason is, a snake strikes when it feels threatened. But a durjana won't give a respite; he will strike constantly, becoming a cause of pain, and inflicting suffering upon others. He doesn't even need a reason, he rejoices in others' sorrow and will keep coming back again and again.

Beware of evildoers, keep them at bay!

pada vigrahaH:
दुर्जनस्य च सर्पस्य वरं सर्पः न दुर्जनः ।
durjanasya ca sarpasya varaṃ sarpaḥ na durjanaḥ ।

सर्पः दंशति कालेन दुर्जनः तु पदे पदे ॥
sarpaḥ daṃśati kālena durjanaḥ tu pade pade ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
durjanasya cha sarpasya varaM sarpo na durjanaH ।
sarpo daMshati kaalena durjanastu pade pade ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

durjanasya cha sarpasya varaM sarpaH na durjanaH ।
sarpaH daMshati kaalena durjanaH tu pade pade ॥

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