July 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
येषां बाहुबलं नास्ति येषां नास्ति मनोबलम् ।
तेषां चन्द्रबलं देव किं कुर्यादम्बरस्थितम् ॥
- यशस्तिलक

Transliteration:
yeṣāṃ bāhubalaṃ nāsti yeṣāṃ nāsti manobalam ।
teṣāṃ candrabalaṃ deva kiṃ kuryādambarasthitam ॥
- yaśastilaka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Oh, king, to him who doesn't have strength in his arms and determination in his mind, what can the power of the moon in the sky do?!

Commentary:

If things don't work in one's favor, he will find many reasons to blame for his failure!

One of the easiest and lamest responses is: "The stars are not in my favor!"  The most essential factors for the success of any task are: one's mental ability and physical strength. If one has trust in his own abilities, he is bound to achieve anything. 

For the one who does not have confidence in his own prowess or vigor in his muscles, how can the stars and moon, sitting in the sky, influence the outcome?! His physical and mental faculties are always available for him!  How can his star power, moon power, or horoscope help in his achievements or failures?! The moon and the stars are sitting far away in the skies—how can they possibly be factors in his success or failure?!

It is not for the stars to hold our destiny but for ourselves.  Luck matters only to some extent. Hard work, faith, and determination are what drive one toward success.  The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work! 

Efforts never fail.  Despite that, if we fail, it is certainly not because of the position of the moon and the stars! The Lord knows the ulterior outcome of everything.   We may not understand the results of our efforts instantly, but it will certainly be what it is supposed to be. Only putting in honest efforts, without giving excuses is in our hands. 

pada vigrahaH:
येषां बाहु-बलं न अस्ति येषां न अस्ति मनो-बलम् ।
yeṣāṃ bāhu-balaṃ na asti yeṣāṃ na asti mano-balam ।

तेषां चन्द्र-बलं देव किं कुर्यात् अम्बर-स्थितम् ॥
teṣāṃ candra-balaṃ deva kiṃ kuryāt ambara-sthitam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yeShaaM baahubalaM naasti yeShaaM naasti manobalam ।
teShaaM chandrabalaM deva kiM kuryaadambarasthitam ॥
- yashastilaka

yeShaaM baahu-balaM na asti yeShaaM na asti mano-balam ।

teShaaM chandra-balaM deva kiM kuryaat ambara-sthitam ॥

February 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
निःसारस्य पदार्थस्य प्रायेणाडम्बरो महान्  ।
न हि स्वर्णे ध्वनिस्तादृक् यादृक् कांस्ये प्रजायते ॥
- यशस्तिलक


Transliteration:
niḥsārasya padārthasya prāyeṇāḍambaro mahān ।
na hi svarṇe dhvanistādṛk yādṛk kāṃsye prajāyate ॥
- yaśastilaka

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Things of lesser quintessential value probably catch more attention. Gold doesn't make noise like brass.

Commentary:

Brass pots make noise generously at the slightest instigation! Gold, on the other hand, doesn't draw noisy attention to itself. It is a rarer metal that has more value in terms of quality. Unlike brass, gold doesn't lose luster over time. (Although brass can gain its shine back when cleaned, it also tarnishes fast.) Yet, clinking gold does not generate much noise. 

The poet has used this fact as a metaphor for things of more qualitative essence, and that they do not propagate much clamor about themselves. Mundane things like gossip are not proactive towards the betterment of anyone.  However, they will come in all kinds of flashy hues and shades. They generate noise in the minds of people and become topics of interest. But in reality, they are distractive just like brass.

This applies to people as well. Learned people do not blow their own horns. They do not show off their prowess with glitz and glamor! Their purpose is to learn more, share their knowledge with their fellow beings, and use their learning for the betterment of society, silently. They are not concerned about who is walking away with credit! 

As someone said, "There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn't matter who gets the credit." Such people work humbly towards a higher goal, without being pompous about their endeavors. Work hard in silence and let your success be your noise! 

pada vigrahaH:
निःसारस्य पदार्थस्य प्रायेण अडम्बरः महान् ।
niḥsārasya padārthasya prāyeṇa aḍambaraḥ mahān ।

न हि स्वर्णे ध्वनिः तादृक् यादृक् कांस्ये प्रजायते ॥
na hi svarṇe dhvaniḥ tādṛk yādṛk kāṃsye prajāyate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
niHsaarasya padaarthasya praayeNaaDambaro mahaan ।
na hi svarNe dhvanistaadRuk yaadRuk kaaMsye prajaayate ॥
- yashastilaka

niHsaarasya padaarthasya praayeNa aDambaraH mahaan ।

na hi svarNe dhvaniH taadRuk yaadRuk kaaMsye prajaayate ॥