July 22nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रात्रिर्गमिष्यति भविष्यति सुप्रभातम्
भास्वानुदेष्यति हसिष्यति पङ्कजश्रीः ।
इत्थं विचिन्तयति कोशगते द्विरेफे
हा हन्त हन्त नलिनीं गज उज्जहार ॥
- कुवलयानन्द

Transliteration:
rātrirgamiṣyati bhaviṣyati suprabhātam
bhāsvānudeṣyati hasiṣyati paṅkajaśrīḥ ।
itthaṃ vicintayati kośagate dvirephe
hā hanta hanta nalinīṃ gaja ujjahāra ॥
- kuvalayānanda

Meaning of the subhAShita:

"The night shall pass, dawn shall arrive, the sun shall rise, and the lotus shall bloom"—even as the bee stuck in the lotus bud was thinking; Alas, alas, an elephant uprooted the lotus!!

Commentary:
Timing is everything or destiny has the final say?!

This verse is the height of poetic fiction!  Here, he narrates the story of a busy little bee anxious to get the last sip of nectar before the fall of the day.  He hovered over a lotus and settled down for a drink.  But since it was almost dusk, the lotus closed its petals to rest for the day and the bee got stuck inside the petals.  There was no way it could get out from the tight grasp of the tender petals of the closed lotus bud!  So, the bee consoled itself thus, "The night shall pass, daybreak shall come, the sun shall rise, and the lotus shall bloom..."—so that when the flower opened the petals, it could fly away.  But alas, what luck!  Even as the bee was thinking thus, a rutting elephant uprooted the closed lotus bud!!  Now that the lotus wasn't rooted anymore, neither the rise of the sun nor the midday scorch could bring a difference in the petals.  The bud will never ever open again, thus trapping the bee inside to draw its last breath! 

Like they say, 'it is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped'!  Perhaps, the outcome would have been different if the bee had judged the time of the day better.  Perhaps, the bee would have been spared if he wasn't greedy for that one last sip.  Perhaps, the consequence would have been different if the bee was swift enough to fly out just as the bud was closing up.  Perhaps..., perhaps... These can only be speculations.

Many times, one would never know what would have happened differently if he made different choices.  Perhaps, it is the choices, and not chances, that determine one's destiny!  It is probably for oneself to decide...

pada vigrahaH:
रात्रिः गमिष्यति भविष्यति सुप्रभातम्
rātriḥ gamiṣyati bhaviṣyati suprabhātam

भास्वान् उदेष्यति हसिष्यति पङ्कजश्रीः ।
bhāsvān udeṣyati hasiṣyati paṅkajaśrīḥ ।

इत्थं विचिन्तयति कोश-गते द्विरेफे
itthaṃ vicintayati kośa-gate dvirephe

हा हन्त हन्त नलिनीं गज उज्जहार ॥
hā hanta hanta nalinīṃ gaja ujjahāra ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
raatrirgamiShyati bhaviShyati suprabhaatam
bhaaswaanudeShyati hasiShyati pa~nkajashrIH ।
itthaM vichintayati koshagate dvirephe
haa hanta hanta nalinIM gaja ujjahaara ॥
- kuvalayaananda

raatriH gamiShyati bhaviShyati suprabhaatam

bhaaswaan udeShyati hasiShyati pa~nkajashrIH ।

itthaM vichintayati kosha-gate dvirephe

haa hanta hanta nalinIM gaja ujjahaara ॥

September 20th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रोहते सायकैर्विद्धं वनं परशुना हतम् ।
वाचा दुरुक्तं बीभत्सं न सम्रोहति वाक्क्षतम् ॥
- महाभारत, उद्योगपर्व

Transliteration:
rohate sāyakairviddhaṃ vanaṃ paraśunā hatam ।
vācā duruktaṃ bībhatsaṃ na samrohati vākkṣatam ॥
- mahābhārata, udyogaparva

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The (injury) caused by an arrow might heal; a forest felled with an axe may sprout. (But) the (wound) caused by a spiteful, mean word will barely recover.

Commentary:

Physical injuries are quick to mend. The body has the natural ability to try to fix the wound at the earliest. Even if chopped to the ground with an axe, plants have the strength to sprout forth new growth again. But, when a spiteful word is spoken, the damage caused is tremendous!

Without any physical contact, one can easily hurt someone's heart and kill their spirit. Words have colossal power hidden in them. They can either make or break the listener at many levels. One has to be very cautious at all times and watch his words. Sped arrows and spoken words can never be taken back. Once out of the mouth, it can be considered as permanent as written on stone. They get etched in the mind of the listener forever.

Speech is often regretted. Sticks and stones may break the bones, but spiteful words can kill the heart! Words and hearts must be handled with care, for words when spoken and hearts when broken are the hardest things to repair. Taking a moment to think before saying something might save a lot of grief for everyone involved. 

pada vigrahaH:
रोहते सायकैः विद्धं वनं परशुना हतम् ।
rohate sāyakaiḥ viddhaṃ vanaṃ paraśunā hatam ।

वाचा दुर्-उक्तं बीभत्सं न सम्-रोहति वाक्-क्षतम् ॥
vācā dur-uktaṃ bībhatsaṃ na sam-rohati vāk-kṣatam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
rohate saayakairviddhaM vanaM parashunaa hatam ।
vaachaa duruktaM bIbhatsaM na samrohati vaakkShatam ॥
- mahaabhaarata, udyogaparva

rohate saayakaiH viddhaM vanaM parashunaa hatam ।

vaachaa dur-uktaM bIbhatsaM na sam-rohati vaak-kShatam ॥

September 13th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रिक्तपाणिर्नपश्येत राजानं दैवतं गुरुम् ।
दैवज्ञं पुत्रकं मित्रं फलेन फलमादिशेत्॥
Transliteration:
riktapāṇirnapaśyeta rājānaṃ daivataṃ gurum ।
daivajñaṃ putrakaṃ mitraṃ phalena phalamādiśet॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Do not go empty-handed to see a king, God, a teacher, an astrologer, a child, or a friend. Invoke fruitfulness with fruit!

Commentary:

There is always a purpose behind visiting someone—it could be love, reverence, devotion, affection, or even fear. Without purpose, one wouldn’t endure the effort or inconvenience of a visit. To make such a visit meaningful, why not begin with a thoughtful gesture? For instance, bringing fruit to offer symbolizes goodwill and respect.

When visiting a king, a deity at a temple, a teacher, an astrologer, a child, or a friend, it is a gracious practice to bring something along. Arriving empty-handed to such places and occasions is often seen as unconventional and uncustomary. Bringing a token of thoughtfulness demonstrates that you cared enough to consider the person even before meeting them. This simple act of consideration can bring happiness to the recipient. Whether it’s a fruit, flower, dish, or snack, the gesture matters more than the gift itself.

A gift should be chosen with care—suiting the recipient—and offered with respect. A wise person values the love and intention behind a gift far more than its material value. Indeed, the way a gift is given carries greater significance than the gift itself.

When giving, give with thoughtfulness. When receiving, embrace the thoughtfulness of the giver!

pada vigrahaH:
रिक्त-पाणिः न पश्येत राजानं दैवतं गुरुम् ।
rikta-pāṇiḥ na paśyeta rājānaṃ daivataṃ gurum ।

दैवज्ञं पुत्रकं मित्रं फलेन फलम् आदिशेत् ॥
daivajñaṃ putrakaṃ mitraṃ phalena phalam ādiśet ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
riktapaaNirnapashyeta raajaanaM daivataM gurum ।
daivaj~naM putrakaM mitraM phalena phalamaadishet ॥

rikta-paaNiH na pashyeta raajaanaM daivataM gurum ।

daivaj~naM putrakaM mitraM phalena phalam aadishet ॥

July 22nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रत्नाकरः किं करोति स्वरत्नैः
विन्ध्याचलः किं करिभिः करोति ।
श्रीखन्ण्डखण्डैर्मलयाचलः किं
परोपकाराय सतां विभूतयः ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Transliteration:
ratnākaraḥ kiṃ karoti svaratnaiḥ
vindhyācalaḥ kiṃ karibhiḥ karoti ।
śrīkhanṇḍakhaṇḍairmalayācalaḥ kiṃ
paropakārāya satāṃ vibhūtayaḥ ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:

What will the ocean do with its own gems? What will the vindhyā mountain do with the elephants (dwelling) there? Of what use are the sandal trees to the malaya mountain? The wealth of the noble is for the benefaction of others.

Commentary:

Most people spend their wealth on themselves—there's no greatness in that!

Yet, nature offers countless examples that stand in contrast to this mindset. An ocean is a storehouse for multitudes of precious gems. But does it use even a single prized stone to deck itself up? The vindhyā mountain is the house for many herds of elephants. Yet it does not direct them to work for its needs! There are more sandalwood trees on the malaya mountain than in any other place on Earth. But the mountain doesn't have any use for them!

Similarly, the noble do not obsess over their possessions. Instead, they put their wealth to use for the benefit of others. They are neither selfish nor attached to their material possessions. For them, 'using their wealth for the right purpose' takes more priority than 'for whom it is being used'!

If you have much, give your wealth; if you have little, certainly give your heart! There is never a scarcity for that! Just do every action wholeheartedly. The results will increase multifold.

pada vigrahaH:
रत्नाकरः किं करोति स्व-रत्नैः
ratnākaraḥ kiṃ karoti sva-ratnaiḥ

विन्ध्याचलः किं करिभिः करोति ।
vindhyācalaḥ kiṃ karibhiḥ karoti ।

श्रीखन्ण्ड-खण्डैः मलयाचलः किं
śrīkhanṇḍa-khaṇḍaiḥ malayācalaḥ kiṃ

पर-उपकाराय सतां विभूतयः ॥
para-upakārāya satāṃ vibhūtayaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ratnaakaraH kiM karoti svaratnaiH
vindhyaachalaH kiM karibhiH karoti ।
shrIkhanNDakhaNDairmalayaachalaH kiM
paropakaaraaya sataaM vibhUtayaH ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

ratnaakaraH kiM karoti sva-ratnaiH

vindhyaachalaH kiM karibhiH karoti ।

shrIkhanNDa-khaNDaiH malayaachalaH kiM

para-upakaaraaya sataaM vibhUtayaH ॥

July 19th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
राजपत्नी गुरोः पत्नी मित्रपत्नी तथैव च ।
पत्नीमाता स्वमाता च पञ्चैता मातरः स्मृताः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
rājapatnī guroḥ patnī mitrapatnī tathaiva ca ।
patnīmātā svamātā ca pañcaitā mātaraḥ smṛtāḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A king's wife, teacher's wife, friend's wife, wife's mother, and his own (birth) mother: these 5 should be deemed as mother figures.

Commentary:

It is said, 'God couldn't be everywhere, so he made mothers!'  In a lifetime, one doesn't come across just one mother but many who fill that role. Hence, all of them deserve the same reverence as their own mother.

1. A leader or king protects and prospers the nation. He is revered as the father of his subjects. His wife is respected as a mother because she walks hand in hand with him for the welfare of the land.
2. A teacher guides and makes a person an able being. In the olden days, students lived at their teacher's house until learning was completed. The wife of the teacher fed them and showed affection to them just as a mother would. She is revered for her tending and affection.
3. A friend is a trusted person who stands by through thick and thin. Can that trust be repaid by disrespecting his wife? The highest position of honor one can give is that of a mother. Hence, the friend's wife is given this honor.
4. The mother of one's own wife is given this utmost regard. This is because the wife instills values in the entire family. All that she has learnt is through her mother. She passes on the teaching to her children in the household. Veneration to the wife's mother is for teaching ethics to his wife and giving away the daughter that she had nurtured so diligently!
5. If one says giving the highest order of reverence to others is that of a mother, what to speak of his own mother! She is the one who nurtures him in her womb, gives birth to him, tends to him, teaches him life's essence, instills ethics in him, and gives direction to his life. She does pretty much everything in her capacity to make sure that her child is secure and ready to take on life! Respecting her is not an option, it is natural! There are no words or deeds with which one can repay his mother. All one can do is imbibe her values, be the person she intended him to be, and be eternally grateful to her!

Like they say, 'It takes a village to raise a child'! All these roles of mothers contribute significantly. 'Beings are what their mothers made them'. Mothers are always held in the highest esteem!

pada vigrahaH:
राज-पत्नी गुरोः पत्नी मित्र-पत्नी तथ एव च ।
rāja-patnī guroḥ patnī mitra-patnī tatha eva ca ।

पत्नी-माता स्व-माता च पञ्च एताः मातरः स्मृताः ॥
patnī-mātā sva-mātā ca pañca etāḥ mātaraḥ smṛtāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
raajapatnI guroH patnI mitrapatnI tathaiva cha ।
patnImaataa svamaataa cha pa~nchaitaa maataraH smRutaaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

raaja-patnI guroH patnI mitra-patnI tatha eva cha ।

patnI-maataa sva-maataa cha pa~ncha etaaH maataraH smRutaaH ॥

March 30th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रूपयौवनसम्पन्नाः विशालकुलसंभवाः ।
विद्याहीना न शोभन्ते निर्गन्धा इव किंशुकाः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
rūpayauvanasampannāḥ viśālakulasaṃbhavāḥ ।
vidyāhīnā na śobhante nirgandhā iva kiṃśukāḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Just as flowers without fragrance, those adorned with beauty and youth (although) born to a splendid lineage, do not shine if not learned.

Commentary:

The very thought of a flower brings to mind the image of colorful and artistic petals with mesmerizing fragrances. A flower without fragrance doesn't even attract bees. What is the use of a flower that doesn't attract bees?!

A person may be in the prime of his youth with the most beautiful face. He may be born to the most splendid and reputed of families too. However, none of the above qualities make a lasting impression if he doesn't have the one main adornment called vidyā (knowledge). 

Learning and knowledge have been given prime importance since time immemorial. This verse goes on to say that a person who is not adorned with vidyā (knowledge) does not shine!

Get learning! It is a win-win situation!!

pada vigrahaH:
रूप-यौवन सम्पन्नाः विशाल-कुल-संभवाः ।
rūpa-yauvana sampannāḥ viśāla-kula-saṃbhavāḥ ।

विद्या-हीना न शोभन्ते निर्गन्धाः इव किंशुकाः ॥
vidyā-hīnā na śobhante nirgandhāḥ iva kiṃśukāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
rUpayauvanasampannaaH vishaalakulasaMbhavaaH ।
vidyaahInaa na shobhante nirgandhaa iva kiMshukaaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

rUpa-yauvana sampannaaH vishaala-kula-saMbhavaaH ।

vidyaa-hInaa na shobhante nirgandhaaH iva kiMshukaaH ॥

January 4th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
राजा बन्धुरबन्धूनां राजा चक्षुरचक्षुषां ।
राजा पिता च माता च राजा चार्तिहरो गुरुः ॥

Transliteration:
rājā bandhurabandhūnāṃ rājā cakṣuracakṣuṣāṃ ।
rājā pitā ca mātā ca rājā cārtiharo guruḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The king is a relative to those who don't have kinsmen; the king is the eye for those without eyes; the king is also a mother and father; and the king is the teacher who takes away distress.

Commentary:

For a nation to prosper, its king should have his heart and mind in the right places. The position of a king is such that he needs to act as the kinsman for even those who do not have any kith and kin in this world. He cannot discriminate between his citizens. He should act as the eyes for the blind, meaning he should provide aid in all possible ways to make life comfortable for all those who are challenged. Eyes here are not necessarily the physical eyesight, but those who lack vision too.  A king has to be the visionary to guide them and lead them.  More importantly, he is the mother as well as the father to his whole nation. He is the teacher who guides his people away from distress and trouble.

Such should be the quality of a leader. The title could be King, President, Prime Minister, Mayor, or even Parent! They are leaders in their own right. When leaders have the correct approach to things, all the people under them will prosper, which in turn, allows the entire nation to prosper. This is the universal truth.

Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others to prosper. 

pada vigrahaH:

राजा बन्धुः अबन्धूनां राजा चक्षुः अचक्षुषां ।
rājā bandhuḥ abandhūnāṃ rājā cakṣuḥ acakṣuṣāṃ ।

राजा पिता च माता च राजा च आर्ति-हरः गुरुः ॥
rājā pitā ca mātā ca rājā ca ārti haraḥ-guruḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
raajaa bandhurabandhUnaaM raajaa chakShurachakShuShaaM ।
raajaa pitaa cha maataa cha raajaa chaartiharo guruH ॥

raajaa bandhuH abandhUnaaM raajaa chakShuH achakShuShaaM ।

raajaa pitaa cha maataa cha raajaa cha aarti-haraH guruH ॥

October 6th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रे रे चातक सावधानमनसा मित्र क्षणं श्रूयताम्
अम्भोदा बहवो वसन्ति गगने सर्वेऽपि नैकादृशाः ।
केचित् वृष्टिभिराद्रयन्ति वसुधां गर्जन्ति केचिद्वृथा
यं यं पश्यसि तस्य तस्य पुरतो मा ब्रूहि दीनं वचः ॥
- नीतिशतक


Transliteration:
re re cātaka sāvadhānamanasā mitra kṣaṇaṃ śrūyatām
ambhodā bahavo vasanti gagane sarve'pi naikādṛśāḥ ।
kecit vṛṣṭibhirādrayanti vasudhāṃ garjanti kecidvṛthā
yaṃ yaṃ paśyasi tasya tasya purato mā brūhi dīnaṃ vacaḥ ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Hey Chātaka! My friend, listen mindfully for a minute. There are many clouds residing in the skies, but not all of them are the same. Some will dampen the earth with their waters, while some roar wastefully. Don't implore every (passing cloud) you see (in the sky).

Commentary:

Allegory says that Chātaka is a bird that has its beak on its head.  Hence, it is unable to drink any water that has already reached the ground but can only drink directly from the rain. It stands with its beak wide open, looking at the skies.

This subhāṣita is an advice to one such thirsty bird, crying for water. He begs every passing cloud to please show mercy on him and shower him with its waters. The poet is advising the bird to remain composed. There is no use pleading to every cloud because not all of them carry rain. Some simply roar while a few others quench the thirst of the earth with their cool waters.

Here the Chātaka bird is a metaphor used to advise people. We should be aware of whom to ask for help from.  Not everyone is willing or eager to offer a helping hand.  Beseeching such people who think it is beneath them to be kind, is only a waste of time.  It is pointless to implore or plead with them as it only demeans one's own self-respect.

Make proper judgment.  Do not lose self-respect. Otherwise, we will always be under someone else foot.  Self-respect has to be stronger than your passing feelings. 

pada vigrahaH:

रे रे चातक सावधान मनसा मित्र क्षणं श्रूयताम्
re re cātaka! sāvadhāna manasā mitra kṣaṇaṃ śrūyatām

अम्भोदाः बहवः वसन्ति गगने सर्वे अपि न एकादृशाः ।
ambhodāḥ bahavaḥ vasanti gagane sarve api na ekādṛśāḥ ।

केचित् वृष्टिभिः आद्रयन्ति वसुधां गर्जन्ति केचित् वृथा
kecit vṛṣṭibhiḥ ādrayanti vasudhāṃ garjanti kecit vṛthā

यं यं पश्यसि तस्य तस्य पुरतः मा ब्रूहि दीनं वचः ॥
yaṃ yaṃ paśyasi tasya tasya purataḥ mā brūhi dīnaṃ vacaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
re re chaataka! saavadhaanamanasaa mitra kShaNaM shrUyataam
ambhodaa bahavo vasanti gagane sarve.pi naikaadRushaaH ।
kechit vRuShTibhiraadrayanti vasudhaaM garjanti kechidvRuthaa
yaM yaM pashyasi tasya tasya purato maa brUhi dInaM vachaH ॥
- neetishataka

re re chaataka! saavadhaana manasaa mitra kShaNaM shrUyataam

ambhodaaH bahavaH vasanti gagane sarve api na ekaadRushaaH ।

kechit vRuShTibhiH aadrayanti vasudhaaM garjanti kechit vRuthaa

yaM yaM pashyasi tasya tasya purataH maa brUhi dInaM vachaH ॥