Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सर्वो दण्डजितो लोको दुर्लभो हि शुचिर्नरः ।
दण्डस्य हि भयात्सर्वं जगद्भोगाय कल्पते ॥
- मनुस्मृतिTransliteration:
sarvo daṇḍajito loko durlabho hi śucirnaraḥ ।
daṇḍasya hi bhayātsarvaṃ jagadbhogāya kalpate ॥
- manusmṛti
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Everyone in this world is subdued by punishment. Rare are clean people. It is only due to the fear of retribution that we are able to enjoy ourselves in this world.
Commentary:
Humans are a sorry lot, indeed!
It is a lamentable truth that people often act righteously only out of fear of punishment. To compound this, they seek rewards and recognition for every small effort they undertake. Without consequences for their actions, many would abandon all sense of morality. Values would dissolve and ethics would become obsolete.
After all, integrity is defined by our ability to do the right thing even when no one is watching us. If we held this principle close to our hearts, the temptation to do misdeeds would diminish. Unfortunately, this ideal remains a rarity in our society, making discipline: a necessity. Thus, rules and regulations are established, and violators are prosecuted.
A vehicle has brakes to allow us to drive faster. If not for the brakes, no one would dare drive fast. Discipline serves as that brake. Also, punishment is not merely about vengeance; it aims to deter crime in society and reform those who stray.
Power manifests in two forms: the fear of punishment and the gentle persuasion of love. In the long run, fear proves to be a poor teacher. While it may restrain unrighteous behavior, it fails to instill the essential values we must uphold. In contrast, kind and loving words have the potential to transform hearts and guide individuals toward righteousness.
Each person has the choice of which language he responds to—the language of fear or the language of love. Love holds no fear; it encourages understanding and growth when delivered with compassion. If a person cannot respond to love, then discipline accompanied by appropriate consequences, becomes necessary. No matter what, discipline is essential—it defines our path to success.
Ultimately, we can choose one of the two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is ours!
pada vigrahaH:
सर्वः दण्डजितः लोकः दुर्लभः हि शुचिः नरः ।
sarvaḥ daṇḍajitaḥ lokaḥ durlabhaḥ hi śuciḥ naraḥ ।
दण्डस्य हि भयात् सर्वं जगत् भोगाय कल्पते ॥
daṇḍasya hi bhayāt sarvaṃ jagat bhogāya kalpate ॥
sarvo daNDajito loko durlabho hi shuchirnaraH |
daNDasya hi bhayaatsarvaM jagadbhogaaya kalpate ||
- manusmRuti
sarvaH daNDajitaH lokaH durlabhaH hi shuchiH naraH |
daNDasya hi bhayaat sarvaM jagat bhogaaya kalpate ||
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