June 17th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
तृणानि भूमिरुदकं वाक्चतुर्थी च सूनृता ।
एतान्यपि सतां गेहे नोच्छिद्यन्ते कदाचन ॥
-महाभारत, उद्योग

Transliteration:
tṛṇāni bhūmirudakaṃ vākcaturthī ca sūnṛtā ।
etānyapi satāṃ gehe nocchidyante kadācana ॥
-mahābhārata, udyoga

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Grass, land, water, and the fourth being pleasant and honest speech—these are never severed from the home of a righteous person.

Commentary:

A righteous person may not be rich or famous. He may not possess silk cushions embroidered with golden threads, nor may he have silver plates and golden spoons to eat from. He may not offer an elaborate seven-course meal. But there is never a scarcity of grass. In ancient times, guests were offered seats made of grass, symbolizing that virtuous people always welcome others and offer a seat to their guests.

Next comes land, which represents the physical space one offers to others. Whether modest or grand, land signifies the ability to provide a place of comfort for guests. 

Following that, we have water, an essential element for survival. Whether rich or poor, animal or human, bird or beast—no one can survive without water. Water is what makes Earth the only thriving habitat in the solar system. An honorable person always offers water to quench a guest's thirst.

All these basic elements are provided generously to us by the Lord.

The fourth is—pleasant and gentle speech—a quality cultivated through a good disposition and a generous heart. It doesn’t require special privileges or possessions. All it takes is a pure, kind, and gracious demeanor, along with an open heart. 

This reminds of a poem by Saint Basavaṇṇa, which can be loosely translated as :

"If you greet someone with a 'How do you do? Do come in!' will you turn ugly?

If you say, 'Please sit down,' will your floor cave in?

If you greet instantly, without waiting for the other to speak, will your head or belly burst?

Even if you have nothing else to offer, can you not offer basic hospitality?!"

Saint Basavaṇṇa emphasizes that offering these simple gestures is a sign of virtue, and they are appreciated by the Lord.

The author of this verse teaches that these four elements—grass, land, water, and honest speech—are always present in the home of a virtuous person, regardless of the wealth he owns. Every person can offer these basic elements, meaning we all have the potential to be virtuous. So, what holds us back? Why is there so much animosity and so many wars throughout history? The solution seems simple: embracing these four inexpensive traits can lead us to happiness and peaceful co-existence. Let’s work toward implementing them and see where it takes us.  After all, they cost nothing!

Be nice! Speak kindly!

pada vigrahaH:
तृणानि भूमिः उदकं वाक् चतुर्थी च सूनृता ।
tṛṇāni bhūmiḥ udakaṃ vāk caturthī ca sūnṛtā ।

एतानि अपि सतां गेहे न उच्छिद्यन्ते कदाचन ॥
etāni api satāṃ gehe na ucchidyante kadācana ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
tRuNaani bhUmirudakaM vaakchaturthI cha sUnRutaa ।
etaanyapi sataaM gehe nochChidyante kadaachana ॥
- mahaabhaarata, udyoga

tRuNaani bhUmiH udakaM vaak chaturthI cha sUnRutaa ।

etaani api sataaM gehe na uchChidyante kadaachana ॥