June 21st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
जनिता चोपनेता च यस्तु विद्यां प्रयच्छति ।
अन्नदाता भयत्राता पञ्चैते पितरः स्मृताः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
janitā copanetā ca yastu vidyāṃ prayacchati ।
annadātā bhayatrātā pañcaite pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

These 5 are defined as fathers—one who gives birth; one who brings closer (to the Lord, and to spirituality, by initiating through the sacred thread ceremony); one who gives knowledge; one who gives food; one who protects from fear.

Commentary:

In the journey of life, one comes across many relationships that command respect for contributing towards their growth.

A 'father' is one such figure. He is an initiator, an invoker, and a propeller! At different stages of life, one comes across certain father figures who command the same respect as one's own birth father!

1. One who gave birth—is respectable for the very fact that he gave birth, then tended and nurtured the child, without whom the child would not exist.
2. 'upanetā'—literally means 'one who takes closer'. The context here is 'upanayana' (the sacred thread ceremony). The thread ceremony is the initiation of one's learning. That is the first step one takes toward a spiritual path in life. He who counsels or guides one towards that path is a father figure and is therefore revered.
3. He who gives knowledge—namely a preceptor, educates his pupil selflessly. To the best of his abilities, the teacher teaches a person right from wrong.  He equips him with the skill set essential for survival and prepares him for his onward journey of life. A father always wants his children to surpass him. Similarly, a true preceptor rejoices when his pupil excels him! Then, isn't he a respectable father figure as well?!
4. He who gives food—helps one survive! When one is hungry, no amount of wealth can satiate his appetite. One who offers food is giving him life! He is a father too.
5. He who protects from fear—quells one's insecurities and helps him overcome the hurdles of life. When one's fears are dispelled, he sees life in a new light! Such a person is deemed as a father.

A father is someone whom children look up to, no matter how tall they have grown. One cannot do anything to repay these fatherly figures. All one can do is, feel indebted to them and revere them all! There is nothing in this world that can be given to free ourselves from their debt. We can only pass on the legacy by being mentors ourselves to our children, pupils, or the society around us!

pada vigrahaH:
जनिता च उपनेता च यः तु विद्यां प्रयच्छति ।
janitā ca  ca yaḥ tu vidyāṃ prayacchati ।

अन्न-दाता भय-त्राता पञ्च एते पितरः स्मृताः ॥
anna-dātā bhaya-trātā pañca ete pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
janitaa chopanetaa cha yastu vidyaaM prayachChati ।
annadaataa bhayatraataa pa~nchaite pitaraH smRutaaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

janitaa cha upanetaa cha yaH tu vidyaaM prayachChati ।

anna-daataa bhaya-traataa pa~ncha ete pitaraH smRutaaH ॥