September 22nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अवज्ञया न दातव्यं कस्यचिल्लीलयापि वा ।
अवज्ञया कृतं हन्यात् दातारं नात्र संशयः ॥
- रामायण, बाल

Transliteration:
avajñayā na dātavyaṃ kasyacillīlayāpi vā ।
avajñayā kṛtaṃ hanyāt dātāraṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ ॥
- rāmāyaṇa, bāla

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Never give (charity) to anyone with contempt or disregard. Charity done in contempt will obliterate the giver, there is no doubt about that.

Commentary:

'Giving' is an act that is done out of the goodness of one's heart, not for name and fame. It should be done with humility and modesty. The benefit of giving is not for the receiver as much as it is for the giver. The giver was blessed with a little more than the receiver. Hence, he is able to share. But then, the giver benefits more because it teaches him selflessness. Therefore, the attitude with which he gives is very important. Giving with contempt, arrogance or displaying apathy are the worst kinds of giving. One give never give with contempt, for, it is certain to destroy the giver! Isn't giving futile if the purpose is defeated? If the giving is bringing down the standards of one's moral ground, might as well not give!

Like they say, you get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.  That begins with the attitude we give with. Humility is the only way. The value of a person resides in what and how he gives; not what he is capable of receiving. For, it is in giving that we receive!  The manner of giving is worth much more than the material itself.

pada vigrahaH:
अवज्ञया न दातव्यं कस्यचित् लीलया अपि वा ।
avajñayā na dātavyaṃ kasyacit līlayā api vā ।

अवज्ञया कृतं हन्यात् दातारं न अत्र संशयः ॥
avajñayā kṛtaṃ hanyāt dātāraṃ na atra saṃśayaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
avaj~nayaa na daatavyaM kasyachillIlayaapi vaa ।
avaj~nayaa kRutaM hanyaat daataaraM naatra saMshayaH ॥
- raamaayaNa, baala

avaj~nayaa na daatavyaM kasyachit lIlayaa api vaa ।

avaj~nayaa kRutaM hanyaat daataaraM na atra saMshayaH ॥