To day's Subhashit.

खलानां कण्टकानांच द्विविधै च  प्रतिक्रिया .
उपानन्मुखभंगवो दूरतो वा  विसर्जनम्  .

Khalanaam  kantakaanaamcha dwividhai cha pritikriyaa.
upaananmukhbhangwo doorto wa visarjnam.

i.e.     The way of dealing with wicked persons and thorns is of two types. Their face should either be snubbed by a shoe or they should be avoided and kept at a distance..

Khalaanam =  wicked persons.      Kantakaanam = thorns.       Dwividhai =  of two types.
Pritikriyaa = retaliation,  remedy.     Upaan = shoe.      Mukha = face.        Bhanga = snubbed, broken.
Doorto = from a distance,         Waa = or, alternately.      Visarjanam = abandoned, avoided.

To day's Subhashit.

कृपणेन समो दाता न भूतो न भविष्यति
अस्पृशन्नेव वित्तानि यः परेभ्यो प्रयच्छति .

Krupanena samo daaataa na bhooto  na bhavishyati.
asprushanneva vittaani yah parebhyo prayachchhati.

i/e/     There has never been and nor will ever be a philanthropist equal to (or greater than) a miser who leaves  his wealth for others almost without enjoying it.

Krupan = a miser, an ungenerous person who lives poorly  in order to store his wealth.
Sama = equal to.         Daataa = giver.        Bhooto = never happened in the past.
Bhawashyati =  will happen in future.           Asprashanneva = asprash + iva.
Ashprash = untouched.        Iva = almost.       Vittaani = wealth.        Parebhyah = to others.
Prayachchati = gives.

(There is a nice couplet in Hindi on this very theme - 'खाय न खरचे सूम धन चोर सबै  ले जाय ' -Khai na kharche soom dhan chor sabe le jaaya -  i.e. a miser neither uses his wealth for himself nor gives to others and ultimately thieves take it away.  In Hindi a miser is called a 'soom' .

To day's Subhashit.

अस्थिरं जीवितं  लोके अस्थिरो धन यौवने .
अस्थिराः पुत्रदाराश्च धर्मकीर्तिर्द्वयं  स्थिरं .

Asthiram jeewitam loke asthiro dhana youwane.
asthiraah putradaraashch dharmakeertirdwayam sthiram.

i.e.   In this world the period for which a person will be alive is uncertain and so also how long his wealth, youth, children and wife will remain with him is uncertain.  Only the righteous behaviour and the resultant  reputation (fame) of a person remains permanent (even after his death).

Asthir =  uncertain, temporary, not permanent.         Jeewitam =  age of a person.
Loke = in this world.             Dhan = wealth, riches.        Youwan = youth.
Putra = son .       Daara = wife .         Cha = also.          Dharma =  literal meaning of Dharma is Religion, but here it means righteous and just behaviour of  a person beneficial to society at large.
Dwayam = both .                Sthiram = permanent. 

To day's Subhashit.

वयमिह परितुष्टा वल्कलैस्त्वम् च लक्ष्म्या  (दुकूलैः)
 Vayamih paritushtaa valkalaistwam cha lakshmyaa (dukulaih)
सममिह  परितोषो  निर्विशेषो विशेष:
 Samamiha paritoshe nirvishesho visheshh
स हि भवति दरिद्रो यस्य तृष्णा  विशाला
Sa bhawati daridro yasya trushnaa vishalaa
मनसि च परितुष्टे कोSर्थवान्  को दरिद्रः
 Manasi cha paritushtokorthwaan ko daridrah.

(In the subhashit posted yesterday the first two lines were omitted to be posted inadvertantly. So the entirer Shloka is  now being posted. In the first line there are two versions  (i) वल्कलैस्त्वम् च लक्ष्म्या -'valkalaistwam ch lakshmyaa' and (ii)  वल्कलै त्वम् दुकुलै -'valkalai twam dukulei . Both the versions are  right in their own way. So I am now giving the translation of the entire shloka hereunder)

i.e.      If a person  while provided with garments  made out of  barks of trees or made out of silk (costly  garments) remains satisfied in either of the situations i.e. ordinary and extraordinary, then it is immaterial for him if he become rich or poor. On the other hand  a person who is very greedy is really poor (because he always desires for more and feels himself as poor).

Valkal = clothes made out of barks of wood (e.g.hemp) i.e.very ordinary clothes.
Dukulaaih = garments made out of silk (costly garments).     Lakshmyaa = riches.
Sama = equal.    Iha = here , now.         Nirvishesh = ordinary.    Vishesh = special.

To day's Subhashit.

स हि भवति दरिद्रो यस्य तृष्णा  विशाला 

मनसि  च परितुष्टे कोर्थवान्  को दरिद्रः 

Sa hi bhawati daridro yasya trashnaa vishasala.

manasi  cha paritushto korthwaan ko daridrah 

i.e.       A person who is very greedy always remains needy and surely feels himself as poor. If  one feels completely satisfied by whatever he gets  then it is immaterial for him to become rich or remain poor.

Sa  =  he.        Hi = surely .      Bhawati = becomes ,  is.        Daridra = poor.     Yasya =  whose

Trashnaa = greed,strong desire.      Vishala = very big in size.       Manasi =  feeling .

Paritushte =satisfied.      Korthwaan - Kh + Arthwaan.    Kh = who.     Arthwaan =  rich person.

Ko = who.

( Through this Subhashit the author emphasises that there is not end to the desires of a person. If one is very greedy, he still feels poor in spite of being very rich, whereas a person who is satisfied with his lot is a happier person,    There is also a saying in English that if wishes were horses fools would ride on them, which also supports the above subhashit.)

              

To day's Subhashit.

आदौ माता गुरौ पत्नी ब्राह्मणी राजपत्निका
धेनुर्धात्री तथा प्रथ्वी सप्तैता मातरः स्मृतः

Aadou Maata Guruau Patni Bhramani Raajpatnikaa
Dhenurdhaatri tatha Prathwee saptaitaa Maatrah smrutah .

i.e.     At first one's own mother and afterwards the wife of the Guru, a brahmin lady, a Queen, a cow, a foster mother and the mother Earth, all these seven  are declared by tradition as a Mother.

Aadou = at first.      Mataa = mother.       Guruau = teacher's.     Patni = wife.
Raajpatnikaa = wife of the King or a high official.         Dheni =  a cow.
Dhaatri = a foster mother or a maid servant , who, in absence of a child's mother brings up the child.
Prathwee = the Earth in which we live.          Matarah =  mothers.    Saptaitaa =  these seven.
Smrutah = declared by tradition.   ( The rules of social behaviour handed down by tradition and  by our Religion to be treated as a Law are called 'Smriti..

( In Hindu religion a Mother and Father are given the status of a God -  "मातृ देवो भव्  पितृ देवो भव् " -Matru devo bhava pitru devo bhawa -. So all the above seven are awarded the status of one's own Mother by our Religion and tradition having regard to the services rendered by them to the mankind)

To day's Subhashit.

     On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, the festival of lights, I convey my best wishes to all my friends and well wishers with this Shloka:-

सर्वे सुखिनः सन्तु सर्वे सन्तु निरामया.
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु माकश्चिद्दु:खभाग्भवेत् .

i.e.   I pray to God Almighty that let all inhabitants of this Earth remain happy  and free from all sorts of ailments. Let every body see and enjoy a good lifestyle and never face sorrows and calamities.

To day's Subhashit.

दीपो भक्ष्यते ध्वान्तं  कज्जलं च प्रसूयते .
यादृशं भक्षयेदन्नं जायते तादृशी प्रजा '

Deepo bhakshyate dhwaantam kajjalam cha prasooyater.
Yaadrusham bhakshyedannm jaayate taadrushi prajaa.

i.e.      A burning earthen oil lamp destroys darkness and during that process produces lampblack. Similarly   the type of food consumed  by the inhabitants of a country  accordingly affects their attitude and behaviour.

Deep = an earthen oil lamp.      Bhakshyate = destroys, devours, eats.    
Dhwaanta =  darkness, without light.          Kajjalam = lampblack.
Prasooyate = produces.     Yaadrusham = like this.       Taadrush =  like that.
Bhakshyedannm = Bhakshaye + annam.     Bhakshye =  consume, eat.
Annam - food.     Jaayate = becomes .        Prajaa = subjects, inhabitants of a country.

(The author emphasizes the importance of simple and nourishing vegetarian food as compared to non-vegetarian food.  Those animals and humans who are carnivorous are more aggressive and cruel in their behaviour towards others.)

To dsy's Subhashit.

नरस्याभरणं रूपं रूपस्याSSभरणं गुण:
गुणस्याSSभरणं ज्ञानं ज्ञानस्याSSभरणं  क्षमा .

Narasyaabharanam roopam roopasyaabharanam gunah.
gunasyaabharanam gyaanm gyaanasyaabharanam kshmaa.

i.e.     A person's ornamentation is his grace , and grace if  associated with virtues. Virtues get decorated by knowledge, and knowledge by tolerance and forbearance.

Nara = a person.      Aabharan =jewellery, attire, decoration.      Roop =grace,  form, splendour.
Roopasya =  of the 'Roop'.        Gunah = virtues, quality,merit.         Gyaan = knowledge.
Kshama = forbearance, tolerance, forgiveness.

(Through this Subhashit the author emphasises  that a person may be beautiful, but simply being beautiful is of no use if he does not have good qualities which are acquired through knowledge.  And  simply having knowledge is immaterial if the person concerned does not possess tolerance and forgiveness.)

To days Subhashit.

आयुषः क्षण एकोऽपि सर्वरत्नेन लभ्यते.
नाSयते स वृथा येन प्रमादः सुमहानहो

Aayushh kshana ekopi sarvaratnena labhyate.
naayate sa vrathaa yena pramaadh sumahaanho.

i.e.    Even a single moment of Life can not be obtained in exchange of all the wealth and to expect this is futile and rightly a big mistake.

Aayushh = life.      Kshna = moment, a second.     Ekopi = even one.    
Sarvaratnena= Sarva +Ratne +na,     Sarva = all       Ratne = jewels, wealth, riches.    
Na =  not.           Labhyate = obtained.
Naayate =na +aayate.    Na = not      Aayate =  expected.       Sa = that.
Vruthaa = futile, useless, producing no result.     Yean = where for,  this.
Pramaad = mistake, madness, error.     Sumahaanho = Su+mahaan+ho.
Su =rightly.   Mahaan = big.     Ho = a suffix to a word.

To day's Subhashit.

येषां श्रीमद्द्यशोदासुतपद्कमले नाSस्ति भक्तिर्नराणां .
येषांमाभीरकन्या प्रियगुण कथने नाSनुरक्ता रसज्ञा .
येषां श्रीकृष्णलीलाललितगुणरसे सादरौ नैव  कर्णों.
धिक् तान  धिक् तान धिगेतान कथयति सततं कीर्तानस्यो मृदंग:

Yesham shreemaddyashodasutapadakamale naasti bhaktirnaraanaam
yeshaammaabhirakanyaa priyaguna kathane naanuraktaa rasagyaa.
yeshaam shreekrishnaleelalalitgunarase saadarou naiva karnou
Dhik taan dhik taan dhigetaan kathayati satatam keertanasyo mrudangh.

Those persons who do not show obeisance before the lotus like feet of the son of Yashodsa, whose tongue is not engaged in praising the virtues of  the lover of daughters  of  cowboys, and those who do not lend reverentially their ears to the beautiful stories of various deeds of Shri Krishna, during the course of a 'keertan'  the 'mrudang' on being played repeatedly and always pronounces 'Pity on such persons, pity on such persons' .

(This Subhashit is a fine example of playing with words. 'Mrudang' , a pruccusion musical instrument used for accompanying a singer, produces a sound on being played which is just like the sound when one pronounces the word 'dhik taan' repeatedly. The meaning of 'dhik' is 'pity'  and that of 'taan'  is' those people'.   In the first three lines of the 'Shloka' the author has not mentioned the name of Lord Shri Krishna, but just given a description of his personality and activities and in the last line disclosed his name.The main profession of the family where  Lord Krishna was reared during his childhood, was raising cow herds and dealing in milk products and were called 'Abheer' or 'Aheer' or 'Gope. )

Yeshaam = those persons.     Yashoda = foster mother of Lord Krishna .     Suta =  son.
Pad kamal = feet like lotus flower.      Bhakti = showing obeisance.      Naranaam = persons
Aabhir = a caste of persons engaged in raising cows and dealing in milk products  as a profession.
Kanyaa = daughter.      Anurakta =  engaged in.     Rasagyaa = tongue.     Lalit = beautiful.
Guna = qualities.   Leela =  antics, actions.deeds.       Saadarou = with respect reverentially.
Karnau = ears.       Dhik  taan =  a sound produced by playing a mridang,  pity on those.
Kathayati = says      Satatam = always.       Keertan = singing in praise of the Lord with the accompaniment of various musical instruments including a 'mridang' .

To day's Subhashit.

कुस्थानस्य प्रवेशेन  गुणवानपि  पीड्यते
वैश्वानरोSपि लोहस्यः कारुकैरभिहन्यते.

Kusthaanasya praveshen  gunawaanapi peedyate.
Vaishwaanaropi lohasya kaarukairabhihanyate.

i.e.    By entering a wrong place even a virtuous person also suffers e.g. the fire in the hearth  of an ironsmith is hit by him (with a hammer for  giving a shape to the heated iron)

Kusthaan = an improper place.       Ku = improper.     .   Sthaan = place.
Praveshen = by entering.         Gunawaan =  virtuous.      Peedyate =  suffers, gets pain.
Vaishwaanaropi = Vaishwaanar + api.       Vaishwaanar = fire.        Api = also.
Loha = iron.    Lohasya = of the iron.      Kaarukairabhihanyate = Karukaih + abhihanyate.
Karukaih = artisans ( an ironsmith).         Abhihanyate = hit by, beaten by.

To day's Subhashit.

किन्चिदाश्रय सौन्दर्याद्धत्ते  शोभामसाध्वपि.
कान्ता विलोचने न्यस्तं मलिमसिभिवान्जनम् .

Kinchidaashraya saundaryaaddhatte shobhaamasaadhwapi.
Kaantaa vilochane nyastm malimasabhiwaanjanam.

i.e.       By getting  a little support from a beautiful person even generally bad things and persons get glorified , e.g. carbon soot applied to the eyes by a beautiful woman becomes 'anjan' ( a beauty aid to beautify eyes).

Kinchidaashraya = Kinchit + aashraya.         Kinchit = little,slight.        Aasshraya =  support, shelter.
Saundaryaaddhate = Saundarya + Ddhatte.       Saundarya = beauty.       Dhatte = in association with.
Shobhaamasaadhwapi = Shobhaa + asaadhu + api.       Shobha = grace, beauty, become distinguished.
Asaadhu = not good, bad, a wicked person.          Kaantaa = a beautiful woman.
Vilochane =  eyes.         Nyastam = applied to.      Malimasi = black soot produced by burning an oil lamp.
Bhiwanjanam =  bhawati +anjanam.         Bhawati = becomes.
Anjanam = a beauty aid created by mixing black carbon soot produced by an oil lamp mixed with butter oil used as a shado liner on the eyes to beautify them.    

( The Subhashit emphasizes the fact that association with renowned and famous persons gets recognition to even very ordinary persons, which they would never get on their own.)

To day's Subhashit.

राजा राष्ट्रकृतं पापं राज्ञाम्य पापः पुरोहितः
भर्ता च स्त्रीकृतं  पापं शिष्य पापं गुरुः तथा.

Raajaa raashtrakrutam paapm raagyaamya paph purohitah.
Bhartaa cha sweekrutam paapm shishya paapm guruh tathaa.  

i.e.    If the subjects of a King indulge in wrongdoings, he is responsible for it. And if the King does the same his priest (counsellor) is responsible for it.  A husband is responsible for the wrongdoings of his wife and a teacher is responsible for the wrongdoings of his students.

Raashtrakrutam = Raashtra + krutam.     Rashtra = kingdom.      Krutam = done by.
Paapm =act of breaking a law of one's religion, wrongdoings,shortcomings.
Raagyaamya = of the king's.       Purohita = priest. (in olden times the main priest  of a king used to guide him in the matters of ruling his subjects and they were reverentially called 'Guru'.
Bhartaa = husband.      Stree = wife, woman.      Shishya = student.      Guru = a teacher.

(The underlying idea behind this subhashit is that a ruler and his counsellors,a husband and a teacher are responsible for and can control the wrongdoings and sinful behaviour of their subjects and subordinates for the overall benefit of the Society. Their timely and stern action can dissuade their subordinates from indulging in wrongdoings.)

To day's Subhashit.

साक्षराः विपरीतास्चेद्राक्षसाः  एव केवलम्
सरसो विप्रीतस्चेत्सरसत्वम् च मुञ्चति

Saaksharaah vipreetaschcdraakshsaah eva kevalam .
Saraso vipreetaschetsasatwam na munchati.

i.e.    The opposite of the word '.saaksharaah' is only 'Raakshasaah' . On the other hand the opposite of the word 'saras' is always 'saras' and it does not lose its meaning.

(To understand this Subhashit we have to get a bit familiar with the alphabet of Sanskrit. The word  'साक्षरा ' which means a person who just knows only reading and writing and is not a Scholar,when read backward becomes 'राक्षसा '  whereas the word 'सरस ' remains the same i.e. 'सरस'. The meaning of 'Rakshasha' is a demon and that of the word 'saras' is sentiment or any thing juicy and it remains the same even on being read backwards. This implies  that a person who is just a 'saakshar' changes his  nature under adverse circumstances, whereas a really  learned person does not lose his nature and remains cool even under adverse circumstances. )

Saakshara = a person who just knows reading and writing and is not a learned person.
Vipreeta = opposite      Rakshasha =  a demon .     Eva = really.       Kewalam = only.
Saras = sa + rasa.    Sa = with.     Rasa = sentiments,  a juice or fluide. ( here it implies good nature of a learned  person).        Sarasatwam = good nature  like kindness, humility and compassion.
Munchati = loses.

To day's Subhashit.

संग्रहेकपरः प्रायः समुद्रोपि  रसातले .
दातारं जलदं पश्य गर्जन्तं भुवनोपरि..

Sangrahekaparah praayah samudropi rasaatale
Daataaram jaladam pashya garjantam bhuwanopari.

i.e.     Those persons who generally hoard their wealth, are like an Ocean as also underground mines of minerals.. On the other hand look at those persons who share their wealth with others (by doing charitable work) like a rain bearing cloud roaming all around the Earth with thundering sound, distributing life giving water to all living beings.

Sangrahekaparah =  Sangrah + eka + Par.    Sangrah = hold, hoard.  Eka = a fellow, a person.
Para = best or worst.       Praayah = generally.     Samudropi = Samudra + api.
Samudra = Ocean.      Api = as also.         Rasaatala = underground. (here reference to mines of various minerals hidden inside the Earth).      Daata = a person who gives his belongings to others in charity.         Jalad = a rain bearing cloud.     Pashya = look at.      Garjantam = producing thunderous and rumbling sound.      Bhuwanopari = Bhuwan + upari.   Bhuwan = Earth.    Upari = over, upon.

(Through this subhashit the author has compared misers with Ocean and mines deep down the Earth, and liberal persons who share their wealth with others by giving on charity, to rain bearing clouds providing life giving rain to all living beings.   The water of the Ocean is of no use for drinking purposes unless its salt content is removed and similarly the mines hidden under the earth are also of no use until their material is brought up with much effort. Likewise, the wealth of a hoarder is of no benefit to the Society.)

To day's Subhashit.

विद्या विवादाय धनं मदाय शक्तिः परेषां परपीडनाय
खलस्य साधोर्विपरीतमेतज्ज्ञानाय  दानाय च रक्षणाय .

Vidya vivaaday dhanam madaay shaktih paresham parpeedanaay.
Khalasya saadhorvipreetametajgyaanaay daanaay cha rakshnaay.

i.e.    Wicked persons use their knowledge in creating controversies and disputes, their wealth in its vulgar display,and their power in troubling others. On the other hand noble persons do just the opposite i.e. use their knowledge in teaching others, use their wealth in charitable work and their power in protecting the meek

Vidya = knowledge.     Vivaad = dispute, controversy.       Dhanam = riches, money.
Madaay = arrogance, excessive pride over any thing, a state of being intoxicated.
Shaktih = power.     Pareshaam =  others.  Par = others.    Peedanaay = troubling, giving pain to others.
Khal = a wicked person.       Saadho = a noble and kind person.        Vipreet =  opposite.
Etad = theirs.       Gyaanaay = knowledge ..      Daanay =  charity.       Rakshnaay = protecting.

To day's Subhashit.

पृथिव्यां त्रीणि रत्नानि जलमन्नं सुभाषितम् .
मूढैः पाषाणखण्डेषु रत्नसंज्ञा प्रदीयते.

Pruthivyaam treeni ratnaani jalamannam subhashitam.
moodhaih paashaankhandeshu ratnasangyaa pradeeyate.

i.e.   In this World there are three real jewels (anything or anyone highly valued), namely water, food and Subhashitas (noble and pious thoughts). Those persons who consider only rare and beautiful coloured stones as jewels are fools.

Pruthivyaam = the World, Earth.       Treeni = three.        Ratnaani = Jewels, precious stones, any thing or anyone highly valued.          Jal = water.         Annam = food, material used as food. what one feeds on.
Subhashitam = Noble thoughts and commandments given by pious and righteous persons recorded in writing for the benefit of humanity.   Su = noble.   Bhashita = spoken words..      Moodhaih = foolish persons.
Pashaan = Stone .    Khandeshu = pieces. (Jewels and gems are known as precious stones, as the are basically stones but are very beautiful and rarely found in this Earth  and  hence considered precious.)

( Through this Subhashit the author gives more importance to water, food and  noble thoughts of our ancestors and codified ideal human behaviour as commandments of various Religions recorded in writing, collectively named "Subhashitas".  One can not live without water and food as also proper human behaviour and the gems and jewels are mere stones and of no use if we do not have food, water and do not maintain proper behaviour towards others.)

To day's Subhashit.

सर्वाभीष्ट प्रदो नित्यं सन्मार्गेणैव गच्छताम्
विचित्रमेतद्विद्वान्स्तु  जङ्गमः  कल्पपादपः

Sarvaabhishta prado nityam sanmaargenaiva gacchataam
Vichitrametadvidwaanstu jangasmah kalpapaadapah.

i.e.   One should always follow the path of righteousness which is unique and wonderful and fulfils all wishes of learned persons, who are like a "Kalpataru" in a forest of ordinary trees

Sarvaabhishta  (sarva + abhishta)  Sarva = all.      Abhishta = wishes.       Prado = giver.
Nityam = every day.      Sanmaargenaiva = (Sat + Maarg+aiva )  Sat = right    Marga = path.
Aiva = only.      Gacchataam = follow,  go through.       Vichitrametadviswaanstu = (vichitra + etad +vidwaan + to) . Vichitra = unique and wonderful.        Etad = this.   Vidwaan = learned persons. To = also.
Jangamah = forest.   Kalpapaadapah = Kalpa =name of a tree.  Padapah =  tree.
 (In Hindu mythology Kalpapaadap is the tree of Gods, which is capable of fulfilling all the wishes of a person. It is also called 'Kalpataru', taru in Sanskrit is another name for a tree.)

(In this Subhashit the author has emphasized the importance of following the path of righteousness, which, wise men always follow. They are not found in abundance but are very rare like the Kalpataru in a forest having common varieties of trees.)

To day's Subhashit.

सतां सङ्गं बिना  कोपि लभेत्किं वाञ्छितं फलं ,
नहि संताप शान्तिः स्यात्पूर्णचन्द्रोदयं बिना.

Sataam sangam binaa kopi labhetkim vaanchitam phalam,
Nahi santaap shantih syaatpoornachandrodayam bina.

i.e.     Without companionship of noble and righteous persons no one can achieve the desired results, just as without the rising of  a full Moon the heat of a scorching day time can not be subdued.

Sataam = noble and righteous persons.     Sangam = companionship.      Bina = without.
Nahi = not.         Santaap = heat (reference to environment heated by a scorching Sun)
Shantih = subdued,  removed.       Syat = just as,  perhaps.      Poorna Chandra = a full Moon
Udaya = rising.   Poornachandrodaya = rising of a full Moon.