Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दशकूपसमा वापी दशवापीसमो ह्रदः ।
दशह्रदसमः पुत्रः दशपुत्रसमो द्रुमः ॥
- मत्स्यपुराण
Transliteration:
daśakūpasamā vāpī daśavāpīsamo hradaḥ ।
daśahradasamaḥ putraḥ daśaputrasamo drumaḥ ॥
- matsyapurāṇa
Meaning of the subhAShita:
A pond is equal to ten wells. A dansk of water (reservoir) is worth ten (such) ponds. (Then again) ten (such) reservoirs are the same as a son (offspring). (Whereas) a tree is equal to ten (such) sons.
Commentary:
Water is an integral part of life's existence. In fact, humanity has sent spaceships to distant celestial bodies solely to detect the presence of water. Where there is water, there is life. Naturally, a water well becomes an invaluable resource for all living beings. A water well, after all, represents a small but vital body of water. Yet, a single pond can be considered equivalent to ten such wells, and the water from ten ponds can easily be contained in a reservoir.
Even so, a good, cultured, and educated son is considered far more valuable than even ten reservoirs. This is because a son fulfills his parents’ deep longing for progeny and carries forward their lineage. Yet, surprisingly, there is something that can far exceed the value of even ten such sons—and that is a tree.
Why is this so? How can a single tree be more valuable than 10 sons, 100 reservoirs, 1,000 ponds, or even 10,000 wells? The answer lies in the tree's unparalleled ability to sustain life. Over its lifetime, a tree attracts rain-bearing clouds that provide water surpassing the combined capacity of all those wells, ponds, and reservoirs.
But what about the role of a son? While a son may bring joy to his own family and continue the family line, a tree’s contributions extend far beyond the immediate. A tree serves countless beings selflessly. A person who plants a seedling today may never live to enjoy its fruit or shade, yet that act of planting holds profound significance. The fruits of the tree will one day nourish birds, animals, and humans alike. The tree will bring rain clouds, quenching the thirst of future generations. It will provide shade to the weary and shelter to many creatures. By planting a sapling, one performs an act of service that benefits countless beings, often unknowingly.
Even more remarkable, a tree’s legacy outlives the planter and his descendants. For generations, it continues to serve by offering fruit, water, shade, and shelter. It is for this reason that a tree is considered more valuable than so many sons and water bodies combined.
Now, consider the impact of cutting down a tree. By felling one tree, we metaphorically destroy the equivalent of countless sons and dry up innumerable sources of water. It is an act of immeasurable loss.
It has been said that trees are the best antiques and that groves were God’s first temples. Let us strive to protect these timeless temples now and always.
pada vigrahaH:
दश-कूप-समा वापी दश-वापी-समो ह्रदः ।
daśa-kūpa-samā vāpī daśa-vāpī-samo hradaḥ ।
दश-ह्रद-समः पुत्रः दश-पुत्र-समः द्रुमः ॥
daśa-hrada-samaḥ putraḥ daśa-putra-samaḥ drumaḥ ॥
दश-कूप-समा वापी दश-वापी-समो ह्रदः ।
daśa-kūpa-samā vāpī daśa-vāpī-samo hradaḥ ।
दश-ह्रद-समः पुत्रः दश-पुत्र-समः द्रुमः ॥
daśa-hrada-samaḥ putraḥ daśa-putra-samaḥ drumaḥ ॥
dashakUpasamaa vaapI dashavaapIsamo hradaH ।
dashahradasamaH putraH dashaputrasamo drumaH ॥
- matsyapuraaNa
dasha-kUpa-samaa vaapI dasha-vaapI-samo hradaH ।
dasha-hrada-samaH putraH dasha-putra-samaH drumaH ॥
