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 strikes down a sandalwood tree, the tree does not retaliate with hostility or defend itself with a shield. Instead, it stands firm, allowing itself to be felled, and even bestows its sweet fragrance upon the blade that cuts it. Such is the grace of a truly benevolent person—they remain composed and compassionate even in the face of adversity and harm.

A person of such character never truly falls, regardless of appearance. What may seem like a downfall by worldly standards is, in reality, a testament to their greatness. On the scales of benevolence and grace, they remain towering figures. Their honor and reputation remain untarnished, for true eminence lies not in material success but in steadfast virtue.

The truest measure of amicability is constancy in the face of adversity. Doesn't this prove that a person’s affability is rooted in what they give "of" themselves rather than what they seek "for" themselves? Give generously, with pure intentions and a kind heart—this will be your enduring legacy and shield through life’s trials.

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! (the thirst of) desire is not placated!

Commentary:

As time passes, hair turns gray, teeth fall out, and hearing and vision decline. The skin wrinkles, the back hunches, and the limbs weaken. The effects of aging become visible in every part of the body.

At this stage, one might expect to have come to terms with the impermanence of material things, including the body. But no! Desires remain strong, and persistence only intensifies. The craving for self-gratification and material possessions grows with greater urgency as if there is a looming deadline to fulfill every need in the limited time left. Desires are inherently such that the more they are indulged, the more they multiply. There is no end to wants. Trying to quench an unquenchable thirst only drains one’s energy, causing the true purpose of life to be lost in the process.

Can one simply cut off all desires in old age? Not likely! It all depends on the training of the mind. If one has been accustomed to indulging in likes and dislikes throughout life, it’s unrealistic to expect sudden changes in old age. It’s not about magically renouncing everything to become a saint. Instead, one must consistently guide the mind, keeping it focused on the higher purpose of life and constantly reminding oneself of the transient nature of the world.

Start early—put a leash on desires. Isn’t it easier to train a horse with reins than to tame 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 which doesn't lead to binding is action; that which leads to liberation is knowledge.  All other actions are mere chores of burden; all other sciences are simply 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 now be nearly impossible for the bird to regain its freedom!! 

Only that which leads one towards the path of liberation is knowledge.  Only that action is fruitful which is not binding.  All other wisdom and actions are mere strenuous 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 action, as well as its result, is 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 as well.  Just as a lamp eradicates darkness, the light of knowledge eradicates ignorance.  The ignorance of the ego differentiates—one's own from others', his from hers, mine from yours.  

Where there is differentiation, there is either an inferiority or superiority complex.  This leads to jealousy, which in turn transforms into enmity.  The light of knowledge cuts this cycle out 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).  One should be careful not to understand this verse wrongly. 

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 ॥