March 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एतावानेव पुरुषः कृतं यस्मिन्न नश्यति ।
यावच्च कुर्यादन्योऽस्य कुर्याद्बहुगुणं ततः ॥
- महाभारत, आदिपर्व

Transliteration:
etāvāneva puruṣaḥ kṛtaṃ yasminna naśyati ।
yāvacca kuryādanyo'sya kuryādbahuguṇaṃ tataḥ ॥
- mahābhārata, ādiparva

Meaning of the subhAShita:

He to whom a favor done does not dissipate right there, is the real (noble) man.  Upon receiving benevolence from others, return it manifold.

Commentary:

Upon receiving generosity from others, it is not ethical to forget it and move on.  Neither is it business, to return an equal or lesser favor.  It is not a BOGO (buy one get one) sale.  Remembering and returning the favor in plentiful is a magnanimous attribute!

The scriptures are strewn with multitudes of such examples.  In Mahābhārata, Pāṇḍavas had taken shelter in a Brahmin's house in Ekacakranagara. They were in disguise after the lākṣāgṛha (wax palace) incident. A rākṣasa (demon) named Bakāsura was tormenting the people of that village. So, the people had made a pact with him—they had promised to take turns and one person from each family would go to him as food regularly.  When it was the Brahmin family's turn, Kuntī, the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, offered to send her own son Bhīma to Bakāsura (whom Bhīma eventually killed), in return for their favor.  They had given shelter to her and her sons in time of need.  In return, she offered to send her son to face the demon instead of a member of their family!  That is nobility!

In Rāmāyaṇa, too, after Hanumān visits Lankā and brings news about Sītā's whereabouts, Lord Rāma embraces Hanumān and pledges his friendship to him forever!! He does not diminish the immense favor Hanumān has done with a simple 'Thank you'! That is nobility! 

In fact, interestingly enough, there is NO equivalent word for 'thank you' in Sanskrit (dhanyavādaḥ is a later adaptation)!  There is only कृतज्ञता भाव (kṛtajñatā bhāva)—कृतं जानामि इति भावः (kṛtaṃ jānāmi iti bhāvaḥ)—I acknowledge your favor, I am aware of your benevolence; nothing can be done to repay that debt; I am greatly indebted to you!

An extension of this value is, not keeping track of the favors you do to others nor expecting return favors in exchange. Do your best at any given time to aid those in need and move on.

Don't these attributes make life much simpler and more satisfactory?  Don't they keep our hearts purer and lighter?  No baggage, no regrets, no guilt...

The take-home point here is that the noble never forget what they receive nor remember what they give!  Acquire nobility in its truest sense.

pada vigrahaH:
एतावान् एव पुरुषः कृतं यस्मिन् न नश्यति ।
etāvān eva puruṣaḥ kṛtaṃ yasmin na naśyati ।

यावत् च कुर्यात् अन्यः अस्य कुर्यात् बहु-गुणं ततः ॥
yāvat ca kuryāt anyaḥ asya kuryāt bahu-guṇaṃ tataḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
etaavaaneva puruShaH kRutaM yasminna nashyati ।
yaavachcha kuryaadanyo.sya kuryaadbahuguNaM tataH ॥
- mahaabhaarata, aadiparva

etaavaan eva puruShaH kRutaM yasmin na nashyati ।

yaavat cha kuryaat anyaH asya kuryaat bahu-guNaM tataH ॥

July 24th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एकवृक्षसमारूढाः नाना वर्णा विहङ्गमाः ।
प्रभाते दशसु दिक्षु तत्र का परिवेदना ॥
- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:
ekavṛkṣasamārūḍhāḥ nānā varṇā vihaṅgamāḥ ।
prabhāte daśasu dikṣu tatra kā parivedanā ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Birds of different colored feathers, all rest on one tree.  Come morning, (all) shall fly off in ten directions. What is there to agonize about?!

Commentary:

A tree houses many colorful birds and gives them shelter to sleep in. Come morning, even before the slightest crack of dawn, they all fly away in different directions in search of a seed or a worm. Does it make sense for the tree to lament and agonize about the birds saying, 'Oh, I gave them a safe haven all night long, in the morning they do not care for me and fly away on their own accord'?

The same happens in life! People from different walks of life meet for different purposes at different points in time. When that purpose is served, they move on. What is in it to agonize about?! Feeling that someone should be indebted and subservient to him forever is baseless! We meet people for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Sometimes, there are short lessons to be learnt or to be shared. At times, the exchange of lessons needs a little more time. Also, some people and relationships take an entire lifetime to learn, share, and grow together. Then again, when that growth is attained, even they pass on!

When here and now, do your duties cheerfully and with utmost dedication. Just like the tree does, provide shelter and fruit to those in need. Learn a lesson or two from each passerby.  Do not lament upon parting ways.

pada vigrahaH:
एक-वृक्ष-समारूढाः नाना वर्णाः विहङ्गमाः ।
eka-vṛkṣa-samārūḍhāḥ nānā varṇāḥ vihaṅgamāḥ ।

प्रभाते दशसु दिक्षु तत्र का परिवेदना ॥
prabhāte daśasu dikṣu tatra kā parivedanā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ekavRukShasamaarUDhaaH naanaa varNaa viha~ngamaaH ।
prabhaate dashasu dikShu tatra kaa parivedanaa ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

eka-vRukSha-samaarUDhaaH naanaa varNaaH viha~ngamaaH ।

prabhaate dashasu dikShu tatra kaa parivedanaa ॥

June 28th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एकः प्रसूयते जन्तुः एक एव प्रलीयते ।
एकोऽनुभुङ्क्ते सुकृतम् एक एव च दुष्कृतम् ॥
- भागवत


Transliteration:
ekaḥ prasūyate jantuḥ eka eva pralīyate ।
eko'nubhuṅkte sukṛtam eka eva ca duṣkṛtam ॥
- bhāgavata

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A being is born alone (and) will perish alone. He enjoys the fruit of his good deeds alone, and also (suffers the fruit) of the bad deeds alone.

Commentary:

A being is alone at birth and he dies alone as well. In between, during his life, he tries all possible tricks and trades to beat the loneliness, to no avail. One might have numerous friends and family around him, but then, when he passes on, he goes alone. None can keep him company on the onward journey, except, his vices and virtues.

If one performs good deeds in his lifetime, he alone gets to reap the benefit of those virtues. He cannot say, 'I think I have enough virtues in my share, maybe I'll share some with my spouse', or, 'I have collected ample merits, I would love to leave it for my children as an inheritance'!!

Likewise with vices too. One has to bear the brunt of his misdeeds all on his own as well. By simply saying that he was corrupt because he wanted to provide for his family, his family would not be able to shoulder accountability for his actions. He has to take it upon himself! He has no choice, actually. It comes with him automatically and he has to suffer the brunt—alone.

Life is even more lonely when one doesn't know himself. Be prudent.  Find comfort in your own company!  Because happiness is—being able to enjoy one's own company!  

pada vigrahaH:
एकः प्रसूयते जन्तुः एकः एव प्रलीयते ।
ekaḥ prasūyate jantuḥ ekaḥ eva pralīyate ।

एकः अनुभुङ्क्ते सुकृतम् एकः एव च दुष्कृतम् ॥
ekaḥ anubhuṅkte sukṛtam ekaḥ eva ca duṣkṛtam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ekaH prasUyate jantuH eka eva pralIyate ।
eko.nubhu~nkte sukRutam eka eva cha duShkRutam ॥
- bhaagavata

ekaH prasUyate jantuH ekaH eva pralIyate ।

ekaH anubhu~nkte sukRutam ekaH eva cha duShkRutam ॥

May 16th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एकः, क्षमावतां दोषः द्वितीयो नोपपद्यते ।
यदेनं क्षमया युक्तम् अशक्तं मन्यते जनः ॥
- आपस्तम्बस्मृति


Transliteration:
ekaḥ, kṣamāvatāṃ doṣaḥ dvitīyo nopapadyate ।
yadenaṃ kṣamayā yuktam aśaktaṃ manyate janaḥ ॥
- āpastambasmṛti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

There is only one fault about the patient (people), a second is non-existent. If they are conjoined with patience, people think they are incapable.

Commentary:

Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience.

Patience is a companion of wisdom.

Patience is also a form of action!

Despite all these sayings, patience often gets mistaken. Those who exhibit patience, are presumed to be incompetent or unfit. Quite contrary to this misnomer, it takes a lot of courage and willpower to be patient! If one is patient, it is not because he is incapable of facing a challenge. Reacting with rage instantaneously is the easiest thing to do.

The poet says patience has no downside—except that it gives a misconception to others as a weakness. Keeping cool and being patient gives one everything (now or in the future). Well, it takes patience to reap the benefits of patience as well!

One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life!  Be patient.  

Patience isn't a sign of weakness, anger is! 

pada vigrahaH:
एकः, क्षमावतां दोषः द्वितीयः न उपपद्यते ।
ekaḥ, kṣamāvatāṃ doṣaḥ dvitīyaḥ na upapadyate ।

यत् एनं क्षमया युक्तम् अशक्तं मन्यते जनः ॥
yat enaṃ kṣamayā yuktam aśaktaṃ manyate janaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ekaH, kShamaavataaM doShaH dvitIyo nopapadyate ।
yadenaM kShamayaa yuktam ashaktaM manyate janaH ॥
- aapastambasmRuti

ekaH, kShamaavataaM doShaH dvitIyaH na upapadyate ।

yat enaM kShamayaa yuktam ashaktaM manyate janaH ॥

May 13th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
ऐक्यं बलं समाजस्य तदभावे स दुर्बलः ।
तस्मादैक्यं प्रशंसन्ति दृढं राष्ट्रहितैशिणः ॥

Transliteration:
aikyaṃ balaṃ samājasya tadabhāve sa durbalaḥ ।
tasmādaikyaṃ praśaṃsanti dṛḍhaṃ rāṣṭrahitaiśiṇaḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Unity is the strength of society; scarcity of which makes it weak. Hence, the well-wishers of the empires have upheld unity.

Commentary:

There is immense strength in unity. When a society is unified in one force, it becomes very difficult for an outsider to penetrate or infiltrate into their ecosystem. When there are divisions in this unifying force, the whole society and the empire/nation, in turn, become vulnerable. Hence, the well-wishers of nations have sung praises of unity. It has been a vital force during the freedom struggles of many countries.

If the same principle is brought down to a family unit, it still holds good! Unity in a family keeps the family together and this, in turn, boosts the confidence/faith of each individual person.

At workplaces, 'team spirit' is regarded highly and people who possess it are considered 'easy to work with'. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. 

It is even seen in the story of the 'Pigeons and the Hunter' where the birds caught in a hunter's net could all escape easily because of unity.

The famous quote, 'united we stand, divided we fall' holds good at all times, in all eras, and at all levels.  Remember, 'Individually we are one drop.  Together, we are an ocean!'

pada vigrahaH:
ऐक्यं बलं समाजस्य तत् अभावे सः दुर्बलः ।
aikyaṃ balaṃ samājasya tat abhāve saḥ durbalaḥ ।

तस्मात् ऐक्यं प्रशंसन्ति दृढं राष्ट्र-हितैशिणः ॥
tasmāt aikyaṃ praśaṃsanti dṛḍhaṃ rāṣṭra-hitaiśiṇaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
aikyaM balaM samaajasya tadabhaave sa durbalaH ।
tasmaadaikyaM prashaMsanti dRuDhaM raaShTrahitaishiNaH ॥

aikyaM balaM samaajasya tat abhaave saH durbalaH ।

tasmaat aikyaM prashaMsanti dRuDhaM raaShTra-hitaishiNaH ॥

November 2nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एकेन शुष्कवृक्षेण दह्यमानेन वह्निना ।
दह्यते तद्वनं सर्वं कुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा ॥

Transliteration:
ekena śuṣkavṛkṣeṇa dahyamānena vahninā ।
dahyate tadvanaṃ sarvaṃ kuputreṇa kulaṃ yathā ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Just as one dry tree burning with fire is enough to burn a whole forest, similarly does a whole clan due to one ill-mannered child.

Commentary:

Even in a forest full of lush and green trees, one dead tree can turn into a cause for havoc. That tree can catch a flame and instantaneously turn into a blazing fire. Such a tree will not only burn itself but everything else around it as well. 

One ill-mannered child not only brings disgrace to himself but also to his friends and family. Again, it is the prime responsibility of the adults in the family to instill the right values and behavior in children from a very young age. 'As you sow, so shall you reap'.  Children will grow into the mold they were shaped in.  

Catch them young.  Teach them well. 

pada vigrahaH:

एकेन शुष्क वृक्षेण दह्यमानेन वह्निना ।
ekena śuṣka vṛkṣeṇa dahyamānena vahninā ।

दह्यते तत् वनं सर्वं कुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा ॥
dahyate tat vanaṃ sarvaṃ kuputreṇa kulaṃ yathā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ekena shuShkavRukSheNa dahyamaanena vahninaa ।
dahyate tadvanaM sarvaM kuputreNa kulaM yathaa ॥

ekena shuShka vRukSheNa dahyamaanena vahninaa ।

dahyate tat vanaM sarvaM kuputreNa kulaM yathaa ॥

November 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एकेनापि सुवृक्षेण पुष्पितेन सुगन्धिना ।
वासितं तद्वनं सर्वं सुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा ॥

Transliteration:
ekenāpi suvṛkṣeṇa puṣpitena sugandhinā ।
vāsitaṃ tadvanaṃ sarvaṃ suputreṇa kulaṃ yathā ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

(Just as) the whole forest becomes fragrant because of one nice tree with (aromatic) blooms, so does the entire family, due to one good son (progeny).

Commentary:

The good deeds performed by one person enhance the name of the whole tribe/community (those around him). Just as one flowering tree with fragrant blooms is sufficient to make the entire forest ambrosial, the same is true that one good person brings cheer to everyone around him.

Happiness is when you realize your children have turned into good people.  Children are the faces of the future. They represent a whole generation ahead of us. Sculpting them into virtuous adults with firm moral grounding is the most sacred responsibility that parents have. Such children not only bring joy to the people around them but make the world a better place to live in.

May each child become an individual with deep-set values!

pada vigrahaH:

एकेन अपि सुवृक्षेण पुष्पितेन सुगन्धिना ।
ekena api suvṛkṣeṇa puṣpitena sugandhinā ।

वासितं तत् वनं सर्वं सुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा ॥
vāsitaṃ tat vanaṃ sarvaṃ suputreṇa kulaṃ yathā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ekenaapi suvRukSheNa puShpitena sugandhinaa ।
vaasitaM tadvanaM sarvaM suputreNa kulaM yathaa ॥

ekena api suvRukSheNa puShpitena sugandhinaa ।

vaasitaM tat vanaM sarvaM suputreNa kulaM yathaa ॥

October 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
एकमेवाक्षरं यस्तु गुरुः शिष्यं प्रबोधयेत् ।
पृथिव्यां नास्ति तद्द्रव्यं यद्दत्वा चानृणीभवेत् ॥

Transliteration:
ekamevākṣaraṃ yastu guruḥ śiṣyaṃ prabodhayet ।
pṛthivyāṃ nāsti taddravyaṃ yaddatvā cānṛṇībhavet ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Even when the teacher has given the student insight into one syllable, there is no such wealth on this earth (one can give) to become free from this debt. 

Commentary:

A 'teacher' is not just a person officially anointed as a teacher. Any person from whom we learn should be considered a teacher. It does not even have to involve a huge amount of learning. The poet says, that even in an instance where one has learned only one syllable (alphabet) from a teacher, there isn't any wealth on this earth, which he can give to free himself from that 'ṛṇa' (debt)!

One can only imagine how immensely indebted we are to our true gurus, parents, and ācārya-s!  They enlighten us and lead us on the right path.  They take us from darkness towards light.  By no means, can we pay off that debt and claim ourselves to have become debt-free!  The only way to repay our debt is by paying it forward.  We can do so by learning their teachings, applying them in our lives, and passing on the knowledge to others.

Great opportunities to help others seldom come by, but small ones surround us every day!  Giving back to society by whatever means or form should become second nature. 

pada vigrahaH:
एकम् एव अक्षरं यः तु गुरुः शिष्यं प्रबोधयेत् ।
ekam eva akṣaraṃ yaḥ tu guruḥ śiṣyaṃ prabodhayet ।

पृथिव्यां न अस्ति तत् द्रव्यं यत् दत्वा च अनृणी भवेत् ॥
pṛthivyāṃ na asti tat dravyaṃ yat datvā ca anṛṇī bhavet ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ekamevaakSharaM yastu guruH shiShyaM prabodhayet ।
pRuthivyaaM naasti taddravyaM yaddatvaa chaanRuNIbhavet ॥

ekam eva akSharaM yaH tu guruH shiShyaM prabodhayet ।

pRuthivyaaM naasti tat dravyaM yat datvaa cha anRuNI bhavet ॥