December 8th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अकारणेनैव चतुराः तर्कयन्ति परेङ्गितम् ।
गर्भस्थं केतकीपुष्पम् आमोदेनेव षट्पदाः ॥
-प्रसन्नराघव 

Transliteration:
akāraṇenaiva caturāḥ tarkayanti pareṅgitam ।
garbhasthaṃ ketakīpuṣpam āmodeneva ṣaṭpadāḥ ॥
-prasannarāghava

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Without any summons, the clever inquire into others' intentions; (just as), the bees (locate) a hidden ketakI flower with just its fragrance.

Commentary:
It is said that one's outward actions reveal his/her hidden intentions!  It is not necessary that a person expresses all his thoughts in his actions or words.  The reasons for this could be many.  He may not have the necessary circumstances, ambience, or may lack communication skills to express himself.

However, a clever person does not necessarily have to be told!  He can assimilate the thoughts and intentions of the other just through subtle hints such as body language or other environmental factors.  Just like in the fable, Androcles understood that the Lion had a thorn in his foot, without being told by the Lion.

The poet gives the example of the bees.  They do not need to physically see the fragrant ketakI flower before aspiring to sip its nectar.  They can follow the scent of the flower and zero in on the exact location of it even if it lays hidden or far from sight!  Similar is the way of an intelligent person.  He can grasp the intentions, whether good or bad, of the other person.  Anyone can handle a situation better if he understands the other person.  If the intentions are good, they can aid each other in materializing their thoughts.  If the intentions are bad, it is certainly smart to stay away from such a situation or such company.  Hence, in all scenarios, being adept and skillful at reading another's mind turns out to be a blessing!

The intelligence to read another's mind makes one think from the other person's perspective.  This gives him a vision beyond what meets the eye and he becomes less judgemental.  Blessed are people who have this attitude and so are the ones that keep such company!

pada vigrahaH:
अकारणेन एव चतुराः तर्कयन्ति पर-इङ्गितम् ।
akāraṇena eva caturāḥ tarkayanti para-iṅgitam ।

गर्भस्थं केतकी-पुष्पम् आमोदेन इव षट्पदाः ॥
garbhasthaṃ ketakī-puṣpam āmodena iva ṣaṭpadāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
akaaraNenaiva chaturaaH tarkayanti pare~ngitam ।
garbhasthaM ketakIpuShpam aamodeneva ShaTpadaaH ॥
-prasannaraaghava 

akaaraNena eva chaturaaH tarkayanti para-i~ngitam ।
garbhasthaM ketakI-puShpam aamodena iva ShaTpadaaH ॥