Showing posts with label सं.-प्रसन्नराघव. Show all posts
Showing posts with label सं.-प्रसन्नराघव. Show all posts

December 8th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अकारणेनैव चतुराः तर्कयन्ति परेङ्गितम् ।
गर्भस्थं केतकीपुष्पम् आमोदेनेव षट्पदाः ॥
-प्रसन्नराघव 

Transliteration:
akāraṇenaiva caturāḥ tarkayanti pareṅgitam ।
garbhasthaṃ ketakīpuṣpam āmodeneva ṣaṭpadāḥ ॥
-prasannarāghava

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Without any summons, the clever inquire into others' intentions; (just as), the bees (locate) a hidden ketakI flower simply with its fragrance.

Commentary:
It is said that one's outward actions reveal his/her hidden intentions!  A person doesn't necessarily express all his thoughts in actions or words.  The reasons for this could be many—he may not have the necessary circumstances or ambiance or lack the communication skills to express himself.

However, a clever person does not necessarily have to be told!  He can assimilate the thoughts and intentions of the other just through subtle hints such as body language or other environmental factors. Like in the fable, Androcles understood that the Lion had a thorn in his foot without being told by the Lion.

The poet gives the example of the bees.  They do not need to physically see the fragrant ketakI flower before aspiring to sip its nectar.  They can follow the scent of the flower and zero in on the exact location of it even if it lies hidden or far from sight!  Similar is the way of an intelligent person.  He can grasp the intentions of other people, whether good or bad.  

Anyone can handle a situation better if he understands the other person.  If the intentions are good, they can aid each other in materializing their thoughts.  If the intentions are bad, it is certainly smart to stay away from such a situation or such a company.  Hence, in all scenarios, being adept and skillful at reading another's mind is certainly a blessing!

The intelligence to read another's mind makes one think from the other person's perspective.  This gives a vision beyond what meets the eye and he becomes less judgemental.  Blessed are people who have this attitude and so are the ones that keep such company!

pada vigrahaH:
अकारणेन एव चतुराः तर्कयन्ति पर-इङ्गितम् ।
akāraṇena eva caturāḥ tarkayanti para-iṅgitam ।

गर्भस्थं केतकी-पुष्पम् आमोदेन इव षट्पदाः ॥
garbhasthaṃ ketakī-puṣpam āmodena iva ṣaṭpadāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
akaaraNenaiva chaturaaH tarkayanti pare~ngitam ।
garbhasthaM ketakIpuShpam aamodeneva ShaTpadaaH ॥
-prasannaraaghava 

akaaraNena eva chaturaaH tarkayanti para-i~ngitam ।
garbhasthaM ketakI-puShpam aamodena iva ShaTpadaaH ॥

March 4th


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गुणग्रामाभिसम्वादि नामापि हि महात्मनाम् ।
यथा सुवर्णश्रीखण्डरत्नाकरसुधाकराः ॥

- प्रसन्नराघव

Transliteration:
guṇagrāmābhisamvādi nāmāpi hi mahātmanām ।
yathā suvarṇaśrīkhaṇḍaratnākarasudhākarāḥ ॥
- prasannarāghava

Meaning of the subhAShita:
What to say about the virtues and valor of the noble—even their name shows their greatness!  Just as suvarṇa (one with an attractive color—gold), śrīkhaṇḍa (a piece of wood filled with the richness of sandal—sandalwood), ratnākara (one who holds/makes precious gems and stones—ocean), sudhākara (one who gives essence like the divine nectar—moon).

Commentary:
Nobleness is dripping from every facet of the meritorious! They are constantly looking for opportunities to do good to others.  Their nobility oozes out from all planes, so much that even their names give an indication of their virtues, meaning, their names give away their characteristics.
  • Suvarṇa (gold): as the name suggests, it is cherished for its beauty and radiance.
  • Śrīkhaṇḍa (sandalwood): is a piece of wood known for its rich fragrance and sacred significance.
  • Ratnākara (ocean): symbolizes the ocean's ability to produce pearls, gems, and other precious treasures.
  • Sudhākara (Moon): It is said that the Sun nourishes the growth of plants whereas the Moon nurtures them to attain their essence, which is poetically considered to exude coolness and nurturing essence like ambrosia.
The name is the first entity with which one identifies himself!  Especially in Sanskrit, words are derived with such precision that there is no contention to their compliance or conformity.  Each word has a declension and a root word which makes the word self-evident.  

In the past, this was likely the reason for giving meaningful and thoughtful names to children at birth. The idea was that the child would grow up embodying the qualities reflected in their name. A name was given with the hope that its essence would be realized, as it becomes an integral part of their identity for life. However, a name without substance ultimately holds little value.

The purpose of the verse is not so much for the generalization, but for upholding the fact that the nobility of the noble can be found in every aspect of their being.  They ceaselessly work for the betterment of those around them and selflessly give themselves in their entirety for the welfare of others.   That certainly is something to ponder upon, isn't it?! 

pada vigrahaH:
गुण-ग्राम-अभिसम्वादि नाम अपि हि महात्मनाम् ।
guṇa-grāma-abhisamvādi nāma api hi mahātmanām ।

यथा सुवर्ण-श्रीखण्ड-रत्नाकर-सुधाकराः ॥
yathā suvarṇa-śrīkhaṇḍa-ratnākara-sudhākarāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
guNagraamaabhisamvaadi naamaapi hi mahaatmanaam ।
yathaa suvarNashrIkhaNDaratnaakarasudhaakaraaH ॥
- prasannaraaghava

guNa-graama-abhisamvaadi naama api hi mahaatmanaam ।
yathaa suvarNa-shrIkhaNDa-ratnaakara-sudhaakaraaH ॥