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 ॥