August 29th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
न पश्यति च जन्मान्धः कामान्धो नैव पश्यति ।
न पश्यति मदोन्मत्तः स्वार्थी दोषान्न पश्यति ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
na paśyati ca janmāndhaḥ kāmāndho naiva paśyati ।
na paśyati madonmattaḥ svārthī doṣānna paśyati ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A person born blind cannot see; one blinded by desire does not see; he who is intoxicated with pride will not see; nor is the selfish (able to) see - (his own) defects.

Commentary:

Blindness comes in many forms. One is a physical deficiency where the eyes do not function and are deemed blind. They cannot see anything, let alone faults. This is the only type of real blindness.  However, there are other forms of figurative blindness and they are even worse.  The only thing worse than blindness is, 'having sight but no vision.' 

• One who has excessive desires cannot see beyond those desires. He will stop at nothing to achieve his wants and needs. All he can think of is how to acquire the objects of his interest. How can he see his own flaws?
• One who is intoxicated with pride can see nothing but himself! In his opinion, he is the best one there is! With such an attitude, how can he see any shortcomings?
• A selfish person is even worse. He can see nothing beyond himself and his needs. He tirelessly works towards his own best interests. How can such a person see any inadequacies, be it in himself or in his deeds!

The huge difference is in 'cannot' see and 'does not' see! If it is actual blindness that cannot be cured, they have an excuse. But the rest..., are just an excuse (of existence)!

There is no respite from self-inflicted fallacies! Strive to rise above them. 

pada vigrahaH:
न पश्यति च जन्म-अन्धः काम-अन्धो न एव पश्यति ।
na paśyati ca janma-andhaḥ kāma-andho na eva paśyati ।

न पश्यति मद-उन्मत्तः स्वार्थी दोषान् न पश्यति ॥
na paśyati mada-unmattaḥ svārthī doṣān na paśyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
na pashyati cha janmaandhaH kaamaandho naiva pashyati ।
na pashyati madonmattaH svaarthI doShaanna pashyati ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

na pashyati cha janma-andhaH kaama-andho na eva pashyati ।

na pashyati mada-unmattaH svaarthI doShaan na pashyati ॥