Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सन्तोषः परमो लाभः सत्सङ्गः परमा गतिः ।
विचारः परमं ज्ञानं शमो हि परमं सुखम् ॥
Transliteration:
santoṣaḥ paramo lābhaḥ satsaṅgaḥ paramā gatiḥ ।
vicāraḥ paramaṃ jñānaṃ śamo hi paramaṃ sukham ॥
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Contentment is the highest accrual; company of the wise is the best attainment. Reflection is the paramount form of knowledge; quietude of the mind is the zenith of happiness.
Commentary:
One may accumulate wealth in many forms and shapes. He may be the richest person in the entire world. However, he is NOT rich who has the most, but who needs the least! Without the factor of contentment, no amount of possessions will make him happy. Hence, the accrual of contentment is the accrual of the highest order.
People tend to emulate those that are around them. One can progressively better himself only if he has someone better than himself to emulate. That can happen only in the company of the good and wise. If one attained that company, bettering himself is only a matter of time. Hence, attaining good company is unparalleled.
Reading, listening, watching - all these are means of learning. But, unless it is reflected upon and inculcated into one's life, he does not have the authority of that knowledge. Hence reflection is the best form of knowledge.
Some may say that happiness can be found in many things - having big possessions, a fat bank balance or a sleek car. Those are ephemeral. Possessions can be lost, bank balance can dwindle, a car can get rusty. What lasts forever is the tranquility of the mind. If one has succeeded at silencing the mind's chatter, he has found the zenith of happiness.
May this verse be a harbinger of progress, achievement, knowledge and enjoyment! May everyone attain contentment, company of the wise, time to reflect and the serenity of the mind.
pada vigrahaH:
सन्तोषः परमः लाभः सत्-सङ्गः परमा गतिः ।
santoṣaḥ paramaḥ lābhaḥ sat-saṅgaḥ paramā gatiḥ ।
विचारः परमं ज्ञानं शमो हि परमं सुखम् ॥
vicāraḥ paramaṃ jñānaṃ śamo hi paramaṃ sukham ॥
People tend to emulate those that are around them. One can progressively better himself only if he has someone better than himself to emulate. That can happen only in the company of the good and wise. If one attained that company, bettering himself is only a matter of time. Hence, attaining good company is unparalleled.
Reading, listening, watching - all these are means of learning. But, unless it is reflected upon and inculcated into one's life, he does not have the authority of that knowledge. Hence reflection is the best form of knowledge.
Some may say that happiness can be found in many things - having big possessions, a fat bank balance or a sleek car. Those are ephemeral. Possessions can be lost, bank balance can dwindle, a car can get rusty. What lasts forever is the tranquility of the mind. If one has succeeded at silencing the mind's chatter, he has found the zenith of happiness.
May this verse be a harbinger of progress, achievement, knowledge and enjoyment! May everyone attain contentment, company of the wise, time to reflect and the serenity of the mind.
pada vigrahaH:
सन्तोषः परमः लाभः सत्-सङ्गः परमा गतिः ।
santoṣaḥ paramaḥ lābhaḥ sat-saṅgaḥ paramā gatiḥ ।
विचारः परमं ज्ञानं शमो हि परमं सुखम् ॥
vicāraḥ paramaṃ jñānaṃ śamo hi paramaṃ sukham ॥
santoShaH paramo laabhaH satsa~ngaH paramaa gatiH ।
vichaaraH paramaM j~naanaM shamo hi paramaM sukham ॥
santoShaH paramaH laabhaH sat-sa~ngaH paramaa gatiH ।
vichaaraH paramaM j~naanaM shamo hi paramaM sukham ॥
