September 12th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अक्षराणि परीक्ष्यन्ताम् अम्बराडम्बरेण किम् ।
शंभुरम्बरहीनोऽपि सर्वज्ञः किं न कथ्यते ॥
- अप्पय्यदीक्षित


Transliteration:
akṣarāṇi parīkṣyantām ambarāḍambareṇa kim ।
śaṃbhurambarahīno'pi sarvajñaḥ kiṃ na kathyate ॥
- appayyadīkṣita

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Scrutinize based on vidyā.  What is the point in (examining) the flashy robes?! Even though He is digambara (one whose robes are the 4 directions), isn't Lord Shiva considered sarvajna (all-knowing)?!

Commentary:

Language is the dress of thought. One's mindset and thinking can be gauged through his speech. Working on that is a much better effort than time spent in improving superficial appearance and attire. One can be the best dressed in town, but the minute he opens his mouth to speak, his language can be foul, uncultured, uneducated, or misinformed! His clothes can earn him only so much value. But after that, his learning and the culture imbibed will weigh in.

Lord Shiva is never in flashy attire or jewelry. His robes are elephant/tiger skin, and snakes are His jewelry, at best! But isn't He worshipped and revered as all-knowing and all-pervading! It is His knowledge that carries more weight.  'akṣara' also means - immutable, imperishable.  Lord Shiva stands for immutable knowledge of the Self.  Our true identity is the same immortal Self!  Hence, a perishable body, its appearance, and its accessories don't come into account when the imperishable is given the highest regard!

There may be those who dress better or eat better.  However, those who enjoy and appreciate the value of learning, sleep better! Think about it—elegance is not as much in putting on a new dress as it is imbibing good values.

pada vigrahaH:
अक्षराणि परीक्ष्यन्ताम् अम्बर-आडम्बरेण किम् ।
akṣarāṇi parīkṣyantām ambara-āḍambareṇa kim ।

शंभुः अम्बर-हीनः अपि सर्वज्ञः किं न कथ्यते ॥
śaṃbhuḥ ambara-hīnaḥ api sarvajñaḥ kiṃ na kathyate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
akSharaaNi parIkShyantaam ambaraaDambareNa kim ।
shaMbhurambarahIno.pi sarvaj~naH kiM na kathyate ॥
- appayyadIkShita

akSharaaNi parIkShyantaam ambara-aaDambareNa kim ।

shaMbhuH ambara-hInaH api sarvaj~naH kiM na kathyate ॥

February 5th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
नीतिज्ञा नियतिज्ञाः वेदज्ञाऽपि भवन्ति शास्त्रज्ञाः ।
ब्रह्मज्ञा अपि लभ्याः स्वाज्ञानज्ञानिनो विरलाः ॥
- वैराग्यशतक, अप्पय्यदीक्षित


Transliteration:
nītijñā niyatijñāḥ vedajñā'pi bhavanti śāstrajñāḥ ।
brahmajñā api labhyāḥ svājñānajñānino viralāḥ ॥
- vairāgyaśataka, appayyadīkṣita

Meaning of the subhAShita:

There are many people (in this world) who know (about) morality, know the inner order of conduct, know the Vedas (sacred knowledge), know the scriptures, or know the Supreme Spirit Himself. But rare are those who know about their own ignorance.

Commentary:

In the world, we see people who are experts in many different arenas. They are well-versed in morality, the code of conduct, the Scriptures, and many other highly regarded subjects of life. They pride themselves in their prowess (and preach too!) We find such people in abundance.

But rare is a person who is aware of the ignorance of his true nature! No one wants to acknowledge that they do not know something. Ego blocks one's ability to accept his ignorance.  This arrogance then impedes personal growth.  Ignorance and arrogance feed off of each other.  Learning gets stunted as soon as ignorance is ignored.

Who is this semblance for?! By being arrogant, aren't we robbing ourselves of learning opportunities? Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity! 

Knowledge governs ignorance. Get learning! 

pada vigrahaH:

नीतिज्ञाः नियतिज्ञाः वेदज्ञाः अपि भवन्ति शास्त्रज्ञाः ।
nītijñāḥ niyatijñāḥ vedajñāḥ api bhavanti śāstrajñāḥ ।

ब्रह्मज्ञाः अपि लभ्याः स्व-अज्ञान-ज्ञानिनः विरलाः ॥
brahmajñāḥ api labhyāḥ sva-ajñāna-jñāninaḥ viralāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
nItij~naa niyatij~naaH vedaj~naa.pi bhavanti shaastraj~naaH ।
brahmaj~naa api labhyaaH swaaj~naanaj~naanino viralaaH ॥
- vairaagyashataka, appayyadIkShita

nItij~naaH niyatij~naaH vedaj~naaH api bhavanti shaastraj~naaH ।

brahmaj~naaH api labhyaaH swa-aj~naana-j~naaninaH viralaaH ॥