May 5th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अग्नौ दग्धं जले मग्नं हृतं तस्करपार्थिवैः ।
तत्सर्वं दानमित्याहुः यदि क्लैब्यं न भाषते ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Transliteration:
agnau dagdhaṃ jale magnaṃ hṛtaṃ taskarapārthivaiḥ ।
tatsarvaṃ dānamityāhuḥ yadi klaibyaṃ na bhāṣate ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:
(Anything) burnt in a fire, drowned in water, snatched by thieves or kings—all these would be called 'dāna' (giving), only if (one) doesn't speak woefully of it.

Commentary:
It is all in the attitude!

When an act of giving is performed, it is debited into one's account of virtues immediately. 'Giving' is not necessarily what is donated. The poet says that even something lost to natural calamities like fire and water can be accounted for sacrifice if only the approach is right. 

When possessions are stolen or seized by the kings or law enforcers (could be as tax or in any other form), when handled gracefully, can be accredited as dānam too.

When material possessions are lost for any reason, if one doesn't lament about it and instead thinks that it was not meant to be his anymore, he gains more than he loses (in the form of virtues)! On the contrary, even if one gives generous amounts to charity but is emotionally attached to the object, his act of giving becomes futile. Hence, attitude is what defines everything in the world.

Let bygones be bygones. Whatever happened, happened.  Dwelling on it won't change a thing! It is better to let go and reclaim peace of mind. Better times are yet to come!

pada vigrahaH:
अग्नौ दग्धं जले मग्नं हृतं तस्कर-पार्थिवैः ।
agnau dagdhaṃ jale magnaṃ hṛtaṃ taskara-pārthivaiḥ ।

तत् सर्वं दानम् इति आहुः यदि क्लैब्यं न भाषते ॥
tat sarvaṃ dānam iti āhuḥ yadi klaibyaṃ na bhāṣate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
agnau dagdhaM jale magnaM hRutaM taskarapaarthivaiH ।
tatsarvaM daanamityaahuH yadi klaibyaM na bhaaShate ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

agnau dagdhaM jale magnaM hRutaM taskara-paarthivaiH ।
tat sarvaM daanam iti aahuH yadi klaibyaM na bhaaShate ॥

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