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 ॥