March 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एतावानेव पुरुषः कृतं यस्मिन्न नश्यति ।
यावच्च कुर्यादन्योऽस्य कुर्याद्बहुगुणं ततः ॥
- महाभारत, आदिपर्व

Transliteration:
etāvāneva puruṣaḥ kṛtaṃ yasminna naśyati ।
yāvacca kuryādanyo'sya kuryādbahuguṇaṃ tataḥ ॥
- mahābhārata, ādiparva

Meaning of the subhAShita:

He to whom a favor done does not dissipate right there, is the real (noble) man.  Upon receiving benevolence from others, return it manifold.

Commentary:

Upon receiving generosity from others, it is not ethical to forget it and move on.  Neither is it business, to return an equal or lesser favor.  It is not a BOGO (buy one get one) sale.  Remembering and returning the favor in plentiful is a magnanimous attribute!

The scriptures are strewn with multitudes of such examples.  In Mahābhārata, Pāṇḍavas had taken shelter in a Brahmin's house in Ekacakranagara. They were in disguise after the lākṣāgṛha (wax palace) incident. A rākṣasa (demon) named Bakāsura was tormenting the people of that village. So, the people had made a pact with him—they had promised to take turns and one person from each family would go to him as food regularly.  When it was the Brahmin family's turn, Kuntī, the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, offered to send her own son Bhīma to Bakāsura (whom Bhīma eventually killed), in return for their favor.  They had given shelter to her and her sons in time of need.  In return, she offered to send her son to face the demon instead of a member of their family!  That is nobility!

In Rāmāyaṇa, too, after Hanumān visits Lankā and brings news about Sītā's whereabouts, Lord Rāma embraces Hanumān and pledges his friendship to him forever!! He does not diminish the immense favor Hanumān has done with a simple 'Thank you'! That is nobility! 

In fact, interestingly enough, there is NO equivalent word for 'thank you' in Sanskrit (dhanyavādaḥ is a later adaptation)!  There is only कृतज्ञता भाव (kṛtajñatā bhāva)—कृतं जानामि इति भावः (kṛtaṃ jānāmi iti bhāvaḥ)—I acknowledge your favor, I am aware of your benevolence; nothing can be done to repay that debt; I am greatly indebted to you!

An extension of this value is, not keeping track of the favors you do to others nor expecting return favors in exchange. Do your best at any given time to aid those in need and move on.

Don't these attributes make life much simpler and more satisfactory?  Don't they keep our hearts purer and lighter?  No baggage, no regrets, no guilt...

The take-home point here is that the noble never forget what they receive nor remember what they give!  Acquire nobility in its truest sense.

pada vigrahaH:
एतावान् एव पुरुषः कृतं यस्मिन् न नश्यति ।
etāvān eva puruṣaḥ kṛtaṃ yasmin na naśyati ।

यावत् च कुर्यात् अन्यः अस्य कुर्यात् बहु-गुणं ततः ॥
yāvat ca kuryāt anyaḥ asya kuryāt bahu-guṇaṃ tataḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
etaavaaneva puruShaH kRutaM yasminna nashyati ।
yaavachcha kuryaadanyo.sya kuryaadbahuguNaM tataH ॥
- mahaabhaarata, aadiparva

etaavaan eva puruShaH kRutaM yasmin na nashyati ।

yaavat cha kuryaat anyaH asya kuryaat bahu-guNaM tataH ॥

March 18th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
कुतो वा नूतनं वस्तु वयमुत्प्रेक्षितुं क्षमाः ।
वचोविन्यासवैचित्र्यमात्रमत्र विचार्यताम् ॥
- न्यायमञ्जरी

Transliteration:
kuto vā nūtanaṃ vastu vayamutprekṣituṃ kṣamāḥ ।
vacovinyāsavaicitryamātramatra vicāryatām ॥
- nyāyamañjarī

Meaning of the subhAShita:

How can we speculate a brand-new fact?  Only, the same can be said in a variety of ways! Reflect on this. 

Commentary:

When a discovery is made, can one exaggerate it so much that he changes the facts altogether?!  Can he speculate on things that don't even exist?  Not really.  But then, the same can be presented in a variety of ways.

This rule is not true only of newfound discoveries alone.  While narrating an incident, one should not deviate too much from reality.  Otherwise, it becomes fiction!  However, the same can be presented in many different ways.  The perception of content depends on how it is narrated!

The best example of presenting information thoughtfully is Hanumān. After his return from Laṅkā, when he met Rāma, he ardently declared, 'द्रष्टा सीता' (draṣṭā Sītā—saw Sītā) instead of starting with the word 'Sītā.' His reasoning was simple yet profound—he wanted to spare Rāma any unnecessary anxiety. If Rāma had first heard the name 'Sītā,' his mind might have raced to imagine unpleasant possibilities before Hanumān could explain.

Hanumān's careful choice of words demonstrated his deep sensitivity to Rāma’s feelings. He prioritized conveying the key outcome of his quest—the 'sighting' of Sītā—without causing distress. This same message could have been mishandled with careless words, irrelevant details, an inappropriate tone, or even self-glorification about his journey. But Hanumān avoided all that.

His thoughtful timing and precise phrasing exemplify how speech should be crafted—with clarity, consideration, and care for the listener's emotions. It's a brilliant lesson in presenting facts gracefully!

The key takeaway here is, that simply stating the facts isn’t enough. The same message can be conveyed in many ways. Be mindful and considerate of others' feelings. This not only elevates the standards of amiable communication but also fosters genuine and meaningful conversations and relationships!

pada vigrahaH:
कुतः वा नूतनं वस्तु वयम् उत्प्रेक्षितुं क्षमाः ।
kutaḥ vā nūtanaṃ vastu vayam utprekṣituṃ kṣamāḥ ।

वचोविन्यास-वैचित्र्य-मात्रम् अत्र विचार्यताम् ॥
vacovinyāsa-vaicitrya-mātram atra vicāryatām ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kuto vaa nUtanaM vastu vayamutprekShituM kShamaaH ।
vachovinyaasavaichitryamaatramatra vichaaryataam ॥
- nyaayama~njarI

kutaH vaa nUtanaM vastu vayam utprekShituM kShamaaH ।

vachaovinyaasa-vaichitrya-maatram atra vichaaryataam ॥

March 11th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दूरस्थो ज्ञायते सर्वः पर्वते ज्वलनादिवत् ।
चूडामणिः शिरस्थोऽपि दृश्यते न स्वचक्षुषा ॥
- रामायणमञ्जरी, किष्किन्दा

Transliteration:
dūrastho jñāyate sarvaḥ parvate jvalanādivat ।
cūḍāmaṇiḥ śirastho'pi dṛśyate na svacakṣuṣā ॥
- rāmāyaṇamañjarī, kiṣkindā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

From afar, everyone can perceive things as the fire atop a hill.  But when on one's own head, even a crest jewel is invisible to the eye.

Commentary:

The grass always seems greener on the other side!

A verse conveys a similar idea: when something is far away, it often appears more valuable and appealing. For instance, fire on a distant mountaintop, though miles away, is easily visible and identifiable. Yet, a precious crest jewel resting on one’s own head cannot be seen without assistance—whether through a mirror, touch, or another's words.

The essence of this teaching is to recognize the value of what we already have. Ignoring one’s own talents while yearning for what is absent leads to stagnation. Similarly, people often fail to appreciate the goodness in those close to them but lavish praise on their idealized perception of distant personalities, such as celebrities or public figures they barely know.

Start where you are. While distant fields may appear greener, true opportunity lies right in front of you. Recognize it, seize it, and make the most of every chance that comes your way.

pada vigrahaH: 
दूरस्थः ज्ञायते सर्वः पर्वते ज्वलन-अदिवत् ।
dūrasthaḥ jñāyate sarvaḥ parvate jvalana-adivat ।

चूडामणिः शिरस्थः अपि दृश्यते न स्व-चक्षुषा ॥
cūḍāmaṇiḥ śirasthaḥ api dṛśyate na sva-cakṣuṣā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dUrastho j~naayate sarvaH parvate jvalanaadivat ।
chUDaamaNiH shirastho.pi dRushyate na svachakShuShaa ॥
- raamaayaNama~njarI, kiShkindaa

dUrasthaH j~naayate sarvaH parvate jvalana-adivat ।

chUDaamaNiH shirasthaH api dRushyate na sva-chakShuShaa ॥

March 4th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गुणग्रामाभिसम्वादि नामापि हि महात्मनाम् ।
यथा सुवर्णश्रीखण्डरत्नाकरसुधाकराः ॥
- प्रसन्नराघव

Transliteration:
guṇagrāmābhisamvādi nāmāpi hi mahātmanām ।
yathā suvarṇaśrīkhaṇḍaratnākarasudhākarāḥ ॥
- prasannarāghava

Meaning of the subhAShita:

What to say about the virtues and valor of the noble—even their name shows their greatness!  Just as suvarṇa (one with an attractive color—gold), śrīkhaṇḍa (a piece of wood filled with the richness of sandal—sandalwood), ratnākara (one who holds/makes precious gems and stones—ocean), sudhākara (one who gives essence like the divine nectar—moon).

Commentary:

Nobleness is dripping from every facet of the meritorious! They are constantly looking for opportunities to do good to others.  Their nobility oozes out from all planes, so much that even their names give an indication of their virtues, meaning, their names give away their characteristics.

• Suvarṇa (gold): as the name suggests, it is cherished for its beauty and radiance.
• Śrīkhaṇḍa (sandalwood): is a piece of wood known for its rich fragrance and sacred significance.
• Ratnākara (ocean): symbolizes the ocean's ability to produce pearls, gems, and other precious treasures.
• Sudhākara (Moon): It is said that the Sun nourishes the growth of plants whereas the Moon nurtures them to attain their essence, which is poetically considered to exude coolness and nurturing essence like ambrosia.

The name is the first entity with which one identifies himself!  Especially in Sanskrit, words are derived with such precision that there is no contention to their compliance or conformity.  Each word has a declension and a root word which makes the word self-evident.  

In the past, this was likely the reason for giving meaningful and thoughtful names to children at birth. The idea was that the child would grow up embodying the qualities reflected in their name. A name was given with the hope that its essence would be realized, as it becomes an integral part of their identity for life. However, a name without substance ultimately holds little value.

The purpose of the verse is not so much for the generalization, but for upholding the fact that the nobility of the noble can be found in every aspect of their being.  They ceaselessly work for the betterment of those around them and selflessly give themselves in their entirety for the welfare of others.   That certainly is something to ponder upon, isn't it?! 

pada vigrahaH:
गुण-ग्राम-अभिसम्वादि नाम अपि हि महात्मनाम् ।
guṇa-grāma-abhisamvādi nāma api hi mahātmanām ।

यथा सुवर्ण-श्रीखण्ड-रत्नाकर-सुधाकराः ॥
yathā suvarṇa-śrīkhaṇḍa-ratnākara-sudhākarāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
guNagraamaabhisamvaadi naamaapi hi mahaatmanaam ।
yathaa suvarNashrIkhaNDaratnaakarasudhaakaraaH ॥
- prasannaraaghava

guNa-graama-abhisamvaadi naama api hi mahaatmanaam ।

yathaa suvarNa-shrIkhaNDa-ratnaakara-sudhaakaraaH ॥