April 29th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अनिच्छन्तोऽपि विनयं विद्याभ्यासेन बालकाः ।
भेषजेनेव नैरुज्यं प्रापणीयाः प्रयत्नतः ॥
- हरिहरसुभाषित

Transliteration:
anicchanto'pi vinayaṃ vidyābhyāsena bālakāḥ ।
bheṣajeneva nairujyaṃ prāpaṇīyāḥ prayatnataḥ ॥
- hariharasubhāṣita

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Even if not desired, just as a disease (is treated) through medicine, children must be taught humility (and values) through education.

Commentary:

Medicine doesn't always taste good or smell enticing.  But when in sickness, does a person have choices?  Don't his likes and dislikes get put aside in such a circumstance?!  

It is exactly the same scenario when a child's upbringing is at hand.  Just because he has his whims and fancies, a child must not be allowed to go about his demeanor, however he pleases.  It becomes the most primal duty of the parents to inculcate moral values in the child through education.  Acquiring the right knowledge at the right time while growing helps chisel a child into a wonderful adult.

The bitter taste of medicine cannot be the deciding factor for its consumption.  Similarly, the hardships and sacrifices that are part of learning cannot be the deciding factors in whether to discipline a child or not!

pada vigrahaH:
अनिच्छन्तः अपि विनयं विद्या-अभ्यासेन बालकाः ।
anicchantaḥ api vinayaṃ vidyā-abhyāsena bālakāḥ ।

भेषजेन इव नैरुज्यं प्रापणीयाः प्रयत्नतः ॥
bheṣajena iva nairujyaṃ prāpaṇīyāḥ prayatnataḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
anichChanto.pi vinayaM vidyaabhyaasena baalakaaH ।
bheShajeneva nairujyaM praapaNIyaaH prayatnataH ॥
- hariharasubhaaShita

anichChantaH api vinayaM vidyaa-abhyaasena baalakaaH ।

bheShajena iva nairujyaM praapaNIyaaH prayatnataH ॥

April 22nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
यदमी दशन्ति दशनाः रसना तत्स्वादमनुभवति ।
प्रकृतिरियं विमलानां क्लिश्यन्ति यदन्यकार्येषु ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Transliteration:
yadamī daśanti daśanāḥ rasanā tatsvādamanubhavati ।
prakṛtiriyaṃ vimalānāṃ kliśyanti yadanyakāryeṣu ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The taste of what is chewed by the teeth is enjoyed by the tongue!  Anguish over the benefaction of others—this is the nature of the impeccable souls.

Commentary:

One of the primary roles of teeth is to chew food, a task they perform diligently. Yet, despite their effort, they never get to savor the flavors of the food they help prepare. Instead, it is the tongue—having done little to aid in the chewing—that enjoys every bit of the taste.

This reflects the selfless nature of noble and virtuous individuals. Like the teeth that enable the tongue to relish food, such souls dedicate their entire being to the welfare of others, without seeking any personal gain. They labor tirelessly, not for material rewards but for the greater good, often receiving little recognition for their efforts. These noble individuals are the unsung heroes who form the backbone of a functioning society.

If every individual were to strive for the well-being of those around them, imagine the harmony and prosperity our world would witness! Even for those who may not aspire to such selflessness, the least they can do is not hinder or obstruct the efforts of these great souls. Sometimes, refraining from being an impediment is itself a small but meaningful contribution to society.

pada vigrahaH:
यत् अमी दशन्ति दशनाः रसना तत् स्वादम् अनुभवति ।
yat amī daśanti daśanāḥ rasanā tat svādam anubhavati ।

प्रकृतिः इयं विमलानां क्लिश्यन्ति यत् अन्य-कार्येषु ॥
prakṛtiḥ iyaṃ vimalānāṃ kliśyanti yat anya-kāryeṣu ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yadamI dashanti dashanaaH rasanaa tatsvaadamanubhavati ।
prakRutiriyaM vimalaanaaM klishyanti yadanyakaaryeShu ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

yat amI dashanti dashanaaH rasanaa tat svaadam anubhavati ।

prakRutiH iyaM vimalaanaaM klishyanti yat anya-kaaryeShu ॥

April 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वरं पर्वतदुर्गेषु भ्रान्तं वनचरैः सह ।
न मूर्खजनसंपर्कः सुरेन्द्रभवनेष्वपि ॥
- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
varaṃ parvatadurgeṣu bhrāntaṃ vanacaraiḥ saha ।
na mūrkhajanasaṃparkaḥ surendrabhavaneṣvapi ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

It is rather a blessing to wander in the mountains and caves with wild animals than keep the company of the foolish even if it is in the palatial quarters of Indra (the king of the demigods)!

Commentary:

It’s not so much about the ambiance as it is about the company you keep. Good company should share a common goal and foster a productive direction, creating an enjoyable and meaningful experience for everyone involved. If that’s not the case, it’s better to have no company at all.

The poet boldly states that wandering through the mountains and caves of a forest among wild animals is far more blissful than enduring the company of fools—even if the setting is Heaven itself!

The company of fools often brings adverse consequences to those around them. It yields no fruitful outcomes, rendering time and effort futile or even detrimental to one’s progress. Time and again, it has been proven: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Isn’t it wiser to preserve your sanity than to rebuild it?

As the saying humorously goes, “Go to Heaven for the climate and Hell for the company.” In reality, if the company is bad, even the climate doesn’t matter—walk away!

pada vigrahaH:
वरं पर्वत-दुर्गेषु भ्रान्तं वन-चरैः सह ।
varaṃ parvata-durgeṣu bhrāntaṃ vana-caraiḥ saha ।

न मूर्ख-जन-संपर्कः सुरेन्द्र-भवनेषु अपि ॥
na mūrkha-jana-saṃparkaḥ surendra-bhavaneṣu api ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
varaM parvatadurgeShu bhraantaM vanacharaiH saha ।
na mUrkhajanasaMparkaH surendrabhavaneShvapi ॥
- nItishataka

varaM parvata-durgeShu bhraantaM vana-charaiH saha ।

na mUrkha-jana-saMparkaH surendra-bhavaneShu api ॥

April 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
श्रीमानजननिन्द्यश्च शूरश्चाप्यविकत्थनः ।
समदृष्टिः प्रभुश्चैव दुर्लभाः पुरुषास्त्रयः ॥
- योगवासिष्ठ, वैराग्य

Transliteration:
śrīmānajananindyaśca śūraścāpyavikatthanaḥ ।
samadṛṣṭiḥ prabhuścaiva durlabhāḥ puruṣāstrayaḥ ॥
- yogavāsiṣṭha, vairāgya

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A wealthy man who is not blamed, a valiant man who is not pompous, a leader who is not prejudiced—these 3 people are rare to find!

Commentary:

A wealthy man, irrespective of whether he gained his wealth by just or unjust means gets rebuked.  He gets blamed for one reason or another—earning unjustly, not doing enough good with his affluence, or being overly lucky!  Rare is a man who gets applauded for his abundance and also his attitude towards his fortune.

If one is courageous, chances are, he is proud of his valiance and recounts his valor every chance he gets to anyone who will listen!  Humility in conjunction with heroism is a rare commodity.  How often do we come across a Rāma or a Hanumān?!

When one has power in his hands, arrogance goes to the head!  Misuse of power, prejudice towards kith and kin, and bias towards the lowly and helpless—these become his main attributes.  It is said, 'a politician thinks of the next election, whereas a statesman thinks of the next generation!'  It is rare to see someone with power in his hands and a level head on his shoulders.  A true leader is one who views all his subjects equally!  This is a virtue of rarity in itself.  He who possesses this is a true statesman. 

Inculcate the right traits when blessed with opportunities and privileges.

pada vigrahaH:
श्रीमान् अ-जन-निन्द्यः च शूरः च अपि अ-विकत्थनः ।
śrīmān a-jana-nindyaḥ ca śūraḥ ca api a-vikatthanaḥ ।

सम-दृष्टिः प्रभुः च एव दुर्लभाः पुरुषाः त्रयः ॥
sama-dṛṣṭiḥ prabhuḥ ca eva durlabhāḥ puruṣāḥ trayaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
shrImaanajananindyashcha shUrashchaapyavikatthanaH ।
samadRuShTiH prabhushchaiva durlabhaaH puruShaastrayaH ॥
- yogavaasiShTha, vairaagya

shrImaan a-jana-nindyaH cha shUraH cha api a-vikatthanaH ।

sama-dRuShTiH prabhuH cha eva durlabhaaH puruShaaH trayaH ॥

April 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सुदुर्बलं नावजानाति किञ्चित् युक्तो रिपुं सेवते बुद्धिपूर्वम् ।
न विग्रहं रोचयते बलस्थैः काले च यो विक्रमते स धीरः ॥
- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
sudurbalaṃ nāvajānāti kiñcit yukto ripuṃ sevate buddhipūrvam ।
na vigrahaṃ rocayate balasthaiḥ kāle ca yo vikramate sa dhīraḥ ॥
- viduranīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

He who does not show even a little contempt towards the weak; handles enemies with an objective; steers clear from having a conflict with the stronger and demonstrates valor—is brave.

Commentary:

Bravery is not defined by physical strength or aggression. True bravery manifests in many forms.

The brave show compassion toward the weak, never looking down on those with less endurance or ability. Their strength uplifts rather than intimidates.

They approach their opponents with tact and wisdom. Possessing power or intellect does not mean they recklessly invite conflict.

Acknowledging the strength of a more powerful opponent is also a mark of courage. The truly brave remain grounded and avoid unnecessary provocation, choosing prudence over ego.

These qualities validate genuine bravery. To be brave is to be free—free from fear, arrogance, and recklessness. Embrace courage, for there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.

pada vigrahaH:
सुदुर्बलं न अवजानाति किञ्चित् युक्तः रिपुं सेवते बुद्धि-पूर्वम् ।
sudurbalaṃ na avajānāti kiñcit yuktaḥ ripuṃ sevate buddhi-pūrvam ।

न विग्रहं रोचयते बलस्थैः काले च यो विक्रमते स धीरः ॥
na vigrahaṃ rocayate balasthaiḥ kāle ca yo vikramate sa dhīraḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
sudurbalaM naavajaanaati ki~nchit yukto ripuM sevate buddhipUrvam ।
na vigrahaM rochayate balasthaiH kaale cha yo vikramate sa dhIraH ॥
- viduranIti

sudurbalaM na avajaanaati ki~nchit yuktaH ripuM sevate buddhi-pUrvam ।

na vigrahaM rochayate balasthaiH kaale cha yo vikramate sa dhIraH ॥