July 29th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उपकर्तुं यथा स्वल्पः समर्थो न तथा महान् ।
प्रायः कूपस्तृषां हन्ति न कदापि तु वारिधिः ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

Transliteration:
upakartuṃ yathā svalpaḥ samartho na tathā mahān ।
prāyaḥ kūpastṛṣāṃ hanti na kadāpi tu vāridhiḥ ॥
- subhāṣitaratnasamuccaya

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The way a trifle can be of assistance, the great may not be able to.  Probably, a well can quench the thirst, but never the (mighty) ocean.

Commentary:

Each in its own place and time.  The purpose of one cannot be served by the other.  An ocean may be mighty and magnificent.  But, when a thirsty man comes to it, he will look for a different source of drinking water.  Although the ocean is a storehouse for most of the water available on earth and even torrential rains are nothing in the face of its capacity, not even a drop of it is useful in quenching the thirst of a weary traveler!  However, a water well may very well be a heavenly sight to a tired hiker, even though it is a minuscule speck in comparison to the size of the ocean.

The same holds true in all aspects of life.  Each person cannot be the leader of the world!  If that is true, then who will all the leaders lead?!  As much as leaders are required, people to be led are essential as well.  Every man can't be an architect, there needs to be someone to physically build the structure as well.  One person's shoe cannot fit another. Hence, the existence of each and every being is equally important.

Even the existence of every grain of sand and blade of grass is crucial.  If it wasn't required to be there, the Lord would have made sure it was not there!  If it is there, it is already important and essential.  Same with beings.  If they weren't special and essential He wouldn't have made them!!

It is said, 'Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid!'  What a profound statement it is!!

Never disrespect anything or anyone based on their pervasiveness.  Each and every being and object is indispensable in its own unique way!  Value each one for what it essentially is.  

pada vigrahaH: 
उपकर्तुं यथा स्वल्पः समर्थः न तथा महान् ।
upakartuṃ yathā svalpaḥ samarthaḥ na tathā mahān ।

प्रायः कूपः तृषां हन्ति न कदा अपि तु वारिधिः ॥
prāyaḥ kūpaḥ tṛṣāṃ hanti na kadā api tu vāridhiḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
upakartuM yathaa svalpaH samartho na tathaa mahaan ।
praayaH kUpastRuShaaM hanti na kadaapi tu vaaridhiH ॥
- subhaaShitaratnasamuchchaya

upakartuM yathaa svalpaH samarthaH na tathaa mahaan ।

praayaH kUpaH tRuShaaM hanti na kadaa api tu vaaridhiH ॥

July 22nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रात्रिर्गमिष्यति भविष्यति सुप्रभातम्
भास्वानुदेष्यति हसिष्यति पङ्कजश्रीः ।
इत्थं विचिन्तयति कोशगते द्विरेफे
हा हन्त हन्त नलिनीं गज उज्जहार ॥
- कुवलयानन्द

Transliteration:
rātrirgamiṣyati bhaviṣyati suprabhātam
bhāsvānudeṣyati hasiṣyati paṅkajaśrīḥ ।
itthaṃ vicintayati kośagate dvirephe
hā hanta hanta nalinīṃ gaja ujjahāra ॥
- kuvalayānanda

Meaning of the subhAShita:

"The night shall pass, dawn shall arrive, the sun shall rise, and the lotus shall bloom"—even as the bee stuck in the lotus bud was thinking; Alas, alas, an elephant uprooted the lotus!!

Commentary:
Timing is everything or destiny has the final say?!

This verse is the height of poetic fiction!  Here, he narrates the story of a busy little bee anxious to get the last sip of nectar before the fall of the day.  He hovered over a lotus and settled down for a drink.  But since it was almost dusk, the lotus closed its petals to rest for the day and the bee got stuck inside the petals.  There was no way it could get out from the tight grasp of the tender petals of the closed lotus bud!  So, the bee consoled itself thus, "The night shall pass, daybreak shall come, the sun shall rise, and the lotus shall bloom..."—so that when the flower opened the petals, it could fly away.  But alas, what luck!  Even as the bee was thinking thus, a rutting elephant uprooted the closed lotus bud!!  Now that the lotus wasn't rooted anymore, neither the rise of the sun nor the midday scorch could bring a difference in the petals.  The bud will never ever open again, thus trapping the bee inside to draw its last breath! 

Like they say, 'it is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped'!  Perhaps, the outcome would have been different if the bee had judged the time of the day better.  Perhaps, the bee would have been spared if he wasn't greedy for that one last sip.  Perhaps, the consequence would have been different if the bee was swift enough to fly out just as the bud was closing up.  Perhaps..., perhaps... These can only be speculations.

Many times, one would never know what would have happened differently if he made different choices.  Perhaps, it is the choices, and not chances, that determine one's destiny!  It is probably for oneself to decide...

pada vigrahaH:
रात्रिः गमिष्यति भविष्यति सुप्रभातम्
rātriḥ gamiṣyati bhaviṣyati suprabhātam

भास्वान् उदेष्यति हसिष्यति पङ्कजश्रीः ।
bhāsvān udeṣyati hasiṣyati paṅkajaśrīḥ ।

इत्थं विचिन्तयति कोश-गते द्विरेफे
itthaṃ vicintayati kośa-gate dvirephe

हा हन्त हन्त नलिनीं गज उज्जहार ॥
hā hanta hanta nalinīṃ gaja ujjahāra ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
raatrirgamiShyati bhaviShyati suprabhaatam
bhaaswaanudeShyati hasiShyati pa~nkajashrIH ।
itthaM vichintayati koshagate dvirephe
haa hanta hanta nalinIM gaja ujjahaara ॥
- kuvalayaananda

raatriH gamiShyati bhaviShyati suprabhaatam

bhaaswaan udeShyati hasiShyati pa~nkajashrIH ।

itthaM vichintayati kosha-gate dvirephe

haa hanta hanta nalinIM gaja ujjahaara ॥

July 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः
नवाम्बुभिर्भूरिविलम्बिनो घनाः ।
अनुद्धताः सत्पुरुषाः समृद्धिभिः
स्वभाव एवैष परोपकारिणाम् ॥
- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
bhavanti namrāstaravaḥ phalodgamaiḥ
navāmbubhirbhūrivilambino ghanāḥ ।
anuddhatāḥ satpuruṣāḥ samṛddhibhiḥ
svabhāva evaiṣa paropakāriṇām ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Trees bow down when fruit are shooting forth; clouds hang low when filled with water; the noble become humble in opulence—this is the very nature of the benevolent.

Commentary:

"If you wish to find happiness, provide happiness for others"—this could well be the motto of trees, clouds, and noble people. They achieve inner peace and serenity through their acts of selfless kindness. They are not just kind but humble too—humility being their most defining trait.

A tree, laden with fruit, doesn’t stand rigid and boastful because it offers sustenance to all. Instead, it bends low in humility, making it easier for all to partake in its bounty.

When clouds are full of water, they don’t hover arrogantly high above. Instead, they hang low, as if in meekness, ready to shower the Earth with their cool, life-giving waters.

Noble individuals, when blessed with wealth or status, display profound humility. They are free from arrogance about their resources or accomplishments. They embody modesty, always aware that humility is a lifelong lesson to be embraced. This trait is ingrained in them, and they never stray from it. For them, humility is the cornerstone of all virtues, and they live by this principle at all times.

Those who do good for others never take pride in their actions. Pride breeds artificiality, while humility brings authenticity. Let us choose to be real!

pada vigrahaH:
भवन्ति नम्राः तरवः फल-उद्गमैः
bhavanti namrāḥ taravaḥ phala-udgamaiḥ

नव-अम्बुभिः भूरि-विलम्बिनः घनाः ।
nava-ambubhiḥ bhūri-vilambinaḥ ghanāḥ ।

अनुद्धताः सत्-पुरुषाः समृद्धिभिः
anuddhatāḥ sat-puruṣāḥ samṛddhibhiḥ

स्वभावः एव एषः पर-उपकारिणाम् ॥
svabhāvaḥ eva eṣaḥ para-upakāriṇām ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
bhavanti namraastraravaH phalodgamaiH
navaambubhirbhUrivilambino ghanaaH ।
anuddhataaH satpuruShaaH samRuddhibhiH
svabhaava evaiSha paropakaariNaam ॥
- nItishataka

bhavanti namraaH taravaH phala-udgamaiH

nava-ambubhiH bhUri-vilambinaH ghanaaH ।

anuddhataaH sat-puruShaaH samRuddhibhiH

svabhaavaH eva eShaH para-upakaariNaam ॥

July 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
लभेत सिकतासु तैलमपि यत्नतः पीडयन्
पिबेच्च मृगतृष्णिकासु सलिलं पिपासार्दितः ।
कदाचिदपि पर्यटन् शशविषाणमासादयेत्
न तु प्रतिनिविष्टमूर्खजनचित्तमाराधयेत् ॥
- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
labheta sikatāsu tailamapi yatnataḥ pīḍayan
pibecca mṛgatṛṣṇikāsu salilaṃ pipāsārditaḥ ।
kadācidapi paryaṭan śaśaviṣāṇamāsādayet
na tu pratiniviṣṭamūrkhajanacittamārādhayet ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

It may be possible to procure oil from the sand after forceful exertion; an extremely thirsty person may get a drink of water from a mirage; sometimes after (immense) wandering one may obtain a rabbit horn; but can never ever appease the mind of a perverse fool!

Commentary:

Is there even a drop of oil in an entire heap of sand? Is there real water in a mirage? Does a hare have a horn that one could find? The answer to all these questions is, quite obviously, a resounding NO!

Yet, the poet suggests that even these virtual impossibilities might somehow be achieved. With relentless effort, one might squeeze a drop of oil from a heap of sand. An exceedingly parched traveler might imagine quenching their thirst from a mirage. And while hares don’t grow horns, an exhaustive search might just "find" one. However, all these feats—unlikely as they are—pale in comparison to the impossibility of pleasing the mind of an obstinate fool. Now, that is a task beyond impossible—an exceptional impossibility of the highest order! Any attempt to reason with or placate a fool is utterly futile.

As the saying goes, a wise man may change his mind, but a fool never will. Once a fool has decided on something, even Lord Brahma himself would fail to change their mind. A fool clings stubbornly to his stance, unmoved by reason or persuasion, no matter the cost. So why waste time trying to convince someone determined to remain unconvinced? If one chooses to be irrational without cause, why squander effort on a fruitless endeavor?

pada vigrahaH:
लभेत सिकतासु तैलम् अपि यत्नतः पीडयन्
labheta sikatāsu tailam api yatnataḥ pīḍayan

पिबेत् च मृगतृष्णिकासु सलिलं पिपास-अर्दितः ।
pibet ca mṛgatṛṣṇikāsu salilaṃ pipāsa-arditaḥ ।

कदाचित् अपि पर्यटन् शश-विषाणम् आसादयेत् 
kadācit api paryaṭan śaśa-viṣāṇam āsādayet

न तु प्रतिनिविष्ट-मूर्ख-जन-चित्तम् आराधयेत् ॥
na tu pratiniviṣṭa-mūrkha-jana-cittam ārādhayet ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
labheta sikataasu tailamapi yatnataH pIDayan
pibechcha mRugatRuShNikaasu salilaM pipaasaarditaH ।
kadaachidapi paryaTan shashaviShaaNamaasaadayet
na tu pratiniviShTamUrkhajanachittamaaraadhayet ॥
- nItishataka

labheta sikataasu tailam api yatnataH pIDayan

pibet cha mRugatRuShNikaasu salilaM pipaasa-arditaH ।

kadaachit api paryaTan shasha-viShaaNam aasaadayet

na tu pratiniviShTa-mUrkha-jana-chittam aaraadhayet ॥

July 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
प्रामाण्यबुद्धिः स्तोत्रेषु देवताबुद्धिरात्मनि ।
कीटबुद्धिर्मनुष्येषु नूतनायाः श्रियः फलम् ॥
- कलिविडम्बन

Transliteration:
prāmāṇyabuddhiḥ stotreṣu devatābuddhirātmani ।
kīṭabuddhirmanuṣyeṣu nūtanāyāḥ śriyaḥ phalam ॥
- kaliviḍambana

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Authoritativeness in one's own praises; perceiving oneself as the Almighty; discerning other humans as insects—these are the results of newfound wealth. 

Commentary:

Generally, people place great value on material wealth, often desiring an abundance of it to feel a sense of accomplishment. However, if such wealth comes overnight, it can drastically alter a person’s behavior. They may constantly boast about their possessions, rejoicing in self-praise—a trait that is far from admirable. This inflated sense of self-worth can lead them to view themselves as superior to others, eventually spiraling into even more bragging and delusions of grandeur. In extreme cases, they may begin to see themselves as godlike, dismissing the rest of humanity as insignificant.

There is a saying in another language, roughly translated as: "When a mediocre person suddenly gains wealth, he wakes up in the middle of the night and holds out an umbrella." The absurdity of the image lies in the fact that, even if torrential rain were pouring outside, there’s no need for an umbrella inside the home. Yet, he brandishes it, desperate to show off his newfound possession—his wealth.

As the saying goes, "Self-praise is almost slander." Why demean oneself with arrogance when newfound resources can instead be used to benefit society? Doing so requires great humility—a trait essential for walking the right path. Only humility can keep one grounded.

Someone born into wealth may develop the ability to handle affluence with ease. However, for someone who suddenly attains prosperity out of nowhere, strong morals are crucial to prevent arrogance. Keep your head firmly on your shoulders, no matter the circumstances, and everything else will follow.

pada vigrahaH:
प्रामाण्य-बुद्धिः स्तोत्रेषु देवता-बुद्धिः आत्मनि ।
prāmāṇya-buddhiḥ stotreṣu devatā-buddhiḥ ātmani ।

कीट-बुद्धिः मनुष्येषु नूतन-आयाः श्रियः फलम् ॥
kīṭa-buddhiḥ manuṣyeṣu nūtana-āyāḥ śriyaḥ phalam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
praamaaNyabuddhiH stotreShu devataabuddhiraatmani ।
kITabuddhirmanuShyeShu nUtanaayaaH shriyaH phalam ॥
- kaliviDambana

praamaaNya-buddhiH stotreShu devataa-buddhiH aatmani ।

kITa-buddhiH manuShyeShu nUtana-aayaaH shriyaH phalam ॥