November 4th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:

परस्परविरोधे तु वयं पञ्चश्च ते शतम् ।

परैस्तु विग्रहे प्राप्ते वयं पञ्चाधिकम् शतम् ॥

- महाभारत

Transliteration:

parasparavirodhe tu vayaṃ pañcaśca te śatam ।

paraistu vigrahe prāpte vayaṃ pañcādhikam śatam ॥

- mahābhārata

Meaning of the subhAShita:

When opposing each other, we are 5 and they are a hundred. When against others, we are 5 plus one hundred. 

Commentary:

Unity is Strength!

This timeless truth is famously articulated by Yudhiṣṭhira in the Mahābhārata. When their ill-intentioned cousin Duryodhana was captured by an enemy, Yudhiṣṭhira's brother Bhīma was reluctant to come to his aid. But Yudhiṣṭhira urged Bhīma to set aside personal grudges and offer help in Duryodhana's moment of peril.  He said, "pitted against each other, we are 5 people against their hundred.  Whereas against a common enemy, we are a unified 105!"

Familial matters must be resolved internally, within the confines of the family. Though family disputes are inevitable and conflicts may simmer within the walls, there is a higher purpose when facing external threats. In times of adversity, bonds of kinship must transcend individual differences. When united against a common foe, the strength of that unity is unmatched.

This principle of unity extends far beyond a family unit. It is the cornerstone of communities, cities, states, and nations. When a common enemy seeks to undermine the very fabric of society, it is imperative to stand together.  Divided we are weak, but unified we resist. If we allow ourselves to be consumed by internal strife we invite the enemy inside, making it easier for them to divide and conquer. It is critical and crucial to stay as one unit. 

A family need not be flawless, but it must be united! Just as a family is a source of strength through unity, we must also elevate this sense to the national level. It’s essential to discern who truly belongs in our lives and who does not.  For, in unity there is power and in division there is defeat.

pada vigrahaH:

परस्पर-विरोधे तु वयं पञ्चः च ते शतम् ।

paraspara-virodhe tu vayaṃ pañcaḥ ca te śatam ।

परैः तु विग्रहे प्राप्ते वयं पञ्च-अधिकम् शतम् ॥

paraiḥ tu vigrahe prāpte vayaṃ pañca-adhikam śatam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:

parasparavirodhe tu vayam pa~jchashcha te shatam |

paraistu vigrahe praapte vayam pa~ncaadhikam shatam ||

- mahaabhaarata

paraspara-virodhe tu vayam pa~nchaH cha te shatam |

paraiH tu vigrahe praapte vayam pa~nca-adhikam shatam ||