February 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
स्वर्गो धनं वा धान्यं वा विद्याः पुत्रास्सुखानि च ।
गुरुवृत्त्यनुरोधेन न किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम् ॥
- रामायण

Transliteration:
svargo dhanaṃ vā dhānyaṃ vā vidyāḥ putrāssukhāni ca ।
guruvṛttyanurodhena na kiñcidapi durlabham ॥
- rāmāyaṇa

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Heaven, wealth, grain (food), knowledge, children and pleasures - none of these are unattainable for the one who reveres his teacher.

Commentary:

Without gurus, the world would be nowhere today!  Even the smallest piece of knowledge such as hunting for food and lighting fire for heat transcended from generation to generation through teaching alone!  Otherwise, each generation will be starting from the beginning, time and again!!

A teacher is obviously not just the one titled 'teacher' at a school.  A being learns from all kinds of sources around him.  His parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, peers and even strangers sometimes.  Hence, all these sources command reverence from him!

One who values and respects the knowledge he has gained and the sources he has gained them from, cannot be stopped from prosperity or progress.  For, all their good wishes and blessings shall be with him and assist him to easily fulfill his desires.

Remember your teachers.  Revere your teachers!

pada vigrahaH:
स्वर्गः धनं वा धान्यं वा विद्याः पुत्राः सुखानि च ।
svargaḥ dhanaṃ vā dhānyaṃ vā vidyāḥ putrāḥ sukhāni ca ।

गुरु-वृत्ति अनुरोधेन न किञ्चित् अपि दुर्लभम् ॥
guru-vṛtti anurodhena na kiñcit api durlabham ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
svargo dhanaM vaa dhaanyaM vaa vidyaaH putraassukhaani cha ।
guruvRuttyanurodhena na ki~nchidapi durlabham ॥
- raamaayaNa

svargaH dhanaM vaa dhaanyaM vaa vidyaaH putraaH sukhaani cha ।

guru-vRutti anurodhena na ki~nchit api durlabham ॥