October 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:

भस्मना शुद्ध्यते कांस्यं ताम्रमम्लेन शुद्ध्यति ।

रजसा शुद्ध्यते नारी नदी वेगेन शुद्ध्यति ॥

- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:

bhasmanā śuddhyate kāṃsyaṃ tāmramamlena śuddhyati ।

rajasā śuddhyate nārī nadī vegena śuddhyati ॥

- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Brass is scrubbed with ashes; copper is cleansed with sour things; a woman is restored through the menstrual cycle; a river is purged by its speed. 

Commentary:

Cleanliness is next to godliness.  

Chaos theory reminds us that everything in the universe naturally drifts toward disorder. To maintain harmony, continuous effort is required. Yet, what preserves balance for one may not work for another.

For example, observe brass and copper. Each demands its own kind of care—ashes for brass, sour agents like lemon, or tamarind for copper. By contrast, a river cleanses itself through its relentless flow, never giving debris a chance to settle.

The most fascinating example lies in the verse’s reflection on women. The poet says a woman's body is restored through her menstrual cycle.  Modern Science echoes this and has proven that menstrual cycles keep women healthy and help them live longer.  Excess toxins are flushed out reducing heart diseases.  It is the secret to keeping them youthful and energetic too.  Their hormonal functions are in harmony due to their cycles. They are in touch with nature through their cycles.  The benefits are manifold. In essence, it is a natural reset button—an extraordinary gift from nature that rejuvenates and restores women.  They are blessed by nature to be able to renew their own vigor frequently, without any external interference!   

Menstruation is not taboo, it is a blessing from Mother Nature!  

Mother Nature truly knows how to weave wonders into the very fabric of life.

pada vigrahaH:

भस्मना शुद्ध्यते कांस्यं ताम्रम् अम्लेन शुद्ध्यति ।

bhasmanā śuddhyate kāṃsyaṃ tāmram amlena śuddhyati ।

रजसा शुद्ध्यते नारी नदी वेगेन शुद्ध्यति ॥

rajasā śuddhyate nārī nadī vegena śuddhyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:

bhasmanaa shuddhyate kaaMsyaM taamramamlena shuddhyati |

rajasaa shuddhyate naaree nadee vegena shuddhyati ||

- chaaNakya neeti

bhasmanaa shuddhyate kaaMsyaM taamram amlena shuddhyati |

rajasaa shuddhyate naaree nadee vegena shuddhyati ||

September 24th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:

द्विविधो जायते व्याधिः शारीरो मानसस्तथा ।

परस्परं तयोर्जन्म निर्द्वन्द्वं नोपलभ्यते ॥

Transliteration:

dvividho jāyate vyādhiḥ śārīro mānasastathā ।

parasparaṃ tayorjanma nirdvandvaṃ nopalabhyate ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

There are two sources where diseases are born out of—the body, and the mind.  Their origination is interdependent.  It is not possible to perceive them independently.  

Commentary:

A healthy mind and a healthy body lead to a healthy life!

Mind and body are two sides of the same coin; one cannot exist without the other, and the condition of one profoundly influences the other.

It’s natural for a person suffering from a physical ailment to experience mental distress. When energy is low, the spirit tends to drag down. Tasks that once felt effortless would require extra effort, especially in the case of chronic conditions. (The poet is not referring to acute ailments like colds or the flu, which can be easily caught but are often temporary.)

Conversely, if the mind is afflicted, the body struggles to perform at its best. In fact, it can be more challenging to get rid of physical illness when the mind is not at ease than the other way around.

The connection between mind and body is so profound that there are numerous instances where treating one of them has led to the alleviation of the other. Many times, ailments of the mind manifest as physical diseases. Therefore, maintaining a healthy and alert mind is crucial.

A healthy mind and body are essential to be happy.  The body can achieve what the mind believes in, because—mind over matter! When the mind and the body are in harmony, happiness is the natural outcome. Stay healthy, stay happy!

pada vigrahaH:

द्विविधः जायते व्याधिः शारीरः मानसः तथा ।

dvividhaḥ jāyate vyādhiḥ śārīraḥ mānasaḥ tathā ।

परस्परं तयोः जन्म निर्द्वन्द्वं न उपलभ्यते ॥

parasparaṃ tayoḥ janma nirdvandvaṃ na upalabhyate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:

dvividho jaayate vyaadhiH shaarIro maanasastathaa ।

parasparaM tayorjanma nirdvandvaM nopalabhyate ॥

dvividhaH jaayate vyaadhiH shaarIraH maanasaH tathaa ।

parasparaM tayoH janma nirdvandvaM na upalabhyate ॥

November 20th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अनायासेन मरणं विना दैन्येन जीवनम् ।
देहान्ते तव सायुज्यं देहि मे पार्वतीपते ॥
Transliteration:
anāyāsena maraṇaṃ vinā dainyena jīvanam ।
dehānte tava sāyujyaṃ dehi me pārvatīpate ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Death without exertion, life without affliction, your proximity (attainment of your abode) upon leaving the body—grant me these, O husband of Pārvati! 

Commentary:

Upon being asked 'What do you want?', one may seek a plethora of wishes—a big house, a bigger bank balance, plentiful youth, good children, lots of friends, good health—the list can be endless!

However, the author of this verse has very simple, yet profound and eternal wishes to ask for!

No matter how many riches one is showered with if he is enduring a painful existence in his body, who would not want to be liberated from that pain?!  The best ambiance and the greatest food will prove repulsive for someone who is suffering from miseries of any kind—it could be some physical pain, being on life support, or a mental affliction too.  Everyone wants to live a fruitful and satisfying life and pass away peacefully without much effort, exertion, or toil.  This is certainly something to pray for!

While living, there can be multitudes of scarcities—there are places where there is not enough drinking water, enough food to eat, or a shelter to sleep under.  Such scenarios are not pleasant and one would want to be released from the affliction of any kind of poverty.  This is surely something to pray for so that life's goals can be pursued without strife.

Throughout our lives, we are taught to engage in good deeds to be liberated from the bondage of birth and death.  Attaining the union with the Lord is the final goal for everyone.  If one is granted the abode of the Lord Himself, a merger with the Lord of Pārvati, and being one with Parashiva Himself, what more would one ever want?!!

Think about it...  Aren't these the aspects one should contemplate upon and ask for?! 

pada vigrahaH:
अनायासेन मरणं विना दैन्येन जीवनम् ।
anāyāsena maraṇaṃ vinā dainyena jīvanam ।

देह-अन्ते तव सायुज्यं देहि मे पार्वती-पते ॥
deha-ante tava sāyujyaṃ dehi me pārvatī-pate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
anaayaasena maraNaM vinaa dainyena jeevanam ।
dehaante tava saayujyaM dehi me paarvatIpate ॥

anaayaasena maraNaM vinaa dainyena jeevanam ।

deha-ante tava saayujyaM dehi me paarvatI-pate ॥

November 5th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा ।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोस्तुते ॥

Transliteration:
śubhaṃ karoti kalyāṇam ārogyaṃ dhanasampadā ।
śatrubuddhivināśāya dīpajyotirnamostute ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

O light of the lamp! The one who bestows auspiciousness, fortune, health, (and) wealth; prostrations (and prayers) to you, for the destruction of the attitude of enmity.

Commentary:

A lamp is a symbol of not only light but knowledge as well.  Just as a lamp eradicates darkness, the light of knowledge eradicates ignorance.  The ignorance of the ego differentiates—one's own from others', his from hers, mine from yours.  

Where there is differentiation, there is either an inferiority or superiority complex.  This leads to jealousy, which in turn transforms into enmity.  The light of knowledge cuts this cycle out in the very bud.  For those who are aware that there is the same light of the Supreme in everyone, there is no room for enmity!

It is a prayer requesting 'to kill the feeling of enmity in oneself', not that 'the enemy's intellect should be killed' (śatrubuddhivināśāya can be interpreted either way, depending on how the words are split).  One should be careful not to understand this verse wrongly. 

May the light of that lamp flourish in each home and heart.  May it bestow good fortune, health, wealth, and austerity to all.  May the spiritual growth and wealth of all increase abundantly now and always!

pada vigrahaH:
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धन-सम्पदा  ।
śubhaṃ karoti kalyāṇam ārogyaṃ dhana-sampadā ।

शत्रु-बुद्धि-विनाशाय दीप-ज्योतिः नमोस्तु ते ॥
śatru-buddhi-vināśāya dīpa-jyotiḥ namostu te ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
shubhaM karoti kalyaaNam aarogyaM dhanasampadaa ।
shatrubuddhivinaashaaya deepajyotirnamostute ॥

shubhaM karoti kalyaaNam aarogyaM dhana-sampadaa  ।

shatru-buddhi-vinaashaaya deepa-jyotiH namostu te ॥

September 14th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वैद्यानां शारदी माता पिता च कुसुमाकरः ।
यमदम्ष्ट्रा स्वसा प्रोक्ता हितभुक् मितभुक् रिपुः ॥

Transliteration:
vaidyānāṃ śāradī mātā pitā ca kusumākaraḥ ।
yamadamṣṭrā svasā proktā hitabhuk mitabhuk ripuḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

For a doctor, Autumn is the mother, and Spring is the father. Winter is said to be the sister. One who eats suitable and measured portions is his enemy!

Commentary:

When does one go to a doctor? When he is sick. A doctor earns his living because sick people come to him. People fall sick easily when the weather gets cold or fluctuates constantly, like in autumn, spring, and winter. That is pretty much the whole year.  We see that except during summer, people do get sick often!  

Kith and kin come to the aid of a person's prosperity. Likewise, winter, autumn, and spring assist a doctor in keeping his practice alive (by getting people sick)! Hence, the poet humorously says these seasons are like family to him.  

On the contrary, the poet proceeds to say that he who eats suitable food in limited portions is an enemy to a doctor! No matter what season, such a person will not require medical attention. Such a person will stay fit and healthy, and won't need to see a doctor often.  Isn't it enemies who curtail the growth and prosperity of another person! So, the poet quips that such a person is a doctor's enemy!

Moral of the story: Eat healthy and eat within limits.  This will help in staying away from a doctor.  It is the biggest open secret to good health! Simply, by being conscious and aware of what is going into the mouth, one can keep illnesses at bay.

He who has health has hope. He who has hope has everything! May everyone have everything!

pada vigrahaH:
वैद्यानां शारदी माता पिता च कुसुमाकरः ।
vaidyānāṃ śāradī mātā pitā ca kusumākaraḥ ।

यम-दम्ष्ट्रा स्वसा प्रोक्ता हितभुक् मितभुक् रिपुः ॥
yama-damṣṭrā svasā proktā hitabhuk mitabhuk ripuḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
vaidyaanaaM shaaradI maataa pitaa cha kusumaakaraH ।
yamadamShTraa svasaa proktaa hitabhuk mitabhuk ripuH ॥

vaidyaanaaM shaaradI maataa pitaa cha kusumaakaraH ।

yama-damShTraa svasaa proktaa hitabhuk mitabhuk ripuH ॥

August 2nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
शान्तितुल्यं तपो नास्ति न सन्तोषात्परं सुखम् ।
न तृष्णायाः परो व्याधिः न च धर्मो दयापरः ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
śāntitulyaṃ tapo nāsti na santoṣātparaṃ sukham ।
na tṛṣṇāyāḥ paro vyādhiḥ na ca dharmo dayāparaḥ ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

There is no penance equal to peace; no pleasure beyond satisfaction; no disease is worse than greed; no virtue better than compassion.

Commentary:

One doesn't have to do eons of penance if his actions bring about peace. If his thoughts are driven towards keeping the peace in every aspect of life around him, that is the biggest penance!

Big houses, fancy jewelery and multiple vehicles are not the means of pleasure. If one is satisfied with what he has, there is no pleasure beyond that.

Infliction of disease is no fun for anyone. The biggest and worst of all diseases is greed! The unquenchable thirst and the 'want' to possess more is the hardest of all illnesses to cure.

Compassion is one virtue that gives one the vision of ekatva (oneness) among all beings. If one inculcates this attribute, it is the best form of dharma (virtue). If one can have compassion for other beings at all times without any reservations, he is following the path of dharma always!

Acquire these essential skills that outweigh all other abilities!

pada vigrahaH:
शान्ति-तुल्यं तपः न अस्ति न सन्तोषात् परं सुखम् ।
śānti-tulyaṃ tapaḥ na asti na santoṣāt paraṃ sukham ।

न तृष्णायाः परः व्याधिः न च धर्मः दया-अपरः ॥

na tṛṣṇāyāḥ paraḥ vyādhiḥ na ca dharmaḥ dayā-aparaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
shaantitulyaM tapo naasti na santoShaatparaM sukham ।
na tRuShNaayaaH paro vyaadhiH na cha dharmo dayaaparaH ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

shaanti-tulyaM tapaH na asti na santoShaat paraM sukham ।

na tRuShNaayaaH paraH vyaadhiH na cha dharmaH dayaa-aparaH ॥

July 31st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
यावत्स्वस्थो ह्ययं देहः यावन्मृत्युश्च दूरतः ।
तावदात्महितं कुर्यात् प्राणान्ते किं करिष्यति ॥
- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:
yāvatsvastho hyayaṃ dehaḥ yāvanmṛtyuśca dūrataḥ ।
tāvadātmahitaṃ kuryāt prāṇānte kiṃ kariṣyati ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

So long as the body is healthy, (and) so long as death is far away (when younger), perform deeds beneficial for the soul. What can (one) do at the end of life (when death is near)? 

Commentary:

When in good health, most time and energy are spent accumulating wealth, possessions, and material gains. The youthful years are often consumed by the pursuit of pleasure. However, indulgences in seeking enjoyment only hinder the soul’s progress. The poet wisely advises that when one is healthy and strong, one should engage in actions that benefit the soul. No one knows when their last breath will come, but it’s certain that youth fades, old age comes, and death follows. During the years when death seems distant, it is the ideal time to perform virtuous deeds. What can one accomplish on their deathbed when they are barely able to care for themselves?

The common misconception among the young is that virtuous deeds can be postponed until later in life. The reality is that one should begin the journey toward spiritual growth as early as possible. A single lifetime is often not enough to reflect on and achieve everything; one cannot expect to accomplish it all in the later years. Additionally, the accumulation of unwanted tendencies (vāsanas) in this life makes it harder to unlearn and relearn in the later stages.

NOW is the time to act. Procrastination is not an option when it comes to the soul. Every day should be a reflection: are your actions helping your soul evolve, or are they causing it to stagnate? Only through consistent reflection and proactive steps can one move toward spiritual progress.

pada vigrahaH:
यावत् स्वस्थः हि अयं देहः यावत् मृत्युः च दूरतः ।
yāvat svasthaḥ hi ayaṃ dehaḥ yāvat mṛtyuḥ ca dūrataḥ ।

तावत् आत्म-हितं कुर्यात् प्राण-अन्ते किं करिष्यति ॥
tāvat ātma-hitaṃ kuryāt prāṇa-ante kiṃ kariṣyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
yaavatsvastho hyayaM dehaH yaavanmRutyushcha dUrataH ।
taavadaatmahitaM kuryaat praaNaante kiM kariShyati ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

yaavat svasthaH hi ayaM dehaH yaavat mRutyuH cha dUrataH ।

taavat aatma-hitaM kuryaat praaNa-ante kiM kariShyati ॥

June 12th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
कस्य दोषः कुले नास्ति व्याधिना को न पीडितः ।
व्यसनं केन न प्राप्‍तं कस्य सौख्यं निरन्तरम् ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
kasya doṣaḥ kule nāsti vyādhinā ko na pīḍitaḥ ।
vyasanaṃ kena na prāp‍taṃ kasya saukhyaṃ nirantaram ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Whose clan is blemishless? Who is never afflicted by a disease? Who has never attained adversity?  Whose happiness is unbroken?

Commentary:

The sore thumb of the family; one odd button; the black sheep of the family—all families have one such person, whom others want to hide in the closet! When everyone has someone like that in their own families, why be embarrassed about the one in your family?

There is no one who is in perfect health. At some point or the other, everyone would have suffered one health issue or another. Only beings are afflicted by diseases, not a log! It is a part and parcel of being a 'living' being.

In the entire world, can anyone find a person who has never seen any adversity in life? If he has seen no adversity, then, he has lived no life at all! Only when one sees hard times, does he truly appreciate and enjoy the value of all the blessings he has been bestowed with.

Extending the same argument, no one has never seen good times in life at all! Along with that, comes the uncertainty of that pleasant time as well. There are no guarantees smooth sailing will continue forever. His ocean will be ruffled and the waves will become turbulent.  This will make his ship wobble at one time or another.

Things happen beyond our control  That is the time to remember, 'Whatever makes you a little uncomfortable is the biggest opportunity for growth'.  

Change is the only constant thing! Change alone, isn't changing. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional! Why fret about shortcomings or cling on to possessions then? Neither is permanent!

pada vigrahaH:
कस्य दोषः कुले नास्ति व्याधिना कः न पीडितः ।
kasya doṣaḥ kule nāsti vyādhinā kaḥ na pīḍitaḥ ।

व्यसनं केन न प्राप्‍तं कस्य सौख्यं निरन्तरम् ॥
vyasanaṃ kena na prāp‍taṃ kasya saukhyaṃ nirantaram ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kasya doShaH kule naasti vyaadhinaa ko na pIDitaH ।
vyasanaM kena na praaptaM kasya soukhyaM nirantaram ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

kasya doShaH kule naasti vyaadhinaa kaH na pIDitaH ।

vyasanaM kena na praaptaM kasya soukhyaM nirantaram ॥

May 4th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अनादायी व्ययं कुर्यात् असहायी रणप्रियः ।
आतुरः सर्वभक्षी च नरः शीघ्रं विनश्यति ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार


Transliteration:
anādāyī vyayaṃ kuryāt asahāyī raṇapriyaḥ ।
āturaḥ sarvabhakṣī ca naraḥ śīghraṃ vinaśyati ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Devoid of income, (yet) a spendthrift; helpless, (but) fond of picking fights; diseased, (yet) eating (anything and) everything—such a person perishes soon.

Commentary:

He who perishes by his own weapons dies twice. On that note, these three types of people die multiple deaths!  

1. Stretch your feet only as far as the bed. Do not live beyond your means. There are many such sayings which profess the same value. Be judicious in spending! Especially for those whose income is challenged. It is not judicious to spend a dollar when one is finding it hard to dish out even a penny. He will never prosper.
2. It is not wise to pick a fight in the first place. Still, if one wants to pick a fight, he has to pick someone his own size. It is not prudent to start a tiff with someone much bigger than himself, both in size and stature, and have no backup help. He will never win.
3. You become what you eat. Eating habits define a person's physical and emotional health. If food is treated as medicine to sustain the body, he can be in good health. One won't take medicine unnecessarily nor more than the recommended dosage, for the specific illness. The same is true with food. Especially when one is in bad health, it is not wise to eat delicacies to satiate his palate. His health will only deteriorate.

People with any of these 3 temperaments perish faster than they should or would. Beware, take care!

pada vigrahaH:

अनादायी व्ययं कुर्यात् असहायी रण-प्रियः ।
anādāyī vyayaṃ kuryāt asahāyī raṇa-priyaḥ ।

आतुरः सर्व-भक्षी च नरः शीघ्रं विनश्यति ॥
āturaḥ sarva-bhakṣī ca naraḥ śīghraṃ vinaśyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
anaadaayI vyayaM kuryaat asahaayI raNapriyaH ।
aaturaH sarvabhakShI cha naraH shIghraM vinashyati ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

anaadaayI vyayaM kuryaat asahaayI raNa-priyaH ।

aaturaH sarva-bhakShI cha naraH shIghraM vinashyati ॥

May 2nd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
लोभमूलानि पापानि रसमूलाश्च व्याधयः ।
इष्टमूलानि शोकानि त्रीणि त्यक्त्वा सुखी भव ॥

Transliteration:
lobhamūlāni pāpāni rasamūlāśca vyādhayaḥ ।
iṣṭamūlāni śokāni trīṇi tyaktvā sukhī bhava ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Greed emanates sins; gratification of the palate is the root of diseases; (and) desire is the source of grievances. Abandon these 3 and attain happiness!

Commentary:

No one wants to commit a crime or sin. Every person's internal hard-wiring warns him against performing actions that are not in line with dharma. Everyone has this conscience. Yet, what is the reason for so much crime and sin in the world?! The motivation is greed! Greed-driven actions lead to sin. The intense eagerness to possess an object of interest makes one perform sin.

It is said, 'You are what you eat.' This means one's health is a mirror image of his eating habits. Eating habits originate in one's weakness for his tastebuds. If he yields to them every time, diseases are bound to show up.

If one is sad it is because he is disappointed. This disappointment arises from the anticipation of a particular outcome from any circumstance. More than expectation itself, it is the insistence of that expectation to become a reality that causes sorrow. This insistence is born from desires!

The poet says, to lead a happy life, stay away from these three troublemakers—greed, too much zeal for taste, and desires.

1. Earth can provide enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not enough for one man's greed.
2. Eat healthy, stay healthy.
3. Moderate your desires.

Remembering these 3 points can make life much happier!

pada vigrahaH:
लोभ-मूलानि पापानि रस-मूलाः च व्याधयः ।
lobha-mūlāni pāpāni rasa-mūlāḥ ca vyādhayaḥ ।

इष्ट-मूलानि शोकानि त्रीणि त्यक्त्वा सुखी भव ॥
iṣṭa-mūlāni śokāni trīṇi tyaktvā sukhī bhava ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
lobhamUlaani paapaani rasamUlaashcha vyaadhayaH ।
iShTamUlaani shokaani trINi tyaktvaa sukhI bhava ॥

lobha-mUlaani paapaani rasa-mUlaaH cha vyaadhayaH ।

iShTa-mUlaani shokaani trINi tyaktvaa sukhI bhava ॥

February 15th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गर्भे व्याधौ श्मशाने च पुराणे या मतिर्भवेत् ।
सा यदि स्थिरतां याति को न मुच्येत बन्धनात् ॥
- गरुडपुराण


Transliteration:
garbhe vyādhau śmaśāne ca purāṇe yā matirbhavet ।
sā yadi sthiratāṃ yāti ko na mucyeta bandhanāt ॥
- garuḍapurāṇa

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Who will not be freed from bondage if the attitude/disposition pertinent - when in the womb, during sickness, at a funeral, and while (listening to) spiritual teachings—remains undeterred?!

Commentary:

Moods and temperaments are like monkeys, jumping from one branch to another. It is very difficult to predict how they will change or what they land on next. But apathy is inherently ingrained in every being. It surfaces occasionally—

1. When in the womb, it is said that the जीव (jīva, soul) is filled with detachment. After spending months in the womb, the jīva feels like it never wants to come back into the world and go through all that pain ever again. This is प्रसूति-वैराग्य (prasūti-vairāgya).  It could also mean—during labor pains, it is so painful that a woman thinks she will never again give birth to another child!  But then, the pain is soon forgotten. Life moves on and family grows again. 
2. In sickness, we automatically pray to the Lord and feel dispassionate towards worldly comforts and pleasures. No one wants to deck themselves up and be pompous when unwell. No indulgence with favorite foods either.  During these times, all vanities and delicacies look meaningless. This is आपद्-वैराग्य (āpad-vairāgya).
3. At a funeral, everyone sees the momentariness of life when a loved one is being taken away. They see that when a person passes away, he doesn't take any of his worldly possessions with him. Although this is common knowledge, it will aid as a reality check and induce the feeling of detachment in the onlookers. This is श्मशान-वैराग्य (śmaśāna-vairāgya).
4. While listening to mythological teachings or spiritual scriptures, there is a sudden stir in the mind and the mind then simulates an aversion to materialistic indulgences. There is instantaneous dispassion towards mundane possessions. This is पुराण-वैराग्य (purāṇa-vairāgya).

Although tentatively, these situations go beyond the mundane level and break all bondages.  When there are no bondages, there is a sense of dispassion.  All these situations bring out what is already in us - a feeling of apathy (this word is not as effective as - वैराग्य 'vairāgya'). The verse says, that if only this detachment/dispassion attains firm rooting and remains unwavering, then there is no stopping from achieving mokṣa (salvation).

We already have in us, what is needed to attain nirvāṇa, but if we desire it, we need to be consistent!

pada vigrahaH:

गर्भे व्याधौ श्मशाने च पुराणे या मतिः भवेत् ।
garbhe vyādhau śmaśāne ca purāṇe yā matiḥ bhavet ।

सा यदि स्थिरतां याति कः न मुच्येत बन्धनात् ॥
sā yadi sthiratāṃ yāti kaḥ na mucyeta bandhanāt ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
garbhe vyaadhau shmashaane cha puraaNe yaa matirbhavet ।
saa yadi sthirataaM yaati ko na muchyeta bandhanaat ॥
- garuDapuraaNa

garbhe vyaadhau shmashaane cha puraaNe yaa matiH bhavet ।

saa yadi sthirataaM yaati kaH na muchyeta bandhanaat ॥

January 8th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
पूरयेदशनेनार्धं तृतीयम् उदकेन तु ।
वायुसञ्चरणार्थाय चतुर्थमवशेषयेत् ॥

Transliteration:
pūrayedaśanenārdhaṃ tṛtīyam udakena tu ।
vāyusañcaraṇārthāya caturthamavaśeṣayet ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Fill half with (solid) food, but the third quarter with water. For the movement of air, leave the fourth quarter empty.

Commentary:

Referring to the stomach, that is!

If one wants to ward off a hoard of health issues, keep obesity at bay, and look young and energetic even in old age, then this one simple rule will be enough.

At every meal, one should remember to consume solid food, enough only to fill two-quarters of his stomach.  He should fill another quarter with water and leave the last quarter empty for circulating air. Following this one simple discipline is the best approach to having good health.

Think of the stomach like the jar of a blender.  If it is filled to the brim with solids, then the mixer won't be able to turn the blades. A jar filled half with solid ingredients and enough water to liquefy them results in a nice paste. The jar also needs some room to churn the solids and liquid together. So, the quarter that is left empty serves this purpose. An appropriate proportion of everything gives the best results.

If we do not keep this in mind and overload the jar, then the blender will surely break sooner than it should! Similarly, if we do not abide by this rule, the body will end up bearing the brunt and wear out sooner than later.

The choice is ours!

pada vigrahaH:

पूरयेत् अशनेन अर्धं तृतीयम् उदकेन तु ।
pūrayet aśanena ardhaṃ tṛtīyam udakena tu ।

वायु-सञ्चरण-अर्थाय चतुर्थम् अवशेषयेत् ॥
vāyu-sañcaraṇa-arthāya caturtham avaśeṣayet ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
pUrayedashanenaardhaM tRutIyam udakena tu ।
vaayusa~ncharaNaarthaaya chaturthamavasheShayet ॥

pUrayet ashanena ardhaM tRutIyam udakena tu ।

vaayu-sa~ncharaNa-arthaaya chaturtham avasheShayet ॥