March 11th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दूरस्थो ज्ञायते सर्वः पर्वते ज्वलनादिवत् ।
चूडामणिः शिरस्थोऽपि दृश्यते न स्वचक्षुषा ॥
- रामायणमञ्जरी, किष्किन्दा

Transliteration:
dūrastho jñāyate sarvaḥ parvate jvalanādivat ।
cūḍāmaṇiḥ śirastho'pi dṛśyate na svacakṣuṣā ॥
- rāmāyaṇamañjarī, kiṣkindā

Meaning of the subhAShita:

From afar, everyone can perceive things as the fire atop a hill.  But when on one's own head, even a crest jewel is invisible to the eye.

Commentary:

The grass always seems greener on the other side!

A verse conveys a similar idea: when something is far away, it often appears more valuable and appealing. For instance, fire on a distant mountaintop, though miles away, is easily visible and identifiable. Yet, a precious crest jewel resting on one’s own head cannot be seen without assistance—whether through a mirror, touch, or another's words.

The essence of this teaching is to recognize the value of what we already have. Ignoring one’s own talents while yearning for what is absent leads to stagnation. Similarly, people often fail to appreciate the goodness in those close to them but lavish praise on their idealized perception of distant personalities, such as celebrities or public figures they barely know.

Start where you are. While distant fields may appear greener, true opportunity lies right in front of you. Recognize it, seize it, and make the most of every chance that comes your way.

pada vigrahaH: 
दूरस्थः ज्ञायते सर्वः पर्वते ज्वलन-अदिवत् ।
dūrasthaḥ jñāyate sarvaḥ parvate jvalana-adivat ।

चूडामणिः शिरस्थः अपि दृश्यते न स्व-चक्षुषा ॥
cūḍāmaṇiḥ śirasthaḥ api dṛśyate na sva-cakṣuṣā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dUrastho j~naayate sarvaH parvate jvalanaadivat ।
chUDaamaNiH shirastho.pi dRushyate na svachakShuShaa ॥
- raamaayaNama~njarI, kiShkindaa

dUrasthaH j~naayate sarvaH parvate jvalana-adivat ।

chUDaamaNiH shirasthaH api dRushyate na sva-chakShuShaa ॥

June 7th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अन्यस्य दोषं पश्यन्ति सुसूक्ष्ममपि तत्पराः ।
स्वनेत्रमिव नेक्षन्ते स्वदोषं मलिना जनाः ॥
-रामायणमञ्जरी, किष्किन्धाकाण्ड


Transliteration:
anyasya doṣaṃ paśyanti susūkṣmamapi tatparāḥ ।
svanetramiva nekṣante svadoṣaṃ malinā janāḥ ॥
-rāmāyaṇamañjarī, kiṣkindhākāṇḍa

Meaning of the subhAShita:

People look intently for the smallest of faults in others. Just as one cannot see the dirt in his own eyes, impure-minded people can not see their own follies.

Commentary:

Finding faults in others is the easiest task and it is up for taking by one and all! If one falters on the smallest thing, everyone around him will soon rush to point fingers at him and offer free, generous advice, too! People have a microscopic vision when it comes to the shortcomings of others, but not even a telescopic one when it comes to themselves! They scrutinize others keenly to find more faults. However, while they are in the same exact circumstance, things just seem different to them. There always is a justification for their actions! There is always an explanation!! 

When something is too close to one's eye, it is very difficult to notice it. The view is obstructed and the field of view, constricted. Just as one can not see the dirt in his own eye, he is blind to his own follies.

People are blind to their own defects! Set your sights high and keep an eye on yourself, with respect to your own mistakes.

pada vigrahaH:

अन्यस्य दोषं पश्यन्ति सुसूक्ष्मम् अपि तत्पराः ।
anyasya doShaM pashyanti susUkShmam api tatparaaH ।

स्व-नेत्रम् इव न ईक्षन्ते स्व-दोषं मलिनाः जनाः ॥
sva-netram iva na īkṣante sva-doṣaṃ malināḥ janāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
anyasya doShaM pashyanti susUkShmamapi tatparaaH ।
svanetramiva nekShante svadoShaM malinaa janaaH ॥
raamaayaNama~njarI, kiShkindhaakaaNDa

anyasya doṣaṃ paśyanti susūkṣmam api tatparāḥ ।

sva-netram iva na IkShante sva-doShaM malinaaH janaaH ॥