To day's Subhashit.

आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम्
सर्वदेव नमस्कारः केशवं प्रतिगच्छति

Aakaashaat patitam toyam yathaa gachchati sagaram
Sarvedeva namaskaarah keshavam pratigachchati.

i.e.   Just as rain water falling on the Earth from the Sky ultimately reaches the Ocean (through rivers flowing on the Earth) similarly prayers made to different Gods (Hindu Religion has innumerable number of Gods and so also other Religions) ultimately reaches the God Almighty.

Aakaashaat = from the Sky.        Patitam = falling down .        Toyam = water.
Yathaa =  just as.        Gachchati = goes, reaches.             Sagaram = Ocean.
Sarvadeva = all Gods.     Namaskaaram = Prayer, salutations.      Pratigachchati =ultimately reaches.
Keshava = another name of God Vishnu ( the foremost among the trinity i.e.Brahamaa, Vishnu and Mahesh)   i.e.God Almighty.

(In Hindu Religion, as also in other Religions as well, there are innumerable number of Gods worshipped by the believers of the Faith concerned. Obeisance  paid to these Gods is compared here to the rain falling on the Earth from the Sky and God Almighty to the Ocean.  Just as rain water ultimately reaches the Ocean through  a network of rivers, so also the prayers made to different  lesser Gods ultimately reach the Supreme God Almighty.) 

To day's Subhashit.

अन्न दानं परं दानं विद्यादानं अतः परम्
अन्नेन क्षणिका तृप्तिः यावज्जीवंच विद्यया

Anna daanam param daanam vidyaadaanam atah param
annean kshanikaa truptih yaajeevamcha vidyayaa.

i.e.   Providing food to poor and needy persons is the best charitable deed, but making people learned by teaching them is the supreme form of charity, because food gives momentary satisfaction whereas knowledge acquired gives satisfaction throughout the life of the person concerned.

Anna = food.         Daan = help rendered to poor and needy persons in cash or kind.
Param = best.        Vidyaa daan = making a person literate and knowledgeable
Atah param =    better than the best, supreme.       Kshanikaa =  momentary.
(Kshana is the lowest measure of time in Sanskrit language like a 'second' in English.)
Trupti = satisfaction.          Yaawat = upto         Jeevam = alive
Yaawajjvam = upto the time a person is alive.

To day's Subhashit.

अति तृष्णा न कर्तव्या तृष्णां नैव परित्यजेत्
शनैः शनैश्च भोक्तव्यं स्वयम् वित्तमुपार्जितम् I

Ati trushnaa na karetavyaa trushnaam naiva parityajet.
Shanaih shanaisch bhoktavyam swayam vittmupaarjitam.

i.e.     Excessive yearning for any thing is not at all desirable, but at the same time it should not be given up altogether. One should always increase his level of consumption and acquisitions gradually and slowly, and that too by earning money through his own efforts.

Ati = excessive, too much.           Trushnaa = thirst, too much craving for a thing.
Kartavyaa = desirable, an action to be done as a duty.               Shanaih  =  slowly, gradually.
Bhoktavyam =       consume,  enjoy an available facility.            Swayam = himself
Vitta = money,  wealth,           Upaarjitam =  earned , acquired.

( In this Subhashit the author warns against getting rich quickly (even by adopting unfair and illegal means) and also gives advice to avoid ostentatious consumption and earning money through one's own efforts. There is also another Subhashit warning against consequences of going too fast  while acquiring learning (Vidyaa), earning money, and climbing a mountain, i.e. "शनैः विद्या शनैः द्रव्यं शनैः  पर्वत लङ्घनम् " - Shanaih Vidya shanaih Druvyam shanaih Parvat langhanam. These three things must be done gradually.)

To day's Subhashit.

व्यसने मित्र परीक्षा शूर परीक्षा रणाङ्गणे भवति
विनये भृत्य परीक्षा  दान परीक्षा च दुर्भिक्षे I

Vyasane mitra pareekshaa shoor pareekshaa ranaangne bhawati
vinaye bhrutya pareekshaa daan pareekshaa cha durbhikshe

The real test of a friend is during a calamity, that of a warrior at the battle field, a servant's test by his obedience and a rich person's willingness for charity is during a famine.

Vyasana = In Sanskrit language this word conveys a wide range of meanings namely a calamity,habitually indulging in undesirable acts such as gambling,prostitution, alcoholism and using foul language. Here the appropriate usage will be a situation fraught with grave danger like a calamity.
Mitra = friend.        Pareekshaa = test.           Shoor =  a warrior.
Ranaangana =battle field.                Bhawati = happens, occurs.         Vinaya = obedience.
Daan = help rendered to poor and needy persons in cash or kind.
Durbhiksha = a famine, extreme shortage especially of food items.

To day's Subhashit'

अधमाः धनमिच्छन्ति धनं मानं च मध्यमाः
उत्तमाः मानमिच्छन्ति मानो हि महताम धनम्

Adhmaah dhanmichchanti dhanam maanam cha madhyamaah
uttmaah maanmichchanti maano hi mahtaam dhanam.

i.e.    (There are three categories of people) .People of lowest category crave only for wealth, those of middle or average category crave for both wealth and respect, whereas people of highest category desire only respect and recognition, because it is the highest form of wealth for them.

Adhma = a person of lowest category .         Dhan = wealth  
 Ichchanti = desire, an earnest longing or wish.       (Dhan + Ichchanti = Dhanmichchanti)
Madhyamaah = midway between extremes, average or ordinary.
Maan = respect and recognition by the society.      Uttamah =best category.
Mahtaam = supreme, highest position through achievements.

(In our every day life we observe that those persons whom the society really adores are never rich monetarily e.g. Mother Teressa and Mahatma Gandhi. For persons like them selfless service to the mankind is supreme and this they never do to get name and fame.) 

To day's Subhashit.

पिण्डे पिण्डे मतिर्भिना कुण्डे कुण्डे नवं पयः;
जातौ जातौ नवाचारौ नवा वाणी मुखे मुखे

Pinde pinde matirbhinnaa kunde kunde navam payah,
Jaatou jaatou navaachaarah navaa vaani mukhe mukhe.

i.e.    The level of intelligence and way of thinking differs from person to person and so also the quality of water differs from pond to pond.  Likewise, the lifestyle (way of living) differs among different castes and the dialect/language among people of different countries.

Pinde = persons.          Mati =  intelligence and way of thinking.         bhinna = different.
Kunde = ponds.            Nave = new, different .           Payah = water .
Jaatou = different castes.           Nava +Aachaara = Navaachara
Aachar = way of living , lifestyle.          Vaani = dialect, language.
Mukh = mouth.         Mukhe mukhe = different mouths ( here it means people of different races and countries).









                  

To day's Subhashit

त्यजन्ति मित्राणि धनैर्विहीनं पुत्राश्च दाराश्च सुह्रज्जनाश्च
तमर्थवन्तं पुनराश्रयन्ति अर्थोSहिलोके मनुषस्य बन्धुः  

Tyajanti mitraani dhairviheenam putraascha daarasch sahrujjanaascha
Tamarthwantam punarashryanti arthohiloke manushasya bandhuh.

i.e.   A poor person is abandoned by his friends, sons,wife and relatives, but if he subsequently becomes rich they again take shelter under him. Therefore, wealth only is considered the real friend of a person.

Tyajanti = abandon,  leave.         Mitraani = friends          Putraasch - sons.
Dhanaiviheenam =  without any money.    Daara = wife .     Sahrujanaascha = well wishers, relatives.
Tam = he.        Arthwantam =  rich,  moneyed.      Punaraashryanti = again take shelter.
Punah = again.        Aashryanti = take shelter under.           Arthohi = only wealth.
Loke = this world.           Manushasya =   a person's.          Bandhu = friend.

To day's Subhashit

संग्रहैकपरः प्रायः समुद्रोपि रसातले
दातारं जलदं पश्य गर्जन्तं भुवनोपरि

Samgtuhaikaparah praayah samudropi rasaatale.
Daataram jaladam pashya garjantam bhuwanopari.

i.e.    A miser (hoarder of wealth) is like an ocean, which keeps every thing deep under its depth. On the other hand a generous person is like a rain cloud, which roams over the entire Earth distributing its bounty  of rain with thundering sound.

Sangrahaikaparah =  a collector or a hoarder.            Praayah =   usually
Samudropi = like an ocean.                 Rasatal =  deep down ocean's depth.
Daatar = a generous person who uses his wealth for charity purposes.
Jalad = rain bearing cloud.         Pashya = look at,  see.
Garjantam = rumbling and thunderous sound created by a cloud
 Bhuwan + upari =   Bhuwanopari.     Bhuwan = the entire Earth.    
Upari -over, across.        Bhuwanopari = across the entire Earth.

To day's Subhashit.

काकः कृष्ण: पिको कृष्ण: को भेदो काक पिकयोः
वसन्त समये प्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकः.

Kaakh krishnah piko krishnah ko bhedo kaak pikayoh
Vasant samaye praapte kaakh kaakh pikah pikah.

i.e.   A crow is black in color and so is the nightingale. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish between them.But during the Spring season one can easily find out which one is the crow and which one is the nightingale (by listening to their voice, which is harsh in the case of a crow and very pleasing in the case of a nightingale.)

The underlying idea behind this Subhashit is that outwardly appearance of a person is rather deceptive.An unlettered person can be attired like a learned scholar and people can be fooled so long as the person does not speak. As soon as he says some thing his true  identity is exposed. This is beautifully explained in another Subhashit which says - 'तावच्च शोभते मूर्खः यावत्  किञ्चिन्न भाषते '-
'Taawachch shobhate moorkh yaawat kinchinna bhaashate i,e, a foolish person can be passed on as a scholar so long he does not speak.

Kakah = a crow.     Pikah = a nightingale (known as a 'Koel' in Hindi language.
Vasant samaye =  During Spring season in March and April every year.
Prapte = arrival of, getting.

To day's Subhashit.

उदारस्य तृणं वित्तं शूरस्य मरणं तृणं
विरक्तस्य तृणं भार्या निस्पृहस्य तृणं जगत् ;

Udaarasya trunam vittam shoorasya maranam trunam
Viraktasya trunam bhaaryaa nispruhasya trunam jagat.

i.e.   For a generous person money or wealth is insignificant (like a blade of grass), for a  warrior the prospect of facing death is immaterial.  Likewise , a person unattached to family life has no interest in his wife, and for a person having no desires this living Earth is immaterial.

Udaar = a generous person.      Shoorasya =  a warrior, a brave person.
Truna = a blade of grass.  (Here, the short form of the word 'trunawat' -तृणवत्- has been used, which means like a blade of grass i.e. insignificant,immaterial and having no value)
Maranam = death.       Virakta = a person unattached to family life.         Bhaaryaa = wife
Nispraha = a person having no desire.           Jagat = this living Earth, World.

To day's Subhashit.

यस्य भार्या गृहे नास्ति साध्वी च प्रियवादिनी
अरण्यं तेन गन्तव्यं यथाSरण्यं तथा गृहं .

Yasya bhaarya gruhe naasti saadhwee cha priyavaadani
aranyam tean gantavyam yatharanyam tatha gruham.

i.e.   A person, whose wife is neither faithful nor soft spoken, should better live in a forest, because for him living in wilderness or his home is the same ( i.e. without any comforts)

Yasya = whose.         Bhaaryaa = wife.         Gruhe = home, residence.
Naasti = is not at ..     Saadhwee = a woman who is faithful to her husband and is not adulterous.
Aranya = a dense forest.         Tean =  he,         Gantavyam = should go
Yatha = as is.             Tatha = similar.           

To day's Subhashit

अश्वस्य भूषणं वेगो मत्तं स्याद् गजभूषणं
चातुर्यम्  भूषणं नार्या उद्योगो नर भूषणं .

ashwasya bhooshanam vego mattam syaad gajabhushanam
chaaturyam bhushanam naaryaa udyogo nara bhushanam

i.e     Speed is the special attribute of a horse, so is the majestic gait of an elephant, expertness  in women folk, and entrepreneurship and industriousness among men folk.  

Ashwa = horse.      Bhooshanm = ornament,  special attribute by which a person or a thing is appreciated.            Mattam = leisurely gait (way of walking).      Syaad = is
Chaaturyam =  expertness, cleverness .        Naaryaa= women folk.
Udyoga = entrepreneurship, industriousness.  Nara = men folk.

(unless the qualities mentioned above ( like ornamentation which enhances the beauty and utility of an object) are not found among, horses, elephants, women and men, they are not appreciated or revered) 

To day's Subhashit

एक वर्णं यथा  दुग्धं भिन्न वर्णासु धेनुषु
तथैव धर्मवैचित्र्यं तत्वमेकं परं स्मृतं

Ek varnam yathaa dugdham bhinna varnaasu dhenushu
tatheawa dharmavaichatryam tatwamekam param smrutam.

i.e.    Just as the colour of milk is always the same (white) although the cows may be of  different breeds and colors, likewise in spite of peculiarities and different ways of worship among the various Religions,the basic tenats of all of them are the same, as codified in our scriptures by our sages.

Varnam = colour.      Dugdham = milk.        Bhinna = different.           Varneshu = breeds
Dhenu = cow.        Dhenushu = cows.        Tathewa =   similarly.             Dharma = religion.
Vaichaitrya =    peculiarities.      Tatwa = essence, basic tenet.       Ekam = one,  one only.
Param = supreme, best.       Smrutam = Religious texts written by our sages in the past known as Smritis and Dharma Samhitaas, codifying the various tenets of Dharma.

. ( Please refer to the Subhashit posted on 3rd August,2012 defining 'Dharma' as patience , forgiveness, courage, not indulging in theft, cleanliness of body, control over sensory organs, intelligence,being learned, truthfullness and control over anger.)

To day's Subhashit.

शैले शैले न माणिक्यं मौक्तिकं न गजे गजे
साधवो न हि सर्वत्र चन्दनं न वने वने.

Shaile shaile na maanikyam mauktikam na gaje gaje
Saadhawo na hi sarvatra chandanam na vane vane.

i.e.   Gems and precious stones are not found in every mountain and all elephants do not have pearls inside their forehead. So also, noble persons are not found every where and sandlewood trees are not grown in all forests.

Shaila = Mountain.          Manikya = precious stones, like gems, diamonds etc.
Mauktik = Pearls. (It is believed that inside the skulls of some elephants, substance resembling round pearls is found, which is called 'Gaja Mauktik'.)                 Saadhwo = Noble persons
Chandan = Sweet smelling wood of a sandlewood tree, which is found in the forests of Karnataka and a few other places.        
Vana = Forest.
 (The underlying idea behind this Subhashit is that any thing  which has special qualities is never found in abundance in this World.  The rarer a thing is, the more value it carries.)
' 

About Ragas Poorvi and Puria Dhanashri.

     Raga Poorvi is an Ashrya Raga of Poorvi Thaat and also a Raganga Raga under Raganga Paddhati. Puria Dhanashri is also classified under Poorvi Thaat and is a Raganga Raga of Poorvi. Here I have not dealt with the description of these Ragas, but with the basic difference and similarities between these Ragas
Similarities;  (i) Both are classified under Poorvi That.   (ii) Both have Rishav and Dhaiwat swaras as Komal ( r , d )  (iii) Both are Sandhiprakash Ragas ( sung during dusk hour)
Dissimilarities:   
(i)   The main differentiating factor in these Ragas is the use of Shuddha Madhyam (m) and its chalan in Poorvi, which is a  'varjit' swara in Pooria Dhanashri. 'm' is used in a special way in Poorvi   i.e. G M rm G, r G M P M G m r G,  P, dMP- M G m rG. This note pattern is to be mastered under the guidance of a Guru, Otherwise while pronouncing P M G m G , Raag Bihag or Paraj will appear. (This can not be explained in words).   Similarly  pronouncing of  - r' N d P, M r G,  d G P,  d M G r S- in Pooria Dhanashri should also be learnt under guidance of a Guru.
(ii)   Vadi and samvadi are different. In Poorvi they are G and N,  and In Puria Dhanashri they are P and r.
(iii) Under Vishnu Digamber Paddhati , Pt. O.N Thakur has classifed both the Ragas as Shadav-Sampoorna, whereas Pt.Vinayak Rao Patwardhan has classified Poorvi as Shadav-Sampoorna (P varjit in aaroha) and Puria Dhanashri as sampoorna.
     In his treatise "Sangeetanjali" Pt.O.N.Thakur has stated that to avoid Puria Dhanashri creeping in while singing Poorvi, one should never use the swara pattern M G M r G and while doing avaroha  r' N d P  and N r' N d P should be avoided .  Similarly swara patterns - S r 'N ,  'N S r 'N,  S r S r 'N - should not be used to stay at 'n, which will invoke Gauri Raga.
     Other 'tips' given to differentiate the Ragas are:-  (i) Shuddha Madhyam (m) should never be used in Puria Dhanashri. (ii) N to be  used less in Puria Dhanashri as compared to Poorvi.  (iii) while singing Puria Dhanashri P should be made more prominent than G, although G is a nyas swaraa the Raga.. Similarly in Poorvi G has to be given prominence.  (iv) Pt Bhatkhande has stressed that Poorvi is invoked  immediately  by use of 'N , S r G, m G and has also termed it  as a 'Pakad' (catch phrase) of the Raga..Many bandishes in Poorvi start with this phrase and is used extensively in other places also in the bandishes.. This note pattern is not used in Puria Dhanashri, which uses note pattern 'N r g instead.

To day's Subhashit.

गुणी गुणं  वेत्ति न वेत्ति निर्गुणो         Guni gunam vetti na vetti nirgunah
बली बलं वेत्ति न वेत्ति निर्बलः            Bali balam vetti na vetti nirbalah
 पिको वसन्तस्य गुणं न वायसः            Piko vasantasya gunam na vaayash
करी च सिंहस्य  बलं न  मूषकः              Kari cha simhasya balam na mooshakh.

i.e.   Only a person having virtues appreciates the virtues of others and not a person who has no virtues. Similarly, a powerful person appreciates the true worth of having power and  not a weak person.  When Spring season sets in , it is the nightingale and not a crow , which appreciates the  bounties of the Spring season. Likewise, an elephant and not a mouse, knows the strength of  a lion.

Guni = a virtuous person.          Gunam =  virtues.        Vetti =  knows, appreciates, judges.
Bali = a powerful person.          Balam = power, strength.         Nirbal = without power, a weak person.            Pika = nightingale (koel in Hindi)- a singing bird, resembling in outwardly appearance with a crow.            Vasant = Spring season.           Vaayasa =  a crow        
 Kari =  an elephant.            Simha =  a lion.                Mooshak =  a  mouse.

To day's Subhashit.

कन्या वरयते रूपं माता वित्तं पिता श्रुतम्
बान्धवा: कुलमिच्छब्ति मिष्ठान्ने इतेरे जनाः

Kanyaa varayate roopam maata vittam pitaa shrutam
Bandhawah kulmichhanti mishthanne itero janaah.

i.e.    The choice of a daughter about her prospective groom is that he should be handsome, whereas the preference of her mother is that he should be wealthy, and her father's preference is that he should be well educated. The choice of her other relatives is high social status of the groom's family, whereas other acquaintances are concerned only with getting a lavish feast at the time of marriage.

Kanyaa= a young girl.      Varayate = selects, chooses, prefers.       Roopam = Beautiful appearance
Vittam = money, wealth.       Pitaa= father.     Shrutam = Vedas.(here it means well educated)
Baandhawah = relatives.      Kula = a clan or a family in society.           Mishthanna =  sweets.
Icchanti = wishes, desires.         Itarey = other.           Janaah =  persons.

( The underlying idea in this Subhashit is that there is a wide variance in the choice of different persons for a thing,depending upon their age, outlook,attitude, social status, worldly experience etc.)

To day's Subhashit

दानं भोगो नाशः तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य
यो न ददाति न भुङ्ग्ते तस्या तृतीया गतिर्भवति .

Daanam bhogo nashah tisro gatayo bhawanti vittasya
yo na dadaati na bhungte tasyaa trateeyaa gatirbhawati.

i.e.   There are three types of end uses of wealth ( money) , namely (i) giving as a gift or as charity (ii) for owner's own use and (iii) destruction ( e.g.by way of theft).  So, if a person neither gifts his money (for a right cause) nor uses it for his own consumption, it is certain that the fate of the wealth will be of the third type.

Daan = giving as a gift or as a charity.       Bhoga = using a thing by the owner for his own use.
Naash = destruction.     Tisro = three (3).       Gatayoh = end result.      Bhawanti = happen
Vittasya =  of money and wealth.        Yo = who,      Dadaati = gives.
Bhoongte =  consumes, uses.        Tasya =  his, its.      Tritiya = third.     Gati = fate, end result.

(It is a dictum of Economics that wealth should should always flow like running water. As soon as water stops flowing, it starts to stagnate and tends to become useless. So is the case with wealth. If it is stored just for the sake of storing, it becomes unproductive and useless for the Society as a whole.A perfect example is the Black Money stored in Tax havens, which could  have been better utilised for the economic uplift of our Nation. Money earned with wrong means ultimately also ends up likewise.

There is a Hindi couplet having this very theme - खाय न खर्चे सूम धन चोर सबै लेजाय - " Khaaya na Kharche soom dhan chor sabey le jaay."  i.e. a miser can not spend his money for his own upkeep and use and ultimately thieves take away all his wealth .)

To day's Subhashit

अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं  वृद्धोपिसेविनः
चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते  आयुर्विद्या यशो बलम्

Abhiwaadansheelasya nityam vruddhopisevinah
Chatwaari tasya vardhante aayurvidyaa yasho balam.

i.e.    A person, whose behavior is courteous and who regularly serves aged persons, these four attributes in him, namely (i) longevity  (ii) knowledge and learning (iii) recognition by society, and ( iv) strength, go on increasing regularly.

Abhiwaadan = greeting, saluting.      Abhiwansheelasya = of a person who is courteous.
Nityam = every day.        Vrudha =  aged person.        Sevan = to serve,to indulge into, use.
Vruddhopasevinahh =  a person who servs or helps  aged persons.
Chatwaari = four (4).      Tasya = his        Vardhante =  increases,  grow.
Aayu = age.        Vidyaa =Knowledge and learning.       Bala = strength.
Yash = the honour and recognition which a person gets in society due to his philanthropic deeds and courteous behaviour.

To day's Subhashit'

मातृवत्परदारेषु   परद्रव्येषु लोष्टवत्
आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु य: पश्यति स पण्डितः

i..e.    A person who views other person's wife like his mother,  money of others as a lump of  soil,  and other living beings on this Earth as an integral part of his 'Aatman', is a  truly  learned  person.

Matrawat = like his mother.        Par = others'.       Daaraa = wife.       Dravya = momey.
Aatmawat = like one's own self.        Sarvabhuta = all living beings on this Earth.
Loshta = a lump of soil..

(The author emphasizes that one should endeavor to be a person of high moral character, bereft of greed  and cruelity and when he sheds all these negative traits in his personality, then only he becomes a perfect gentleman.)

To day's Subhashit

नास्ति विद्या समं चक्षु नास्ति सत्य समं तपः
नास्ति राग समं दु:खं नास्ति त्याग समं सुखं

Naasti Vidyaa samam Chakshu naasti Satyam samam Tapahh
Naasti Raag samam Dukhham naasti Tyaag samam Sukham .

i.e.  There is no other means equal to knowledge and learning in giving insight to a person, and no 'Tapa' ( a difficult and hard work) like always speaking and adhering to Truth, no grief or misfortune like excessive attachment to any thing and no pleasure like doing self-less sacrifice to help others and make them happy.

Naasti = na + asti.    Na= not.    Asti = exists.    Vidya = knowledge and learning    Samam= equal to.
Chakshu = Eyes. This is the literal meaning of 'chakshu', but here it implies insight, the power of seeing  into and underatanding a thing. In Sanskrit it is called "Gyaan Chakshu" i.e  knowledge and learning used as eyes to evaluate a subject.       .
.Raag = excessive attachment or desire for a thing.       Dukha = sorrow, grief.     Sukh = pleasure,joy.    
Tapa = willingly relinquishing the easy going lifestyle and leading a life full of hard work and sacrifice to achieve a noble and difficult objective.  Here we can give an example of 'Tapa' the way a mother brings up a child facing all odds and serious problems in rearing up a child and sacrifices all her worldly comforts in doing so.

Sanskrit Subhashit

यथा खरः चन्दन भारवाही  भारस्य वेत्ता  नतु चन्दनस्य
एवं हि शस्त्राणि बहूनि अधीत्य  अर्थेषु मूढाः खरवद् वहन्ति

Yathaa kharahh chandan bhaarwaahi bhaarasya vetta na to chandanasya.

Evam hi shashtraani bahuni adhitya artheshu moodhaah kharwad vahanti.

i.e. Just as a donkey carrying a bundle of sandlewood feels only the load and is not aware of the value of the load, similarly an unintelligent and foolish person owning a collection of books on various topics but unaware of their contents and importance, possesses them just like a donkey (as aforesaid).

 (There can be another interpretation of this subhashit in that at times we come across  persons, who are very proud of their being literate and having read so many Shashtras, but  are actually unaware of the  real intent and philosophy hidden in those Shashtras (Artheshu moodhah). They are just like a donkey carrying a load of sandlewood.)

Yathaa = just like.         Khar = donkey.       Chandan = Sandlewood.        Bhaar = load.
Bhaarwaahi = one who bears the load.          Evam = similarly.          Bahuni =  many.
Shashtra = Books on various disciplines of learning such as Astronomy Drama, Music etc known as         

Jyotish Shashtra, Naatya Shashtra and Sangeet Shashtra etc.      
Artha = real meaning.        Moodha = an unintelligent or foolish person..
Artheshu moodha = A person, who although lettered, is unaware of the real intent and the philosophy of the Shashtras.
Kharvad = like a donkey.         Vahanti = carries, bears.

To day's Subhashit.

यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता  
यत्र एता न पूज्यन्ते  सर्वास्तत्र अफला क्रियाः 

Yatra naaryastu poojyante ramante tatra Devataah
Yatra eta na poojyante sarvaastatra aphalaa kriyaah.

i.e.    In a community where women folk are respected and adored, God bestows His mercy and bounty there and where this is not done efforts made to improve the lot of the community become unsuccessful .

Yatra = where     Naaryastu = women.  Poojyante =  worshipped, adored, respected.
Ramante =like to reside.      Tatra = there          Devta = gods
Eta = they.       Afalaa= without any result, futile .    Kriyaa = action , doing any  work.

     The idea behind this Subhashit is that women folk play an equally important role  in creating prosperity and well being of the society and if they are treated well and respected it is akin to pleasing the Gods.  This Subhashit is oft quoted but in actual practice women are discriminated and ill treated in all walks of life among many communities in India, with the result that they are still backward .and underdeveloped.       .

To day's Subhashit.

प्रथमे नाSर्जिता विद्या द्वितीये  नाSर्जितं धनं
तृतीये  नाSर्जितं पुण्यं  चतुर्थे किं करिष्यति .

Prathame naarjitaa Viddyaa dwiteeye naarjitam Dhanam,
Triteeye naarjitam Punyam Chaturthe kim karishyati.

i. e.     If a person did not acquire knowledge and scholarship during the first phase of his life, did not acquire wealth during the second phase and did not earn 'Punya" during the third phase, then what can he do now in the fourth phase of his life ?

Pratham = first.       Naarjitaa  (na + arjitaa ) -Na = not.  arjitaa = earned ,acquired.
Vidya = knowledge and scholarship.         Dwiteeye = second.            Dhanam = wealth
Triteeya = third .        Chaturth = fourth.        Kim  = what.        Karishyati = does.
'Punya' =  It is a concept of Hindu Religion, which implies that if a person does good and philanthropic deeds  during his lifetime he accumulates certain plus points called 'Punya", which fructify during his next birth cycle and the God bestows upon him all the comforts of life. This is part of the doctrine of 'Karma' deeply embedded in Hindu  Religion. Karma means doing various deeds , further divided into sukarma (virtuous deeds) and dushkarma (wrong deeds). Dushkarma results in acquiring "Paap' (sins), for which one gets punishment from God by way of birth in a very low household  or in another life form destined to struggle and face miseries throughout the life.

Note:-According to Hindu scriptures human life has been divided into  four stages of 25 years each called (i) Brahmacharya - spent as a child and thereafter in acquiring knowledge as a student, (ii) Ghrastha - getting married and bringing up a family and support them, (iii) Vanaprastha - detachment from married life and devoting time in philanthrophy and religious pursuits, (iv) Sanyaas - relinquishing all worldly attachments and desires and becoming a 'Sanyaasi' and wait for salvation..   So, if a person has not lived his life as ordained by the Shashtras, his old age becomes miserable. The author , therefore, forewarns the readers not to disobey the scriptures.

To day's Subhashit

मूर्खा  यत्र न पूज्यते धान्यं  यत्र सुसन्चितं
दम्पत्यो कलह: नास्ति तत्र श्री स्वयमागत:

Moorkhaa yatra na poojyante dhaanyam yatra susanchitam
Dampatyo kalahh naasti tatra shree swayamaagatah.

i.e.   Lakshmi, the Goddess of riches, comes of her on accord to those persons (and also stays there) who do not honour foolish persons, who properly store stocks of  food grains , and where  there is no discord between husband and wife.

Moorkha = a foolish person.      Yatra = where.     Poojyate = to honour, to adore.
Dhaanyam = food-grains like wheat and rice          Kalaha =  strife, quarelling, discord.
Dampati = Husband and wife, a married couple.        Naasti = does not exist.
Tatra = there.         Shree = Lakshmi, the goddess of riches.       Swayameva = on her own accord
Tishtati = stays.

( The underlying idea behind this Subhashit is that only those persons who keep company of righteous persons, have foresight to save for future contingencies and maintain cordial relations in the family become rich and continue to do so.)

To day's Subhashit.

संपूर्ण कुम्भो न करोति शब्दं
अर्धो घटो घोषमुपेति नूनं
विद्वान् कुलीनों न करोति गर्व
गुणैर्विहीना बहु जल्पयन्ति

Sampoorna kumbho na karoti shabdam
Ardho ghato ghoshmupaiti noonam
Vidwan kuleeno na karoti garva
Gunairviheenaa bahu jalpayanti.

i.e.    A pitcher full with water does not create any sound, whereas a half-filled pitcher always creates  loud  sound.  Like-wise learned and noble persons never display pride over their achievements, whereas persons without any qualities brag too much about their so called achievements.

Sampoorna = whole, complete.        Kumbha/ Ghat =  a round pitcher with a small opening.
Karoti = does.          Shabdam = sound.            Ghosh = say with a loud sound.
Mupaiti = creates.             Noonam = surely, always.            Vidwaan = a learned person.
Kuleen = noble,           Karoti = does.              Garva = pride.          Guna = qualities.
Viheena =  without.            Bahu = many,  more.        Jalpak = a loud-mouthed person, boaster, braggart.
Bahu Jalpayanti = bragging too much,
       

To day's Subhashit.

विदेशेषु धनं विद्या व्यशनेषु धनं मतिः
परलोके धनं धर्मः शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनम

Videsheshu Dhanam Vidyaa Vyashaneshu Dhanam Matih.
Paraloke Dhanam Dharmahh Sheelam sarvatra wai Dhanam.

i.e.   In foreign countries the real wealth of a person is his being learned, for a person addicted to vices (like gambling,alcoholism etc) presence of mind is the real wealth, and in 'Parlok' (other world after death) the wealth is 'Dharma' ( 'Punya' earned during the lifetime on the Earth) , whereas righteous behaviour is the real wealth in other situations every where.

Videsh = foreign countries.           Dhan = riches.            Vidyaa = learning  
Vyasana = addiction to vices eg. gambling, alcoholism etc.           Mati = intelligence, presence of mind to get out of a tricky situation successfully.
Parlok = In Hindu religion ( in other religions also) there is a concept of life  after death according to which the "Aatmaa' (soul) of a dead person departs to either "Swarga' (heaven) or "Narak' (hell)- collectively called "Parlok' (the other world)- according to the deeds done by a person during his lifetime. If he has followed the tenets of  'Dharma' during his lifetime, his afterlife is comfortable in 'Swarga' due to the 'Punya' (a sort of reward  for righteousness given by God) earned by him, akin to riches on the Earth.  (For the definition of 'Dharma' please refer to the Subhashit posted on 3rd August,2012).
Sheela = righteous behaviour, good conduct.            Sarvatra = every where.

To day's Subhashit..

कार्यार्थी भजते लोकम यावत्कार्य न सिध्यते
उत्तीर्णे  च परे पारे नौकायाम किं प्रयोजनं  .

Kaaryaarthi bhajate lokam yaawatkaarya na sidhyate
utteerney cha pare paare naukaayam kim prajoyanam

i.e.    A person, who has got his work to be  done by others, remains obliged to such persons only until such time the work is not accomplished (and does not care for such persons afterwards)  For what other purpose  a person needs the boat when he has already crossed a river by using the boat ?

Kaaryarthi  =   A person who has his work to be done by others. (kaarya + arthi)     Kaarya = work, job,     Arthi= desirous of.            Bhajate =  feels obliged,  appreciates.                  Lokam = persons.
yaawat =  until.            Kaarya = work, job.                    Sidhyati = gets completed.
Utteerne = passing out, on completion of a job.        Pare = afterwards.      Paare =  acrosss
Naukaa = boat.     Kim = what       Prayojanam = purpose.

To day's Subhashit

तैलाद रक्षेत जलाद रक्षेत रक्षेत शिथल्  बन्धनात्
मूर्ख हस्ते न दातव्यं एवं वदति पुस्तकं

Tailaad rakshet jalaad rakshet,rakshet shithala bandhanaat
Moorkah haste na daatvyam evam vadati pustakam

i.e.    Books tell (expect from) their owners that to maintain them properly, one should protect them from being spoiled by oil and water.and also ensure that they are not loosely bound. But under no circumstances they should be given  to a foolish person.

Taila =oil.       Jal = water.       Rakshed = protected  from.         Shithil = loose.     Bandhan = binding
Shithil Bandhanaat = from loose binding. ( During ancient times before the invention of paper, books were written on the bark of a tree called 'Bhoj' and a page of such bark was called 'Bhoj patra'. The pages were not bound or stitched  as is done. now a days and were stacked loose and covered with a piece of cloth and bound with a string to protect the entire book containing many pages. Old manuscripts are still kept in this manner)
Hasta = hand.          Datvyam = given.         Vadati = tells             Pustakam = A book or a manuscript.            

To day's Subhashit.

     In yesterday's Subhashit there was mention of 'Dharma',which differentiates mankind from beasts. Dharma translated as Religion does not convey its true meaning, as the concept of Dharma  in Sanskrit is very broad.   Here is a Subhashit, which outlines ten attributes of Dharma.

धृतिः क्षमा दमोsस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः
धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो  दशकं धर्मं लक्षणम

Dhratih kshmaa damosteyem shauchmindriyanigrahh
Dheervidyaa satyamakrodho dashakam Dharma lakshnam.

Patience, forgiveness, courage, not indulging in theft, cleanliness of body, control over sensory organs, intelligence, being learned, truthfulness and control over anger, these are the ten attributes of Dharma,
(A person , who possesses these qualities is called Dharmik i.e.steeped in Dharma

Dhriti = patience.      Kshmaa = forgiveness.       Dama =  Courage, punishing  some one for his wrongdoings.
Asteya=  not indulging in theft. (a = not  . steya = theft)       Shauch =  keeping body clean (body hygiene)
Indriya nigrah = control over sensory organs.       Dhee = intelligence.        Vidyaa =  Learning,
Satya =   truthfullness .     Akrodha = not being angry, cool headed.  
(A+ Krodha) -A = not    Krodha = anger        Dashakam = ten (10)
(By adding the prefix 'A' before a word, just like 'un' or 'in' in English, a word denotes its opposite meaning)

To day's Shubhashit.

आहर निद्रा भय मैथुनं च सामान्यमेतत पशुभिर्नराणाम्
धर्मो हि तेषाम् अधिको विशेषो धर्मेण हीना  पशुभिः समाना

Aahaar nidra bhaya maithunam cha saamaanyametat pashubhirnaraanaam
Dharmo hi tesham adhiko vishesho dharmena heenaa pashubhih samaana.

Hunger, sleep,fear and sexual desire are the instincts which are common between mankind  and beasts (animals). .It is especially 'Dharma;' that  mankind possesses additionally, and a person bereft of 'Dharma' is like a beast,

Aahar = hunger, desire for food.         Nidra = sleep.          Bhaya = fear, painful emotion raised by danger.
Saamanya = common         Pashu = beasts,  animals.          Naraanam =mankind.
Dharma= The common word 'Religion' used to translate 'Dharma' in English does not encompass the true meaning of the word "Dharma' in Sanskrit, in which it also includes besides belief in or worship of Gods ,  righteous behavior,doing such acts which are beneficial to humankind,abiding with the norms set out by the laws of the Country or the community.      
Vishesh = especial, beyond ordinary.       Heena = without, not having.        Samaana = similar to.  

To day's Subhashit'

सुजनाः परोपकारं शूरः शस्त्रं धनं कृपणाः
कुलवत्यो मन्दाक्षं प्राणात्यय एव मुंचति

Sujanaah paropkaaram shoorah shastram dhanam krupanaah
Kulavatyo mandaaksham praanaatyay eva munchati.

i.e.    Righteous persons do not leave off their benevolence , warriors their weapons (bravery), misers their wealth, and aristocrats their modesty,  even when they face a grave danger to their life.

Sujana = a righteous and kind person.          Paropakaar =  helping others, benevolance.
Krupanaah = misers.            Kulvatry = an aristocrate, a person born in an illustrious family.
Mandaaksh = modesty.        Praana = life.        Atyaya = death.
Praanaatyay =  danger to life.              Munchati = leave off.