June 16th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
ज्येष्ठो भ्राता पिता चैव यश्च विद्यां प्रयच्छति ।
त्रयस्ते पितरो ज्ञेयाः धर्मे वर्त्मनि वर्तिनः ॥
-रामायण, किष्किन्धा

Transliteration:

jyeṣṭho bhrātā pitā caiva yaśca vidyāṃ prayacchati ।
trayaste pitaro jñeyāḥ dharme vartmani vartinaḥ ॥
-rāmāyaṇa, kiṣkindhā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

An elder brother, the father himself and he who gives knowledge - these three are to be perceived (respected) as fathers by those on the path of virtue.

Commentary:

A father, as we know by definition, is the man who gives birth. He is to be respected and revered always! In one's life, many such father figures are encountered.  The poet says

• an elder brother, who protects nurtures and guides his siblings, is also equivalent to a father. 
• the biological father is definitely revered for all the tending and selfless love he showers on his children!  
• a guru who imparts knowledge and gives birth to a new perspective in a person is also to be revered as a father! (Especially spiritual gurus and guides.  They help one absolve his ignorance and lead him on the path of ultimate knowledge).

Hence, those on the path of virtue find many such father figures in their lives to whom they offer veneration and obeisance throughout their lives. Many times, it may not be expressed in so many words, but that gratitude and high regard for them shall linger in the hearts of the virtuous forever!

May we all be blessed with such father figures always!

pada vigrahaH:
ज्येष्ठः भ्राता पिता च एव यः च विद्यां प्रयच्छति ।
jyeṣṭhaḥ bhrātā pitā ca eva yaḥ ca vidyāṃ prayacchati ।

त्रयः ते पितरः ज्ञेया धर्मे वर्त्मनि वर्तिनः ॥
trayaḥ te pitaraḥ jñeyā dharme vartmani vartinaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
jyeShTho bhraataa pitaa chaiva yashcha vidyaaM prayachChati ।
trayaste pitaro j~neyaaH dharme vartmani vartinaH ॥
-raamaayaNa, kiShkindhaa

jyeShThaH bhraataa pitaa cha eva yaH cha vidyaaM prayachChati ।

trayaH te pitaraH j~neyaaH dharme vartmani vartinaH ॥