November 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
षडेते ह्यवमन्यन्ते नित्यं पूर्वोपकारिणां
आचार्यं शिक्षिताः शिष्याः कृतदाराश्च मातरम् ।
नारीं विगतकामस्तु कृतार्थश्च प्रयोजकं
नावं निस्तीर्णकान्तारा अनातुराश्च चिकित्सितम् ॥
- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
ṣaṭ ete hi avamanyante nityaṃ pūrva upakāriṇāṃ
ācāryaṃ śikṣitāḥ śiṣyāḥ kṛtadārāḥ ca mātaram ।
nārīṃ vigata-kāmaḥ tu kṛta-arthaḥ ca prayojakaṃ
nāvaṃ nistīrṇa-kāntārāḥ anāturāḥ ca cikitsitam ॥
- viduranīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

These six people show disrespect to those who have been their benefactors earlier: a student who has already learned to his teacher; a married man to his mother; a lustless man to a woman; one whose motive has been fulfilled to the benefactor; a person who has crossed a difficult river to the boat; a fully recovered person to the doctor. 

Commentary:

When one tolerates disrespect, he only diminishes his self-worth. 

A man who has no lust has no desire for a woman. After crossing a river, no one takes the boat home to honor it. However, some situations are different. When one receives assistance, the least he can offer in return is: gratitude. It is a sad reality that students sometimes show disrespect to their teachers. A son forgets the sacrifices his parents made for him when he finds a spouse. A patient, once healed, often forgets the doctor's skill and effort.  These are people who walk away without a word of thanks after receiving all the help they need. 

Such actions speak volumes about a person’s character. When someone disrespects you, the natural impulse is to try and win their respect.  In reality, it reflects their values rather than our worth.  It is better to distance ourselves from those who hold such shallow values. The most effective way to end disrespect is not giving them the chance to do it again! 

Children who are allowed to be disrespectful to their parents will never have true respect for anyone. We must never take others for granted, no matter how much they love us. Sooner or later, even the most patient will tire. 

Disrespect is never justified. Above all, we must never disrespect those who stood by us in our times of need.  The more we embrace gratitude, the more life offers reasons to be thankful for.  

pada vigrahaH:
षट् एते हि अवमन्यन्ते नित्यं पूर्व उपकारिणां
ṣaṭ ete hi avamanyante nityaṃ pūrva upakāriṇāṃ

आचार्यं शिक्षिताः शिष्याः कृतदाराः च मातरम् ।
ācāryaṃ śikṣitāḥ śiṣyāḥ kṛtadārāḥ ca mātaram ।

नारीं विगत-कामः तु कृत-अर्थः च प्रयोजकं
nārīṃ vigata-kāmaḥ tu kṛta-arthaḥ ca prayojakaṃ

नावं निस्तीर्ण-कान्ताराः अनातुराः च चिकित्सितम् ॥
nāvaṃ nistīrṇa-kāntārāḥ anāturāḥ ca cikitsitam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ShaDete hyavamanyante nityaM poorvopakaariNaaM
aachaaryaM shikShitaaH shiShyaaH kRutadaaraashcha maataram ।
naareeM vigatakaamastu kRutaarthashcha prayojakaM
naavaM nisteerNakaantaaraa anaaturaashcha chikitsitam ॥
- viduranIti

ShaT ete hi avamanyante nityaM poorva upakaariNaaM
aachaaryaM shikShitaaH shiShyaaH kRutadaaraaH cha maataram ।
naareeM vigata-kaamaH tu kRuta-arthaH cha prayojakaM
naavaM nisteerNa-kaantaaraaH anaaturaaH cha chikitsitam ॥

September 9th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वनस्पतेरपक्वानि फलानि प्रचिनोति यः ।
स नाप्नोति रसं तेभ्यः बीजं चास्य विनश्यति ॥
- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
vanaspaterapakvāni phalāni pracinoti yaḥ ।
sa nāpnoti rasaṃ tebhyaḥ bījaṃ cāsya vinaśyati ॥
- viduranīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

He who plucks the unripe fruit from the fruit trees, not only doesn't acquire their juices but spoils its seed as well. 

Commentary:

Right time, right place!

When fruit is not ripe, it is not ready for picking.  Nature has designed things so perfectly that when a fruit is ripe, just a small touch is enough to detach it from the tree!  Not only does the peel separate from the fruit easily but so does the seed inside.  There is not much effort needed.  When such a perfect design is tampered with, it is quite natural that the result gets tampered with as well!  If a fruit is plucked when unripe, its juices would not have reached their culmination.  The flavors would not have developed to their entirety.  The seed inside wouldn't have reached its fullest potential either and hence wouldn't be able to sprout another plant!  Why risk so many losses?!  

Keeping patience until the fruit is ready for harvest reaps far more benefits to the person than to one who loses his patience.  Hurrying nature won't yield good results.  Trees will not ripen the fruit as per the onlooker's schedule after all!  Only time can fill in the right juices in the right proportions in the fruit.

Similarly, in all walks of life, one has to do the right things, at the right time, and in the right place.  The same action done in an untimely manner will most certainly turn out wasteful.  One cannot say, 'But I put in a lot of effort!'  For, it is not the effort alone that yields results, it is the perfect timing as well.  Just like a player cannot hit a goal even before the game starts, and expect to score, one has to put his efforts in the right direction always.

After all, doing what's right in the right way at the right time, is the key to success in all walks of life!

pada vigrahaH:
वनस्पतेः अ-पक्वानि फलानि प्रचिनोति यः ।
vanaspateḥ a-pakvāni phalāni pracinoti yaḥ ।

स न आप्नोति रसं तेभ्यः बीजं च अस्य विनश्यति ॥
sa na āpnoti rasaṃ tebhyaḥ bījaṃ ca asya vinaśyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
vanaspaterapakvaani phalaani prachinoti yaH ।
sa naapnoti rasaM tebhyo bIjaM chaasya vinashyati ॥
- viduranIti

vanaspateH a-pakvaani phalaani prachinoti yaH ।

sa na aapnoti rasaM tebhyaH bIjaM cha asya vinashyati ॥

April 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सुदुर्बलं नावजानाति किञ्चित् युक्तो रिपुं सेवते बुद्धिपूर्वम् ।
न विग्रहं रोचयते बलस्थैः काले च यो विक्रमते स धीरः ॥
- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
sudurbalaṃ nāvajānāti kiñcit yukto ripuṃ sevate buddhipūrvam ।
na vigrahaṃ rocayate balasthaiḥ kāle ca yo vikramate sa dhīraḥ ॥
- viduranīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

He who does not show even a little contempt towards the weak; handles enemies with an objective; steers clear from having a conflict with the stronger and demonstrates valor—is brave.

Commentary:

Bravery is not defined by physical strength or aggression. True bravery manifests in many forms.

The brave show compassion toward the weak, never looking down on those with less endurance or ability. Their strength uplifts rather than intimidates.

They approach their opponents with tact and wisdom. Possessing power or intellect does not mean they recklessly invite conflict.

Acknowledging the strength of a more powerful opponent is also a mark of courage. The truly brave remain grounded and avoid unnecessary provocation, choosing prudence over ego.

These qualities validate genuine bravery. To be brave is to be free—free from fear, arrogance, and recklessness. Embrace courage, for there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.

pada vigrahaH:
सुदुर्बलं न अवजानाति किञ्चित् युक्तः रिपुं सेवते बुद्धि-पूर्वम् ।
sudurbalaṃ na avajānāti kiñcit yuktaḥ ripuṃ sevate buddhi-pūrvam ।

न विग्रहं रोचयते बलस्थैः काले च यो विक्रमते स धीरः ॥
na vigrahaṃ rocayate balasthaiḥ kāle ca yo vikramate sa dhīraḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
sudurbalaM naavajaanaati ki~nchit yukto ripuM sevate buddhipUrvam ।
na vigrahaM rochayate balasthaiH kaale cha yo vikramate sa dhIraH ॥
- viduranIti

sudurbalaM na avajaanaati ki~nchit yuktaH ripuM sevate buddhi-pUrvam ।

na vigrahaM rochayate balasthaiH kaale cha yo vikramate sa dhIraH ॥

January 7th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ राजन् स्वर्गस्योपरि तिष्ठतः ।
प्रभुश्च क्षमया युक्तः दरिद्रश्च प्रदानवान् ॥
- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
dvāvimau puruṣau rājan svargasyopari tiṣṭhataḥ ।
prabhuśca kṣamayā yuktaḥ daridraśca pradānavān ॥
- viduranīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

O, king!  These two people surpass even heaven—a master associated with forgiveness (and) an impoverished one who is giving.

Commentary:

A master, lord, or king holds the power to act as he pleases. He could choose to punish or reprimand his subordinates for their mistakes. Yet, if he chooses to forgive, it elevates his greatness manifold. Forgiveness, after all, is not just about liberating another—it is about liberating oneself. As the saying goes, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”

Resentment binds us with an emotional chain stronger than steel, tethering us to the past and preventing us from moving forward. Forgiveness is the key that dissolves the shackles, breaking the cycle and granting true freedom. A person who consciously forgives, despite having the power to do otherwise, possesses an extraordinary heart. Such a person simplifies life, finds joy in the present, and creates his own heaven on Earth.

Similarly, when someone impoverished, barely surviving, still finds it in their heart to give, it speaks volumes about their generosity and selflessness. To give even when it costs them dearly is an act of immense humility and connection to humanity. It is this selfless giving that brings both internal and eternal peace. Such a jīva (soul) transcends material joys and experiences the deepest, most profound happiness—both now and in eternity. This spirit of giving raises them above all paradises, even while they walk this Earth.

Indeed, heaven is both under our feet and above our heads. When we root ourselves in the heaven below, reaching the one above becomes effortless. Plant your feet firmly on this foundation, and the path to the divine will unfold with ease.

pada vigrahaH:
द्वौ इमौ पुरुषौ राजन् स्वर्गस्य उपरि तिष्ठतः ।

dvau imau puruṣau rājan svargasya upari tiṣṭhataḥ ।

प्रभुः च क्षमया युक्तः दरिद्रः च प्रदानवान् ॥
prabhuḥ ca kṣamayā yuktaḥ daridraḥ ca pradānavān ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dvaavimau puruShau raajan swargasyopari tiShThataH ।
prabhushcha kShamayaa yuktaH daridrashcha pradaanavaan ॥
- viduranIti

dvau imau puruShau raajan swargasya upari tiShThataH ।

prabhuH cha kShamayaa yuktaH daridraH cha pradaanavaan ॥

June 19th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
षड्दोषाः पुरुषेणेह हातव्या भूतिमिच्छता ।
निद्रा तन्द्रा भयं क्रोधः आलस्यं दीर्घसूत्रता ॥
- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
ṣaḍdoṣāḥ puruṣeṇeha hātavyā bhūtimicchatā ।
nidrā tandrā bhayaṃ krodhaḥ ālasyaṃ dīrghasūtratā ॥
- viduranīti 

Meaning of the subhAShita:

One desirous of prosperity should avoid these 6 vices in this world—(excessive) sleep, fatigue, fear, anger, laziness, and procrastination.

Commentary:

Hard work is what leads to prosperity and the success of any endeavor.

1. Excessive sleep: robs not only the time spent sleeping but also compromises the alertness of the person.
2. Fatigue: curtails one's enthusiasm to work towards his goal.
3. Fear: will not encourage one to be adventurous or to try new avenues to accomplish tasks.
4. Anger: clouds one's judgement and leads him towards taking wrong and hasty steps that end up wrecking his chances of achieving goals.
5. Laziness: does not motivate one to get up and work. Nothing can be achieved by being stagnant. Industriousness is the only way to success.
6. Procrastination: is the art of putting off something that should have been done the day before yesterday, until the day after tomorrow!  This race of keeping up with yesterday is the most efficient method of self-sabotage.

None of the above points is conducive to prosperity. Avoid them at all costs!

pada vigrahaH:
षट् दोषाः पुरुषेण इह हातव्याः भूतिम् इच्छताः ।
ṣaṭ doṣāḥ puruṣeṇa iha hātavyāḥ bhūtim icchatāḥ ।

निद्रा तन्द्रा भयं क्रोधः आलस्यं दीर्घ-सूत्रता ॥
nidrā tandrā bhayaṃ krodhaḥ ālasyaṃ dīrgha-sūtratā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ShaDdoShaaH puruSheNeha haatavyaa bhUtimichChataa ।
nidraa tandraa bhayaM krodhaH aalasyaM dIrghasUtrataa ॥
- viduranIti

ShaT doShaaH puruSheNa iha haatavyaaH bhUtim ichChataaH ।

nidraa tandraa bhayaM krodhaH aalasyaM dIrgha-sUtrataa ॥

December 1st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
न देवा दण्डमादाय रक्षन्ति पशुपालवत् ।
यं तु रक्षितुमिच्छन्ति सद्‍बुद्ध्या योजयन्ति तम्  ॥
-विदुरनीति


Transliteration:
na devā daṇḍamādāya rakṣanti paśupālavat ।
yaṃ tu rakṣitumicchanti sad‍buddhyā yojayanti tam ॥
-viduranīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Gods do not bring a stick and protect (us) like herdsmen. They equip those that they want to protect with wisdom.

Commentary:

Sheep, goats, and other cattle do not have to think much. The first one goes where the herdsman leads and the rest just follow suit. Even if one falls off the cliff the rest will do the same! However, that doesn't work for people. We are required to use our own judgment, wisdom, and thoughts to make our own decisions.

God doesn't necessarily draw the lines of the paths that we should follow. Rather, He arms us with wisdom and thereafter, we are on our own.

Therefore, we can't complain about the choices that WE make...  The outcomes will be aligned with the decisions we make and the path we take. 

pada vigrahaH:

न देवाः दण्डम् आदाय रक्षन्ति पशुपालवत् ।
na devāḥ daṇḍam ādāya rakṣanti paśupālavat ।

यं तु रक्षितुम् इच्छन्ति सत् बुद्ध्या योजयन्ति तम् ॥
yaṃ tu rakṣitum icchanti sat buddhyā yojayanti tam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
na devaa daNDamaadaaya rakShanti pashupaalavat ।
yaM tu rakShitumichChanti sadbuddhyaa yojayanti tam ॥
- viduraneeti

na devaaH daNDam aadaaya rakShanti pashupaalavat ।

yaM tu rakShitum ichChanti sat buddhyaa yojayanti tam ॥