September 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चित्ते प्रसन्ने भुवनं प्रसन्नं चित्ते विषण्णे भुवनं विषण्णम् ।
अतोऽभिलाषो यदि ते सुखे स्यात् चित्तप्रसादे प्रथमं यतस्व ॥

Transliteration:
citte prasanne bhuvanaṃ prasannaṃ citte viṣaṇṇe bhuvanaṃ viṣaṇṇam ।
ato'bhilāṣo yadi te sukhe syāt cittaprasāde prathamaṃ yatasva ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

If the mind is happy, the entire world (seems) happy.  If the mind is despondent, the whole world (seems) despondent.  Hence, if you desire happiness, strive towards the happiness of the mind first.

Commentary:

It's all in the mind! 

The mind, by definition, is the set of cognitive faculties that enables consciousness, perception, thinking, judgment, and memory. It is subtle—imperceptible through the five gross sense organs—and can only be experienced by oneself. While we may attempt to understand another’s mind, complete perception is exclusive to the individual. A subhāṣita even exaggerates this, stating, "That which is in one’s mind cannot be perceived even by Lord Brahma, the creator." Such is the complexity of the mind!

Having established the intricacy of the mind, what role does it play in shaping one’s outlook? Simply put, if the mind is happy, the world appears joyful and vibrant; if the mind is sad, the world seems gloomy and bleak. The same surroundings can feel vastly different depending on the state of one’s mind. Naturally, no one wants sadness—we all seek happiness and peace. So, the first step is to focus on keeping the mind happy!

How can this be achieved? By cultivating a positive outlook on life, trusting that a higher power is always watching over us, and believing that everything happens for our betterment. A positive attitude fosters a merry mind. A child is inherently happy without needing a reason—if we adults could adopt that simplicity, the world would truly become a beautiful place. With a healthy mind, even physical ailments could diminish, as a cheerful mind contributes to a healthy body. The state of one’s mind influences every level of being—body, mind, and intellect.

To become a well-rounded individual, it is essential to nurture a positive and cheerful mind. Stay happy, and embrace the journey of understanding life!

pada vigrahaH:
चित्ते प्रसन्ने भुवनं प्रसन्नं चित्ते विषण्णे भुवनं विषण्णम् ।
citte prasanne bhuvanaṃ prasannaṃ citte viṣaṇṇe bhuvanaṃ viṣaṇṇam ।

अत: अभिलाषः यदि ते सुखे स्यात् चित्त-प्रसादे प्रथमं यतस्व ॥
ataḥ abhilāṣaḥ yadi te sukhe syāt citta-prasāde prathamaṃ yatasva ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chitte prasanne bhuvanaM prasannaM chitte viShaNNe bhuvanaM viShaNNam ।
ato.bhilaaSho yadi te sukhe syaat chittaprasaade prathamaM yatasva ॥

chitte prasanne bhuvanaM prasannaM chitte viShaNNe bhuvanaM viShaNNam ।

ataH abhilaaShaH yadi te sukhe syaat chitta-prasaade prathamaM yatasva ॥

June 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
छिन्नोऽपि रोहति तरुः क्षीणोऽप्युपचीयते चन्द्रः ।
इति विमृशन्तस्सन्तः सन्तप्यन्ते न लोकेऽस्मिन् ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार


Transliteration:
chinno'pi rohati taruḥ kṣīṇo'pyupacīyate candraḥ ।
iti vimṛśantassantaḥ santapyante na loke'smin ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A tree rejuvenates even when cut (and) the moon grows back even after waning—analyzing thus, the wise do not torment themselves in this world.

Commentary:

It is generally seen that any progress comes with a price. There are hurdles to face and regressions to take place along the way. It is easy to lose heart and give up on the endeavor altogether. However, the wise and tenacious do not let these shortcomings dishearten them. They are well aware of such scenarios and analyze the circumstances as:

• a tree, even when pruned and chopped, has the vibrancy to give new shoots and rejuvenate itself! 
• the moon wanes during one half of the month, then waxes and grows back during the other half! 

Keeping this in mind, they take the impending obstacles as temporary offsets and do not let themselves succumb to those hurdles. They do not torment themselves, instead, they work harder towards making things better with every effort they can.

Hope is the ability to see light despite all the darkness. No matter what happens, or how bad it may seem today..., life goes on and there will be a better tomorrow! 

pada vigrahaH:
छिन्नः अपि रोहति तरुः क्षीणः अपि उपचीयते चन्द्रः ।
chinnaḥ api rohati taruḥ kṣīṇaḥ api upacīyate candraḥ ।

इति विमृशन्तः सन्तः सन्तप्यन्ते न लोके अस्मिन् ॥
iti vimṛśantaḥ santaḥ santapyante na loke asmin ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
Chinno.pi rohati taruH kShINo.pyupachIyate chandraH ।
iti vimRushantassantaH santapyante na loke.smin ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

ChinnaH api rohati taruH kShINaH api upachIyate chandraH ।

iti vimRushantaH santaH santapyante na loke asmin ॥

May 29th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चत्वारो धनदायादाः धर्माग्निनृपतस्कराः ।
तेषां ज्येष्ठावमानेन त्रयः कुप्यन्ति सोदराः ॥
- त्रिशतीव्याख्या, नीति


Transliteration:
catvāro dhanadāyādāḥ dharmāgninṛpataskarāḥ ।
teṣāṃ jyeṣṭhāvamānena trayaḥ kupyanti sodarāḥ ॥
- triśatīvyākhyā, nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The four cousins of wealth are virtue, fire, king, and thief. If the older one, virtue, is disrespected, the other three brothers get livid!

Commentary:

The rivalry between cousins is very well established in the epic, Mahābhārata. When a cousin shows negligence towards one of the brothers, all the other brothers stand up against him until he is crushed to dust. The poet has beautifully extended this to compare money/wealth to the likes of Duryodhana. Virtue, fire, king, and thief (although only 4 here), are the Pāṇḍavas.  If the first brother (virtue) is disrespected by their cousin (wealth), then the rest of the brothers (fire, king, and thief) are enraged.  Together, they will destroy the evil brother and avenge the disrespect of their own brother (virtue). 

The metaphorical meaning here is, that if wealth were to be used for unjust purposes which disrespect or humiliate virtue, it would have to face the wrath of 3 types of calamities—fire, king, and thief! These 3 will be the reason for the downfall of wealth that is not used for performing good deeds. Such wealth can get destroyed:

• by fire or another such natural calamity; 
• a king or an official might annex it; or
• a thief might lay his hands on it. 

Either way, the owner of such wealth would not be able to keep his wealth!

Wealth, like happiness, is never attained when sought after directly. It comes as a by-product of performing virtuous deeds.  Wealth is worthless when the curtains are closing down, but righteousness delivers from death. Be righteous!

pada vigrahaH:
चत्वारः धन-दायादाः धर्म-अग्नि-नृप-तस्कराः ।
catvāraḥ dhana-dāyādāḥ dharma-agni-nṛpa-taskarāḥ ।

तेषां ज्येष्ठ-अवमानेन त्रयः कुप्यन्ति सोदराः ॥
teṣāṃ jyeṣṭha-avamānena trayaḥ kupyanti sodarāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chatvaaro dhanadaayaadaaH dharmaagninRupataskaraaH ।
teShaaM jyeShThaavamaanena trayaH kupyanti sodaraaH ॥
- trishatIvyaakhyaa, nIti

chatvaaraH dhana-daayaadaaH dharma-agni-nRupa-taskaraaH ।

teShaaM jyeShTha-avamaanena trayaH kupyanti sodaraaH ॥

May 20th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चराणामन्नमचराः दंष्ट्रिणामप्यदंष्ट्रिणः ।
अहस्ताश्च सहस्तानां शूराणां चैव भीरवः ॥
- मनुस्मृति


Transliteration:
carāṇāmannamacarāḥ daṃṣṭriṇāmapyadaṃṣṭriṇaḥ ।
ahastāśca sahastānāṃ śūrāṇāṃ caiva bhīravaḥ ॥
- manusmṛti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Food for the mobile (deer, etc) are the immobile (grass, etc); for a predator (with sharp teeth, like lion, tiger, etc) are those without sharp teeth (deer, etc); hand-less (fruit, vegetables) are (food) for those with hands (humans); and for the brave, it is the coward.

Commentary:

The poet has deeply analyzed society and its functioning.  He makes a fair observation and quotes some timeless truths—Deer can go from one place to another, but they eat immobile grass. Carnivores, who have sharp teeth, eat deer which do not have sharp teeth. Humans have hands and their food is fruit and vegetable, which do not have hands. Similarly, the brave have courage and feed on those who do not have courage!

A tiger will never attack another tiger. A deer will never eat another deer. People are supposed to eat vegetarian. (That is a different topic altogether.) Even if they are eating meat today, it is because they have attained more power in their hands (in the form of ammunition). They can eat other animals too, simply because they have conquered their fear of the animal. Hence, if being harassed or bullied by a stronger person, one should not simply sympathize with himself and play the victim. That is why it is said, "He is not a victim of the bullier, but a victim of his own cowardice!" 

Whether we like it or not, this happens in the world more often than not! If one doesn't want to offer himself as food for the ones with more strength, he has only one choice—he must embrace courage himself. At the same time, strength is not for bullying others. It should be accompanied by compassion and ethics.

Do not be a coward and become food for bullies.  Also, people with real merit use their strength for the benefit of others and do not make others feel insignificant! 

pada vigrahaH:
चराणाम् अन्नम् अचराः दंष्ट्रिणाम् अपि अदंष्ट्रिणः ।
carāṇām annam acarāḥ daṃṣṭriṇām api adaṃṣṭriṇaḥ ।

अहस्ताः च सहस्तानां शूराणां च एव भीरवः ॥
ahastāḥ ca sahastānāṃ śūrāṇāṃ ca eva bhīravaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
charaaNaamannamacharaaH daMShTriNaamapyadaMShTriNaH ।
ahastaashcha sahastaanaaM shUraaNaaM chaiva bhIravaH ॥
- manusmRuti

charaaNaam annam acharaaH daMShTriNaam api adaMShTriNaH ।

ahastaaH cha sahastaanaaM shUraaNaaM cha eva bhIravaH ॥

March 28th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चलन्ति गिरयः कामं युगान्तपवनाहताः ।
कृच्छ्रेऽपि न चलत्येव धीराणां निश्चलं मनः ॥
- चण्डकौशिक


Transliteration:
calanti girayaḥ kāmaṃ yugāntapavanāhatāḥ ।
kṛcchre'pi na calatyeva dhīrāṇāṃ niścalaṃ manaḥ ॥
- caṇḍakauśika

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Struck by the winds, mountains move willfully during the apocalypse. But even in difficult times, the mind of the steadfast remains unperturbed. 

Commentary:

The mountains are extremely steady and immobile, yet in an exceptional scenario, they lose this defining trait of theirs. Gusty winds will make them yield and mountains will move during an apocalypse. All their tenacity will be squashed to an obscure nothing when annihilation is underway.

However, those who are steadfast, brave, and courageous, will remain strong—no matter the circumstances. Impending hardships and calamities only make them stronger. There is no exception! Such is the strength of their willpower. Their minds remain steady, unperturbed, and immensely strong. For, if the mind succumbs to hardships, it just hijacks the person like a twig of grass caught in a whirlwind.

Keep your focus, remain steadfast, and dig your roots deep!

pada vigrahaH:
चलन्ति गिरयः कामं युग-अन्त-पवन-आहताः ।
calanti girayaḥ kāmaṃ yuga-anta-pavana-āhatāḥ ।

कृच्छ्रे अपि न चलति एव धीराणां निश्चलं मनः ॥
kṛcchre api na calati eva dhīrāṇāṃ niścalaṃ manaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chalanti girayaH kaamaM yugaantapavanaahataaH ।
kRuchChre.pi na chalatyeva dhIraaNaaM nishchalaM manaH ॥
- chaNDakaushika

chalanti girayaH kaamaM yuga-anta-pavana-aahataaH ।

kRuchChre api na chalati eva dhIraaNaaM nishchalaM manaH ॥

March 18th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चला लक्ष्मीश्चलाः प्राणाः चलं जीवितयौवनम् ।
चलाचले च संसारे धर्म एको हि निश्चलः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
calā lakṣmīścalāḥ prāṇāḥ calaṃ jīvitayauvanam ।
calācale ca saṃsāre dharma eko hi niścalaḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Variable is wealth, unsteady is life's vital breath, and changeable is life and youth. In this world of steady and unsteady, virtue is the one and only firm (aspect).

Commentary:

One may be the richest person in town, but at any given instant his riches could be burnt to ashes. A healthy person could die with his breath stopping, without even giving a hint. It is a known fact that youth is short-lived and passes on fast, as does life. In such a world of uncertainties and variable factors, people tend to anchor on things that are unstable to begin with! How can a sinking boat save a person from drowning? 

In this ocean of saṃsāra, a shore is not in sight until absolution is attained. If one wants to stay above water, he needs to hang on to a boulder that will not get battered by the high winds or water. Virtue or dharma is the one lone boulder that is eternal and remains steady, whether one takes its support or not. 

Then why hang on to the impermanent materialistic comforts when we are offered reliable, steady support to get through life?! Having a firm anchor makes the journey through the ocean of saṃsāra much easier and very pleasant. Again, the choice is ours and ours alone!

pada vigrahaH:
चलाः लक्ष्मीः चलाः प्राणाः चलं जीवित-यौवनम् ।
calāḥ lakṣmīḥ calāḥ prāṇāḥ calaṃ jīvita-yauvanam ।

चला-अचले च संसारे धर्मः एकः हि निश्चलः ॥
calā-acale ca saṃsāre dharmaḥ ekaḥ hi niścalaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chalaa lakShmIshchalaaH praaNaaH chalaM jIvita-yauvanam ।
chalaachale cha saMsaare dharma eko hi nishchalaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

chalaaH lakShmIH chalaaH praaNaaH chalaM jIvita-yauvanam ।

chalaa-achale cha saMsaare dharmaH ekaH hi nishchalaH ॥

March 4th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चित्तस्य शुद्धये कर्म न तु वस्तूपलब्धये ।
वस्तुसिद्धिर्विचारेण न किञ्चित् कर्मकोटिभिः ॥
- विवेकचूडामणि


Transliteration:
cittasya śuddhaye karma na tu vastūpalabdhaye ।
vastusiddhirvicāreṇa na kiñcit karmakoṭibhiḥ ॥
- vivekacūḍāmaṇi

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Action is for the cleansing of the mind, not the attainment of knowledge (आत्म-वस्तु विचार—ātma-vastu-vicāra—knowledge about the self). 'ātma-jñāna' is attained through self-inquiry, not by performing countless deeds.

Commentary:

Actions are essential for cleansing one's mind. However, performing numerous actions will not lead to true knowledge about oneself. This knowledge is attained only through constant self-inquiry and reflection about oneself constantly. 

It is not a dish that someone can prepare and present for someone else's consumption. This inquiry has to come from within and it stays with the inquirer. Scriptures, teachers, and books can only lead one in that direction. But what each person achieves using these tools is entirely up to himself. How he analyzes the teachings and reflects upon them, defines the depth of his understanding of 'ātma-jñāna' (knowledge about the Self).

Once knowledge is attained, this will drive him to do actions for the betterment of society without being attached to their fruit (result), which instantaneously makes him a 'yogi'.

pada vigrahaH:
चित्तस्य शुद्धये कर्म न तु वस्तु उपलब्धये ।
cittasya śuddhaye karma na tu vastu upalabdhaye ।

वस्तु-सिद्धिः विचारेण न किञ्चित् कर्म-कोटिभिः ॥
vastu-siddhiḥ vicāreṇa na kiñcit karma-koṭibhiḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chittasya shuddhaye karma na tu vastUpalabdhaye ।
vastusiddhirvichaareNa na ki~nchit karmakoTibhiH ॥
- vivekachUDaamaNi

chittasya shuddhaye karma na tu vastu upalabdhaye ।

vastu-siddhiH vichaareNa na ki~nchit karma-koTibhiH ॥

October 17th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
छायामन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति तिष्ठन्ति स्वयमातपे ।
फलन्त्यपि परार्थाय वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषा इव ॥
- विक्रमचरित

Transliteration:
chāyāmanyasya kurvanti tiṣṭhanti svayamātape ।
phalantyapi parārthāya vṛkṣāḥ satpuruṣā iva ॥
- vikramacarita

Meaning of the subhAShita:

(They) give shade to others (but) stand in the sun themselves; (and) bear fruit for the benefit of others; trees are like the noble people.

Commentary:

Save the trees!

Trees truly are noble. They are serving for the benefit of others in every way. They take the brunt and give the best to the rest. The shade of a tree is enjoyed only by others. A tree can never enjoy its own shade. Only if the tree stands in the Sun shall the rest of the world get its shade! The tree doesn't eat its own fruit either. It is enjoyed by the people, birds, and animals around it.

Similarly, noble people take the heat and make sure others are comfortable. They rejoice in doing good for others. This sets them apart from the rest.

True nobility is in giving happiness to others.

pada vigrahaH:
छायाम् अन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति तिष्ठन्ति स्वयम् आतपे ।
chāyām anyasya kurvanti tiṣṭhanti svayam ātape ।

फलन्ति अपि पर-अर्थाय वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव ॥
phalanti api para-arthāya vṛkṣāḥ satpuruṣāḥ iva ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
Chaayaamanyasya kurvanti tiShThanti swayamaatape ।
phalantyapi paraarthaaya vRukShaaH satpuruShaa iva ॥
- vikramacharita

Chaayaam anyasya kurvanti tiShThanti swayam aatape ।

phalanti api para-arthaaya vRukShaaH satpuruShaaH iva ॥

October 7th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चिन्तनीया हि विपदाम् आदावेव प्रतिक्रिया ।
न कूपखननं युक्तं प्रदीप्ते वह्निना गृहे ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

Transliteration:
cintanīyā hi vipadām ādāveva pratikriyā ।
na kūpakhananaṃ yuktaṃ pradīpte vahninā gṛhe ॥
- samayocitapadyamālikā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The remedy to a problem should be thought of ahead of time. It is not appropriate to dig a well when the house is on fire.

Commentary:

Fire hydrants! It is not a smart idea to start digging a well when the house is burning ablaze. The problem should be anticipated well ahead of time and appropriate plans should be made in case a crisis may occur. This is called planning.

Without planning, no job can be accomplished to its fullest potential. Crisis management should be given enough thought in the very beginning, else, the effort put into the actual job might go to waste.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail!  Get proactive. Plan intelligently.

pada vigrahaH:
चिन्तनीया हि विपदाम् आदौ एव प्रतिक्रिया ।
cintanīyā hi vipadām ādau eva pratikriyā ।

न कूप-खननं युक्तं प्रदीप्ते वह्निना गृहे ॥
na kūpa-khananaṃ yuktaṃ pradīpte vahninā gṛhe ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chintanIyaa hi vipadaam aadaaveva pratikriyaa ।
na kUpakhananaM yuktaM pradIpte vahninaa gRuhe ॥
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

chintanIyaa hi vipadaam aadau eva pratikriyaa ।

na kUpa-khananaM yuktaM pradIpte vahninaa gRuhe ॥

September 30th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
चिन्तायाश्च चितायाश्च बिन्दुमात्रं विशेषता ।
सजीवं दहते चिंता निर्जीवं दहते चिता ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

Transliteration:
cintāyāśca citāyāśca bindumātraṃ viśeṣatā ।
sajīvaṃ dahate ciṃtā nirjīvaṃ dahate citā ॥
- samayocitapadyamālikā

Meaning of the subhAShita:
The difference between चिता 'citā' and चिंता 'ciṃtā' is just a dot. While 'citā' burns one dead, 'ciṃtā' burns one alive.

Commentary:
When written on paper (in Sanskrit), the words citā and ciṃtā differ just by a bindu (dot). (Grammatically speaking, the word 'ciṃtā' has to be written as चिन्ता.  But the poet has taken the liberty of writing it as चिंता.  Therefore, he has said that the only difference is the 'dot on the top'.)

But the essence of these two words is entirely different from each other. While citā (pyre) burns a person after death, ciṃtā (anxiety) burns a person alive. This clearly illustrates that anxiety is more harmful than even the burning pyre. 

There isn't much that can be achieved by being anxious. No solutions have ever been reached by anxiety, except a bunch of health hazards. So why bother with it?

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, but will certainly take away today's peace.  Therefore, the motto should be, 'Don't worry, be happy'.

pada vigrahaH:
चिन्तायाः च चितायाः च बिन्दु-मात्रं विशेषता ।
cintāyāḥ ca citāyāḥ ca bindu-mātraṃ viśeṣatā ।

सजीवं दहते चिन्ता निर्जीवं दहते चिता ॥
sajīvaṃ dahate cintā nirjīvaṃ dahate citā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
chintaayaashcha chitaayaashcha bindumaatraM visheShataa ।
sajeevaM dahate chintaa nirjeevaM dahate chitaa ॥
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

chintaayaaH cha chitaayaaH cha bindu-maatraM visheShataa ।

sajeevaM dahate chintaa nirjeevaM dahate chitaa ॥