June 29th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
काका आह्वयते काकान् याचको न तु याचकान् ।
काकयाचकयोर्मध्ये वरं काको न याचकः ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय


Transliteration:
kākā āhvayate kākān yācako na tu yācakān ।
kākayācakayormadhye varaṃ kāko na yācakaḥ ॥
- subhāṣitaratnasamuccaya

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Crows call other crows, but a cadger (beggar) never (calls) other cadgers. Between a crow and a cadger, a crow is a better choice, not a cadger.

Commentary:

Greed is never a financial issue, it is a heart issue! 

When a crow finds a scrap of food, it makes a lot of noise and draws the attention of all other crows to the food. Consequentially, when other crows come, the food gets shared among them. The crow happily shares his find and is satisfied with whatever comes.

Unlike the crow, when a scrounger asks for favors from others, he tries to dodge and deflect other cadgers, so he can get the maximum benefit. He wants to get as much from the giver as he can and keep it all for himself!

This verse extols the attitude of 'sharing' which is a rarity among human beings, in general.  Greed is the most commonly seen attitude.  One wants everything, every time, and everywhere.  Greed incites him into usurping whatever comes his way and he will not share anything with anyone!  He falls short in comparison to a mere crow, who enthusiastically calls all of its kind and shares its find willingly!

Being human and having better brains, he uses it in devious ways. But a bird, having a 'bird brain' (pun intended!), has a larger heart. There is no delight in owning anything that remains unshared! 'All for one, one for all' must be the principle.

pada vigrahaH:
काका आह्वयते काकान् याचकः न तु याचकान् ।
kākā āhvayate kākān yācakaḥ na tu yācakān ।

काक-याचकयोः मध्ये वरं काकः न याचकः ॥
kāka-yācakayoḥ madhye varaṃ kākaḥ na yācakaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
kaakaa aahvayate kaakaan yaachako na tu yaachakaan ।
kaakayaachakayormadhye varaM kaako na yaachakaH ॥
- subhaaShitaratnasamuchchaya

kaakaa aahvayate kaakaan yaachakaH na tu yaachakaan ।

kaaka-yaachakayoH madhye varaM kaakaH na yaachakaH ॥

April 21st

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
तृणं लघु तृणात्तूलं तूलादपि च याचकः ।
वायुना किं न नीतोऽसौ मामयं याचयिष्यति ॥
- चाणक्य नीति


Transliteration:
tṛṇaṃ laghu tṛṇāttūlaṃ tūlādapi ca yācakaḥ ।
vāyunā kiṃ na nīto'sau māmayaṃ yācayiṣyati ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Grass is light, cotton is more nimble than grass, (and) a scrounger (yācaka) is more insignificant than cotton. (But) why is he not blown away by the wind? (Because wind) is (afraid) that the scrounger will solicit (something) from him (too)!

Commentary:
Whether a person is valued or not, whether he is taken seriously or not, depends on his own values and vices. A person's significance comes from his conduct, not his possessions. One may accumulate multitudes of objects following the 'beg, borrow, or steal' principle. That brings no respect to him. 

In the poet's opinion, a freeloader is more wretched and obsolete than a twig of grass or a speck of cotton! These two are so light that they are blown away by the smallest whiff of wind. Then, shouldn't a borrower or a moocher—who is more insignificant than these—be carried away by the wind?! NO! Even the wind is apprehensive of the badgering which the beggar might resort to, for something he wants!! That sure is petty.

Ethics and values account for the true weight of a person. Asking for favors constantly from friends and family is no different from being a scrounger. Just as people would avoid a beggar, will start avoiding such a person. Don't diminish your self-worth.  

pada vigrahaH:
तृणं लघु तृणात् तूलं तूलात् अपि च याचकः ।
tṛṇaṃ laghu tṛṇāt tūlaṃ tūlāt api ca yācakaḥ ।

वायुना किं न नीतः असौ माम् अयं याचयिष्यति ॥
vāyunā kiṃ na nītaḥ asau mām ayaṃ yācayiṣyati ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
tRuNaM laghu tRuNaattUlaM tUlaadapi cha yaachakaH ।
vaayunaa kiM na nIto.sau maamayaM yaachayiShyati ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

tRuNaM laghu tRuNaat tUlaM tUlaat api cha yaachakaH ।

vaayunaa kiM na nItaH asau maam ayaM yaachayiShyatI iti ॥