Friday 28 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

सर्वनाशो समुत्पन्ने अर्धम् त्यजति पण्डितः |
अर्धेन कुरुते कार्यं सर्वनाशो न जायते   |
Sarvanaasho Samutpanne Ardham Tyajati Panditah.
Ardhen Kurute Kaaryam Sarvanaasho Na Jaayate.
 
Sarvanaash = annihilation, total destruction.      Samutpanne = occuring, arisen.      Ardham = half (either of two equal parts of a thing).     Tyajati = give up, let go.    Panditah= a learned and wise person.     Ardhena = with the remaining half.
Kurute = does.     Kaaryam =  work in progress.       Na = not.    Jaayate = happens.

i.e.     A wise and learned person  when confronted by a situation where there is risk of annihilation ,wriggles out of such  a tricky situation by giving up half of his possessions. Afterwards by judiciously using the remaining half of his wealth he completes the work in progress and saves himself from total annihilation. [and again recovers his lost wealth]






Thursday 27 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

वनाति दहतो वह्निः सखा भवति मारुतः |
स   एव  दीप  नाशाय  कृशे  कस्यास्ति  सौहृदं       ||
 
Vanaani Dahato Vanhaih Sakhaa Bhawati Maarutah:
Sa Aiw Deep Naashaaya , Krishey Kasyaasti Sauhradam.
 
Vanaani =  forests.    Dahato = burns.      vanhi = fire.      Sakhaa = friend.     Bhavati = becomes.    Marutah = wind.
Sa = it.     Eva = really.     Deep = an  earthen oil lamp.      Naashaaya = extinction, extinguishes the lamp.
Krushe = weak   and thin.     Kasyaasti = kasya + asti.     Kasya =  who.      Asti = has.    Sauhrudam = friendship, affection.

i.e.     While a fire rages in a forest during that process a  blowing wind provides help as a friend, but the same wind extinguishes a  burning earthen lamp.  Really, no body wants friendship with weak and poor persons.
 
(Through this Subhashit the author highlights the fact that there is a tendency among people to  befriend powerful persons and avoid friendship with a poor and weak person. Instead of befriending  the poor they rather harm them, as is the case of a blowing wind which helps a raging fire and extinguishes a lamp.)

Wednesday 26 June 2013

To Day's Subhashit.

     Having regard to the calamaty that has befallen upon the people of Uttarakhand and thousands of tourists and pilgrims visiting the State, I am again posting the Subhashit which I had posted on 5th September,2012.   This Subhashit shows the wisdom and insight of our Ancestors and the sagely advice embodied in the Subhashit, which was not heeded by the Rulers, resulting in the latest tragedy in Uttarakhand, where thounds of persons are now trapped in the remote inaccessible hills and thousands have met with gory death.  In utter disregard of the sincere advice of scholars, enviornmentlasts and scientists, the Government kept a blind eye towards violation of all norms and allowed construction of high rise buildings just besides the rivers, which were engulfed by the  overflowing rivers like a pack of cards, a frightening aand horrible sight, which, millions are now watching on TV.   Another 'Time bomb'  in the shape of Tehri Dam is ticking. Beware !


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

Ekam vishrasam hanti shashtrainaikashch badhyate'
Sarashtram saprajam hanti raajaanam 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 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. Rajaanam = Kings, Rulers of a country.
Mantra = a decision taken unilaterally. Viplavwah = strife, fighting.
Mantra viplawah = strife and disorder created by wrong decision

18 seats or 50 'Maunds' (a measure of weight slightly less than 4800 kilograms)

     I spent my childhood during 40's at Naini Tal, which was developed by the Britishers as a Hill Station.  In the last decade of 19th century there was a big land slide in the town, in which more that 80-90 persons died. Taking a lesson from this natural calamity they developed the town with very strict building norms.   In the first decade of the 20th century the town was connected by a motor road to the plains.  That road was considered one of the best motorable roads of the world with special emphasis to drainage having regard to the heavy rainfall in the region.  They also devised a very intricate system of drainage for Naini Tal town, remnants of which are still in existence, although neglected by the present Rulers.

      One of the restriction, meticulously observed, was the restriction on the carrying weight of the vehicles plying in the roads of  hills.  On every vehicle it was written "Athaarah seat yaa 50 Man"  i.e. the vehicles were prohibited to carry not more than 18 persons including their luggage or other goods in excess of 50 maunds, approximately equal to 45-46 quintals.   This restriction was meticulously observed.   No vehicles were allowed to ply in the interior of Naini Tal town.

     Compare this to the situation now prevailing.  There is no restriction enforced for carrying heavy loads by buses and trucks.  Jeeps are found carrying more that 15 persons, So is the case with buses and, which are overloaded, in utter disregard to their load carrying capacity and the topography of the Region.   The  hills of Uttarakhand are very unstable.and the roads  are now being built by the Administration in utter disregard of the engineering norms with shoddy workmanship using sub-standard material,, as a result of which they are  not able to withstand the fury of Himalayan rainy season.  When overloaded trucks, buses and jeeps ply on these roads they create strong vibrations in the roads, making them unstable and the danger is compounded by the very very heavy traffic on these roads.  

     Similar is the case with the construction of houses.  Houses beyond 2/3 storeys was unheard of in Hills during the British rule. There were very very strict rules and bye laws for construction of houses. Now we see 5 to 8 storeyd houses and hotels allowed to be constructed just near the river banks or the flood level of rivers.   Thanks to the greed of builders and corruption, the local administration kept a blind eye to all this, which is now the root cause of loss of human lives that we are now witnessing all over Uttarakhand, which is now being attributed to the fury of Nature.
    
     No one is asking the question why lacs and lacs of people from toddlers to aged persons and thousands of vehicles were allowed to enter the higher reaches of Himalayas without any back-up plan and support system.  People were left at the mercy of greedy transporters and hoteliers.  A few years back I had the opportunity of visiting Sikkim, where the topography is similar to that of Uttarakhand. But there is a system of regulating the flow of tourists beyond Gangtok. No private vehicle is allowed to ply beyond Gangtok and the tourists have to travel through small jeeps, which are driven by the local youth, well aware of the topography. The entire State is divided into 4 zones and vehicle of one zone can not ply in otber zones. Tourists are permitted to go in the interior having regard to the infracture available at the places visited.   Had all these measures been adopted in Uttarakhand such large scale human tragedy would not have happened.

      The present calamity is a stern warning to the powers that be that they should amend their attitude in tune with the Nature, as the Britishers did when they ruled in Uttarakhand.

       My deepest sympathies to the victims of this deluge.  May the souls of the dead rest in peace.
May the God now give to our Rulers the wisdom not to interfere with Mother Nature in the present manner in the name of "Vikaas" steeped in all pervading corruption.

Tuesday 25 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

उद्द्योगिनं पुरुषसिंहमुपैति लक्ष्मी-
दैवं प्रधानमिति कापुरुषा वदन्ति  |
दैवं विहाय कुरु पौरुषमात्मशक्त्या
यत्ने  कृते यदि न सिध्यति कोSत्र दोषः ||


Udyoginam PurushSimhamupaiti Lakshmi.
Daivam Pradhaanamiti Kaapurushaa Vadanti.
Daivam Vihaai Kuru Paurushmaatmyashaktyaa,
Yatnye Krutey Yadi Na Sidhyati Kotra Doshah.

Udyoginanm =enterprising and laborious persons.    Purusimghmupaiti = Purush + simgh+ upaiti.
Purush = person.  Simgh = lion.     Purushsimgh = a lion-hearted(brave)person.    Upaiti =acquires, get.
Lakshmi = the goddes of riches. (here reference is to acquisition of wealth)     Daivam = destiny, fate.
Pradhaanmiti = pradhaan +iti.    Pradhaan = foremost.     Iti = this.     Kaapurushaa = coward and contemptible persons.     Vadanti =say.     Vihaay = overlooking, leaving behind.    Kurupaurushmaatmshaktyaa = Kuru  +
paurush + aatma  + shaktyaa         Kuru = do.         Paurush = one's own strength and courage.\
Aatma = self, own.     Shaktyaa = strength.     Yatne = attempt.   Krute = done.    Yadi = if
Na = not.     Sidhyati = becomes successful.     Kotra = Ko + atra.      Ko = who.    Atra = here.
Dosha = blame, defect.

i.e.      Brave and enterprising persons get riches by virtue of their own efforts and only coward and contemptible persons say that getting rich depends on their destiny. If one makes efforts to the best of his ability without caring for his destiny and still does not succeed then no body is to be blamed for this.

Monday 24 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

विहाय  पौरुषं  यो  हि  दैवमेवाSवलम्बते  |
प्रासाद सिंहवत्तस्य मूर्ध्नि तिष्ठन्ति वायसाः ||

Vihaay paurusham yo hi daivamevaavalambate.
Praasaad  singhavattasya moordhni tishthanti vaayasaah.

Vihaay = leaving aside, not relying upon.    Paurush = one's own strength and courage.
Yo = whosoever     Daivamevaavalambate = Daivam + iva + avalambate,      Daiva - destiny, fate.
Iva = rather than (for comparison)    Avalambate = depends upon, chooses.
Praasaad = a large mansion.  Singhwattasya = Singhwat +tasya.     Singhwat = like a Lion.
Tasya = its, his/her.     Moordhni = head,      Tishthanti = perch on, stay.     Vaayasaah = crows.

i.e.          Whosoever, instead of relying upon his own strength ,efforts and courage for accomplishing a task depends  more on   his destiny , is like the statue of a lion at the entrance of a large mansion (as a showpiece) over whose head crows perch .

(Through this Subhashit the author has emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship and hard work echoing the sentiment that God also helps those persons who help themself., by comparing an inactive person to a statue of a lion, whom no body fears.) 

Saturday 22 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

एकोऽपि गुणवान् पुत्रो निर्गुणैः किं शतेन तैः |
एकश्चन्द्रो जगच्चक्षुर्नक्षत्रैः  किं  प्रयोजनम्     ||

Ekopi gunavaan putro nirgunaih kim shaten taih.
Ekashchandro jagaccakshurnakshatraih kim prayohjanam.

Ekopi = Eka +api .     Eka = one.   Api =even (to emphasise)   Gunavaan = talented, virtuous.
Putro = son.   Nirgunaih = without any qualities and virtues.   Kim =what.     Shaten = one hundred.
Taih = they.   Ekashchandro = Eka + chandro .    Chandro = Moon.    Jagacchakshurnakshatraih =
Jagat + chakshu +nakshatraih.      Jagt = Universe, mankind.    Chakshu = eye.  
Nakshatraih = a group of stars in the sky. (In Indian Astronomy 27 such groups have been identified, wich are further sub=grouped into 12 'Rashis' - the 12 signs of the Zodiac.     Prayojanam = need,
what is the point.

i.e.      It is far better to have only one talented and virtuous son rather than having one hundred sons who are without any qualities and virtue,  just like the shining full Moon, the cynosure of the eyes of mankind against the backdrop of numerous stars in the sky.

(Through this Subhashit the author has figuratively emphasised the need of having just one worthy so rather than having many unworthy sons.)

  .


 

Wednesday 19 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.


सुखार्थी  वा  त्यजेत विद्याम्   विद्यार्थी वा त्यजेत सुखम्  |
सुखार्थिनः  कुतो  विद्या  कुतो  विद्यार्थिनः  सुखम्            ||

Sukhaarthi wa tyajet vidyaam, Vidyaarthi wa tyajeit sukham.
Sukhaarthino kutah vidya , kuto vidyarthinah sukham.

Sukhaarthi = seeker of pleasures.    Waa = if.      Tyajet = forego, give up.
Vidyaa = knowledge, learning, science.    Vidyaarthi = seeker of learning and knowledge.
Sukham = pleasure.    Kuto = where ?     Vidyaarthinah = students, seekers of knowledge.


i.e. If one is after an easygoing, pleasurable and comfortable lifestyle  then he should better forego persuit of knowledge and learning, and if one is a seeker of learning (a student)) he has to forego comforts. A seeker of comforts can never become a learned person and a  seeker of learning and knowledge can never have an easy going lifestyle.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

आलस्यं  हि  मनुष्याणां  शरीरस्थो  महान  रिपुः    |
नास्त्युद्यमसमो बन्धुः कृत्वा Sयम् नाSवसीदति  ||

Aalasyam Hi Msnushyaanaam Sharirastho Mahaan Ripuh
Naastyudyama samo bandhuh kratwaayam Naawaseedati.

Aalasya = laziness, idleness.     Hi = surely.    Manushyaanaam = among men.
Sharirastho = existing in the body.    Mahaan = great.    Ripu = enemy.
Naastyuddyamo = Naasti +uddyam +samo.     Nasti = is not.   Uddyam =industriousness.
Samo = equal to .    Bandhu = friend,     Krutwaayam = Krutwa +eyam .   Krutwa = doing.
Eyam = this.    Naavaseedati = na + avaseedati.     Na = not   Avaseedati = disheartened, depressed.
Avasaad in Sanskrit means a state of mental depression.


i.e. Laziness  in a person is his biggest enemy, whereas there is no better friend than industriousness. A person who has this quality in him never gets depressed .
 

Monday 17 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः |
षडते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र  देव: सहायकृत        ||


Udyamahh Saahasam Dhairyam Buddhih Shaktih Parakramahh
Shadtey Yatra Vartante Tatra Devah Sahaayakrut.

Udyamh = Industriousness, entrepreneurship, diligence.    Saahasa = courage    
Dhairya = patience,         Buddhi = intelligence.       Shakti = power.
Paraakrama =  bravery, zeal to distinguish one's self      Shadte = these six.    Yatra = where. Vartante = exist, are there.     Tatra = there.     Devasahaayakruta = Deva + sahaayakruta.
Deva = God.       Sahayakruta = render assistance.


i.e. Industriousness, courage, patience, intelligence, power and zeal to distinguish one's self , if all these six attributes are in a person, then God also renders assistance to him.

( Through this Subhashit the author emphasises the truth that a person becomes successful in his life only when he possesses these qualities and God also helps only those persons who help themselves. These six attributes are a must for success in any venture. )

Sunday 16 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.


अश्व:शस्त्रं शास्त्रं वीणा वाणी नरश्च नारी च
पुरुषः विशेषं प्राप्ता भवन्ति योग्या अयोग्यास्च

Ashwah shashtram shaashtram veena vani narascha nari cha.
Purushah vishesham praaptaa bhawanti yogyaa ayaogyyscha.

Ashwah = a horse.      Shashtram = a weapon.       Shaashtram =  scriptures, books of learning.
Veena = an ancient stringed musical instrument of Indian Classical Music.   Vaani =  diction, choice and use of words.     Narscha = a man's.     Naari cha = a woman's .    Purushah = a person.    
Vishesham = specialisation, excellence.      Praptaa =  gained.         Bhawanti = become.
Yogya = suitable, useful.competent.     Ayogya = not suitable, incompetent,

i.e.      Horses, weapons, books of learning )shashtras), veena, diction (way of speaking and choice of words), men and women, when they are handled by a specialist become useful and competent, even if they may not be so earlier.

(Through this Subhashit the author has highlighted the fact that much depends upon the skill and expertise of a person handling horses, weapons, musical instruments and ordinary men and women.If the person concerned is a specialist he can even use unsuitable things to his advantage. On the contrary even best horses, weapons, musical instruments etc. handled by incompetent persons can not give the desired results. )

Friday 14 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

भद्रं  भद्रं  कृतं  मौनं   कोकिलैर्जलदागमे  |  
वक्तारो दर्दुरा यस्य तत्र मौनं समाचरेत  ||

भावार्थ - जल से भरे हुए बादलों के आगमन पर (वर्षा ऋतु में)
कोयल नहीं कूकती है , क्योंकि उस समय यदि मेंढक टर्रा रहे हों 
तो ऐसे स्थिति में उनका मौनधारण करना ही श्रेयस्कर है |
(कोयल मुख्यतःवसन्त ऋतु में कूजती है और उस समय मेंढक
गायब रहते हैं | और वर्षा ऋतु में चारों ओर मेंढकों की टर्र टर्र
ही सुनायी देती हैं | प्रकारान्त से इस सुभाषित का तात्पर्य यह है
कि जिस सभामें अज्ञानीऔर नीच व्यक्तियों का बोलबाला हो उसमें
विद्यानऔर सज्जन व्यक्तियों को चुप रहना चाहिये |)
Bhadram Bhadram Kritam Maunam Kokile'Jaladaagame.
Vaktaaro Dardura yatra, Tatra Maunam samaacharet.
Bhadram = wise and honourable persons. Krutam = observe. Maunam = silence.
Kokilairjaladaagame =Kokilai +jalad +aagame. Kokilai = nightingales (a singing bird)
Jalad = rain bearing cloud. Aagame = arrival of. Jaladaagame = arrival of rainy season.
Vaktaaro = speakers. Darduraa = frogs. Yasya = whose. Tatra = there.
Samaacharet = observe.
i.e. On the arrival of rain bearing clouds (onset of rainy season) the nightingale stops singing, because then frogs croak every where . So it is advisable for them to keep mum during this period.
(Nightingales usually sing during spring season, when flowers bloom every where and frogs are conspicuous by their absence. What he author of this Subhashit means to say indirectly very cleverly comparing the learned persons with nightingale and ordinary semi-literate or illiterate persons to frogs, has emphasized the fact that it is futile for learned persons to indulge in oratory and display of their knowledge before ordinary persons and it is always advisable to keep mum if such an occasion arises.)

Thursday 13 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

वाणी दरिद्रस्य शुभा हिताSपि ह्यर्थ शब्देन च संप्रयुक्तः |
न शोभते वित्तवतः समीपे भेरी  निनादोपहतेव वीणा     ||

Vaanee daridrasya shubhaa hitaapi hyarth shabdena cha sampruktah.
Na shobhate vittavatah sameepe bheree ninaadopahateva veenaa.

Vaani = spoken words, speech.     Daridrasya = of a poor person.     Shubhaa = pleasant, auspicious.
Hitaapi = hita + api.     Hita =  benefit, advantage.    Api = also, even ( to emphasise).
Hyartha = hi + artha.     Hi =certainly.    Artha = meaning, purposeful.     Shabdena = words.
Cha = and.    Samprayuktah =  endowed with, comprised of.     Shobhate = looks beautiful.
Vittavatah = a rich person.     Sameepe = near.    Bheri = a trumpet.   Ninaadopahateva = ninaad +
upahat + iva.      Ninaad = disagreeable sound, cacaphony.    Uphat = infected, suppressed.    Iva = in the same manner.     Veena = a stringed musical instrument of Classical Indian Music having  a very ancient origin.

i.e.     Even if a poor person speaks pleasantly and meaningfully for the benefit  of a rich person, his way of speaking is not liked by the rich person, in the same manner as the sweet sound of a Veena  is suppressed and remains unheard by the cacophony of a trumpet.,

{ Through this Subhashit the author has highlighted the tendency among moneyd persons to desrgard the sagely advice of ordinary and poor persons, which, has at times disastrous consequences. There is also a Hindi proverb - 'नक्कारखाने  में तूती की आवाज़् '  (nakkarkhaane me tootee kee aavaaz'- i.e.
the sound of a Tootee ( a small musical instrument played by blowing through the mouth like a flute)
does not get any attention in a Nakkarkhaana ,a big hall where a large number of big drums are being played together }

Wednesday 12 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

यस्यास्ति वित्तं स नरः कुलीनः स पण्डितः स श्रुतिमान गुणज्ञः
स एव वक्ता स च दर्शनीयः सर्वे गुणाः काञ्चनमाश्र्यन्ति


Yasyaastu vittam sa narah kuleenah, sa panditah sa shrutimaan gunagyah.
Sa eva waktaa sa cha darshneyah, sarve gunah kaanchanmahrayanti.

Yasyaasti =Yasya +asti.    Yasya = whosoever.    Asti = have.     Vittam = money, wealth.
Sa = he.    Narah = person.     Kuleen = noble, aristocrate.     Panditah = learned person. 
Shrutimaan = having knowledge of scriptures.   Gunagya = talented, virtuous.   
Eva = really.    Vaktaa = orator.     Darshneeya = handsome, having impressive personality.    Sarve = all.     Gunaah = virtues, qualities.      Kaanchanmaashryanti =
Kaanchan = gold.     Aashryanti =  take shelter,  servile.  


i.e.         If a  person is rich, he is treated like an aristocrat . He is also treated like  a virtuous scholar well versed in scriptures, also supposed to be an orator with an impressive personality ( even if he may not possess any of these qualities) . This is not unusual as  all these virtues are servile to Gold. 

(Gold is the ultimate symbol, store and measure of value even in modern day Economics and all currencies of the world depend on it for their stability.  Through this Subhashit the author has indirectly criticised the negative aspects of wealth which shroud all other virtues in men.)

Tuesday 11 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

सर्पाः पिवन्ति पवनं  न च दुर्बलास्ते
शुष्कैस्तृणैर्वनगजा बलिनो भवन्ति  |
कन्दैः फ़लैर्मुनिवरा: क्षपयन्ति कालं
संतोष एव पुरुषस्य परं निधानम्      ||

Sarpah piwanti pawanam na cha durbalaaste,
Shushkaistrinaih vangajaah balino bhawanti.
Kandaih falaih munivaraah kshapayanti kaalam.
Santosh eva purushasya param nidhanam.

Sarpaah = snakes.   Pivanti = drink, inhale.    Pavanam = air.   Na cha= not .
Durbalaaste = become weak.    Shushkaistrunairvangajaa = Shushka +trunaih+vana+gajaa.  Shuska = dry.   Trunaih = blades of grass.  Vana = forest.
Gajaa = elephants.   Balino = strong, powerful.   Bhavanti = become.  Kandaih =roots
Phalaiirmunivaraa = Phalai + munivaraah.    Phalaih = fruits.   Munivaraah = sages residing in forests.   Kshapayanti = destroy, kill,spend.   Kaakm = time.     Santosh = contentedness.   Eva = really.   Purushasya = a person's.    Param = absolute, ultimate.     Nidhanam = treasure

i.e.     Serpents live just by inhaling air and never become weak, in forests elephants eat ordinary grass and become very powerful, sages and saints spend their time  happily by subsisting on roots and fruits available in forests .This implies that those  persons whose wants are limited are a happier lot (having "Santosh").

(Our scriptures preach that one should keep his wants under control, which is the secret of leading a happy and contended life. There is also a saying that if wishes were horses fools would ride on them. There is also a Hindi couplet on this theme as - गो धन गज धन बाजि धन और रतन धन खानि |  जब् आवे संतोष धन सब् धन धूरि समान -  i.e. all sorts of wealth in the shape of cows, elephants, horses, jewels etc are just like dust, if a person has 'Santosh (contendedness) as his wealth.)

Monday 10 June 2013

Today's Subhashit.

पिवन्ति नद्द्यः स्वयमेव नाभ्यः स्वयम् न खादन्ति फ़लानि वृक्षाः
नाSदन्ति सस्यं खलु वारिवाहाः परोपकाराय सतां विभूतियः

Piwanti nadyah swayameva naambhah,swayam na khadanti phalani brukshaah .
Naadanti sasyam khalu wariwahah, paropkaraya sataam vibhutiyah.

Pivanti = drink. Nadyah = rivers. Svayameva = one's own. Naabhyah = water. Khaadanti = eat.
Phalaani = fruits. Brukshaah = trees. Naadanti = Na + aadanti. Na = not
Aaadanti = receive. sasyam = foodgrains. Khalu = surely. Vaarivaahah = rain bearing 'clouds.
Paropakaaraaya = for charitable causes. sataam = noble and righteous persons.
Vubhutiyah = mighty and illustrious persons.

i.e..Rivers do not drink their own water,and similarly trees do not eat their own fruits. Water carrying clouds which help growing various grains do not eat them.So also the aim of noble and righteous persons in life is always selfless and charitable service  to humanity.

(The last three words of this subhashit - 'Paropakaaraya sataam vibhutiyah' are among the most oft-quoted 'quotes' of Sanskrit.)





Sunday, 9 June 2013



To day's Subhashit.
गुणवज्जन संसर्गाद्द्याति सर्वोपि  गौरवं |
पुष्पमाला प्रसङ्गेन सूत्रं शिरसि धार्यते   ||

Gunavajjansamsargaaddyati sarvoopi gauravam'
Pushpamaaala Prasangena sootram shirasi dhaaryate.

Gunavajjansamsargaaddyati = gunavad +Jana + samsargaad + yaati. Gunavas = having talent and virtues. Jana = persons. Samsargaad = in the company of. Yaati = get. Sarvoopi = sarva +api.
Sarva = all others. Api = even. Gauravam = dignity, respetability. Pushpamaala = a garland of
flowers. Peasangena = attached to, Sootram = the thread which holds all the flowers of the garland. Shirasi = over the head. Dhaaryate = placed., to be kept.

i.e.        Even ordinary persons get respectability and dignity iin the company of talented and virtuous persons, just like the ordinary thread, which, when attached to a garland of flowers manages to get placed over the head of a dignitary.

Friday 7 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

गुणाः कुर्वन्ति दूतत्व्म दूरेSपि  वसतां सताम्  |
केतकीगन्धमाघ्राय  स्वयं  गच्छन्ति षट्पदाः  ||

Gunaah kurvanti dootatvam doorepi vasataam sataam.
ketakigandhmaaghraaya svyam gacchanti shatpadaah.

Gunaah = talent, virtues     Kurvanti =  do.     Dootatvam = acting as a messenger.
Doorepi = Door + api.      Door = far away.    Api = even if.      Vasataam = reside.
Sataam = virtuous and righteous persons.     Ketakigandhmaaghraaya= ketaki + gandham + aaghraaya.
Ketaki = a small white flower, which has a sweet pungent smell.     Gandha = smell.
Aaghraaya = having smelt.     Swayam = of one's own accord.    Gacchanti = go.
Shatpadaah = insects, six footed insect/animal.

i.e.         Even if virtuous and talented persons remain aloof and keep a low profile, their talents act as a messenger and pronounce their existence and people throng to them just like the insects which reach out towards Ketaki flowers on being attracted by the sweet smell of the flowers.

`

Thursday 6 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

उपदेशो हि मूर्खाणां प्रकोपाय न शान्तये |
पयः पान भुजङ्गानां केवलं विषवर्धनम्  ||

Upadesho hi moorkhaanaam prakopaaya na shantaye.
Payah paan bhujanganaam kevalam visha vardhanam.

Upadesh = guidance, teaching, preaching..     Hi = surely.     Moorkhaanam = stupid person.  
Prakopaay = anger, rage.     Shaantaye = pacified, calm down.    Paya = milk.
Paan = serving a drink.      Bhujangaanaam = snakes.     Kevalam = only.
Vishavardhanam = Visha + vardhanam .    Visha = poison.   Vardhanam = increases.

i.e.        The anger of a stupid and dull headed person can not be pacified simply by preaching him. Doing so is just like feeding a snake with milk, which results only in increase in its poison.

Wednesday 5 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

मुखं पद्मदलाकारं वाचा चन्दन शीतला  |
हृदयं क्रोधसंयुक्तं त्रिविधं धूर्तलक्षणम्  ||

Mukham padmadalaakaaram vaachaa chandan sheetlaa.
Hrudayam krodhsamyuktam trividham dhoortlakshnam.

Mukham = face.     Padmadalaakaaram = Padma +dal + aakaaram.    Padma = lotus flower.
Dal = petal.    Aakaaram =  shape.     Vaachaa = speech.     Chandan = sandalwood paste.
Sheetalaa = cool, soothing.    Hrudayam =  heart.      Krodhsamyuktam = Krodh +samyuktam.
Krodha = anger.     Samyuktam = filled with.    Trividham = of three kinds.    Dhoorta = a rogue, a cunning person.     Lakshnam = symptoms.

i.e.       Outwardly his face  beams like a lotus flower, his speech is cool like sandalwood paste, but
inwardly his heart is filled with anger.  These are the three symptoms by which a cunning person can be identified.

Tuesday 4 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

सर्पः क्रूरः खलः क्रूरः सर्वात्क्रूरतरः खलः  |
मंत्रेण शाम्यते सर्पो न खलं शाम्यते कदा. ||

Sarpah kroorah khalh kroorah sarvaatkrooratarah khalah.
mantrena shaamyate sarpo na khalam shyaamyate kadaa.

Sarpa = a snake.    Kroor =cruel, pitiless.   Khala = a wicked person.   Sarvaat = among all.
krooratarah = cruelest.    Mantrena = by a 'Mantra'    Mantra = a sacred hymn or a formula, said to
have mystical curative powers, when recited with devotion and as per the prescribed procedure.
Shaamyate = subdued , tamed.      Kadaa = never.

i.e.      A snake is cruel and pitiless and so also a wicked person.   But a wicked person is the cruelest and pitiless, because a snake can be tamed and subdued by reciting a 'Mantra', but a wicked person can never be subdued or controlled.

Monday 3 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

न  विना परवादेन रमते दुर्जनो जनः  |
काकः सर्वरसान्  भुङ्ग्ते विनाSमेध्यं न तृप्यति ||

Na vinaa paravaaden ramate durjano janah.
kaakah sarvarasaan bhungte vinaamedhyam na trupyati.

Na = not .      Bina =  without.     Paravaad =par +vaad.     Par = harsh, foul.    Vaad = talking.
Parvaadena =  speaking foul language, criticising others.    Ramate = are happy, enjoy.
Durjano = wicked persons, scoundrels.    Janaah = persons.     Kaakah= a crow.
Sarvarasaan =  Sarva + rasaan.    Sarva = all.     Rasaan = juices or extracts of fruits and other edible things.    Bhungte = consuming.    Vinaamedhyam = bina +amedhyam.     Binaa = without.
Amedhyam = faeces, human excreta , foul.     Trupyati = satisfied.

i.e.     Wicked persons never enjoy talking to others unless they use foul language , just like a crow, which, even after consuming all sorts of juicy food items does not feel satiated until he consumes foul smelling faeces.

Sunday 2 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

न  दुर्जनः सज्जनतामुपैति बहुप्रकारेरपि सेव्यमानः
भूयोऽपि सिक्तः पयसा घृतेन न निम्बबृक्षो  मधुरत्वमेति ||

Na durjanah sajjanataamupeti bahupraakererapi sevyamaanah.
Bhooyopi siktah payasaa ghrutena na nimbabruksho madhuratvameti.

Na = not.    Durjan = wicked person.    Sajjanataamupeti = SDajjanataa + upeti.
Sajjanataa = gentlemanly behaviour, virtuosity.   Upeti = acquires.   Bahuprakaarerapi =Bahu +prakaare + api.     Bahu = many.     Prakaare = types, ways.    Api = even.     Sevyamaanh = being served or dealt with.      Bhooyopi = Bhooya + api.       Bhooya = more.    Siktah = wetted, impregnated.
Payasa = milk.     Ghruten = butter, ghee.     Nimbabruksho =  nimba + bruksho.   Nimba = neem tree
(botanical name Azadirachta Indica), leaves of which have a very bitter taste, although it has very good medicinal value.    Madhuratvameti = Madhuratvam +eti.     Madhuratva = sweetness.   Eti = acquires.

i.e.         Even after being served in many ways, a wicked person does not become virtuous and does not behaves as a gentleman, just like the Neem tree which does not acquire sweetness even if it is wetted by milk and buttermilk (instead of water).

Saturday 1 June 2013

To day's Subhashit.

दुर्जंन : परिहर्तव्यो विद्ययाSलंकृतोSपि सन,  ।
मणिना भूषित: सर्पः किमसौ  न  भयंकर       ॥

Durjanah parihartavyo vidyayaalankritopi san.
Maninaa bhooshitah sarpah kimasau na bhayankarah.

Durjan = wicked persons, scoundrels.      Parihartavyo = to be avoided, to be shunned.
Vidyayaalamkratopi = Vidyayaa + alamkrita +api.    Vidyayaa = with learning.   Alamkrit = adorned.
Api = even.      San =  bedstowed.      Maninaa = by a jewel.    Bhooshitah = adorned.
Sarpa = a snake.   Kimasau = is not ?    Bhayankar = frightening, dangerous.

i.e.     Wicked persons should be assiduously be avoided even if they are learned just like a snake adorned with a gem on its hood, which is still very dangerous and frightening.

(There is a legend in Sanskrit literature that some snakes have a bright and shining gem studded in their hood , which is called a 'Naaag Mani' .  The underlying thought behind this subhashit is that wicked persons never shed their inherent nature of harming others, even if they may be learned and wealthy, and should never be trusted.)