September 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चित्ते प्रसन्ने भुवनं प्रसन्नं चित्ते विषण्णे भुवनं विषण्णम् ।
अतोऽभिलाषो यदि ते सुखे स्यात् चित्तप्रसादे प्रथमं यतस्व ॥

Transliteration:
citte prasanne bhuvanaṃ prasannaṃ citte viṣaṇṇe bhuvanaṃ viṣaṇṇam ।
ato'bhilāṣo yadi te sukhe syāt cittaprasāde prathamaṃ yatasva ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

If the mind is happy, the entire world (seems) happy.  If the mind is despondent, the entire world (seems) despondent.  Hence, if you desire happiness, strive towards the happiness of the mind first.

Commentary:

It's all in the mind!

By definition, the mind is the set of cognitive faculties that enables consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement, and memory.  It is subtle, meaning that which cannot be perceived through the 5 gross sense organs.  It is perceived by oneself!  One can only try to understand another's mind, but total perception is available only to that being. Another subhāṣita exaggerates and says 'that which is in one's mind cannot even be perceived by Lord Brahma, the creator.'  Such is the complexity of the mind!

Now that the intricacy of the mind is established, what is its role in influencing the outlook of a person?  Well, it is as simple as - if the mind is happy, the world looks happy and cheerful to one; if the mind is sad, to him the world also looks sad and morose!  The same exact surroundings can look the opposite shade if the mind is not cheerful!  Obviously, who wants sadness? Everyone wants to live in a happy and peaceful world.  In that case, first work towards keeping your mind happy!

Now, how is that achieved?  By having a positive outlook on life, by trusting that there is someone above watching at all times and that whatever He brings to one's life is for one's own betterment. A positive attitude keeps mind merry.  A child is happy and does not need a reason for being so!  If that kind of outlook is developed by us adults, then the world would truly be a beautiful place.  No one would need doctors for any ailments because a healthy mind will have a healthy body.  The state of one's mind influences at all levels - body, mind, intellect.

Hence, to be a well-rounded person, it is all the more essential to strive towards keeping the mind cheerful and positive.  Stay happy, understand life!

pada vigrahaH:
चित्ते प्रसन्ने भुवनं प्रसन्नं चित्ते विषण्णे भुवनं विषण्णम् ।
citte prasanne bhuvanaṃ prasannaṃ citte viṣaṇṇe bhuvanaṃ viṣaṇṇam ।

अत: अभिलाषः यदि ते सुखे स्यात् चित्त-प्रसादे प्रथमं यतस्व ॥
ataḥ abhilāṣaḥ yadi te sukhe syāt citta-prasāde prathamaṃ yatasva ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chitte prasanne bhuvanaM prasannaM chitte viShaNNe bhuvanaM viShaNNam ।
ato.bhilaaSho yadi te sukhe syaat chittaprasaade prathamaM yatasva ॥

chitte prasanne bhuvanaM prasannaM chitte viShaNNe bhuvanaM viShaNNam ।

ataH abhilaaShaH yadi te sukhe syaat chitta-prasaade prathamaM yatasva ॥