May 11th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गर्वाय परपीडायै दुर्जनस्य धनं बलम् ।
सुजनस्य तु दानाय रक्षणाय च ते सदा ॥

Transliteration:
garvāya parapīḍāyai durjanasya dhanaṃ balam ।
sujanasya tu dānāya rakṣaṇāya ca te sadā ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The wealth and power of an evildoer are for vanity and afflicting others. In a good person, they are always (used) for—giving, and protecting.

Commentary:

Sins are not committed by—wealth or power. The person in charge of those possessions does. His attitude, priorities, and how he puts them to use is what changes the course.

Wealth in the hands of an evildoer becomes a tool to boost his pride and arrogance. Authority and power given to such a person are misused to inflict harm on people around him. He will be so consumed by his own selfish and evil motives that he can't see beyond himself.

The same exact wealth, in the hands of a noble and pious individual, would be put to use for giving others, for the betterment of society. A high position given to him would be used for the protection and prosperity of others.

The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who can't make up their minds whether to be good or evil. The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. Surely, humans have an inherent disposition to extract good out of even evil. Let's make sure that this inborn tendency gets enough room to grow and enhance the quality of living for everyone.  

True wealth is not of the pocket but of the heart and the mind.  Similarly, power is not of the muscle/position, it too, is of the mind and the heart.  

pada vigrahaH:
गर्वाय पर-पीडायै दुर्जनस्य धनं बलम् ।
garvāya para-pīḍāyai durjanasya dhanaṃ balam ।

सुजनस्य तु दानाय रक्षणाय च ते सदा ॥
sujanasya tu dānāya rakṣaṇāya ca te sadā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
garvaaya parapIDaayai durjanasya dhanaM balam ।
sujanasya tu daanaaya rakShaNaaya cha te sadaa ॥

garvaaya para-pIDaayai durjanasya dhanaM balam ।

sujanasya tu daanaaya rakShaNaaya cha te sadaa ॥