October 20th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:

नागुणी गुणिनं वेत्ति गुणी गुणिषु मत्सरी ।

गुणी च गुणरागी च विरलः सरलो जनः ॥

Transliteration:

nāguṇī guṇinaṃ vetti guṇī guṇiṣu matsarī ।

guṇī ca guṇarāgī ca viralaḥ saralo janaḥ ॥

Meaning of the subhAShita:

A person devoid of virtues does not cognize virtue (in others). Those with virtues are jealous of others with merit.  A person with simplicity who is virtuous and also appreciates virtue (in others) is rare to come by.    

Commentary:

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Simple people keep things simple! They honor in others what they value in themselves, free of double standards. 

However, in society, we often see those with merit viewing others as competition, pulling each other down instead of lifting each other up. In this struggle, often merit loses its own worth.

Those without excellence may fail to recognize it in others, leaving merit unrewarded in their eyes as well.

The poet laments that the truly virtuous—the rare few, who live in harmony with their values and admire virtue in others—are hard to find. 

True virtue, after all, lies in balance—the golden mean between excess and deficiency. Indeed, a simple person whose thoughts, words, and actions align, is rare.

pada vigrahaH:

न अगुणी गुणिनं वेत्ति गुणी गुणिषु मत्सरी ।

na aguṇī guṇinaṃ vetti guṇī guṇiṣu matsarī ।

गुणी च गुण-रागी च विरलः सरलः जनः ॥

guṇī ca guṇa-rāgī ca viralaḥ saralaḥ janaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:

naaguNI guNinaM vetti guNI guNiShu matsarI ।

guNI cha guNaraagI cha viralaH saralo janaH ॥

na aguNI guNinaM vetti guNI guNiShu matsarI ।

guNI cha guNa-raagI cha viralaH saralaH janaH ॥

August 26th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दह्यमानाः सुतीव्रेण नीचाः परयशोऽग्निना ।
अशक्तास्तत्पदं गन्तुं ततो निन्दां प्रकुर्वते ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
dahyamānāḥ sutīvreṇa nīcāḥ parayaśo'gninā ।
aśaktāstatpadaṃ gantuṃ tato nindāṃ prakurvate ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Lowly individuals burn intensely in the fire (of jealousy) of others' prosperity. Incapable of reaching those heights (positions) themselves, they criticize tirelessly.

Commentary:

Envy is perhaps the most foolish of all vices, for it brings absolutely no benefit—only harm. By envying others, one inflicts unnecessary suffering upon oneself, creating a cycle of self-imposed misery with no reward in return. Why nurture such corrosive emotions? Envy stems from feelings of inferiority and insecurity, manifesting as an incessant need to criticize those who have achieved what one desires but feels incapable of attaining. Instead of striving for personal growth, the envious resort to fault-finding, hoping to diminish the shine of others' success.

As the saying goes, "The envious die not once, but as often as others receive applause." Another timeless truth reminds us, "Envy is the art of counting another’s blessings instead of your own." These observations highlight the futile and destructive nature of envy—it does nothing to lessen another’s accomplishments but thoroughly consumes the peace and happiness of the envious.

Why give rise to such self-destructive emotions? Recognizing the root cause of envy—our own insecurities and misguided comparisons—makes it easier to extinguish it. Instead of letting envy take root, focus inward. Celebrate your own journey, no matter how different it may be from others’. After all, everyone receives their fair share according to their efforts and destiny. 

Jealousy cannot tarnish the success of others, but it can certainly corrode your own inner peace. Don’t let it take hold—choose gratitude, self-awareness, and faith instead. Be yourself, and leave the rest to Him.

pada vigrahaH:
दह्यमानाः सु-तीव्रेण नीचाः पर-यशः अग्निना ।
dahyamaanaaH su-tIvreNa nIchaaH para-yashaH agninaa ।

अशक्ताः तत् पदं गन्तुं ततः निन्दां प्रकुर्वते ॥
aśaktāḥ tat padaṃ gantuṃ tataḥ nindāṃ prakurvate ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dahyamaanaaH sutIvreNa nIchaaH parayasho.gninaa ।
ashaktaastatpadaM gantuM tato nindaaM prakurvate ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

dahyamānāḥ su-tīvreṇa nīcāḥ para-yaśaḥ agninā ।

ashaktaaH tat padaM gantuM tataH nindaaM prakurvate ॥

March 10th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
ईर्ष्यी घृणी त्वसन्तुष्टः क्रोधनो नित्यशङ्कितः ।
परभाग्योपजीवी च षडेते दुःखभागिनः ॥
- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ


Transliteration:
īrṣyī ghṛṇī tvasantuṣṭaḥ krodhano nityaśaṅkitaḥ ।
parabhāgyopajīvī ca ṣaḍete duḥkhabhāginaḥ ॥
- hitopadeśa, mitralābha

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The jealous, the repugnant, the un-contented, the resentful, the ever-doubting, and those living off of other people's wealth—these six are eligible for sorrow.

Commentary:

Some people want to see everything go wrong for others because, in their heads, nothing is going right for them! 

1. Jealousy towards others yields no good. A jealous person is plotting constantly against his perceived enemy. Hence he can never be peaceful.
2. Repugnance, distaste, or aversion towards anyone or anything can breed no beautiful thoughts along with them. Such a person is always miserable.
3. One with no contentment is constantly working his mind towards acquiring something more to satisfy him. There is no calmness in such a mind.
4. A resentful and angry person is never happy with anything or anyone. He expresses displeasure every step of the way. How can pleasure even come near such a person?
5. A doubting Thomas, a skeptic, has no trust in any aspect of life. He needs constant assurance and physical evidence to make him believe every single dimension of his own life. Such an individual probably can't even sleep in peace.
6. A person living off of someone else's wealth has to constantly think of that someone literally! If the other person loses his source of income, so does he... The parasitic guilt that accompanies the scenario is a whole different issue to deal with. How can such a person be happy!

Any person who is—not at peace, always miserable, not calm, not happy, not pleasant nor satisfied—how can delight come near such an individual! The verse even says, such a person almost deserves to be sorrowful, meaning he can't escape sorrow.

Don't worry, be happy!

pada vigrahaH:
ईर्ष्यी घृणी तु असन्तुष्टः क्रोधनः नित्य-शङ्कितः ।
īrṣyī ghṛṇī tu asantuṣṭaḥ krodhanaḥ nitya-śaṅkitaḥ ।

पर-भाग्य-उपजीवी च षट् एते दुःख-भागिनः ॥
para-bhāgya-upajīvī ca ṣaṭ ete duḥkha-bhāginaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
IrShyI ghRuNI tvasantuShTaH krodhano nityasha~nkitaH ।
parabhaagyopajIvI cha ShaDete duHkhabhaaginaH ॥
- hitopadesha, mitralaabha

IrShyI ghRuNI tu asantuShTaH krodhanaH nitya-sha~nkitaH ।

para-bhaagya-upajIvI cha ShaT ete duHkha-bhaaginaH ॥

March 9th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अहंममाभिमानोत्थैः कामलोभादिभिर्मलैः ।
वीतं यदा मनः शुद्धम् अदुःखमसुखं समम् ॥
- भागवत


Transliteration:
ahaṃmamābhimānotthaiḥ kāmalobhādibhirmalaiḥ ।
vītaṃ yadā manaḥ śuddham aduḥkhamasukhaṃ samam ॥
- bhāgavata

Meaning of the subhAShita:

When the mind is purified of impurities like desire, avarice, etc., rising from the arrogant feelings of 'me' and 'mine', (then) the absence of pain and the absence of pleasure feels equal.

Commentary:

The minute ego enters one's mind, it wreaks havoc. It brings along a hoard of other unwanted faculties—desire, anger, greed, affliction, arrogance, and jealousy. Each one of these is capable of causing tremendous pain, so when all these come together as a package, it is just a disaster waiting to happen!  Due to these negative emotions, one would only be tending to the hurts of his own ego and stirring up unrest within himself, unnecessarily.  In reality, there is no conflict at all!

When the mind is purified of such impurities, the real picture and purpose of life become crystal clear. In that perspective, one doesn't feel any difference in the absence of pleasure or in the absence of pain. 

It is interesting how the poet says the 'absence of pain' is equal to the 'absence of pleasure'. The poet could have easily said 'pleasure and pain' are equal. Isn't the absence of pain: pleasure? And an absence of pleasure: pain? Not really! 

A pure mind doesn't get excited in the absence of pain, nor does it feel depressed in the absence of pleasure. But pain and pleasure by themselves would bring these emotions. Hence the poet has used such an expression to portray a composed person. 

An equanimous person will take all situations with the same approach and live life like a lotus leaf in water. Although a lotus leaf is born and thrives in water, it does not get attached.  The water does not affect or tarnish it either. Such is the approach of a pure mind towards life and its nature.

pada vigrahaH:

अहं मम अभिमान-उत्थैः काम-लोभ-आदिभिः मलैः ।
ahaṃ mama abhimāna-utthaiḥ kāma-lobha-ādibhiḥ malaiḥ ।

वीतं यदा मनः शुद्धम् अदुःखम् असुखं समम् ॥
vītaṃ yadā manaḥ śuddham aduḥkham asukhaṃ samam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
ahaMmamaabhimaanotthaiH kaamalobhaadibhirmalaiH ।
vItaM yadaa manaH shuddham aduHkhamasukhaM samam ॥
- bhaagavata

ahaM mama abhimaana-utthaiH kaama-lobha-aadibhiH malaiH ।

vItaM yadaa manaH shuddham aduHkham asukhaM samam ॥

January 28th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
नित्यं क्रोधात्तपो रक्षेत् धर्मं रक्षेच्च मत्सरात् ।
विद्यां मानापमानाभ्याम् आत्मानं तु प्रमादतः ॥
- महाभारत, वनपर्व


Transliteration:
nityaṃ krodhāttapo rakṣet dharmaṃ rakṣecca matsarāt ।
vidyāṃ mānāpamānābhyām ātmānaṃ tu pramādataḥ ॥
- mahābhārata, vanaparva

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Always protect penance from anger; save righteousness from jealousy; defend knowledge from (the clutches of) pride and contempt; protect oneself (soul) from misdeeds.

Commentary:

In the scriptures is the proof of maharṣi dūrvāsa's rage. There are stories where his anger brought down the strength of his numerous penances. Penance (tapas) does not just imply the act of penance (performing rigorous rituals). It is a depiction of any kind of austerity. It could be as simple as vāktapas—the discipline of speech, which we follow in our day-to-day lives. Anger breaks this discipline. Anger and penance are two things that don't go hand in hand. Therefore, penance needs to be protected from anger.

Virtue and righteousness are life essentials. If one gets into the grip of jealousy, his sense of righteousness gets thrown to the wind. He would go to any level in order to satiate his jealousy. But he forgets one point—that jealousy is like a fire, a fire that is inside himself. It burns the bearer first and then everyone else around him. To reach higher goals in life, one must follow the path of dharma. The biggest obstacle on the path of dharma is jealousy. One must save dharma from jealousy.

Knowledge is the one tool that makes us different from animals. However, with the accumulation of knowledge comes the feeling of pride and contempt. Pride, because 'I know all these things', or contempt, because 'someone doesn't'. Contempt can come from the learned towards the less learned. These basal feelings will alter the path of a vidyārthī (student). If he is too proud of his prowess, then his growth will be curtailed. Or, if he lets someone's contempt discourage him, this also will curtail his growth. Vidyā should be saved from the clutches of pride and contempt.

All in all, one should beware of misdeeds. A misdeed is considered as any action that is not proactive towards the betterment of the soul. One should protect himself and his soul from misdeeds at all costs.

Beware of the vices in the path of virtue. 

pada vigrahaH:

नित्यं क्रोधात् तपः रक्षेत् धर्मं रक्षेत् च मत्सरात् ।
nityaṃ krodhāt tapaḥ rakṣet dharmaṃ rakṣet ca matsarāt ।

विद्यां मान-अपमानाभ्याम् आत्मानं तु प्रमादतः ॥
vidyāṃ māna-apamānābhyām ātmānaṃ tu pramādataḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
nityaM krodhaattapo rakShet dharmaM rakShechcha matsaraat ।
vidyaaM maanaapamaanaabhyaam aatmaanaM tu pramaadataH ॥
- mahaabhaarata, vanaparva

nityaM krodhaat tapaH rakShet dharmaM rakShet cha matsaraat ।

vidyaaM maana-apamaanaabhyaam aatmaanaM tu pramaadataH ॥

January 25th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
बोद्धारो मत्सरग्रस्ताः प्रभवः स्मयदूषिताः ।
अबोधोपहताश्चान्ये जीर्णमङ्गे सुभाषितम् ॥
- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
boddhāro matsaragrastāḥ prabhavaḥ smayadūṣitāḥ ।
abodhopahatāścānye jīrṇamaṅge subhāṣitam ॥
- nītiśataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:

The perceptive (people) are in the grasp of jealousy, the kings are corrupt with arrogance and the rest are beyond perception... (Alas!) the subhāṣitas dilapidated within myself.

Commentary:

भर्तृहरि (Bhartṛhari) who wrote the wonderful book 'नीतिशतक' (Nītiśataka), says that there are all kinds of people in the world. Some are sharp and perceptive, and some are not. Some have the power to propagate knowledge (like the kings) and some don't. He dolefully laments that the problem is—all these people have their own specific reasons for ignoring the subhāṣitas.

1. The intelligent are very busy trying to beat the rat race and outshining their fellow beings. Devoured by jealousy, they do not have any affection towards the subhāṣitas.
2. The kings, or other people in power, are so arrogant about their high position that instead of using their power for the propagation of values and ethics (that are in the subhāṣitas), they do not even care for the subhāṣitas.
3. The rest are not knowledgeable enough to be receptive to the subhāṣitas.

Alas, that represents most people.  So, who is to heed the words of wisdom? Despite knowing this, Bhartṛhari wrote the wonderful book with 100 beautiful verses, hoping that someone, someday will be eager to learn. Each verse is a pearl of wisdom that is a guiding light to daily life.

Let us be the people putting those luminous pearls to practical use in our day-to-day lives!

pada vigrahaH:
बोद्धारः मत्सर ग्रस्ताः प्रभवः स्मय-दूषिताः ।
boddhāraḥ matsara grastāḥ prabhavaḥ smaya-dūṣitāḥ ।

अबोध-उपहताः च अन्ये जीर्णम् अङ्गे सुभाषितम् ॥
abodha-upahatāḥ ca anye jīrṇam aṅge subhāṣitam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
boddhaaro matsaragrastaaH prabhavaH smayadUShitaaH ।
abodhopahataashchaanye jIrNama~nge subhaaShitam ॥
- nItishataka

boddhaaraH matsara grastaaH prabhavaH smaya-dUShitaaH ।

abodha-upahataaH cha anye jIrNam a~nge subhaaShitam ॥