Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
तपः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानमुच्यते ।
द्वापरे यज्ञमित्यूचुः दानमेकं कलौ युगे ॥
- पराशरस्मृति
Transliteration:
tapaḥ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ jñānamucyate ।
dvāpare yajñamityūcuḥ dānamekaṃ kalau yuge ॥
- parāśarasmṛti
Meaning of the subhAShita:
In kṛtayuga penance was best; in tretāyuga, knowledge, it is said; they say fire sacrifices in the dvāparayuga; in kaliyuga, it is only giving.
Commentary:
Kṛtayuga better known as satyayuga, is the first of the cycle of 4 eras. During that era, very tough and rigid penances were deemed as the most rewarding. Dharma was very well established and to be the most virtuous, one needed to perform intense penances and meditations.
After some dilution of dharma, came the tretāyuga. During that epoch, one could attain liberation through the mode of jñāna (knowledge). Learning the scriptures and leading a pious life were essential to be virtuous.
Further fall of dharma gave rise to the dvāparayuga. In this age, one was required to perform sacrifices and give offerings to the deities through the fire in order to increase their virtues.
After dharma dwindled furthermore, the eon called kaliyuga came. Here time is crunched and values are compromised easily! One has to work really hard to keep on track from distractions and attractions. During this era, to be virtuous, all one needs to do is give selflessly! Gaining virtue has been made so simple. One doesn't have to perform very rigorous penances nor understand multitudes of scriptures nor perform tough sacrifices. Giving up the attachment to possessions and sharing with fellow beings generously is all that is required to make one virtuous! Is that too much to ask for?
Giving can be at various levels. "If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart." It is not what is given that matters as much as how it is given. You give little when you give your possessions. It is when you give selflessly that you truly give.
Give heartily!
pada vigrahaH:
तपः परं कृत-युगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानम् उच्यते ।
tapaḥ paraṃ kṛta-yuge tretāyāṃ jñānam ucyate ।
द्वापरे यज्ञम् इति ऊचुः दानम् एकं कलौ युगे ॥
dvāpare yajñam iti ūcuḥ dānam ekaṃ kalau yuge ॥
After some dilution of dharma, came the tretāyuga. During that epoch, one could attain liberation through the mode of jñāna (knowledge). Learning the scriptures and leading a pious life were essential to be virtuous.
Further fall of dharma gave rise to the dvāparayuga. In this age, one was required to perform sacrifices and give offerings to the deities through the fire in order to increase their virtues.
After dharma dwindled furthermore, the eon called kaliyuga came. Here time is crunched and values are compromised easily! One has to work really hard to keep on track from distractions and attractions. During this era, to be virtuous, all one needs to do is give selflessly! Gaining virtue has been made so simple. One doesn't have to perform very rigorous penances nor understand multitudes of scriptures nor perform tough sacrifices. Giving up the attachment to possessions and sharing with fellow beings generously is all that is required to make one virtuous! Is that too much to ask for?
Giving can be at various levels. "If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart." It is not what is given that matters as much as how it is given. You give little when you give your possessions. It is when you give selflessly that you truly give.
Give heartily!
pada vigrahaH:
तपः परं कृत-युगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानम् उच्यते ।
tapaḥ paraṃ kṛta-yuge tretāyāṃ jñānam ucyate ।
द्वापरे यज्ञम् इति ऊचुः दानम् एकं कलौ युगे ॥
dvāpare yajñam iti ūcuḥ dānam ekaṃ kalau yuge ॥
tapaH paraM kRutayuge tretaayaaM j~naanamuchyate ।
dvaapare yaj~namityUchuH daanamekaM kalau yuge ॥
- paraasharasmRuti
tapaH paraM kRuta-yuge tretaayaaM j~naanam uchyate ।
dvaapare yaj~nam iti UchuH daanam ekaM kalau yuge ॥
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