September 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दुःखे दुःखाधिकान्पश्येत् सुखे पश्येत्सुखाधिकान् ।
आत्मानं शोकहर्षाभ्यां शत्रुभ्यामिव नार्पयेत् ॥
- सुभाषितसुधानिधि


Transliteration:
duḥkhe duḥkhādhikānpaśyet sukhe paśyetsukhādhikān ।
ātmānaṃ śokaharṣābhyāṃ śatrubhyāmiva nārpayet ॥
- subhāṣitasudhānidhi

Meaning of the subhAShita:

When in sorrow, see those who are in more sorrow; in times of pleasure, see those who have more pleasure. Just as one wouldn't offer himself to his enemies, do not give into pleasures and sorrows.

Commentary:

When in sorrow, one should reflect on someone in greater distress and remind themselves of this profound saying: "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." Such reflection can be humbling and bring perspective.

Likewise, when basking in riches and feeling proud of one's possessions, consider the humility of a king who has seen far greater wealth yet remains grounded. Let that thought check any budding arrogance.

When faced with an enemy, would one surrender and offer themselves as easy prey? Certainly not! So why yield to the enemy called mundane pains and pleasures, allowing it to carry us adrift? Always remember: this too shall pass. Pain or pleasure—both are fleeting, with their expiration dates. Once they fade, the tide inevitably turns. Why, then, get entangled in what is so impermanent?

An hour of pain can stretch endlessly, just as a day of pleasure can feel fleeting—depending on how we perceive it. The key to success lies in learning to master pain and pleasure rather than allowing them to master us. When we take charge, we control our lives; if not, life controls us.

pada vigrahaH:
दुःखे दुःख-अधिकान् पश्येत् सुखे पश्येत् सुख-अधिकान् ।
duḥkhe duḥkha-adhikān paśyet sukhe paśyet sukha-adhikān ।

आत्मानं शोक-हर्षाभ्यां शत्रुभ्याम् इव न अर्पयेत् ॥
ātmānaṃ śoka-harṣābhyāṃ śatrubhyām iva na arpayet ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
duHkhe duHkhaadhikaanpashyet sukhe pashyetsukhaadhikaan ।
aatmaanaM shokaharShaabhyaaM shatrubhyaamiva naarpayet ॥
- subhaaShitasudhaanidhi

duHkhe duHkha-adhikaan pashyet sukhe pashyet sukha-adhikaan ।

aatmaanaM shoka-harShaabhyaaM shatrubhyaam iva na arpayet ॥