To day's Subhashit.

आत्मनः परितोषाय कवैः  काव्यं तथापि तत्
स्थापितो देहली दीप समं अन्योपकारकं  .

Aatmanah paritoshaaya kavaih kaavyam tathaapi tat;
sthaapito dehli deep samam anyopakaarakam.

i.e.     Although poets write poetry for their self satisfaction, it benefits the society as a whole, just like a bright lamp at the entrance of a house brightening all its surroundings (including the road where the house is situated.

Aatmanah = for oneself.       Paritoshaaya = satisfaction.       Kavaih = poets.          Kaavyam =  poetry.
Tathaapi =  although.            Tat = there, however.               Sthaapito = situated at.
Dehli = entrance of a house, a porch.             Deepam = a lamp.
Samam = equal to, like          deep samam = any device like a lamp which produces bright light.
Anyopakaarakam (anya +upkaarakam) . Anya = others.  Upkaarakam = beneficial .

To day's Subhashit.

      There is a speical type of Subhashit known as "Koot Shloka", which implies that one can interpret the shloka in two different ways  having just the opposit meaning.  Here is an example of such as Shloka (verse).

हनुमता हताSराम  सीता हर्ष समागता.
सर्वे राक्षसाः रोदन्ति  हाहाSराम हता हताः

Hanumataa hataaraam Seeta harsh samaagataa.
Sarve Raakshahah rodanti ha ha Raam Hataa hataah.

The first meaning of the Shloka :-    Hanumaan has killed Ram, whereby Sita was overjoyed and all Rakshasaas started weeping saying Hai ! Hai ! Ram has been killed.

The second meaning of the shloka:-   Hanuman destroyed the garden, whereby Seeta was overjoyed and all the Raakshasaas started weeping saying hai ! hai ! the garden has been destroyed.

     These two different and quite opposite meanings of the shloka are conveyed by paraphrasing the word 'Hataaraama' as hata + aarama  (hata = destroyed, killed , and aaram =a garden). If the word is taken as a whole then it may mean Rama was killed.   In this shloka the context is that Hanuman has found Devi Seeta kept captive by Ravana in a garden called Ashoka Vaatika and with her permission destroyed the garden's trees.

Harsh =  joy.       Samaagata = became.       Sarve = all.           Rodanti = are weeping
Ha Ha =  an expression of grief  - hai hai.

To day's Subhashit.

स्थान भ्रष्टा न शोभन्ते दन्ताः केशा नखा नराः
इति विज्ञाय मतिमान् स्वस्थानम् न परित्यजेत

Sthaan bhrashtaas na shobhante dantaah kesha nakhaa naraah.
Iti vigyaay matimaan swasthsaanam na parityajet.

i.e.   On being removed from their designated place, the teeth, hairs, finger nails and  persons do not get the attention and care which they were hitherto receiving.  Therefore, knowing this phenomena  wise persons never quit from the position being held by them.

Sthaan = place       Sthaan bhrashta =   removed from the position held by a thing or a person.
Shobhante = liked , appreciated.           Dantaa = teeth.        Kesha =  hairs (of head)
Nakhaa = finger nails.            Naraah = people.         Iti vigyaay =  by knowing this
Matimaan =  wise persons.        Swa = one's own.        Sthaan = place, position.
Paritryajet = quit, leave, abandon.

( So long as the teeth, hairs and fingernails are part of our body, we pay full attention towards their upkeep by every measure possible. But once these  no longer are part of our body for any reason they are discarded. Similarly so long a person is in a position of power, he gets full attention and respect.But once he is deprived of that position he loses all that attention. That is why persons,particularly politicians, try to hold their exalted position by hook or crook. ) 

To day's Subhashit.

न धैर्येण  बिना  लक्ष्मी न शौर्येण बिना जयः

न दानेन बिना  मोक्षो  न ज्ञानेन बिना यशः 

Na dhairyen binaa lakshmi na shauryen binaa jayah

na daanen binaa moksho na gyaanen bina yashh.

i.e.    One can not get rich without perseverance , can not win a battle (accomplish a difficult task) without courage, can not get salvation without doing charitable work, and one can not become illustrious and famous without being learned and knowledgeable.

Na= not.         Dhairya = perseverance,  patience.       Bina = without.       

Lakshmi = Goddess of Riches.( here the reference is to being rich).      

Shaurya = courage, bravery.      . Jayah=  winning,        Daan = charity.  Helping the needy in cash or kind without expecting any thing in return.       Moksha = salvation.  (According to Hindu  Religion 'Moksha' is a situation in which one attains union with God and gets exempted from the cycle of birth and re-birth.)            Gyaan = knowledge, learning.       Yash = being illustrious and famous.

To day's Subhashit.

ददाति प्रतिगृण्हाति गुह्यमाख्याति पृच्छति
भुङ्ते भोजयते चैव षड् विधं प्रीति लक्षणम्

Dadaati pratigrunhaati guhyamaakhyaati pruchhatam,
Bhungte bhojayate chaaiw shadvidham preeti lakshnam.

i.e.   Giving, returning of the courtesy shown by a similar behavior, sharing of secrets, caring for one's welfare ,sharing of meals,  and serving food with care, these are the six symptoms of affection shown by  a person to another person.

Dadaati = gives.       Pratigrunhaati = returns the courtesy shown  by a similar behavior.
Guhya = secret.        Aakhyati = keeps.           Pruchati = cares for one's welfare.
Bhungte = shares meals.         Bhojayate =  serves meals.
Shadvidham = these six.       Preeti = afection.         Lakshnam = symptoms.

(If we find these symptoms in the behavior of a person while dealing with him, we can be certain that he loves and respects us.)    

To day's Subhashit.

अधिगम्य गुरौ: ज्ञानं छात्रेभ्यो वितरन्तिये ,
 विद्या वात्सल्य निधियः शिक्षकाः मम दैवतं.

Adhigamya Gurouh Gyaanam Chaatrebhyo vitaranti ye,
Vidyaa vastalya nidhiyah shikshakaah mama daivatam.

i.e.   Those Teachers, who freely distribute the knowledge acquired by them from their own Teachers to other Students, are like Gods to me, because they bestow the treasure of 'Vidya' on their student like a mother's affection towards her children.

Adhigamya = acquired.    Gurouh (plural of Guru) = teachers.      Gyaanam = knowledge, learning.
Chaatrebhyo = to Students.        Vitaranti =  distribute.         Ye = who.      
 Vidya = learning, knowledge.      Nidhi = treasure          Shikshakaah = teachers.
Vaatsalya = love and affection, especially by a mother towards her children. (Here the author equates the students as children and the teachers as a mother. Just as a mother loves her children so also a teacher loves his students.)

Sanskrit and Hindi literature is very rich in Subhashits extolling the the Guru by equating him to God. However, a Guru who does not conform to the high standards of probity and benevolence, has also been severely criticised. Here is a quotation from 'Ramcharit Manas' by Goswami Tulsidas - "हरई   शिष्य धन शोक न हरई  , सो गुरु घोर नरक महुँ परई."- Harai shishya dhan shok na harai, so guru ghor narak mah parai - i.e. a teacher who robs a student of his money and does not remove his sorrow (ignorance), is ultimately consigned to Hell by the Providence.

To day's Subhashit.

नहि कश्चित् विजानाति किं कस्य भविष्यति
अतः श्वः करणीयानि  कुर्याद्यैव बुद्धिमान .

Nahi kashchit vijaanati kim kasya bhawashiyati.
Atahh shwah karaneeyani kuryaddyaiva buddhimaan'

i.e.    One never knows what will happen to him tomorrow. Therefore, wise men should do tomorrow's task to day itself .

Na hi = never.     Kashchit=  perhaps.    Vijaanati = knows.     Kim =  what.
Kasya = him, his.       Shwo =  tomorrow.      Bhawaishyati =  will happen.
Atahh = therefore       Shwah =  tomorrow,     Karaniyaani = to be done.
Kuryaad =  to do.        Aiva = definitely.    Kuryaaddyaiva = definitely do..
Buddhimaan =   a wise person

(The underlying idea behind this Subhashit is that there is a common tendency among persons to postpone the task in hand for doing it on the next day.The author warns agsainst this tendancy and exhorts that what to say of completing the task to day itself, even tomorrow's task should better be performed to day itself, because no one knows whiat is in store for us tomorrow. There is a nice couplet in Hindi on this subject -  "काल करे सो आज कर आज करे सो अब,  पल में प्रलय होई है फेरि  करोगे कब "  - i.e. Whatever task you have to do tomorrow do it to day, and what you have to do to day perform it just now, because at any moment there can be dooms' day .So when you will get an opportunity to do your job ?  

To day's Subhashit.

निन्दन्तु नीति निपुणा यदि वा स्तुवन्तु
लक्ष्मी समाविशतु गच्छतु वा यथेष्टं
अद्द्यैव वा मरणमस्तु युगान्तरे वा
न्याय्यात्पथः प्रविचलन्ति पदं न धीरः

Nindantu neeti nipunaah yadi waa stuwantu
Lakshmi samaavishatu gachchatu waa yatheshtam
Addyeiwa waa maranmastu yugaantare waa
Nyaayayatpathh pravichalanti padam na dheerah.

i.e.  Persons who are learned and enduring never deviate from the path of righteousness whether they are criticized or praised  by persons well versed in diplomacy, or they become very rich or poor, or face imminent death or are likely to have a  long life.

Nindantu = criticized.        Neeti = diplomacy.      Nipuna = expert, well versed .      Yadi = if
Stuwantu = praised.          Lakshmi = Goddess of Riches. Here it means riches.
Samaavishatu  = accumulates, comes.     Gachchatu = goes away.     Yatheshta =  sufficient quantity.       Addyaiva = just now, imminent.         Marana = death.        Yugaantar = end of a "Yuga".
Yuga = In Hindu Religion a period of time of a very large number years running into millions of years called a Yuga.   Here yugaantar means a very long life .        Nyaaya = justice, righteousness.
Pathah = path.     Nyayaatpathh = path of righteousness.      Pravichalanti =  deviate from.
Dheera = a person who is very learned and enduring.        Padam =  feet.

To day's Subhashit.

अमंत्रम्  अक्षरं नास्ति नास्ति मूलमनौषधम्

अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति  योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः.

Amantram aksharam naasti naasti moolmanaushadham,

Ayogyah purusho naasti yojakastatra durlabhh.

i.e.    There is no letter in the alphabet that can  not be used as a 'Mantra' , and there exists no root which can not be used as a medicine.  Likewise, there is no incompetent or useless person. Scarce is only a person who knows how to make good use of all these.

Mantra = In Sanskrit a word or a combination of words, apparently having no meaning, is called a 'Mantra', which is supposed to have mystical powers if recited repeatedly Adding a prefix 'a' to any word gives just trhe opposite meaning to a word. So 'amantra' means not having the attributes of a 'Mantra'.                           

Akshara = an alphabet of Sanskrit Language.          Naasti = does not exist.     Asti = exists.

Na = not.          Moolam= the root of a plant or vegetation.       Aushadham = medicine      
Ayogya = incompetent, useless.      Purusho = person.

Yojakah =   A person who has the capacity to organize and to put any thing to proper use.

 Durlabhh = scarce , not easily available. 

  

To day's Subhashit.

यथा हि मलिनैः वस्त्रैः यत्र कुत्र उपविश्यते
व्रततः  चलितोपि एवं दोषं व्रतं न रक्षति.

Yathaa hi malinaih vastraih yatra kutra upavishyate,
vratatah chalitopi evam dosham vratam na rakshati

i.e.   Just as a person wearing soiled clothes carelessly sits here and there without bothering about the cleanliness of the clothes, similarly a person who follows certain rules or commitment for his spiritual upliftment or for a noble cause, is not able to adhere to them strictly once the rules or commitment gets broken or some defect or shortcoming occurs, even if accidentally.

Yatha hi = just as, like.       Malinaih = soiled, dirty,stained.       Vastraih = clothes.
Yatra Kutra =  here and there.           Upvishyate =  sits.
vrata =  a vow or a commitment to observe certain rules for spiritual upliftment or for a noble cause. Fasting done on certain religious occasions is also called a 'vrata' .
Vratath chalitopi = a break or discontinuation of a 'vrata' accidentally or willingly.
Evam = also.      Dosham =  defect or shortcoming.      Rakshati = protects, adheres to.

( It is a very common occurrence that so long our clothes are spotless and clean, we take special care while sitting here and there, and once the clothes get stained we become careless. This phenomenon also occurs in other walks of life.  A person is careful in observing the rules in the beginning and once they get broken even accidentally, he becomes careless in observing them or stops doing so. This is especially in the matter of honesty and other virtues.)

To day's Subhashit.

मान्धता च महीपतिः कृतयुगाSलंकार भूतो गतः
सेतुर्येन महोदधौ विरचितम् क्वासौ दशास्यान्तकः
अन्येचापि युधिष्ठिरः प्रभृतयो याता दिवं भूपते
नैके चापि समं गता वसुमती नूनं त्वया यास्यति .

Maandhaataa ch mahipitah krutayugaalankaar bhooto gatah,
Seturyena mahodadhou virachitam kwaasou Dasaasyantakah,
Anyechaapi yudhishthirah prabhrutayah yaata divam phoopate
Naike chaapi samam gataa Vasumati noonam tyayaa yaasyati.

    ( The above Shloka is from "Bhoj Prabhand' a book about King Bhoj of Ujjayani, a very ancient city, now a days called Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. The story goes that when Bhoj was young his uncle Munja in order to grab his kingdom connived to kill him. He entrusted the job to his trusted men who took Bhoj to a forest for this purpose and were about to kill him when Bhoj requested them not to do so as his uncle has instructed them due to ignorance and greed and would repent about his decision later on. He persuaded them to deliver a letter  to Munja  and as a proof of killing him  cut one of his fingers and carry it along with the letter. The above shloka was written in that letter, which opened the eyes of Munj and repented his decision. Then he was told about the fact that Bhoj was alive . Thus, we observe that a well written Shloka which opened the eyes of Munj  was instrumental in saving the life of Bhoj.)

i.e.   In Satya Yuga great King Maandhaata ruled this Earth, and where is the King who built a long bridge over the Ocean and killed the 'Ten headed Demon' ? (reference to Lord Rama born in Treta Yuga )  There were many other illustrious Kings in this World  like Yudhisthira and  their kingdoms did not go with them after their death, but I am certain that it will go along with you.

Mandhaataa = name of a King.      Mahipati = King.     Krutayuga = Satya Yuga. (according to Hindu Religion the period  of time is divided into four Yugas namely Satya, Tretaa, Dwaapar amd Kaliyuga. The piety of persons diminishes gradually in every Yuga and in Kali Yuga, which is presently in force it is at the lowest ebb. Lord Rama was born in Treta Yuga and Yudhisthira was born in Dwaapar Yuga about 5000 years ago.)
Krutayugaalankaar bhooto gatah = those who adored this world during Krutayuga.
Setu = a bridge.    Yean = who.     Mahodadhou = an Ocean.  Maha= Big .   Udadhi = Ocen.
Virachitam = constructed.    Kwaasou =  where is.     Dashaasyaantakah = Lord Rama, the killer of 'Ten headed demon i.e. Ravana.  Prabhrutayo = et cetra.  Yaata = happened, existed.
Divam = This World.     Bhupate = O king ( reference to Munj).   Naike = with none.
Vasumati = the Earth (one's possessions)   Noonam = definitely.  Twayaa = with you.
Yaasyat = will go.

To day's Subhashit..

     On the auspicious occasion of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' here is a Subhashit extolling Lord  Ganesh (His another name being Gajaanan).

अम्बा यस्य  उमा देवी जनकः यस्य शंकरः 

विद्यां ददाति सर्वेभ्यो स नः पातु गजाननः 

Amba yasya Uma Devi janakah yasya Shankarah;

Vidyaam dadaati sarvebhyo sa nah patu Gajaanah

i.e.   Let Lord Gajanan, whose mother is Devi Uma and father is Lord Shankar, and who bestows 'Vidya' to everybody, bless and protect me .

Amba = mother.     yasya =  whose.      Uma Devi =  name of consort of Lord Shankar.

Janak = father.        Vidyaa = knowledge, learning.        Dadaati = bestows, gives.

Sarvebhyo = to everybody.     Sa nah =  he.          Paatu = protect, bless.

Gaj = elephant.      Aanan = head.       Gajaanan = One with the head of an elephant (a name of Lord Ganesh, as he has the head of an elephant,)

To day's Subhashit.

सुवर्ण पुष्पां पृथ्वीम् चिन्वन्ति पुरुशास्त्रय:
सूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च यश्च जानाति सेवितुम् .

Suvarna pushpaam prithweem chinwanti purushaashtrayah,
Soorashch krutavidyashch yashch jaanaati sevitum.

i.e.    Three types of people, namely warriors, learned persons and  connoisseurs of high style of living, crave for Gold , flowers and landed property.

Suvarna = gold.       Pushpaam = flowers.       Prithveem =  the Earth (here it means landed property) .               Chinwanti =  crave for.        Purushaastrayah = purusha (Men) + trayah (of three types)  - three types of people.       Soora = a warrior.      Krutasvidyaa =  a learned  person.
Yashch =  who.        Jaanati = knows.         Sevitum = using,  enjoying .,
Yashch jaanati swvitum =  a connoisseur, one who enjoys high style of living.

To day's Subhashit'

नमन्ति फलानि वृक्षा नमन्ति गुणिनो जनाः
शुष्क काष्ठ्श्च मूर्खश्च न नमन्ति कदाचन .

Namanti phalaani brukshaa namanti gunino janaah.
Shushka kaashthasch moorkhshch na namanti kadachan.

i.e.     Trees laden with fruits bow with the weight of the fruits, and so also knowledgeable and learned persons with their knowledge (are always polite in their behaviour towards others). On the other hand dried wood and foolish persons never bend (are rigid and unwieldy).

Naman = to bow or submit, to bend the head in greeting a person.   Namanti = the act of bowing.
Phalani = fruits.      Bruksha = tree.       Phalaani Brikshaa = fruits bearing trees.
Gunino Janaah = Knowledgeable and learned pewrsons.      Guna = special skill or quality.
Jana = person.      Shushka = dry.     Kashtha =  wood.   Moorkh = a dull and unlettered person..
Kadachan = denoting a period or time -  ever or never, to be used according to the particular usage; here used to denote never.

(The underlying idea behind this Subhashit is that virtuous and learned persons are always polite in their behaviour towards others. The more they are learned the more polite they are, like a tree laden with fruits. The tree yields with the weight of its fruits, whereas  a dried branch of a tree if subjected to a weight  breaks and so also dull and foolish persons do not respond to any attempt to shape them into learned person like a piece of dry wood, which can not be bent to shape it and breaks if subjected to a force.)

To day's Subhashit.

शतेषु जायते शूरः सहस्त्रेषु च पण्डितः
वक्ता दस सहस्त्रेषु दाता भवति वा न वा

Shateshu jaayate shoorah sahastreshu cha panditah,
vaktaa das sahastreshu daata bhawati waa na waa.

i.e.   Among one hundred persons only one person happens to be brave . Similarly among one thousand persons only one person  can be found to be a Scholar, and among ten thousand persons only one person happens to be an orator.  But rarely a generous and charitable person can be found among thousands of persons.

Shata= One hundred in number.     Shateshu = among one hundred.        Jaayate = happens to be.
Sahastra = One thousand.      Sahastreshu = among one thousand.      Pandit = a Scholar.
Vaktaa =  a learned person who is also an accomplished orator. Orator is a person well versed in the art of public speaking with power to touch the feelings of the audience and persuade them.
Das Sahastreshu = among ten thousand..       Bhawati = happens.      waa  = or.       naa = not.
Bhawati wa a naa bhawati =  rarely happens
Daata = A generous and charitable person who helps others in cash or kind without being asked for. 'Daan' is the process of giving in the aforesaid manner and a person who does this is called a 'Daata'. 

To day's Subhashit.

कोकिलानम्  स्वरो रूपं स्त्रीणां रूपं पतिव्रतम्
विद्या रूप कुरुपाणां क्षमा रूपं तपस्विनाम्

Kokilaanam swaro roopam streenaam roopam pativratam,
vidya roop kurupaanaam kshmaa roopam tapiswanim.

i.e.      A nightingale is recognized by its sweet voice, a woman by her loyalty towards her husband.Ugly looking persons get recognition by their being learned and a sage by his rigorous self discipline
.
Swaroop = outwardly appearance of a person or object.
Roopa =  Ordinarily 'Roop' means beautiful outward appearance, but here it denotes the hidden and intrinsic qualities in a person, which give him reecognition inspite of not being good looking outwardly.
Kokila = a nightengale. although in outward appearance it resembles a crow, but is recognised by its sweet voice as against the harsh voice of a crow.
Streenam = of women.       Pativratam = loyalty and fidelity towards her husband by a woman.
Vidya = learning.        Kurup = a person whose outwardly appearance is not impressive. The prefix 'ku' added before a word denotes just the opposite meaning.  So 'kuroop' means being not beautiful in outwardly appearance.
Kshmaa = forgiveness, not feeling any grudge against others.
Tapaswi = a sage. [a person who has renounced all worldly desires and possessions in the pursuit of purifying his Soul (Aatman) and  attain Nirvaan (to be united with God Almighty) ].

The underlying idea behind this Subhashit is that it is the intrinsic quality and not the outwardly appearance or beauty of a person which brings him recognition.

To day's Subhashit.

षड् गुणाः पुरुषेणेह त्यक्तव्या न कदाचनः
सत्यं दानम् अनालस्यम् अनुसूया क्षमा धृतिः

Shad gunaah purusheneha tyaktavyaa na kadaachanh
Satyam daanam anaalasyam anusuya kshmaa dhritih.

i.e. A righteous person should never give up these six qualities in him, namely (i) adhering to truth (ii) generosity (iii) alertness )iv) free from jealousy (v) forgiveness and (vi)firmness with patience.

Shad = six .        Gunaah = qualities, degrees of greatness.      Purusheneha = persons.
Tyaktavyaa = give up , abandon.       Na Kadaachan = never, at no time.
Satyam = truth.      Daanam = generosity i.e. helping poor and needy persons in cash or kind without being asked for.         Anaalasyam = not being lazy i.e. always alert. (Aalasya means laziness.By the prefix 'an' to ;aalasya' it denotes just the opposite meaning i.e alertness)
Anusuyaa = free from jealousy.     Kshmaa = forgiveness, tolerance.    Dhriti =patience, firmness.

To day's Subhashit.

शान्ति तुल्यं तपो नास्ति तोषान्न परमं सुखम्
नास्ति तृष्णापरो व्याधिर्न च धर्मो दयापरः

Shanti tulyam Tapo nsaasti Toshaann paramam sukham,
Naasti Trushnaaparo vyadhir na cha Dharmo dayaaparah.

i.e.   There is no self purifying process equal to attaining peace of mind, and no bliss equal to being satisfied over one's lot. There no disease bigger than excessive desire or craving for any worldly thing  and no tenet of Religion greater than kindness towards all living beings.

Shanti = peace of mind,  tranquility.       Tapa = a self purifying process of disciplining oneself by shedding undesirable traits,  penance.      Na + Asti = Naasti  i.e. does not exist.
Tosha (Santosh) = being satisfied at whatever one possesses.         Paramam =  supreme
Sukham =  bliss, highest happiness.        Vyaadhi = disease.       Trushna = excessive desire to acquire any worldly thing,  thirst.           Dharmo = Religion.        Daya = kindness.     Parah = greater than.

To day's Subhashit.

पठतो नास्ति मूर्खत्वम् जपतो नास्ति पातकं
मौनिनः कलहो नास्ति न भयं चास्ति जाग्रतः

Pathato naasti moorkhatwam japato naasti paatakam
Mauninah kalaho naasti na bhayam chaasti jaagratah.

i.e.    Those who are studious are never foolish and those who are religious never commit sins.Similarly , those who keep mum (do not speak unnecessarily) are not involved in quarrels, and those who always remain alert are never afraid of any danger.

Pathato = involved in acquiring learning,  studious.        Moorkhatwam = foolishness
Japato = chanting silently God Almighty's or any of His incarnation's names by using a rosary (a string of beads used in saying prayers) implying religiousness.
Pastakam = sins, wrong deeds proscribed (outlawed) by Religion.
Manauninh = A persons who he keeps silence or does not indulge in loose talks.
Kalaha =  strife, disputes,quarrel            Na+Asti = Naasti =does not have (exist)
Bhayam = fear, being afraid of any thing.         Jaagratah = awake, always remaining alert. .

To day's Subhashit.

विद्या विवादय धनं मदाय शक्तिं परेषां परपीडनाय
खलस्य साधोर्विपरीतमेतज्ग्यानाय दानाय च रक्षणाय

Vidyaa vivaadaya dhanam madaya shaktim pareshaam parapeedanaaya.
Khalasya Saadhorvipareet-metajgyaanaaya daanaya cha rakshanaaya cha.

i.e.   A rogue uses his knowledge for indulging in disputes, his wealth for ostentatious living and its vulgar display,, and his power for harassing and troubling others. On the other hand a noble person's behaviour is just opposite that of a rogue and he uses his knowledge to impart it to others, his wealth in helping poor and needy persons and his power and authority to protect the meek and downtrodden people in the society.

Khala = a dishonest and mischievous person, a rogue.
Vidyaa = knowledge and learning.        Vivadaaya = disputes.      Dhanam = Money, wealth.
Mada = intoxicant like liquor, being very proud and arrogant because of one's possession, authority etc. A person with criminal bent of mind, if in possession of immense wealth,uses is for ostentatious living and vulgar display of wealth which is termed as "Dhan mada" i.e. intoxicated by money power.
Shakti = power.        Pareshaam = others.       Parpeedanaaya = troubling others.
Saadho = a noble and honourable person.       Vipareet = just opposite.
Gyaanay = concerning knowledge.     Daanaya = concerning charity.    Rakshanaaya= concerning protection.

To day's Subhashit.

उपार्जितानां वित्तानां त्याग एव हि रक्षणम्
तडागोदर संस्थानां परिवाह् इवाम्भसाम्

Upaarjitaanam vittaanaam tyaag eva hi rakshnam,
Tadaagodar sansthaanam pariwaah ivambhasaam.

i.e.     The only rightful way of protecting (proper utilisation) of money is by further sharing it with others like the water stored in a deep lake coming out of it through a canal ( to irrigate parched land and and provide water to the community at large).

Upaarjitaanaam =  erarned.         Vittaanaam =  money, wealth
Tyaag = to give up             Eva hi = is the only.           Rakshnam =  protection, proper utilisation.
Tadag = lake.    Udar = belly.      Tadagodar = in the depth of a lake.
Sansthaanaam = existing at          Pariwah = a canal,       Ambhasam = water.       Iva = similar to
Pariwaah ivambhusam = like water flowing through a canal.

(There is a saying that water and money should always remain in circulation. If this is not done the water stagnates and hoarded money becomes useless .Through the process of flowing and circulation water and money remain pure and beneficial to the society at large. This phenomena can be seen in  black money amounting to trillions of Rupees stored in Swiss Banks and other Tax havens by Indians. Had that money been earned through legal and honest means and utilised for the economic development of our Country it would have removed poverty, malnutrition and other economic ills plaguing our Country. See how Bhakraa  and Nangal , Hirakud and many other Dams constructed during the initial years of Country's Independence have changed the face of Punjab , Rajasthan and Orissa. It is just like the analogy mentioned in the above Subhashit of a canal emerging from the depth of a big lake irrigating parched land and providing water to the people downstream.  Such was the vision of our Sanskrit Scholars, highlighing the above Truth in shortest possible words.

To day's Subhashit.

चिन्तनीयाहि विपदं आदावेव प्रतिक्रिया
न कूप खननं युक्तं प्रदीप्ते वहनिना  गृहे.

Chintaneeyaahi vipadam aadaaveva pratikriyaa,
Na koop khananam yuktam pradeepte vahninaa gruhe

i.e.   It is futile to show concern and take remedial steps only after facing a calamity because then it is too late. To commence digging a well is not appropriate when the house is already on fire.

Chintaneeyahi = showing concern.          Vipadam = calamity, a great misfortune.
Aadaya + Iva = Aadaaveva.    Aadaaya =Coming, happening ,         Iva = like.
Pratikriyaa =  reaction, responding to.         Koop = a well.         Khananam = digging.
Yuktam (Upyuktam) = appropriate..            Pradeepte = the process of burning.
Vahninaa = by fire.          Gruhe = a house, a building.

(The idea behind this subhashit is that wise men are always well prepared to face any unforeseen calamity or disaster and do not start from scratch only after happening  of such an incident. Knowing that floods,drought, earthquake and other similar unpredictable calamities can happen any time,efficient Governments always keep ready equipment and  trained personnel to handle such situations on short notice.)

To day's Subhashit.

चिता चिंता समा  हि उक्ता बिन्दुमात्र विशेषतः
सजीवं दहते चिन्ता निर्जीवं दहते चिता.

Chitaa chintaa samaa hi uktaa bindumaatra visheshatah
sajeevam dahate chintaa nirjeevam dsahate chintaa,

i.e.   Chitaa is said to be just like Chintaa, the difference between them (in script)  being only of a dot (.) as a punctuation mark.  But while Chintaa burns a person when he is alive, a chita does the same when the person is dead.

Chitaa = a funeral pyre            Chintaa = anxiety, worry.         Sama =  equal, just like.
Uktaa =  said to be, told .        Bindumaatra = just a dot (punctuation mark used in a script)
Visheshatah = especially.         Sajeevam = while alive.            Dahate= burns
Nirjivam = dead,                      Ni =not                                 Jeevam =  alive.

(In Sanskrit script called  'Devnagari', a punctuation mark called 'Anuswaar' resembling a dot (.}when put over a word, at times changes the meaning of the word. So when an 'Anuswaar' is put over the word चिता (chitaa) it becomes चिंता (chimtaa).  While Chitaa means a funeral pyre Chimtaa means anxiety or worry. In this subhashit the author has played with these two words having different meaning  but with the same after effect i.e. of burning. Anxiety also deprives a person of his life force (like burning alive) while a funeral pyre burns a dead person.)

To day's Subhshit.

अपूर्वः कोपि कोशोयं विद्यते तव भारती
व्ययतो वृद्धिम् आयाति क्षयम् आयाति संचयात् .

Apoorvah kopi koshoyam vidyate tav Bharati
Vyayato vruddhim aayaati kshyam aayaati sanchayaat.

i.e.      O Goddess Saraswati, your Treasure is unique in nature.  It increases when it is freely spent and gets destroyed if it is hoarded (and not shared with others).

     (The underlying idea in this Subhashit is that the more knowledge is shared with others, the more it tends to broaden and improves the concept being shared , leading to opening of new vistas of knowledge.  If knowledge is kept by a person to himself, it perishes and is lost forever, as has been the case with many disciplines of knowledge in the past.
     There is another Subhashit - "अनभ्यासे विषं शास्त्रं " --Anabhyaase visham shaastram - i.e. if any discipline of knowledge is not revised/recapitulated regularly by a person,it tends to turn useless like a poison. So it has to be used regularly and recapitulated and the best way to do so is to share and teach it to other deserving persons. This is more applicable to the disciplines of fine arts, music, medicine  etc. requiring continuous revision and up-gradation. If this is not done the discipline decays and after some time is lost for ever. There are numerous examples of this phenomena in our society.

Apoorva = unique, unending            Kosha =  Treasure             Vidyate =   is , happens to be .
Tav = yours.                   Bharati =  Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning.
Vyayato = by spending.         Vruddhim =  increase.          Aayati =  gets,   comes.
Kshyam = decreasing, decaying.              Sanchaya =  hoarding.

To day's Subhashit.

वस्त्रेण वपुषा वाचा विद्यया विनयेन च ,
वकारैः पञ्चभिर्युक्तः नरो भवति पूजितः

Vastren vapushaa vachaa vidyaya vinayen cha,
Vakaaraih panchbhiryuktah naro bhawati poojitah.

i.e.   A person is respected and adored in society if he has these five attributes, their names starting with the alphabet 'व ' -'va' -namely (i) being well dressed (ii)having a good physique (iii) having a proper diction (manner of speaking) , (iv) being learned and (v) courteous.

Vastra = clothes, dress.         Vapushaa = physical built up of a person..
Vaacha = diction, manner of speaking.            Vidyaya = knowledge.    
 Vinayaen = courteous, humbleness.        Panchbhiryuktah = Panchabhi + Yukta.
Panchabhi = these five.       Yuktah = having,including. (here it denotes that all these five words start with the alphabet 'va' )              Naro = people, persons.        Bhawati = happens.
Poojitah = adored, respected..

To day's Subhashit.

एकं विष रसं हन्ति शस्त्रेणेकश्च बध्यते ,
सराष्ट्रं सप्रजं हन्ति राजानां मन्त्र विप्लवः

Ekam vishrasam hanti shashtrainaikashch badhyate'
Sarashtram saprajam hanti raajaanaam mantra viplawahh.

i.e.    Only one person gets killed by consuming a poison, and a weapon also kills one person at a time.  But a wrong decision taken by a Ruler (king) without heeding the expert advice of his councillors results in widespread destruction of the Kingdom and death to millions of its citizens.

(There is a glaring example of this prophesy in the decision taken by Pt. J.L.Nehru of Congress and by M.A.Jinnah of Muslim League, which resulted in the partition of our Country and death of millions of its citizens and later on the Kashmir issue, which, after even 65 years is like a bleeding soar and is still taking a heavy toll of human lives and causing immense hardships to the Nation. Many more such  examples can be found in other parts of the World.)

Vish Rasam = liquid poison.       Hanti = strikes, kills .         Shashtra = weapon.        Eak = one.
Badhyate = kills.            Sarashtram = one's own Country.         Saprajam = one's own people.
sa= onw;s own.    Prajam = inhabitants, citizens.       Rajaanaam =  Kings,  Rulers of a country.
Mantra = a decision taken unilaterally.         Viplavwah =  strife, fighting.
Mantra viplawah =  strife and disorder created by wrong decision.
.

To day's Subhashit.

प्रदोषे दीपकश्चन्द्रः प्रभाते दीपको रविः
त्रैलोक्ये दीपको धर्मः सुपुत्रः कुलदीपकः  II

Pradoshe deepakashchandrah prabhate deepako Ravih,
trailokye deepako Dharmah suputrah kuladeepakah.

i.e.   In the evening the Moon brightens the sky and in the morning the Sun does it. Similarly the World is brightened by 'Dharma' and so also an illustrious and honorable son brings name and fame to his family like a lamp shedding bright light.

Pradosh = evening.        Prabhaat =early morning.         Chandra = The  Moon.            Ravi =   The Sun
Dharma = Religion (For detailed meaning of 'Dharma' please refer to Subhashit posted on 3rd August,2012)
Trailokye =  The World.  (In Sanskrit the World is comprised of three lokas (components) i.e.Earth, Sky and deep down the Earth known as Prithvi, Aakash and Paataal respectively and all the three (tri in Sanskrit)combined are termed Tri-loka.)
Suputra = an able and illustrious son..
Deepak =  an earthen or metallic lamp used to illuminate the household during the night. Here the word 'Deepak' is used metaphorically to denote the importance of Moon, Sun, Dharma and an illustrious son in a family like  a lamp brightening its surroundings during the night.        

To day's Subhashit.

अकृत्यं नैव कर्तव्यं प्राणत्यागेSपि संस्थिते
न च कृत्यं परित्याज्यं एष धर्मः सनातनः

Akrutyam naiv kartavyam prantyaagepi sansthite,
Na cha krutym prityaajyam esh dharmah sanaatanah.

i.e.   Even while facing grave danger to his life, one should not indulge in doing wrongful deeds. On the other hand one should never refrain from performing rightful  deeds, as this is the 'Dharma' being followed since time immemorial.

Akrutyam = an action which is not right or just. (By adding the prefix 'a' before a word in Sanskrit ,the opposite meaning of the word is denoted as is done by 'un' and 'in' English)
Krutya = an action, doing a job.        Kartavyam = duty, doing something.
Praantyaag = the process of dying.               Api = even           Sansthithe = happening, facing.
Parityaajya = abandon , refrain,give up.         Eash = this is.         Dharma = religion.
Sanatanah = from time immemorial.  (The Hindu Religion is also called 'Sanaatn Dharma". Here it denotes rightful duties and actions beneficial to mankind ordained by the Religion.)

To day's Subhashit

यथा हि एक चक्रेण न रथस्य गतिर्भवेत्
एवं पुरुषकारेण  बिना  दैवं न सिद्ध्यति  II

Yathaa hi ek chakren na rathasya gatirbhawet
evam purushkaaren binaa daivam na sidhyati.

i.e.   Just as a chariot with only one wheel can not pick up speed, similarly a person's actions and efforts do not yield the desired results without the blessings of God Almighty.

Yatha = just as.          Ek chakren = with only one wheel.         Rath = a chariot.
Gati = speed.             Bhawet = happens.         Evam = similarly.        Purush = a man.
Bina = without.          Daivam =  God Almighty,  Providence -i.e. care of God for all creatures.
Sidhyati =  fructifies,  accomplished

(There is another Subhashit on this very theme - 'भाग्यं फलति सर्वत्र  न च विद्या न च पौरुषं "       
i.e. Bhagyam phalati sarvatra na cha vidyaa na cha paurusham - which means that it is the fate of a person which brings in success to him and not his expertise (Vidyaa) and his sincere efforts.All around us we see numerous instances of very erudite and industrious persons not succeeding in their enterprise, which can only be attributed to one's fate.)

To day's Subhashit.

दिवसेनैव तत्कुर्यात् येन रात्रौ सुखं वसेत्
यावज्जीवं च तत्कुर्याद् येन प्रेत्य सुखं वसेत्

Divasenaiva tatkuryaat yena raatrou sukham vaset
Yawajjeevam cha tatkuryaad yena pretya sukham vaset .

i.e.   One should indulge in such deeds during day time by which he gets a comfortable and carefree sleep during the night (without musing over the consequence of his actions during the day). Therefore , so long a person remains alive he should follow this advice and live happily.

 Divasenaive= during the day.      Divas =day .  Iva =. during,   Tat =that.,such.     Kuryaat =  do
Yena = by which         Raatrou = during the night.        .Sukham = comfort, any thing that makes one feel more at ease,or happier.          Yaavat = so long.         Jeevam = alive.
Kuryaad = do.        Pretya = throughout the period one remains alive.