July 21st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
किं तया क्रियते धेन्वा या न सूते न दुग्धदा ।
कोऽर्थः पुत्रेण जातेन यो न विद्वान्न भक्तिमान् ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्र, कथामुख


Transliteration:
kiṃ tayā kriyate dhenvā yā na sūte na dugdhadā ।
ko'rthaḥ putreṇa jātena yo na vidvānna bhaktimān ॥
- pañcatantra, kathāmukha

Meaning of the subhAShita:

What shall you do with a cow that neither milks nor bears a calf? What is the use of an offspring who is neither learned nor devoted?!

Commentary:

There is a purpose for everything! A cowherd rears his cattle so that he can milk them or so they can bear calves someday. What is the use of a cow which is neither able to give milk nor bear a calf? All the tending becomes a wasteful effort.

Similarly, there is a certain set of expectations for offspring as well. Every parent wants their children to be learned and cultured. Knowledge makes one humble. The humility thus learnt, carries him through the rough sails of life. 

Arrogance is not an appealing trait. One needs to acknowledge and respect that there is a higher power that works as a driving force in this world. This is shown through devotion. 

Hence, a parent wants his offspring to be learned and devoted. What is the use of a son/daughter who is neither learned nor devoted? Just as a cow that can neither milk nor bear a calf, tending such a child is a futility of effort!

It is easier to build strong children than repair broken adults. Guide them earlier on, so they don't become useless animals!

pada vigrahaH:
किं तया क्रियते धेन्वा या न सूते न दुग्धदा ।
kiṃ tayā kriyate dhenvā yā na sūte na dugdhadā ।

कः अर्थः पुत्रेण जातेन यः न विद्वान् न भक्तिमान् ॥
kaḥ arthaḥ putreṇa jātena yaḥ na vidvān na bhaktimān ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kiM tayaa kriyate dhenvaa yaa na sUte na dugdhadaa ।
ko.rthaH putreNa jaatena yo na vidvaanna bhaktimaan ॥
- pa~nchatantra, kathaamukha

kiM tayaa kriyate dhenvaa yaa na sUte na dugdhadaa ।

kaH arthaH putreNa jaatena yaH na vidvaan na bhaktimaan ॥