December 31st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
यद्यदालिखति मनोऽऽशावर्तिकाभिर्हृदयफलके ।
तत्तद्बाल इव विधिर्निभृतं हसित्वा प्रोञ्छति ॥
- सप्‍तशती

Transliteration:
yadyadālikhati mano''śāvartikābhirhṛdayaphalake ।
tattadbāla iva vidhirnibhṛtaṃ hasitvā proñchati ॥
- sap‍taśatī

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Whatever the mind inscribes (paints) on the canvas of the heart with the brushes of desire, fate stealthily (and) smilingly wipes it all out like a little child!

Commentary:

"Man proposes; God disposes!"

Not all desires bloom into fruition, no matter how meticulously one plans or how fervently one hopes. People often paint their hearts with vibrant shades of dreams and expectations, yet it is destiny that holds the ultimate brushstroke. The poet beautifully likens destiny to a mischievous child who stealthily erases those dreams with a playful smile, leaving behind no trace of the effort or longing that preceded it. Destiny, like this child, operates silently and unannounced, altering outcomes as it sees fit.

What does this mean for us? It reminds us that while we can strive with all our might, the final outcome often lies beyond our control. Effort is ours to give, but the results remain in the hands of destiny. Yet, this is not a cause for despair. Often, when a cherished aspiration goes unfulfilled, it is because a higher reason is at play—something better aligned with the greater good. Viewing setbacks through this lens can ease the sting of disappointment.

Effort remains vital, for destiny itself is shaped by the vices and virtues of one's past. Each person is the architect of their fate, building their future through present actions. As someone wisely said, "Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence."

If we desire better outcomes tomorrow, we must act with integrity and diligence today. Let us set our best foot forward with unwavering faith in the process!

pada vigrahaH:
यत् यत् आलिखति मनः आशा-वर्तिकाभिः हृदय-फलके ।
yat yat ālikhati manaḥ āśā-vartikābhiḥ hṛdaya-phalake ।

तत् तत् बाल इव विधिः निभृतं हसित्वा प्रोञ्छति ॥
tat tat bāla iva vidhiḥ nibhṛtaṃ hasitvā proñchati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yadyadaalikhati mano..shaavartikaabhirhRudayaphalake ।
tattadbaala iva vidhirnibhRutaM hasitvaa pro~nChati ॥
- saptashatI

yat yat aalikhati manaH aashaa-vartikaabhiH hRudaya-phalake ।

tat tat baala iva vidhiH nibhRutaM hasitvaa pro~nChati ॥

May 24th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
धन्या बधिरा अन्धाः स एव जीवन्ति मानुषे लोके ।
न शृण्वन्ति पिशुनजनं खलानाम् ऋद्धिं न प्रेक्षन्ते ॥
- सप्‍तशती


Transliteration:
dhanyā badhirā andhāḥ sa eva jīvanti mānuṣe loke ।
na śṛṇvanti piśunajanaṃ khalānām ṛddhiṃ na prekṣante ॥
- sap‍taśatī

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Blessed are those people who live in this world as deaf and blind, for, they do not have to listen to malicious words of the slanderers or see the prosperity of the evil.

Commentary:

In today's world, where the rat race is on, everyone is scrambling to get somewhere or do something. It is generally seen that people are backbiting, backstabbing, being peevish, and speaking slanderous words to others. The poet opines that the deaf are blessed because their shortcoming, in reality, saves them some pain. They do not have to listen to such malicious words, fret about them, or think of devious plans to return a defaming word to the offender. They can keep their hearts and minds away from such things. Hence, they are blessed.

Time and again, the evil are seen prospering, in the direction they should not be! They are seen growing and climbing up the ladders of prosperity by using unfair means. For those who are honest, times seem to keep going bad. The poet says that the blind are a happier lot as they do not have to see the sad sight where evil people gain prosperity.

The only thing worse than blindness is—having sight but no vision. Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see! Imbibe kindness.

pada vigrahaH:
धन्याः बधिराः अन्धाः सः एव जीवन्ति मानुषे लोके ।
dhanyāḥ badhirāḥ andhāḥ saḥ eva jīvanti mānuṣe loke ।

न शृण्वन्ति पिशुन जनं खलानाम् ऋद्धिं न प्रेक्षन्ते ॥
na śṛṇvanti piśuna janaṃ khalānām ṛddhiṃ na prekṣante ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dhanyaa badhiraa andhaaH sa eva jIvanti maanuShe loke ।
na shRuNvanti pishunajanaM khalaanaam RuddhiM na prekShante ॥
- saptashatI

dhanyaaH badhiraaH andhaaH saH eva jIvanti maanuShe loke ।

na shRuNvanti pishuna janaM khalaanaam RuddhiM na prekShante ॥