January 15th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अनुगन्तुं सतां धर्म कृत्स्नं यदि न शक्यते ।
स्वल्पमप्यनुगन्तव्यं मार्गस्थो नावसीदति ॥
Transliteration:
anugantuṃ satāṃ dharma kṛtsnaṃ yadi na śakyate ।
svalpamapyanugantavyaṃ mārgastho nāvasīdati ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Although following the righteous path of the noble is difficult and seems impossible, if one follows even a little bit, he will not slump (from the goal of his life).

Commentary:
No need for gigantic steps!  If one wants to and attempts to tread on the path of the noble, there may be many hurdles he may face on the way.  It may not only be difficult, but it might even seem impossible!  In spite, if one continues to grasp at least a little bit and persist on the same path, he will be progressing in the right direction.

It is said that even an ant can traverse miles by just keeping at it.  The fact that it is moving means it is covering ground and reaching someplace else.  Finally, due to its persistence, it would have left its starting point miles behind!  Similar is a person on the path of dharma.  If he keeps doing righteous acts (however small in size or calibre) through his lifetime, he will accumulate a great deal of virtue to his credit!  How can one with virtue in his account ever fall off from the path of dharma?!

Great acts are made up of small deeds.  In reality, true happiness comes from the joy of deeds that are done well with good intentions.  These are the things that shape one's fate.  True winners are not people that never fail but people that never quit.

So, let's take charge of our fate and give it the right direction through virtuous actions!

pada vigrahaH:
अनुगन्तुं सतां धर्म कृत्स्नं यदि न शक्यते ।
anugantuṃ satāṃ dharma kṛtsnaṃ yadi na śakyate ।

स्वल्पम् अपि अनुगन्तव्यं मार्गस्थः न अवसीदति ॥
svalpam api anugantavyaṃ mārgasthaḥ na avasīdati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
anugantuM sataaM dharma kRutsnaM yadi na shakyate ।
swalpamapyanugantavyaM maargastho naavasIdati ॥

anugantuM sataaM dharma kRutsnaM yadi na shakyate ।
swalpam api anugantavyaM maargasthaH na avasIdati ॥