Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सुलभाः पुरुषा राजन् सततं प्रियवादिनः ।
अप्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः ॥
- रामायण
Transliteration:
sulabhāḥ puruṣā rājan satataṃ priyavādinaḥ ।
apriyasya tu pathyasya vaktā śrotā ca durlabhaḥ ॥
- rāmāyaṇa
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Oh, King! It is easy to find people who always talk in (your) favor. But people who speak or listen to 'words not in (your) favor, yet in your welfare' are rare to find.
Commentary:
Especially when one is in power or holding a political office, he is sure to find tons of 'yes sir', 'yes, your highness', kind of people. Given that he is the man of authority, people in his cabinet of ministry would not dare to oppose or say a word against him, whether he takes a right step or a wrong one. People around him just nod and oblige, never expressing their honest opinions.
On the contrary, a person holding a high position is in need of people who are honest and courageous enough to express their thoughts! Rare are such people who dare to express their true opinions while keeping the welfare of the land in mind.
Even if counsellors give counsel to the person in power, chances are that he will not heed them. However, as long as words are spoken in favor of the one in power, they will be valued. But many a time, an unfavorable word is in the welfare of the better good. And rare are such people who will heed to such well-intended, but unfavorable words!
One word that brings peace is better than a thousand hollow words. Speak with honesty and have the courage to be honest. Likewise, when an opposing viewpoint is presented, have the courage to analyse it with an open mind and keep everyone's welfare in mind.
pada vigrahaH:
सुलभाः पुरुषाः राजन् सततं प्रिय-वादिनः ।
sulabhāḥ puruṣāḥ rājan satataṁ priya-vādinaḥ ।
अ-प्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः ॥
a-priyasya tu pathyasya vaktā śrōtā ca durlabhaḥ ॥
On the contrary, a person holding a high position is in need of people who are honest and courageous enough to express their thoughts! Rare are such people who dare to express their true opinions while keeping the welfare of the land in mind.
Even if counsellors give counsel to the person in power, chances are that he will not heed them. However, as long as words are spoken in favor of the one in power, they will be valued. But many a time, an unfavorable word is in the welfare of the better good. And rare are such people who will heed to such well-intended, but unfavorable words!
One word that brings peace is better than a thousand hollow words. Speak with honesty and have the courage to be honest. Likewise, when an opposing viewpoint is presented, have the courage to analyse it with an open mind and keep everyone's welfare in mind.
pada vigrahaH:
सुलभाः पुरुषाः राजन् सततं प्रिय-वादिनः ।
sulabhāḥ puruṣāḥ rājan satataṁ priya-vādinaḥ ।
अ-प्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः ॥
a-priyasya tu pathyasya vaktā śrōtā ca durlabhaḥ ॥
sulabhaaH puruShaa raajan satataM priyavaadinaH ।
apriyasya tu pathyasya vaktaa shrotaa cha durlabhaH ॥
- raamaayaNa
sulabhaaH puruShaa raajan satataM priya-vaadinaH ।
a-priyasya tu pathyasya vaktaa shrotaa cha durlabhaH ॥
very well explained! this is one of my favourite quotes in samskrita. it would be nice if you can add the context of these words spoken by vibheeshana to king ravana. thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words Latha. Have omitted the context on purpose for a couple reasons. Incidentally, this verse appears in mahaabhaarata too, where vidura says it to dhritaraaShTra. Wanted to capture the essence of the verse than elaborating on the duel background. Agree with you, one of my favorite verses as well!!
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