July 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
युक्तियुक्तं वचो ग्राह्यं बालादपि शुकादपि ।
अयुक्तमपि न ग्राह्यं साक्षादपि बृहस्पतेः ॥

Transliteration:
yuktiyuktaṃ vaco grāhyaṃ bālādapi śukādapi ।
ayuktamapi na grāhyaṃ sākṣādapi bṛhaspateḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The words conjoined with reason should be cognized (even if coming) from a child or a parrot. Those devoid of reason should not be grasped even if coming from Bṛhaspati (guru of the Gods) (himself).

Commentary:

Children do not have experience. Parrots only repeat what they hear but cannot put those words into practice. However, be it from a child or a parrot, if a valid thought is conveyed,  it can not be discounted or discredited just for the reason that they are inexperienced or do not follow their own words! 

Many times one comes across humans who act like parrots; they speak big words and quote many values, although they do not live up to their own words. Even they should not be discredited, says the poet. If there is an essence in their words, then take those words and incorporate them!

At the same time, if something unreasonable is presented even by someone in the highest seat of honor, do not follow it! Gods being divine, possess good in them. Bṛhaspati, their teacher, obviously would have led them on the right path. But then, even if he says something irrational, do not follow it simply because of his credentials.

Use your own wisdom and judgment. Choose wisely. Take words for their value without worrying about who is speaking those words!

pada vigrahaH:
युक्ति-युक्तं वचः ग्राह्यं बालात् अपि शुकात् अपि ।
yukti-yuktaṃ vacaḥ grāhyaṃ bālāt api śukāt api ।

अ-युक्तम् अपि न ग्राह्यं साक्षात् अपि बृहस्पतेः ॥
a-yuktam api na grāhyaṃ sākṣāt api bṛhaspateḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yuktiyuktaM vacho graahyaM baalaadapi shukaadapi ।
ayuktamapi na graahyaM saakShaadapi bRuhaspateH ॥

yukti-yuktaM vachaH graahyaM baalaat api shukaat api ।

a-yuktam api na graahyaM saakShaat api bRuhaspateH ॥