May 17th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
भये वा यदि वा हर्षे संप्राप्ते यो विमर्शयेत् ।
कृत्यं न कुरुते वेगात् न स सन्तापमाप्नुयात् ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Transliteration:
bhaye vā yadi vā harṣe saṃprāpte yo vimarśayet ।
kṛtyaṃ na kurute vegāt na sa santāpamāpnuyāt ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:

When in fear or in happiness, he who thinks his actions through and does nothing in haste will not undergo sorrow (suffering).

Commentary:

Life is a cycle. There are good times and bad times, some which bring excessive joy, while others times bring fear. In either circumstance, chances are that one will react hastily. When one reacts hastily, he is bound to make mistakes that he will regret later. However, sped arrows and spoken words can never be taken back. He would have already caused damage, be it intentional or unintentional. When such actions are set in motion, chances are that the other person will retaliate with more force, leading to an unending vicious cycle.

The poet in this verse opines that - he who thinks his actions through will save some suffering/regrets for himself as well as for others around him. Thoughtless actions have caused great harm and history is proof for that. Thoughtfulness about one's own actions is the winning way!

Construction is a slow and laborious task that takes years. Destruction can occur from one thoughtless action in a single day.

Think through your actions...

pada vigrahaH:
भये वा यदि वा हर्षे संप्राप्ते यः विमर्शयेत् ।
bhaye vā yadi vā harṣe saṃprāpte yaḥ vimarśayet ।

कृत्यं न कुरुते वेगात् न स सन्तापम् आप्नुयात् ॥
kṛtyaṃ na kurute vegāt na sa santāpam āpnuyāt ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
bhaye vaa yadi vaa harShe saMpraapte yo vimarshayet ।
kRutyaM na kurute vegaat na sa santaapamaapnuyaat ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

bhaye vaa yadi vaa harShe saMpraapte yaH vimarshayet ।

kRutyaM na kurute vegaat na sa santaapam aapnuyaat ॥