May 7th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उष्ट्राणां च विवाहेषु गीतं गायन्ति गर्दभाः ।
परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति अहो रूपमहो ध्वनिः ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

Transliteration:
uṣṭrāṇāṃ ca vivāheṣu gītaṃ gāyanti gardabhāḥ ।
parasparaṃ praśaṃsanti aho rūpamaho dhvaniḥ ॥
- samayocitapadyamālikā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

In the wedding of camels, donkeys sing the song. They praise each other, 'ah! the form!', 'ah! the voice!'

Commentary:

The camel is an animal who is not particularly popular for his grace and form. Similarly, a donkey is an animal whose braying is not exactly famous for melody. But this scene is of the wedding of camels where the donkeys are singing in merry! Like that is not enough, they are praising each other for their beauty and tone :-).

The scenario is concocted as an example of false praise. When one praises, it does not warrant the person praised to let it get to his head. Just because the camels thought that the donkeys sang wonderfully, it is not true in reality.

At the same time, only the finest can recognize finesse. A donkey isn't really the best person to identify beauty.

None are more taken by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the best but are not. Beware of flatterers and watch your own reactions to such fawning and eyewash compliments!

pada vigrahaH:
उष्ट्राणां च विवाहेषु गीतं गायन्ति गर्दभाः ।
uṣṭrāṇāṃ ca vivāheṣu gītaṃ gāyanti gardabhāḥ ।

परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति अहो रूपम् अहो ध्वनिः ॥
parasparaṃ praśaṃsanti aho rūpam aho dhvaniḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
uShTraaNaaM cha vivaaheShu gItaM gaayanti gardabhaaH ।
parasparaM prashaMsanti aho rUpamaho dhvaniH ॥
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

uShTraaNaaM cha vivaaheShu gItaM gaayanti gardabhaaH ।

parasparaM prashamsanti aho rUpam aho dhvaniH ॥