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 ॥