June 24th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दर्शनध्यानसंस्पर्शैः मत्सी कूर्मी च पक्षिणी ।
शिशुं पालयते नित्यं तथा सज्जनसङ्गतिः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:
darśanadhyānasaṃsparśaiḥ matsī kūrmī ca pakṣiṇī ।
śiśuṃ pālayate nityaṃ tathā sajjanasaṅgatiḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Just like the fish, by watching over; turtle, through contemplation; birds, by incubation—take care of their young, (people) should protect their children by keeping them in good company, at all times.

Commentary:

Most animals are known to give birth to their offspring and after a short period of nurture, they leave them to fend for themselves. But during those nurturing stages, they take the utmost care, almost as if there is nothing else in the world they would rather do!

• Fish keep a constant watch over their eggs till they hatch.
• Turtles lay their eggs and are done with childcare. But, even then, they carefully contemplate their predators' actions and select the safest spot for the eggs. They dig a hole in a spot that best suits their young to grow and hatch.
• Birds incubate their eggs.  They protect them from harsh climatic conditions and predators as well. They even feed and nurture them until their wings are strong enough to fly by themselves. 

If not, the young shall lose the battle of life before it even begins! However, all these—animals, birds, and fish alike, let go of their young! A human is the only being who shelters, nurtures, and pampers his offspring for the longest duration! 

Is a parent's job done if he builds a home and feeds his children?! This would only protect children from harsh climates and starvation. Shouldn't that be sufficient for the well-being of the child?! The maturity at which humans work requires more than mere physical protection and food for nourishment! They also need intellectual and spiritual growth. 

How is that done? How does one provide nourishment for the mind and the intellect?  By always keeping them in good company! This not only aids positive growth of the mind but also protects them from going on a negative path. It is a win-win situation. Good company is the only insurance that assures to keep one's offspring safe and sound in either harsh or friendly environments at all times.  This equips the children to learn to deal with life on their own once they are out of the nest, so to speak.

Hence, at all costs, parents should strive to keep their children in good company, beginning with themselves!  They have to be the good company to their own children. The best protective shield they can provide their children is—teaching them to seek and enjoy the company of noble people!

No road is long with good company because good company is the shortest and easiest route in the journey of life. Find your shortcuts (good company) and aid your children in finding theirs.

pada vigrahaH:
दर्शन-ध्यान-संस्पर्शैः मत्सी कूर्मी च पक्षिणी ।
darśana-dhyāna-saṃsparśaiḥ matsī kūrmī ca pakṣiṇī ।

शिशुं पालयते नित्यं तथा सज्जन-सङ्गतिः ॥
śiśuṃ pālayate nityaṃ tathā sajjana-saṅgatiḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
darshanadhyaanasaMsparshaiH matsI kUrmI cha pakShiNI ।
shishuM paalayate nityaM tathaa sajjanasa~ngatiH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

darshana-dhyaana-saMsparshaiH matsI kUrmI cha pakShiNI ।

shishuM paalayate nityaM tathaa sajjana-sa~ngatiH ॥