November 26th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सुजनो न याति वैरं परहितबुद्धिर्विनाशकालेऽपि ।
छेदेऽपि चन्दनतरुः सुरभयति मुखं कुठारस्य ॥
- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Transliteration:
sujano na yāti vairaṃ parahitabuddhirvināśakāle'pi ।
chede'pi candanataruḥ surabhayati mukhaṃ kuṭhārasya ॥
- subhāṣitasudhānidhi

Meaning of the subhAShita:

An affable person (who is) always engrossed in the benefaction of others shall not resort to hostility, even in times of (his own) downfall.  Upon chopping, the sandal tree only smears its fragrance onto the blade of the axe.

Commentary:

When an axe fells a sandal tree, the tree does not pick up a sword to fight back, nor a shield to protect itself.  It not only gets felled but also graces the blade of the chopping axe with its wonderful fragrance!  Such is the grace of a benevolent person.  He does not resort to hostility or aggression even in times of his own hardships.  Such a person never really falls down in the real sense.  It may look like a downfall in worldly measures, but they are the true heroes.  For, on the scale of benevolence and graciousness, they will always stand tall!  Their honor and reputation shall never see a descent.  Isn't that the true measure of eminence?!

A person whose amicability doesn't change with adversity is the most amicable of all!  Isn't that also an indication that, the affability of a person has more to do with what he gives 'of' himself rather than what he takes 'for' himself?  Give with a good heart and good intention.  This will be your savior for a long time to come!

pada vigrahaH:
सुजनः न याति वैरं पर-हित-बुद्धिः विनाश-काले अपि ।
sujanaḥ na yāti vairaṃ para-hita-buddhiḥ vināśa-kāle api ।

छेदे अपि चन्दन-तरुः सुरभयति मुखं कुठारस्य ॥
chede api candana-taruḥ surabhayati mukhaṃ kuṭhārasya ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
sujano na yaati vairaM parahitabuddhirvinaashakaale.pi ।
Chede.pi chandanataruH surabhayati mukhaM kuThaarasya ॥
- subhaaShitasudhaanidhi

sujanaH na yaati vairaM para-hita-nirataH vinaasha-kaale api ।

Chede api chandana-taruH surabhayati mukhaM kuThaarasya ॥

November 19th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः केशाः दन्ता जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः ।
चक्षुःश्रोत्रे च जीर्येते तृष्णैका तु न जीर्यते ॥
- महाभारत, अनुशासनपर्व

Transliteration:
jīryanti jīryataḥ keśāḥ dantā jīryanti jīryataḥ ।
cakṣuḥśrotre ca jīryete tṛṣṇaikā tu na jīryate ॥
- mahābhārata, anuśāsana parva

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Hairs ripen with age; teeth wear out with age; eyes and ears get feeble too.  But alas! (Thirst of) desire is not placated!

Commentary:

Hair becomes gray, teeth fall out and hearing and vision are not in their prime either.  The skin gets wrinkled, the back gets hunched and the limbs get weak too.  The effects of age can be seen on all faculties of the body!  At least then, one would think that he has lived his life and realized the impermanence of all material things, including his own body.  But no!!  His desires are stronger and his persistence...well, more persistent than ever!  The need for self-gratification and acquisition of material possessions come with much more force as if there is a time crunch to fit in all his needs into the short amount of time left!  On the other hand, the nature of desires is such that the more they are indulged, the more they grow!  There is no end to wants.  Quenching an unquenchable thirst drains out all the energy and the true purpose of life is lost in the process...

Come old age, can one cut out all his desires?  Not a chance!  It is all in the training of the mind.  If one is used to rolling in likes and dislikes from childhood, youth or adulthood, he cannot magically change in old age and decide to renounce everything to become a saint!  One has to keep a level head constantly, instructing the mind the higher purpose of life and remind its ephemeral nature.

Put a leash on desires from the get-go.  Isn't it easier to train a horse with reigns than a wild one running recklessly?!

pada vigrahaH:
जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः केशाः दन्ताः जीर्यन्ति जीर्यतः ।
jīryanti jīryataḥ keśāḥ dantāḥ jīryanti jīryataḥ ।

चक्षुः-श्रोत्रे च जीर्येते तृष्णा एका तु न जीर्यते ॥
cakṣuḥ-śrotre ca jīryete tṛṣṇā ekā tu na jīryate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
jIryanti jIryataH keshaaH dantaa jIryanti jIryataH ।
chakShuHshrotre cha jIryete tRuShNaikaa tu na jIryate ॥
- mahaabhaarata, anushaasanaparva

jIryanti jIryataH keshaaH dantaaH jIryanti jIryataH ।

chakShuH-shrotre cha jIryete tRuShNaa ekaa tu na jIryate ॥

November 12th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
तत्कर्म यन्न बन्धाय सा विद्या या विमुक्तये ।
आयासायापरं कर्म विद्याऽन्या शिल्पनैपुणम् ॥
- विष्णुपुराण

Transliteration:
tatkarma yanna bandhāya sā vidyā yā vimuktaye ।
āyāsāyāparaṃ karma vidyā'nyā śilpanaipuṇam ॥
- viṣṇupurāṇa

Meaning of the subhAShita:

That is action which doesn't lead to binding; that is knowledge which leads to liberation.  All other actions are mere chores of arduousness; all other sciences are plain craftsmanship.

Commentary:

Each and every action executed should be done with a feeling of detachment.  For any deed done or any chore performed, the motive behind it should not be a selfish one.  It should not be done because it brings oneself name and fame, nor because it makes one feel entitled and accomplished.  It should be performed with the attitude of duty and responsibility alone.  Any action performed as food for the ego is as good as not done, says the poet!  One is hurting himself by indulging in such actions, for he is only tying himself up further.  It is as if a bird willfully flies into a cage, closes the door, locks itself up, throws away the keys and dreams about conquering the skies!   Obviously, it would take the bird forever to get free and enjoy the unbound skies!! 

Only that which leads one towards the path of liberation is knowledge.  Only that action is fruitful that is not binding.  All other wisdom and actions are mere arduous craftsmanship, says the poet.  Any other learning is just another skill.  It might be the skill of the hand, heart or head.  But that which does not emancipate one from the bindings of the world, mainly his ego, is no true learning.

The essence of these definitions is a call for a shift in attitude.  The same chores and skills can lead to the ultimate goal when the attitude towards the doing, as well as its result, are that of detachment.  For, he who is pristine and pure needs but one thing - detachment!  There is no pain, hatred or sadness where there is detachment.  It is a win-win situation!

pada vigrahaH:
तत् कर्म यत् न बन्धाय सा विद्या या विमुक्तये ।
tat karma yat na bandhāya sā vidyā yā vimuktaye ।

आयासाय अपरं कर्म विद्या अन्या शिल्प-नैपुणम् ॥
āyāsāya aparaṃ karma vidyā anyā śilpa-naipuṇam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
tatkarma yanna bandhaaya saa vidyaa yaa vimuktaye ।
aayaasaayaaparaM karma vidyaa,nyaa shilpanaipuNam ॥
- viShNupuraaNa

tat karma yat na bandhaaya saa vidyaa yaa vimuktaye ।

aayaasaaya aparaM karma vidyaa anyaa shilpa-naipuNam ॥

November 5th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा ।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोस्तुते ॥

Transliteration:
śubhaṃ karoti kalyāṇam ārogyaṃ dhanasampadā ।
śatrubuddhivināśāya dīpajyotirnamostute ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

O light of the lamp! The one who bestows auspiciousness, fortune, health, (and) wealth; prostrations (and prayers) to you, for the destruction of the attitude of enmity.

Commentary:

A lamp is a symbol of not only light but knowledge also.  Just as a lamp eradicates darkness, the light of knowledge eradicates ignorance.  It is the ignorance of the ego which differentiates - one's own from others', his from her's, mine from yours.  Where there is differentiation, there is either an inferiority or superiority complex.  That leads to jealousy, which in turn transforms into enmity.  The light of knowledge cuts out this cycle in the very bud.  For those who are aware that there is the same light of the Supreme in everyone, there is no room for enmity!

It is a prayer requesting 'to kill the feeling of enmity in oneself', not that 'the enemy's intellect should be killed' (śatrubuddhivināśāya can be interpreted either way, depending on how the words are split :).

May the light of that lamp flourish in each home and heart.  May it bestow good fortune, health, wealth and austerity to all.  May the spiritual growth and wealth of all increase abundantly now and always.

pada vigrahaH:
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धन-सम्पदा  ।
śubhaṃ karoti kalyāṇam ārogyaṃ dhana-sampadā ।

शत्रु-बुद्धि-विनाशाय दीप-ज्योतिः नमोस्तु ते ॥
śatru-buddhi-vināśāya dīpa-jyotiḥ namostu te ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
shubhaM karoti kalyaaNam aarogyaM dhanasampadaa ।
shatrubuddhivinaashaaya deepajyotirnamostute ॥

shubhaM karoti kalyaaNam aarogyaM dhana-sampadaa  ।

shatru-buddhi-vinaashaaya deepa-jyotiH namostu te ॥