May 27th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

Transliteration:

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mātṛrūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

To that Goddess who is residing in all beings in the form of the mother, I bow, salute, pray, and prostrate to her!

Commentary:

Once, a little girl was asked where her home was, and she replied matter-of-factly: "Where my mother is!" Such a simple yet profound truth! A home is where the heart resides, and the heart is where the mother is. Indeed, "Mother" is the name of God spoken with reverence by little children. It is often said, "Because God could not be everywhere, He created mothers."

A mother does far more than give birth. She nestles and nourishes her child, nursing and nurturing them throughout life. A newborn, oblivious to the world’s complexities, is guided by the mother’s gentle hand. She teaches the first words, instills values, and helps discern right from wrong. Her heart is a beacon of unconditional love, extending not just to her children but to all children.

This divine phenomenon of motherhood transcends species. Even in creatures that lay eggs and leave, or in those that abandon their young, there remains an innate instinct to protect and prepare. A mother bird carefully chooses the safest spot for her eggs, and a lioness ensures her cubs are equipped for survival before stepping away. Such nurturing is nature’s design, a universal trait of motherhood.

No matter the gender of the caregiver, affection of this kind is always described as motherly love. This makes the mother synonymous with nurturing itself. 

Recognizing this divine element in all forms of motherly care, the poet humbly bows in reverence to the universal spirit of motherhood.

Reverence to thee, O Mother! Reverence to thee!

pada vigrahaH:
या देवी सर्व-भूतेषु मातृ-रूपेण संस्थिता ।
yā devī sarva-bhūteṣu mātṛ-rūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।

नमः तस्यै नमः तस्यै नमः तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
namaḥ tasyai namaḥ tasyai namaḥ tasyai namo namaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:

yaa devI sarvabhUteShu maatRurUpeNa saMsthitaa ।

namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaH ॥

yaa devI sarva bhUteShu maatRu rUpeNa saMsthitaa ।

namaH tasyai namaH tasyai namaH tasyai namo namaH ॥

May 20th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
मित्रद्रोही कृतघ्नश्च यश्च विश्वासघातकः ।
ते नरा नरकं यान्ति यावच्चन्द्रदिवाकरौ ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्र, मित्रभेद

Transliteration:
mitradrohī kṛtaghnaśca yaśca viśvāsaghātakaḥ ।
te narā narakaṃ yānti yāvaccandradivākarau ॥
- pañcatantra, mitrabheda

Meaning of the subhAShita:

He who is treacherous to a friend; he who is ungrateful for rendered benefactions; he who is a traitor (slays trust—these people attain hell for as long as the sun and moon shall exist. 

Commentary:

A friend is meant to pull one out of tough times, not push them into them. When someone confides in a friend, they lower their defenses and reveal their most vulnerable self. Betraying that trust is not just a moral failure; it is a direct violation of dharma. Backstabbing a friend who has placed faith in you is indefensible and unjustifiable.

In times of need, we pray for help, but it is unethical to forget that help and later prey on those who offered it. When someone extends a helping hand in a moment of crisis, the debt of gratitude is immeasurable and lifelong. No act can fully repay the kindness of timely aid. Forgetting such help and showing ingratitude should not even be considered an option. When an action is inherently wrong, how can it align with dharma?

Trust is the delicate thread that holds the world together. Without it, life would grind to a halt. If trust didn’t exist, we wouldn't rely on the farmer’s grain, the gardener’s fruit, or even our own abilities and the support of nature. Trust is the foundation of coexistence, and breaking it is no trivial matter. As someone wisely said, "I am not upset that you lied to me, but because I can no longer believe you." Breaking trust doesn’t just damage the current relationship; it casts a shadow over all future interactions with that person. The act of shattering trust—this essential thread of life—can never be in alignment with dharma.

Actions that contradict dharma are always punishable. Whether one likes it or not, they must face the consequences of their deeds. The poet warns that those who betray trust and commit adharma are destined for hell so long as the Sun and Moon exist and this law holds good so long as the Sun and Moon shine in the sky.  Hell is not necessarily a physical place, but any state where one is deprived of happiness and peace. Betrayal of trust creates a living hell for the perpetrator, where guilt and broken bonds haunt them.

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” Be trustworthy, for trust is the essence of a meaningful and harmonious life.

pada vigrahaH:
मित्र-द्रोही कृतघ्नः च यः च विश्वास-घातकः ।
mitra-drohī kṛtaghnaḥ ca yaḥ ca viśvāsa-ghātakaḥ ।

ते नराः नरकं यान्ति यावत् चन्द्र-दिवाकरौ ॥
te narāḥ narakaṃ yānti yāvat candra-divākarau ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
mitradrohI kRutaghnashcha yashcha vishvaasaghaatakaH ।
te naraa narakaM yaanti yaavachchandradivaakarau ॥
- pa~nchatantra, mitrabheda

mitra-drohI kRutaghnaH cha yaH cha vishvaasa-ghaatakaH ।

te naraaH narakaM yaanti yaavat chandra-divaakarau ॥

May 13th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
यत्रोऽत्साहसमारम्भः यत्रालस्यविहीनता ।
नयविक्रमसंयोगः तत्र श्रीरचला ध्रुवम् ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्र, मित्रसम्प्राप्‍ति

Transliteration:
yatro'tsāhasamārambhaḥ yatrālasyavihīnatā ।
nayavikramasaṃyogaḥ tatra śrīracalā dhruvam ॥
- pañcatantra, mitrasamprāp‍ti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Where there is zeal in the effort, where there is an absence of indolence, there, in the conjugation of humility and courage, wealth is certain to be steady.

Commentary:

Zeal is the secret ingredient that transforms any task into a smoother, more enjoyable endeavor. When one undertakes a task with enthusiasm and passion, it inspires and energizes those around them, creating a ripple effect of eagerness and determination to reach the goal—faster and better. However, maintaining zeal in the face of obstacles and setbacks requires immense courage and resilience.

It is often said that zeal suits the wise, yet it is most frequently found in fools. Why is that? Because without proper direction, even the most energetic efforts can become futile. Zeal without wisdom is like a ship without a compass—full of potential but headed nowhere. When energy is directed with purpose and clarity, there is no room for indolence. And indolence, no matter how sophisticated the term may sound, is nothing more than laziness in disguise—an attribute that serves no one.

True zeal must be coupled with wisdom, which brings humility—a vital trait of the truly courageous. When humility and courage unite, they pave the way for boundless prosperity. Prosperity, in turn, fosters abundance, and abundance leads to wealth—not just in material terms but in character and fulfillment as well.

So, for those aspiring for success and wealth, the formula is simple yet profound: nurture zeal, channel it with wisdom, embrace humility, and walk the path with courage. With these attributes, there are no limits to what one can achieve!

pada vigrahaH:
यत्र उत्साह-समारम्भः यत्र आलस्य-विहीनता ।
yatra utsāha-samārambhaḥ yatra ālasya-vihīnatā ।

नय-विक्रम-संयोगः तत्र श्रीः अचला ध्रुवम् ॥
naya-vikrama-saṃyogaḥ tatra śrīḥ acalā dhruvam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yatro.tsaahasamaarambhaH yatraalasyavihInataa ।
nayavikramasaMyogaH tatra shrIrachalaa dhruvam ॥
- pa~nchatantra, mitrasampraapti

yatra utsaaha-samaarambhaH yatra aalasya-vihInataa ।

naya-vikrama-samyogaH tatra shrIH achalaa dhruvam ॥

May 6th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दुर्जनः परिहर्तव्यः विद्ययाऽलङ्‍कृतोऽपि सन् ।
मणिना भूषितः सर्पः किमसौ न भयङ्करः ॥
- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
durjanaḥ parihartavyaḥ vidyayā'laṅ‍kṛto'pi san ।
maṇinā bhūṣitaḥ sarpaḥ kimasau na bhayaṅkaraḥ ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

An evildoer should be evaded even if ornate with knowledge!  Just because it is adorned with a jewel,  isn't a snake scary?

Commentary:

Someone said, 'If you see a snake, just kill it.  For God's sake! Do not appoint a committee on snakes!' Such is the reputation of a snake.  The enticement of a beautiful jewel on its head will not overtake the fear it generates in the hearts of people.  It is still regarded as a scary creature and people will stay away from it.  

Similarly, a person's knowledge, versatility, or expertise in different arenas, will not draw people to him if his mind is evil.  Those around him are bound to be hurt.  Many times, the evilness of his intentions may not even be evident to those around him.  Especially if he is a learned man, he would have mastered the art of deceit!  Hence, the author says, just because a snake is bedecked with a shiny jewel on its head, it doesn't make it any less scary.  

An evildoer adorned with vidyā (knowledge) is just the same.  If knowledge is a jewel, his evil thoughts are his fangs! Hence, one should avoid the evildoer just as he would a snake!

Knowledge and viciousness do not go hand in hand.  One day or the other, his malevolence will be exposed and ostracized. True knowledge should make one humble and pious.  Aim for true vidyā.   Respect, lovability, and piety will follow automatically.

pada vigrahaH:
दुर्जनः परिहर्तव्यः विद्यया अलङ्‍कृतः अपि सन् ।
durjanaḥ parihartavyaḥ vidyayā alaṅ‍kṛtaḥ api san ।

मणिना भूषितः सर्पः किम् असौ न भयङ्करः ॥
maṇinā bhūṣitaḥ sarpaḥ kim asau na bhayaṅkaraḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
durjanaH parihartavyaH vidyayaa.la~nkRuto.pi san ।
maNinaa bhUShitaH sarpaH kimasau na bhaya~nkaraH ॥
- nItishataka

durjanaH parihartavyaH vidyayaa ala~nkRutaH api san ।

maNinaa bhUShitaH sarpaH kim asau na bhaya~nkaraH ॥