Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
स्त्रियो हि नाम खल्वेताः निसर्गादेव पण्डिताः ।
पुरुषाणां तु पाण्डित्यं शास्त्रैरेवोपदिश्यते ॥
- मृच्छकटिकTransliteration:
striyo hi nāma khalvetāḥ nisargādeva paṇḍitāḥ ।
puruṣāṇāṃ tu pāṇḍityaṃ śāstrairevopadiśyate ।।
- mṛcchakaṭika
Meaning of the subhAShita:
Certainly, by nature itself, women are indeed intelligent. On the other hand, men attain their intelligence through the study of scriptures alone.
Commentary:
Women are NOT equal to men! This may sound shocking, but consider the words that follow: "Men are not nearly as evolved as women, nor as intelligent, evidently."
As this verse says, it is written in the fabric of nature itself: women are born intelligent. This intelligence is not of the mind alone, but of the soul, the body, and the heart. A woman is graced with the singular gift of bringing new life into this world, holding that fragile life within her body, protecting it, and nurturing it through the most formative years. She requires a sharp intuition to do this and a deep knowing that surpasses logic.
Even in the animal kingdom, it is often the female who protects, nurtures, and tends to the young. She is instinctively attuned to the needs of her offspring, often with greater sensitivity and care than her male counterpart.
Intuition, then, is the most natural of feminine qualities. With inimitable certainty, a woman knows what is best for herself and her family. Even the simplest, most uneducated woman possesses the innate wisdom to care for her loved ones, manage her household, and make decisions that protect and provide. This wisdom does not stem from formal learning but from the deep well of her intuition. She uses her intelligence to find reasons to support her intuition. It is her superpower and it flows effortlessly.
However, not all women choose to, or are able to, tap into this inherent quality. Circumstances, choices, and personal experiences can shape how this innate intelligence manifests—or remains dormant. Yet, the potential for this profound connection to life and its sustenance remains a gift woven into the essence of womanhood.
In contrast, the path of the man is a different journey. A man’s intelligence must be earned, not inherited. As the saying goes, "I’d rather trust a woman’s instinct than a man’s reason." This doesn’t mean a man can’t be intelligent—he can—but his intelligence requires conscious effort, not the natural ease of a woman’s intuition. The true measure of intelligence is the ability to change, learn, and grow. As the poet suggests, a man must acquire knowledge through study, honing his intelligence through wisdom. He must work tirelessly to sharpen his mind, hone his reasoning, and cultivate his instincts through study and discipline. With effort, he too can gain what is not inherently his through learning, reflection, and strife.
A woman's greatness is revealed not by external lights that shine upon her but by the light that shines from within. This inner brilliance, her natural intuitive power, is what truly elevates her. In a world that recognizes this inherent wisdom in women, harmony will reign.
स्त्रियो हि नाम खलु एताः निसर्गात् एव पण्डिताः ।
striyo hi nāma khalu etāḥ nisargāt eva paṇḍitāḥ ।
पुरुषाणां तु पाण्डित्यं शास्त्रैः एव उपदिश्यते ॥
puruṣāṇāṃ tu pāṇḍityaṃ śāstraiḥ eva upadiśyate ॥
striyo hi naama khalvetaaH nisargaadeva paNDitaaH |
puruShaaNaaM tu paaNDityaM shaastrairevopadishyate ||
- mRucCakaTika
striyo hi naama khalu etaaH nisargaat eva paNDitaaH |
puruShaaNaaM tu paaNDityaM shaastraiH eva upadishyate ||
