June 17th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
माधुर्यमक्षरव्यक्तिः पदच्छेदस्तु सुस्वरः ।
धैर्यं लयसमर्थं च षडेते पाठकागुणाः ॥
- पाणिनीयशिक्षा

Transliteration:
mādhuryamakṣaravyaktiḥ padacchedastu susvaraḥ ।
dhairyaṃ layasamarthaṃ ca ṣaḍete pāṭhakāguṇāḥ ॥
- pāṇinīyaśikṣā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Sweetness in tone, clarity of syllables, isolation of words, proper intonation, confidence, accompanied with rhythm - these are the 6 attributes of a (good) reader.

Commentary:

1. Tenderness in tone
2. Accuracy in pronouncing each individual syllable
3. The breakup of words in the right places
4. An appropriate tone of voice
5. Poise and certainty in reading
6. Proper rhythm

The above 6 are the traits that define a good reader. These traits make one's reading clear; conveys the message accurately; makes the material he is reading appealing.

One must keep in mind:

• not to read with a harsh, hoarse voice; 
• not swallow up the syllables in a hurry; 
• not fuse words together and be sure to give just enough pause between words; 
• raise and drop the voice appropriately depending on the bhāva (feeling) being expressed; 
• the stride, voice and hold of the reader should reflect confidence in every step of the way; 
• the reading should be paced aptly too. 

A good reader makes a good speaker.  Today a reader, tomorrow a leader! Acquire the right skills from the get go :).

pada vigrahaH:
माधुर्यम् अक्षर-व्यक्तिः पदच्छेदः तु सुस्वरः ।
mādhuryam akṣara-vyaktiḥ padacchedaḥ tu susvaraḥ ।

धैर्यं लय-समर्थं च षट् एते पाठका-गुणाः ॥
dhairyaṃ laya-samarthaṃ ca ṣaṭ ete pāṭhakā-guṇāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
maadhuryamakSharavyaktiH padachChedastu susvaraH ।
dhairyaM layasamarthaM cha ShaDete paaThakaaguNaaH ॥
- paaNinIyashikShaa

maadhuryam akShara-vyaktiH padachChedaH tu susvaraH ।

dhairyaM laya-samarthaM cha ShaT ete paaThakaa-guNaaH ॥