May 6th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दीपो भक्षयते ध्वान्तं कज्जलञ्च प्रसूयते ।
यदन्नं भक्षयेन्नित्यं जायते तादृशी प्रजाः ॥

- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:
dīpo bhakṣayate dhvāntaṃ kajjalañca prasūyate ।
yadannaṃ bhakṣayennityaṃ jāyate tādṛśī prajāḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
A lamp devours darkness and emits (dark) soot. (Similarly), whatever food is consumed regularly, such a progeny is born.

Commentary:
When a lamp is lit to eradicate darkness, it will certainly light up the place. However, it also gives out dark black soot, as if an indication of the darkness it consumed. This metaphor is used to illustrate that just as one's food habits are, such will be the offspring born. The food one consumes regularly has a lot to say about his attitudes and tendencies. One's food habits dictate the temperament of not just himself, but his offspring as well!

It is said in the Vedas, 'अन्नात् पुरुषः' (annāt puruṣaḥ) which means that the potential energy in the food transforms into living energy in the being.  This is said in the Vedas again and again, 'अन्नाद्वै प्राणः' (annādvai prāṇaḥ).  Because of food, the vital energies and bodily functions shall remain!  When such is the case, it means—what one eats is directly what one is!!  It is not an indirect relationship.  

One's temperament and even predicaments are all influenced by the food he consumes.  When one's attributes are in a certain way, when he has children, they will be the very reflection of him.  How can it be otherwise?!!

Be mindful of your habits. Treat food as medicine. 
As you sow, so shall you reap.  As you eat, so is your progeny.

pada vigrahaH:
दीपः भक्षयते ध्वान्तं कज्जलं च प्रसूयते ।
dīpaḥ bhakṣayate dhvāntaṃ kajjalaṃ ca prasūyate ।

यत् अन्नं भक्षयेत् नित्यं जायते तादृशी प्रजाः ॥
yat annaṃ bhakṣayet nityaṃ jāyate tādṛśī prajāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
deepo bhakShayate dhvaantaM kajjala~ncha prasUyate ।
yadannaM bhakShayennityaM jaayate taadRushI prajaaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

deepaH bhakShayate dhvaantaM kajjalaM cha prasUyate ।
yat annaM bhakShayet nityaM jaayate taadRushI prajaaH ॥

1 comment:

  1. thanks for the conversion of subhahhita and explaining it in detail. very helpful website.

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