July 21st


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अज्ञेभ्यो ग्रन्थिनः श्रेष्ठाः ग्रन्थिभ्यो धारिणो वराः ।
धारिभ्यो ज्ञानिनः श्रेष्ठाः ज्ञानिभ्यो व्यवसायिनः ॥
- मनुस्मृति
Transliteration:
ajñebhyo granthinaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ granthibhyo dhāriṇo varāḥ ।
dhāribhyo jñāninaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ jñānibhyo vyavasāyinaḥ ॥
- manusmṛti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Among the ignorant, a well-read person is better; among the well-read, those who have a grasp (of the material) are a blessing.  In the midst of those with a good grasp, those that have assimilated the knowledge are considered better; among those that have assimilated the knowledge, those that put it to practice are deemed the best!

Commentary:
There are many ignorant people in the world.  In their midst, someone who is well-read and knowledgeable is respected.

But then, is it enough to just be well-read?  In a crowd of well-read people, someone who has a good handle on the (memorized) material is looked up to.

Obviously, if one has to choose between one who has memorized against one who has understood the subject, the vote would go to the person who has understood the subject.

So, is the one who has understood, the best?  Oh, no!  If someone who has understood were to stand against someone who has put it to practice, who would be revered?!  Invariably, it would be the one who has put it to practice and made it his own!!

Practice what you preach and preach what you practice!  If one just spoke and never made it his own, he has no authority over that knowledge, nor does his preaching have any value. The world around respects and reveres him who puts his own words and knowledge to practice.  Assimilating the knowledge and putting it to use is the best culminating point for any learning.

If one is incorporating his learning, he doesn't have to proclaim that he knows a lot about a lot of things.  He doesn't have to blow his own conch about how well-read he is nor does he have to await accolades for his understanding.  When one applies his knowledge in his day to day life, the rest of the 3 factors are given to him!  This means he is well-read and he has understood and assimilated all that knowledge.  Else, he wouldn't be able to incorporate it into his daily life!

It is said that an ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.  There is also the fact that practice makes perfect!  So get practising and perfecting!!

pada vigrahaH:
अज्ञेभ्यः ग्रन्थिनः श्रेष्ठाः ग्रन्थिभ्यः धारिणः वराः ।
ajñebhyaḥ granthinaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ granthibhyaḥ dhāriṇaḥ varāḥ ।

धारिभ्यः ज्ञानिनः श्रेष्ठाः ज्ञानिभ्यः व्यवसायिनः ॥
dhāribhyaḥ jñāninaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ jñānibhyaḥ vyavasāyinaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
aj~nebhyo granthinaH shreShThaaH granthibhyo dhaariNo varaaH ।
dhaaribhyo j~naaninaH shreShThaaH j~naanibhyo vyavasaayinaH ॥
- manusmRuti

aj~nebhyaH granthinaH shreShThaaH granthibhyaH dhaariNaH varaaH ।
dhaaribhyaH j~naaninaH shreShThaaH j~naanibhyaH vyavasaayinaH ॥