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 ॥