Today's Subhashita.

एकेनापि सुपुत्रेण जायमानेन सत्कुलं |
शशिना चैव गगनं सर्वदेवोज्ज्वलीकृतं ||

अर्थ = किसी परिवार मे यदि एक भी सुपुत्र उत्पन्न होता है तो वह् परिवार प्रतिष्ठित
और प्रसिद्ध हो जाता है जैसे कि आकाश में चन्द्रमा के उदय होने से संपूर्ण आकाश तथा
वातावरण उसकी ज्योत्स्ना से प्रकाशित हो जाता है |

Ekenaapi suputrena jaayamaanena satkulm
shashinaa chaiva gaganam sarvadevojjvaleekrutah.

Ekenaapi = even by having one... Suputrena = worthy son. Jaayamaanena = being born
Satkulam = a noble and respectable family. Shashinaa = by the Moon.
Chaiva = cha + iva.   Cha = and.    Iva = like that (comparison).    Gaganam = the sky.
Sarvadevojjvaleerutah.= Sarvadeva +ujjvaleekrutah.Sarvadeva = all gods, entire heavens.
Ujjvaleekrutam = brightened.

i.e. Even one worthy son born in a family makes it a noble and respectable family,
like the Moon in the sky brightening entire heaven.

Today's Subhashita.

एकेनापि विनीतेन सुतेनोद्धियते  कुलं |
गंगावतारणापारप्रथं   पश्य   भगीरथं  ||

अर्थ -       अनेक पुत्रों की तुलना में  यदि मात्र एक ही योग्य और विनीत पुत्र हो तो वह् अपने कुल का उद्धार करने मे सक्षम होता है |  देखो किस प्रकार राजा भगीरथ ने  स्वर्ग से पृथ्वी पर पुण्यसलिला गंगा नदी का अवतरण करा कर अपने कुल का उद्धार कर अपार यश और प्रसिद्धि प्राप्त की थी |

(इस सुभाषित में पुराणों में  वर्णित गंगा नदी के पृथ्वी में   अवतरण की कथा के संदर्भ द्वारा अनेक साधारण  संतानों के स्थान पर एक ही  योग्य संतान होने के महत्व  को प्रतिपादित किया है जो अपने कुल की परम्परा और् प्रसिद्धि में  वृद्धि कर यशस्वती और जगत् प्रसिद्ध हो जाता है.  राजा सगर के 60000 पुत्र थे.जिन्हें कपिल  ऋषि ने शाप दे कर  भस्म कर दिया था | उनके उद्धार के लिये राजा सगर के उत्तराधिकारी  राजा भगीरथ ने तपस्या  कर भगवान  विष्णु  को प्रसन्न कर उनसे पुण्यसलिला गंगा नदी को पृथ्वी पर भेजने का अनुरोध  किया तथा सागर तट पर भस्म हुए अपने पूर्वजों को वहां गंगा को लेजा कर उन्हें मुक्ति दिलाई | अभी भी  कोई व्यक्ति समाज के हित में  यदि कोई कठिन कार्य सम्पन्न करता है तो इसे  "भगीरथ प्रयत्न " कहा जाता है | )

Ekenaapi vineeten sutenoddhiyate kulam.

Gangaavataaranaapaarapratham Pashya Bhageerathaam.

Ekenaapi = even having only one.    Vineeten = by a  humble and accomplished ...

Sutenoddhiyate = sutena + uddhiyate.     Sutena =  bya son.    Uddhiyate = elevates, redeems.

Kulam = family dynasty.     Gangavataaranaapaarapraytham = Ganga +avatarana +apaar+pratham.

Ganga = the sacred river Ganges.    Avataaran = descending (from Heaven).   Apaar = boundless,eminent.

Prathm = become well known  as a celebrity.     Pashya = look at, behold.   Bhagirath = name of a King.

i.e.      If instead of having a number of ordinary sons, a person  has only one humble and accomplished son, he is competent enough to redeem  and perpetuate the name and fame of his family.  Behold, as to what King Bhagirath did for his family by bringing the sacred river Ganges from the Heaven for redeeming his ancestors and has become a celebrity.

(In this Subhashita the author has stressed the desirability of having just one humble and accomplished son rather than having a number of incompetent sons, by citing the legend of 'Gangavataran' - (bringing of River Ganges from the Heaven to the Earth by the King Bhagirath).  King Sagar had 60000 sons, who were  turned into ash by the curse of a Sage named Kapil ,near the shore of the Ocean.   Bhagirath,a descendent of King Sagar,with a view  to redeeming the souls of his ancestors, pleased God Vishnu by his penance and requested him to release the river Ganges from the Heaven, so that he could lead her to the place where his ancestors  were burnt into ash.  This act of Bhagirath made him a celebrity in the Indian Mythology and now a days if some  one accomplishes a difficult task for the betterment of the society it is metaphorically termed as a "Bhagiratha attempt.   Those persons who want to know the details of 'Gangavataran' may please refer to website -

Descent of Ganga - Worldnews.com 

article.wn.com/view/2013/06/28/Descent_of_Ganga/‎

Today's Subhashita.

एकेनापि     गुणेनद्धो    लभते    स्पृहणीयतां  |
काकल्येव पिको लोकैर्मौद्यते  मलिनोप्यसौ ||

अर्थ -       मात्र एक ही गुण होने पर भी कोई व्यक्ति समाज में स्प्रहणीय  (आदर और ईर्ष्या का पात्र) हो जाता है , जैसे  कि रूप रंग मे कव्वे के समान  काली होने पर भी कोयल अपनी मधुर आवाज से सब को   प्रमुदित करती है और पसंद की जाती है  |

Ekainaapi gunenaddho labhate spruhaneeyataam.
Kaakalyeva piko lokairmaudyate malinopyasau.

Ekenaapi = ekena +api.    Ekena = by one.   Api = although, even.  Gunenaddho = having  talent or virtue..
Labhate = acquires, gets.      Sprahaneyataa = desirability, enviability.    Kaakalyeva = kaakal + iva.
Kaakal = Raven (a large glossy blue black crow having a hoarse cry).  Picka = Indian cuckoo (a song bird). Lokairmodyate = lokaih +maudyate.     Lokaih = in ordinary life, society..     Maudyate = delights, gives pleasure.       Malinopyasau = Malina +api +sau.    Malin = dirty, black.      Sau = it

i.e.      Even by having a single talent or virtue a person acquires desirability and  is envied in the society,
just like a cuckoo bird which gives pleasure to people by its sweet tweeting, although in appearance it is similar to a black crow having a hoarse cry. 

Today's Subhashita.

एकेन राजहंसेन या शोभा सरसोSभवत्  |
न सा बक सहस्रेण   परितस्तीरवासिनः ||

अर्थ -      केवल एक ही राजहंस से एक सरोवर की जो शोभा होती है , वैसी  उसके तट के चारों ओर निवास करने वाले हजारों बगुलों से भी नहीं होती है |
      (प्रकारान्त से इस सुभाषित का तात्पर्य यह है कि एक ही महान् व्यक्ति के होने से किसी समाज को
        जो प्रतिष्ठा और सम्मान प्राप्त होता है वैसा हजारों साधारण व्यक्तियों के होने पर भी नहीं होता है )

Ekena raajahamsena yaa shobhaa sarasobhavat '
Na saa bakah sahestrena paritasttr vaasinah.

Ekena =  Just by one.    Raajahamsena = king swan's    Yaa = causes.    Shobhaa =  graced, beautified.
Sarasobhavat  =  Sarash + abhavat,      Saraso = a lake.     Abhavathavet = happens.    Na = not .
Saa = that.    Bakah =  crane, stork (birds).  Sahasrena = by one thousand.      Paritah = all around       Teera = banks of a lake.    Vaasinah = residents.

i.e.     The manner in which a lake is graced and beautified by the presence of even one King swan,  it is not possible even by thousands of cranes living all around the  banks of that  lake.

(The idea behind this Subhashita is that a single honourable and righteous person brings glory and fame to a society /country which is not possible by  thousands of  its ordinary citizens.)

Today's Subhashita.

एक  वृक्षे  यथा  रात्रौ   नानापक्षिसमागमः |
प्रातर्दश दिशौ यान्ति तद्वद्द्यूत समागमः ||

अर्थ -      रात्रि के समय जिस तरह  विभिन्न  के प्रकार के पक्षी  किसी वृक्ष में  बसेरा  कर दूसरे दिन प्रातःकाल पुनः दशों दिशाओं में प्रस्थान कर जाते हैं, ठीक उसी प्रकार जुआरी  भी रात्रि में एक स्थान पर एकत्रित हो कर दूसरे दिन अपने अपने घरों को वापस चले जाते हैं |

Eka = one, a.   Vrukshe = tree.     Yathaa = for instance,because.     Raatrou = during the night.
Naanapakshisamaagamah = Naana+ pakshi + samagamah.     Naana = of various types.
Pakshi = birds.    Samaagamah = arrive at, assemble.     Praatardash = Praatah + dasha.
Praatah = in the morning.    Dasha = ten.      Dishau = directions. (East, West, North and South, which are further sub-divided totaling 10 directions, like north-east, south west etc. in Western Astronomy)
Yaanti = go.   Tadvatdyoota = tadvat +dyoota.    Tadvat = in the same manner.   Dyoota =gambling.

i.e.          Just as birds of various types assemble  for shelter on a tree during the night and by the next morning disperse in  different (ten) directions, in the same manner gamblers also assemble at one place during the night and next morning disperse to return to their homes.

(The above Subhashita is a nice example of making fun of gamblers by comparing them with birds taking shelter in a tree during the night.)

Today's Subhashita.

एकवापीभवं   तोयं   पात्रापात्रविषेशतः |
आम्रे मधुरतामेति निम्बे कटुकतामपि ||

अर्थ -      यद्यपि एक ही तालाब के जल से  आम के और नींम  के वृक्ष को सींचा जाता है  परन्तु आम का वृक्ष मीठे फल देता है नीम का वृक्ष कडुवे  फल देता है | इसका प्रमुख कारण उनकी गुणों को  ग्रहण करने की योग्यता या अयोग्यता है |

      (इस सुभाषित के माध्यम द्वारा  प्रकारान्त से यह  शिक्षा दी गयी है कि शिक्षा और लालन पालनकी
परिस्थितियां समान होने पर भी सुपात्र व्यक्ति गुणवान तथा मधुर स्वभाव का हो जाता है तथा एक अपात्र
व्यक्ति दुष्ट और क्रूर स्वभाव का हो जाता है |)

Ekavaapeebhavam toyam paatraapaatravisheshatah.
Aamre madhurataameti nimbe katukataamapi.

Ekavaapeebhavam = eka +vaapee + vhavam.    Eka = one, the same.    Vaapee.= a pond,
bhavam = obtained from.    Toya = water.    Paatraapaatravisheshatah = Paatra +apaatra +visheshatah.
Paatra = a capable person.     Apaatra =  an unworthy person.     Visheshatah = especially, in particular.
Aamre = a mango tree..    Madhurataameti = madhurataam +eti.    Madhurataa = sweetness.
Eti = brings, produces.      Nimbe = a neem tree.        Katukataameti = katukataam + eti.
Katukataa = bitterness, bitter taste.

i.e.        Although water from the same pond is used to irrigate a Mango tree and a Neem tree, the former produces sweet fruits whereas the latter produces bitter fruits, which is due to these trees being capable or incapable recipients.

(Through this Subhashita the author wants to indirectly emphasise that the conditions for upbringing and learning being the same, a person who is receptive and worthy imbibes all good qualities and virtues and liked by everybody, whereas a person  who is not so remain dull and wicked and is not liked .)

Today's Subhashita.

एक  वर्णं  यथा  दुग्धं बहुवर्णासु  धेनुषु  |
तथा धर्मस्य वैचित्र्ये तत्वमेकं परं पुनः ||

अर्थ -      यद्यपि  गायें अनेक रंगों तथा नस्लों  की होती हैं , परन्तु उनका दूध एक ही रंग का (श्वेत) होता है.|
इसी प्रकार इस संसार में  अनेक प्रकार के धर्म प्रचलित है, परन्तु उन  सभी का  परम तत्व  (मूलसिद्धान्त) गायों के   दूध के समान एक ही होता है |

Ek varnam yathaa dugdham bahuvarnaasu dhenushu.
Tathaa dharmasya vaichitrye tatvamekam param punh.

Eka = one, same.    Varna = colour, nature.   Yathaa = because, for instance.   Dugdham = milk.
Bahuvarnaasu = Bahu =varnaasu.     Bahu = many.     Varnasu = colour, types.    Dhenushu = cows.
Tathaa = so also.    Dharmasya = Religion's.     Vaichitrye = varieties, diversity.   Tatvamekam = Tatvam +
+ ekam.      Tatva = reality, truth.     Ekam = one , the same.    Param = absolute.    Punah = again.

i.e.       Although cows are of different breeds and colours, the milk they produce is of the same color and
nature. Similarly there are Various religions following different religious practises, but the essence of all  these Religions is the same like the cows' milk.

(In this Subhashita by using the simile of cows and their milk for  various Religions and their religious practises, the author has emphasised the futility of the rift  and enmity between the practitioners of various Religions.)

Today's Subhashita.

एकमेव  पुरस्कृत्य   दशं  जीवन्ति   मानवाः |
बिना  तेन न शोभन्ते यथा संख्याङ्कबिन्दवः ||

अर्थ -      समाज के हित में मात्र एक  कल्याणकारी  कार्य कर के भी किसी  व्यक्ति के सम्मान (जीवन) में  दस गुनी वृद्धि  हो जाती है , और  बिना ऐसा किये  उसका जीवन शून्य के समान  निरर्थक ही  रहता है जैसे कि कई  शून्य अंको  का कोई  मान (मूल्य) नहीं होता है जब तक उनके आगे एक संख्या  ( १ से ९ तक )
नहीं होती  है |

(इस सुभाषित में गणित की  दशमलव पद्धति  के सिद्धान्त को एक उपमा के रूप में प्रयुक्त कर  समाज सेवा के महत्त्व को प्रतिपादित किया है | जिस प्रकार  दर्जनों शून्य  अंकों का कोई महत्त्व नहीं होता है जब तक कि उनके आगे १ से ९ तक का कोई अंक नहीं होता है| शून्य के आगे १ लगाने से एक का मान दस गुणा बढ जाता है और उसी  प्रकार एक शुभ कार्य का प्रभाव भी दस गुना बढ जाता है | )

Ekameva purasktya dasham jeevanti maanavaah.
Binaa tena na shobhante yathaa sankhyaankbindavah.

Ekameva = eka + iva.    Eka = one.    Iva = just,  than (for comparison)     Puraskrutya = honoured, having placed in the forefront or rewarded,     Dasham = ten (ten times).     Jeevanti = live, get vivified.
Maanavaah = human beings.       Binaa = without.       Tena = it, therefore.        Na = not.
Shobhante = embellished, adorned.     Yathaa = for instance, like that of.    Sankhyaankbinduvah = cyphers ( the Arithmetic symbol for  zero - O ).

i.e.        By doing even a single philanthropic deed, the  prestige of a person (during his lifetime) increases ten times, and if he does not do so he is not adorned in society , and his existence is just like a cypher (zero symbols in Arithmetic), which has no value unless  the digit 1 (or any digit from 1 to 9) is put before it.

(In this Subhashita the decimal system of Mathematics has been used beautifully to emphasise the need of philanthropy in the society. Just as a number of zeros have no value unless a digit from 1 to 9 is put before it, so is the life of a person if he does not do even a single philanthropic deed during his lifetime. The value of zero increases ten times if the digit 1 is put before it., and so also the effect of one good deed multiplies ten times.).

Today's Subhashita.

एकमपि सतां सुकृतं विकसति तैलं यथा जले न्यस्तं |

असतामुपकारशतं  संकुचति    सुशीतलं   घृतवत्     ||

अर्थ -     सज्जन और परोपकारी पुरुषों दवारा किया हुआ एक ही परोपकारी कार्य  इस प्रकार विकसित  (अधिक प्रभावी तथा व्याप्त) हो जाता है जैसे जल में तेल की बूंदें पड्ने पर वे जल की पूरी सतह पर फैल जाती हैं , जब कि  दुष्ट व्यक्तियों द्वारा किये एक सौ उपकार भी उसी प्रकार सीमित रहते है  और प्रभावी नहीं होते हैं  जिस प्रकार  शीतल जल मे घी डालने पर वह् सिकुड कर एक ही स्थान पर जम जाता  है |

(इस सुभाषित में  सज्जन व्यक्तियों द्वारा  निःस्वार्थ भावना से जनकल्याण हेतु किये उपकार की तुलना 

 दुष्ट व्यक्तियों द्वारा  अपने निहित स्वार्थ की पूर्ति  हेतु किये  गये उपकारों से  एक सुन्दर उपमा द्वारा की गयी है |)

Ekamapi sataam sukrutam vikasati tailam yathaa jale nyastam.

Asataanaamupakaarashatam sankuchati susheetalam ghrutavat.

Ekamapi = ekam +api.     Ekam = one.    Api = even.     Sataam = noble and righteous persons.

Sukrutam = a good and righteous deed.     Vikasati = blossoms,  expands.    Tailam = oil.

Yathaa = like that of, for instance.   Jale = on water.     Nyastam = thrown.     Asataamupakaarashate =

Asataam +upakaar + shatam.     Asataam = a+sataam.     a = prefix denoting the opposite meaning of a word where it is fixed like 'un' and 'in' prefixed before a word of English.   Asataaam means those  persons who are  not righteous and noble i.e. cunning and wicked persons..        Upakaar = a philanthropic deed..

Shatam = one hundred (numbers)     Sankuchati = shrinks (the impact or effect  is reduced).

Susheetalam = very cold.    Ghrutavat = Ghruta +vat.     Ghruta = butter, ghee.    Vat =  like (resemblance)

i.e.       Even  a single philanthropic deed  by noble and righteous persons has far reaching effect in the society just like oil dropped in water spreading over the entire surface of the water,  whereas the effect of even  one hundred  such deeds done by cunning and wicked persons with ulterior motive remains confined , just like butter milk poured on very cool water shrinks and solidifies at one place.

(Through this Subhashita the author has beautifully compared the philanthropic deeds of noble and cunning persons by using the simile of oil  and  Ghee (buttermilk), the former spreading over the whole surface of water and the latter being confined to only one place.)

Today's Subhashita.

एक  भुक्तं  सदारोग्यं  द्विभुक्तं   बलवर्धनं |
त्रिभुक्तेर्व्याधिपीडा स्याच्चतुर्भुक्ते मृतिर्ध्रुवं ||

अर्थ -     जो व्यक्ति दिन भर  मे एक ही बार भोजन करता है वह  सदैव  निरोग (स्वस्थ) रहता है , और दिन में  दो बार भोजन करने से शक्ति (ताकत) में वृद्धि होती है |  परन्तु दिन भर में तीन बार भोजन करने से रोग उत्पन्न होते हैं और  यदि कोई  दिन में चार बार भोजन  करता है तो उसकी शीघ्र मृत्यु होना निश्चित है |

Eka bhuktam sadaarogyam dvibhuktam balavardhanam.
Tribhuktaivyaadhipeedaa syaacchaturbhukte mrutirdhruvam.

Eka = one (once)    Bhuktam = eating food.     Sadaariogyam = Sadaa +aarogyam.    Sadaa = always.
Aarogyam = healthy .    Dvibhuktam = dvi + bhukatam.     Dvi  = two (twice).    Balavardhanam = bala +vardhanam.     Bala = strength, stamina.     Vardhanam = increase.     Tribhuktirvyaadhipeedaa = tri +
bhuktaih +vyaadhi + peeda.       Tri + three (thrice).      Vyaadhi = disease.     Peeda = pain.
syaacchaturbhukte = syaat +chatuh + bhukte.    Syaat = perhaps, per chance.    Chatuh = four (times)
Mriti = death.     Dhruvam =  sure, certainly.

i.e.     If a person takes meals only once in a day, he always remains healthy. Taking meals twice a day results in increase in his physical strength, whereas taking meals thrice a day causes diseases and pain. But if meals are taken four times during a day, then its consequences will surely be untimely death of the concerned person.

(This Subhashita warns about the dangers associated with over eating in a subtle and forceful way.)

Today's Subhashita.

एकः पुत्रो वरं विद्वान्बहुभिर्निर्गुणैस्तु  किं  |
एकस्तारयते  वंशः  अन्ये   संतापकारकाः  ||

अर्थ -      अनेक गुणहीन  पुत्रों के होने से तो एक ही विद्वान् पुत्र का होना श्रेयस्कर है | वही अकेला पुत्र अपने वंश की  परम्परा  और प्रसिद्धि को आगे बढाने मे सक्षम होता है जब कि  अनेक गुणहीन पुत्र केवल संताप ही  देते हैं  |

Ekah putro varam vidvaanbahubhirnirgunnaistu kim.
Ekastaarayate vamshh anye samtaapakaarakaah.

Ekah = one.    Putro = son.     Varam = preferable, better.    Vidvaanbahubhirnirgunaistu = vdvaan +bahubhih + nirgunai + tu .    Vidvaan = learned.     Bahubhih = too many.   Nirgunaih = without any qualities and virtues.  tu = and.    Kim = what.   Ekastaarayate= ekah + taarayate.    Taarayate =carries on the tradition or name and fame  of ...   Vamshh = family dynasty.     Anye = others.   Samtaapkaarakaah + samtaap + kaarakaah.   Samtaap = grief.    Kaarakaah = causing.

i.e.      It is always preferable to have one learned and righteous son rather having too many sons without any virtues and qualities.   One learned son is capable of preserving  and continuing the tradition and good name of the family dynasty, whereas having many incompetent sons causes only grief and bad name to the family dynasty.

Today's Subhashita.

सोSस्य दोषं  न मन्तव्यः क्षमा हि परमं  बलं  |

क्षमा गुणो ह्यशक्तानां शक्तानां भूषणं क्षमा ||

अर्थ -     यदि क्षमाशीलता ही  किसी व्यक्ति का स्वभाव है तो इसे उसका दोष नहीं समझना चाहिये 

क्योंकि  निर्बल व्यक्तियों के लिये क्षमा ही उनका  परम  बल है |  निश्चय ही क्षमा निर्बल व्यक्तियों
में  एक गुण के समान है तथा  समर्थ और शक्तिशाली व्यक्तियों में शोभा बढाने वाले एक आभूषण
के समान है |

Sosya dosham na mantavyo kshmaa hi paramam balam.

Kshmaa guno hyashaktaanaam shaktaanam bhooshanam kshmaa.

Sosya = sahh +sya.      Sahh =  he.    Sya = whose      Dosham = fault, defect.     Na = not

Mantavyah =to be regarded, to be accused of a fault.    Kshmaa = forgiveness.   Hi = because, surely.

Paramam = absolute, the only.    Balam = strength.      Guno = a virtue.     Hyashaktaanaam = hi +

ashaktaanaam .     Ashaktaanaam = weak persons.    Shaktaanaam = competent and powerful persons.

Bhooshanam = embellishment, ornament.

i.e.       If forgiveness is the inherent nature of a noble person, it should not be treated as his shortcoming, because forgiveness is the only strength of weak persons, whereas  the same is just an embellishment of  competent and powerful persons. 

Today's Subhashita.

एकः क्षमावतं दोषो द्वितीयो नोपलभ्यते  |
यदेनं  क्षमया युक्तं अशक्तं मन्यते जनः ||

अर्थ -      यदि कोई  व्यक्ति प्रथम अवसर पर अपने अधीनस्थ  व्यक्तियों के दोषों तथा  दुर्व्यवहार् को क्षमा
कर देता है तथा दूसरी बार पुनः ऐसा किये जाने पर भी उसका संज्ञान नहीं लेता है और फिर भी क्षमाशील बना रहता है, तो ऐसे व्यक्ति को कमजोर और अयोग्य ही माना जाता है |

Ekah kshmaavatam dosho dviteeyo nopalabhyate.
Yadenam kshamayaa yuktam ashaktam manyate janah.

Ekah =  One.     Kshamaavatam = forgiveness., forbearing.     Dosho = defects,  wickedness.
Dviteeyo = second (number).       Nopalabhyate = na + upalabhyate.       Na = not.  
Upalabhyate = perceives, learns from.    Yadenam = if even then.    Kshamayaa = forgiveness .
Yuktam = endowed with.     Ashaktam = weak, incapable.    Manyate = known as.   Janah = person.

i.e.     If a person forgives or forbears the mistakes or wickedness of his subordinates on the first occasion and does not learn from the repetition of such act for the second time and continues to be forgiving in nature, he is known as a weak and incapable person.

Today's Subhashita.

एकं  चक्षुर्विवेको  हि  द्वितीयं सत्समागमः |
तौ न स्तो  यस्य स क्षिप्रं मोहकूपे  पतेद्ध्रुवं ||

अर्थ -      मनुष्य मे विवेक का होना एक ही नेत्र होने के समान है  और सज्जन तथा विद्वान् व्यक्तियों की संगति में रहना दूसरे नेत्र के समान है | जिस व्यक्ति में ये दोनों विशेषतायें नहीं हैं वह् अवश्य  ही एक अन्धे व्यक्ति के समान ( सही मार्गदर्शन न होने के कारण ) शीघ्र ही मोह रूपी कुवें में गिर जायेगा |

Ekm chakshurviveko hi dviteeyam satsamaagamah.
Tau na sto yasya sa kshripam mohakoope pateddhruvam.

Ekm = one.     Chakshurviveko = chakshu +viveko.     Chakshu = eye.    Viveko = wisdom, prudence.
Hi = surely.     Dviteeeyam =  second part or  the second half of any thing.    Satsamaagamah =  Sat +
samaagamah.     Sat = noble and wise persons.   Samaagamh = keeping the company of.  meeting.
Tau =they both.     Na = not.     Sto = both.   Yasya = whosoever.   Sa = he.     Kshripam = quickly, speedily. mohakoope = moha +koope.    Moha = excessive attachment to any thing, confusion, delusion.  Koope = a well. Pateddhruvam = Patet + dhruvam .     Pastev = falls into.     Dhruvam =  certainly.

i.e.     Wisdom is like having  only one eye by a person and having the other eye is keeping the company of noble and wise persons.  If a person does not possess both these qualities,( in absence of proper guidance) like a blind person he will certainly fall in the well of delusion and infatuation.

Today's Shubhashita.

ऋणशेषोSग्निशेषश्च व्याधिषेशेषस्थतैव  च |
पुनश्च वर्धते यस्मात्तस्माच्छेषं च कारयेत  ||

अर्थ -       लिये  हुए   ऋण , जलती हुई आग तथा बीमारी के मामले में कुछ भी शेष रहने पर इन  तीनों  की पुनः वृद्धि हो जाती है |   अतएव  ऋण का पूरा भुगतान करना, आग को पूरी तरह  बुझाना और बीमारी का पूरी  तरह समाप्त   होने तक इलाज करना  अत्यन्त आवश्यक है |

Rinasheshognisheshacha vyaadhisheshastathaiva cha.
Punashcha vardhate yasmaattasmaachesham cha kaarayet.

Rinasheshognisheshacha = Rina+sheshh +agni +sheshh+cha.     Rina = a debt, loan.
Shesh = remaining, residue, end. (in case of a debt, the unadjusted balance)  Agni = fire.     Cha = and   Vyaadhisheshastathaiva = vyaadhi+ shesha+ tatheva.     + vyadhi = disease, illness.     Tahaiva = similarly.    Punashcha = again.  Vardhate = increases.       Yasmaattasmaacchesham = Yasmat +tasmaat +cha +shesham.   Yasmaat = because, for this reason.    Shesha = end.     Kaarayet = do.

i.e.       In the case of  a debt,  a fire and similarly a disease, if  some residue is allowed to remain,  all these three again increase.  Therefore, for this reason these should be completely eliminated by repaying the debt in full, by extinguishing the fire, and by fully curing the disease.

Today's Subhashita.

ऋणं  मित्रान्न  कर्तुव्यं  न देयं चापि मित्रके |
प्रीतिच्छेदकरी ज्ञेया यस्माद्व्यै  ऋणकर्तरी ||

अर्थ -       अपने मित्रों से कभी भी ऋण  (उधार) नहीं लेना चाहिये और न कभी मित्रों को ऋण  देना चाहिये ,

क्योंकि  यह सभी जानते हैं कि इन दोनों परिस्थितियों में  मित्रता में दरार पैदा हो जाती  है | 

Rinam mitraana kartuvym na deyam chaapi mitrake.

Preeticchedakaree gyeyaa yasmadvyai rinakartaree.

Rinam = loan, debt.     Mitraanna = Mitraam +na.     Mitraam =  to friends.     Na = not.    

Kartuvym  =  to do, incurred.     Deyam = given to       Chaapi = cha +api,      Cha = and, also.    

Api = even.   Mitrake = to a friend.     Preeticchedakaree = preeti + chedakaree.   

Preeti = friendship.    Chedakaree = causing  a split or interruption.     Gyeyaa = to be known.

Yasmaadvyai = Yasmat +dvai.     Yasmat = since, because.      Dvai = two,  both.

Rinakartaree =  creator of a debt.

i.e.        One should never incur a debt from his friends and should also not give loans to them,

because it is very well known that in both  the situations it results in creating a rift or split in their friendship.

Today's Subhashita.

ऊष्णकाले  जलं दद्द्याच्शीतकाले हुताशनं |
प्रवात्काले   गृहं  देयं सर्वकाले  च भोजनं  ||

अर्थ -       गरमी के मौसम  में गरमी से  बचाव के लिये शीतल जल प्रयुक्त करना चाहिये तथा जाडों  में तापने के लिये अग्नि प्रज्ज्वलित करनी  चाहिये |  तूफानी मौसम से बचाव के लिये  एक सुरक्षित गृह आवश्यक है परन्तु भोजन की आवश्यकता तो सदैव ही  रहती है |

Ooshnakaale jalam daddyaatsheetakaale Hutaashanam.
Praavtkaale gruham devam sarvakaale cha bhojanam.

Ooshnakaale = during summer season.    Jalam = water.    Daddyaatsheetakale = dadyaat + cha +sheetkale.    Daddyaat = give , provide.        Cha = and.        Sheetakaale = winter season.  
Hutaashana  = fire.     Praavaatkaale = Pravaat +kaale.        Pravaat =stormy weather.    Kaale = at the time of.     Gruham = a house.     Deyam = to be provided or given.     Sarvakaale = always. at all times.
Bhojanam = food.

i.e.     During summer season cool water is required to ward off heat, and during winter season  fire is needed to keep warm .   To  protect from stormy and inclement weather a shelter is needed  in the form of a house,  but food is required to be served at all times.

Today's Subhashita.

उपार्जितानामर्थानां त्याग एव हि रक्षणं |
तडागोदर  संस्थानां  परीवाह  इवाम्भसां  ||

अर्थ -      अर्जित धन संपत्ति की रक्षा का एकमात्र उपाय उसको  समयानुकूल कल्याणकारी कार्यों हेतु वितरित  करना है ,  उसी प्रकार जैसे एक तालाब में एकत्रित अतिरिक्त जल एक नहर द्वारा बाहर बह कर
उसका सदुपयोग हो जाता है |

       ( एक ही स्थान पर एकत्रित जल यदि बहता नहीं है तो वह् दूषित हो जाता है | इसी प्रकार धन भी यदि
समाज में सभी वर्गों  में न्यायोचित  रूप के वितरित न हो कर एक ही स्थान पर केन्द्रित हो जाता  है तो उसके दुष्परिणाम जनता को भोगने  पडते हैं, जिस को  इस सुभाषित द्वारा प्रतिपादित किया गया है |)

Upaarjitaanaamarthaanaam tyaag eva hi rakshnam.
Tadaagodara smsthaanaam pareevaaha evaambhasaam.

Upaarjitaanaamarthaanaam = Upaarjitaan +arthaanaam.      Upaarjitaan = acquired, gained.
Arthaanaam = wealth.      Tyaag =gift, distribution, sacrifice.     Eva = is.    Hi = surely.
Rakshnam = protection.    Tadaagodara  = Tadaag +udar.     Tadaag = a lake    Udar = belly.
Smsthaanaam =abode, dwelling place.     Pareevaaha = a canal or a drain to carry off excess of water
from a lake.     Ivaambhasaam = iva + aambhasam.    Iva = like.     Aambhasam  = water.

i.e.       The best way of protecting acquired wealth is equitable distribution of the surplus wealth among the citizens, just like a canal emerging from a lake for carrying out the surplus water of the lake for proper use of water.

(There is a saying that so long water flows and money/wealth changes hands frequently it remains
pure and as soon  as their flow is stopped both become impure and stagnant with  unfavorable consequences. This phenomenon has been highlighted beautifully in this Subhashita.)

Today's Subhashita.

उपाध्यायश्च वैद्यश्च प्रतिभूर्भुक्तिनायिका |
सूतिका  दूतिकाश्चैव  सिद्धे  कार्ये तृणोपमा ||

अर्थ -       शिक्षक, वैद्य , अनुबन्ध की समाप्ति के बाद एक नायिका , प्रसव के बाद एक स्त्री, तथा एक संदेश वाहिका, ये सभी उनकी उपयोगिता तथा कार्य संपन्न हो जाने के पश्चात् एक घास के तिनके के समान महत्त्वहीन  हो जाते हैं |

Upaadhyayashcha vaidyashcha pratibhoorbhuktinaayikaa.
sootikaa dootikaashchaiva siddhe kaarye trunopamaa.

Upaadhyayashch =  a precepetor's,  teacher's.    Vaidyashcha = a physician's.
Pratibhoorbhuktinaayikaa = Pratibhu +bhukti +naayikaa.     Pratibhu = surety, security.
Bhukti = expiry, fruition.     Naayikaa = heroine of a stage show, a courtesan.
Sootikaa = a woman who has recently given birth to a child.     Dootikaashchaiva  = dootikaa + cha+iva.    Dootikaa = a female messenger.   cha = and.    iva = like.    Siddhe = fulfilled,
on completion.      Kaarye = job, work.     Trunopamaa = insignificant like a blade of grass.

i.e.        The importance of a teacher, a physician, a courtesan or an actress,  a female messenger, and a woman who has recently given birth to a child, becomes insignificant like a blade of grass, once the task in their hand is accomplished or the contract with them expires.

Today's Subhashita.

उपविष्टः सभामध्ये यो न वक्ति स्फुटं वचः |
तस्माद्दूरेण स: त्याज्यो  न यो वा कीर्तयेद्दृतं  ||

अर्थ -     विद्वानों की सभा मे जो व्यक्ति प्रभावी रूप से वक्तृता नहीं कर सकता है उसे ऐसे सभाओं मे सहभागिता को दूर से ही त्याग देना चाहिये क्यों कि न तो वहां उसकी प्रशंसा होगी और न उसे सम्मान प्राप्त होगा |

Upavishtah sabhaamadhye yo na vakti sphutam vachh.
Tasmaaddoorena sa tyaajyo na yo vaa keertayeddratam.

Upavishta = seated.      Sabhaamadhye = in an assembly.    Yo = whosoever.   Na = not.
Vakti = speaks.      Sphutam = eloquently.     Vachh =  speech.      Tasmaaddoorena = tasmaat +
dooren.      Tasmaat = therefore, hence,     Doorena = from afar.          Sah= he.  
Tyaajyo = keep away from, avoided.    Vaa =  you      keertayed = praised     Dratam = honoured.

i.e.       If a person can not speak eloquently and forcefully in an assembly of learned persons, he should keep away from participating in such assemblies, because he will neither get any praise nor any honour by doing so.

Today's Subhashita.

उपकारेन  नीचानां अपकारो हि जायते. |
पयः पान भुजंगानां केवलं विषवर्धनं    ||

अर्थ -          नीच व्यक्तियों के प्रति उपकार करने  पर उपकार करने वाले व्यक्ति को हानि  ही उठानी         पडती है जैसा कि सांप को दूध पिलने से उसके शरीर में केवल विष की ही वृद्धि होती है (और वह और अधिक खतरनाक हो जाता है ) |

Upakaaren neechaanaam apakaaro hi jaayate.
Payh paan bhujangaanaam kevalam vishavardhanam.

Upakaaren = by helping.     Neechaanaam = mean and inferior persons.    Apakaar = harm.
Hi = surely.      Jaayate = happens.     Payh = milk.    Paan - drinking, feeding.
Bhujanga = a snake,    Bhujangaanaam = to snakes.    Kevalam = only, simply.
Vishvardhanam = Visha + vardhanam.    Visha = poison.    Vardhanam = increase in.

i.e.      By helping mean and inferior persons, one surely gets harmed in return, just like  feeding milk to  snakes, which results only in increase of the poison in them (and making them more dangerous and harmful ).

Today's Subhashita.

उपकारपरः प्रवरः प्रत्युपकारं करोति मध्यस्थः |
नीचस्तदपि न कुरुते उपकार्वशाद्भवति शत्रुः सः ||

अर्थ -     जो व्यक्ति परोपकारी होता है वह् समाज में श्रेष्ठतम होता है और जो व्यक्ति उपकृत किये जाने पर  स्वयं भी उपकार  (प्रत्युपकार) करता है वह् मध्यम  श्रेणी का माना जाता है|  परन्तु जो नीच प्रकृति के  व्यक्ति होते हैं वे उपकार करना तो दूर उन्हें सहायता करने वालों से शत्रु के समान व्यवहार करते हैं |

Upakaaraparh pravarh pratyupakaaram karoti madhyasthah.
Neechastadapi na kurute upakaarvashaadbhavati shatruh sah.

Upakaaraparh = upaakaar +parh.    Upakaar =helping others.     Parh = others.
Pravarh = excellent, best.    Pratyupakaarm = Prati +upakaaram.     Prati = in return/opposition to.
Pratyupakaar = responding to the favour given by a similar action.    Karoti = does.
Madhyasthah = being in between i.e. neither best nor bad.    Neechastadapi = nerech +tadapi.
Neecha =  a mean or inferior  person.    Tadapi = tad + api.     Tad = there, then.   Api = even.
Na = not.   Kurute = does.    Upakaarvashaadbhavati = upakaar +vashaad + bhavati.
Vashaad = due to the influence of.   Bhavati = becomes.    Shatruh = enemy.   Sah = he.

i.e.      A person, who helps others (without being asked for), is considered as having excellent nature, and the one who reciprocates the help rendered to him, is considered of  having average benevolence. But lowly and inferior persons never help others and rather become inimical towards those who try to help them.

Today's Subhashita.

उपकारः  परोधर्मः  परोSर्थः  कर्मनैपुणं  |
पात्रेदानं  परः कामः परो मोक्षो वितृष्णता ||

अर्थ  -       परोपकार को परम् धर्म मानते हुए तत्पश्चात् निपुणता के साथ कर्म करते हुए धनार्जन और सुपात्र व्यक्तियों को  दान देने के बाद सांसारिक सुख  भोगते हुए भी जो व्यक्ति तृष्णा  का  भी त्याग करता है वही पुनर्जन्म के दुष्चक्र से मुक्त हो कर  मोक्ष को प्राप्त करता है |

Upakaarh parodharmh parorthh karmanaipunm.
paatredaanam parh  kaamh paro mooksho vitrushnataa.

Upakaarh = helping others .    Parodharmh =  primary propriety of conduct or religious duty.   Parorthh = Para +arthh.    Paro = afterwards.    Artha = wealth, money.     Karmanaipunam =
skillful in doing any work.   Paatre = a deserving person.    Daanm = giving in charity, donation.
kaamh = enjoyment of pleasure and conjugal bliss.   Moksho =  release from the cycle of rebirth.    Vitrushnataa = freedom from desire, satiety.

i.e.       A person,  who considers helping the needy persons as his foremost religious duty, and thereafter acquires wealth by skillfully doing his job, distributes his wealth by giving in charity to deserving persons and then enjoys marital and conjugal bliss free from excessive desires ultimately
achieves 'Moksha' (release from the cycle of re-birth).

Today's Subhashita.

उपकर्तुं प्रियं  वक्तुं   कर्तुं  स्नेहमनुत्तमं  |
सज्जनानां  स्वभावोSयं केनेन्दुः शिशिरीकृतः ||

अर्थ -     जो व्यक्ति तुम्हारे प्रति उपकार करता है उस से प्रेम पूर्वक आभार प्रकट करते हुए सज्जन व्यक्तियों के समान   अत्यन्त स्नेह्पूर्ण व्यवहार करना चाहिये, जिनका का स्वभाव चन्द्रमा की ज्योत्स्ना के समान सौम्य और शीतल होता है |

Upakartum priyam kartum kartum snehamanuttamam.
Sajjanaanaam svabhavooyam kenenduh shishireekrutah.

Upakartum =  a helper.    Priyam = pleasant, loving.    Vaktum = speak.     Kartum = do.
Snehamanuttamam =  sneha +anuttamam.     Sneha = affection, friendship.
Anuttamam = best, unsurpassed.     Sajjanaanaam = noble and righteous persons.
Svabhaavoyam = swabhaava + iyam.    Svabhaava = nature, character.   Iyam = this.
Kenanduh = kena + induh.     Kena = who,       Indu = moon.   Shishreekrutah = coolness.

i.e.      If some one helps you, then you should talk to him politely and show your affection and friendship towards him like that of noble and righteous persons, whose nature and behaviour is very cool and soothing like the bright moonlight.

Today's Subhashita.

उपकर्तुं यथा स्वल्प: समर्थो न तथा महान्  |
प्रायः कूपस्तृषां  हन्ति सततं न तु वारिधिः ||

अर्थ -      उपकार करने में जितना समर्थ एक साधारण व्यक्ति हो सकता है उतना एक महान् व्यक्ति नहीं हो सकता है , उदाहरणार्थ एक कुंवां लगातार लोगों की प्यास बुझाता है न कि एक महासागर |

Upakartum yathaa swalpah samartho na tathaa mahaaan.
Praayh koopastrushaam hanti satatam na tu vaaridhih.

Upakartum  = a helper.    Yathaa = as, for instance.    Swalpah = little.     Samartho = capable,
able.    Na = not.     Tathaa = so, thus.    Mahaan = great.     Praayah = probably, usually.
Koopastrushaam =  Koopa + trushaam.         Koopa = a well.          Trushaam = thirst.
Hanti = wards off,  destroys.    Satatam = continuously.   Tu = but.    Vaaridhi = ocean, sea.

i.e.       An ordinary person is more capable than a great person in helping others e.g. usually a well continuously quenches the thirst of people, but not the vast Ocean.


   

Today's Subhashita.

सुभाषितेन  गीतेन युवतीनां  च  लीलया |
मनो न भिद्यते यस्य स योगी ह्यथ वा पशुः ||

अर्थ -    यदि किसी व्यक्ति का मन  एक 'सुभाषित' या मधुर गीत को सुन कर, या  युवतियों  के सौन्दर्य और हाव भाव को देख कर प्रभावित या प्रसन्न नहीं होता है, तो ऐसा व्यक्ति निश्चय ही  एक  योगी होगा अथवा एक पशु के समान (संवेदना हीन) होगा |

Subhashiten geeten yuvateenaam cha leelayaa.
Mano na bhidyate yasya sa yogee hyatha vaa pashuh.

Subhashiten = by eloquent and witty speech or poetry in Sanskrit Literature.
Geeten = by melodious songs.     Yuvateenaam = young women.   Cha = and
leelayaa = elegance  and beauty     Mano = mind.   Na = not.    Bhidyate = won over, swayed.
Yasya= whose.     Sa = he.    Yogi = a person who has full control over his faculties of mind and body,  a saint.   Hyath vaa =  hi + athavaa.     Hi = surely.   Athavaa = or.    Pashuh = an animal.

i.e.      A person, who's mind is not won over or swayed   by listening to a 'Subhashita' or a melodious song or by the elegance and beauty of  young women, is surely either a Yogi or like an animal.

Today's Subhashita.

विद्या  ददाति  विनयं विनयाद् याति पात्रताम्  |
पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नोति धनाद् धर्म ततः सुखम्  ||

अर्थ -      विद्या प्राप्त करने से  मनुष्य मे विनयशीलता उत्पन्न होती है और विनयशील  होने से उस मे सफ़लता पूर्वक कार्य करने की क्षमता आ जाती है ,जिस के फलस्वरूप वह् धनवान हो जाता है |
धनवान् होने के पश्चात् धर्माचरण करने से वह् सुखमय जीवन व्यतीत करता है |


Vidyaa = knowledge and learning.      Dadati = gives.     Vinayam = modesty, politeness.
Vinayaad =  by being modest.    Yaati = achieves.     Paatrataam = worthiness, capacity.
Paatratvaat = by acquiring the capacity to achieve something, worthiness   Dhanamaapnoti = dhanam +aapnoti. Dhana = wealth, money.    Aapnoti = acquires, obtains.    Dhanaad = through the use of wealth.    Dharm = religiosity. conscientiousness.     Tatah = therefrom.
Sukham = happiness,

i.e.     Knowledge and learning makes a man modest and polite, and by being modest he acquires
worthiness and capacity to successfully accomplish any task, which in turn help him to become wealthy.  If after acquiring wealth he adopts  a religious and conscientious lifestyle, he lives happily
thereafter.

Today's Subhashita.

सर्वदृव्येषु   विद्येव   दृव्य्म्     आहुरनुत्तमम् |
आहार्यत्वाद् अनर्थतत्वाद् अक्षयत्वाच्च् सर्वदा ||

अर्थ -     विभिन्न प्रकार के धनों में विद्या धन ही  सबसे उत्तम है क्यों कि न तो कोई  इसे चुरा सकता है न कभी यह  बेकार होता है और  सदैव अक्षय  रहता है |

Sarva druvyeshu vidyeva druvyam aahuranuttamam.
Aahaaryatvaad anarthatvaad akshayatvaacch sarvadaa.

Sarvadruvyeshu = among all types of wealth.    Vidyeva = only knowledge and learning.
Aahurnuttamam = Aahu+anuttamam.   Aahu = invocation.    Anuttamam = best.
Aaharyatvaad = not to be stolen.    Anarthatvaad = imperishable.    Akshyatvaaccha =
Akshayavaad +cha.    Akshyavaad = inexhaustible .  Chan = and.   Sarvadaa = for ever.

i.e.     Among all types of wealth, only knowledge and learning is the best form of wealth, because neither one can steal it nor  it ever becomes useless and remains inexhaustible for ever.

Today's Subhashita.

रूपयोवनसंपन्ना            विशालकुलसंभवाः  |
विद्याहीना न शोभन्ते निर्गन्धा इव किंशुकाः ||

अर्थ -      रूप और यौवन से सम्पन्न तथा किसी सम्पन्न और प्रभावशाली परिवार मे उत्पन्न हुए व्यक्ति यदि विद्या विहीन (अशिक्षित) हों तो समाज में शोभित और प्रतिष्ठित नहीं होते हैं जैसे कि किंशुक (पलाश) वृक्ष  के सुन्दर परन्तु गन्धहीन फूलों को कोई पसंद नहीं करता है

(फूलों का महत्त्व उनकी  सुन्दरता मात्र से न हो कर उनकी सुगन्ध से भी होता है | उपर्युक्त सुभाषित में विद्या की तुलना एक फूल की सुगन्ध  से की गयी है जिस के बिना मनुष्य समाज में प्रतिष्ठा प्राप्त नहीं करता है )

Roopa-yovana-sampanna vishaala-kula-sambhavaah.
Vidyaaheenaa na shobhante nirgandhaa iva kimshukaah.

Roop = beauty.    Yauvana = youth.    Sampanna = endowed with.     Vishaal = big, illustrious.
Kula = family, clan.    Sambhavaah = existing, born in.    Vidyaaheenaa = uneducated. illiterate.
na = not.    Shobhante = adorned,  appreciated.   Nirgandhaa = odourless without any scent.
Iva = like.     Kimshuka = a tree found in forests, which produces bright red  odourless flowers and when all such trees blossom, it appears as if the entire forest is on fire. (The botanical name of the tree is Butea Frondosa)

i.e.       Beautiful and youthful persons, even if they may belong to prominent and illustrious families, are not adorned and appreciated in the society if they are illiterate, as they are just like the useless and odourless flowers of' Kinshuk' trees growing in the wilderness.

(In this Subhashita the author has used the simile of  a odourless  flower to an uneducated person and proper education to the scent of a flower. Without proper education a person is just like an odourless  flower, which is not liked and appreciated in the society.)

Today's Subhashita.

माता शत्रुः पिता वैरी येन  बालो  न पाठितः |
न शोभन्ते सभा मध्ये हंसमध्ये बको  यथा  ||

अर्थ  -     उस बालक के  माता  पिता उसके शत्रु  और बैरी के समान हैं  यदि उन्होंने उसे शिक्षित नहीं बनाया, क्योंकि समाज में  और किसी सभा में अशिक्षित व्यक्ति उसी प्रकार शोभित और सम्मानित नहीं होते हैं  जैसे  कि हंसों  के बीच में सारस पक्षी शोभा नहीं पाते हैं |

Maataa sdhatruh pitaa vairee yena baalo na paathitah.
Na shobhante sabhaaa madhye hamsamadhye bako yathaa.

Maataa = mother.    Shatruh = enemy.     Pitaa = father.     Vairee = unfriendly. ,    Yena = who.
Baalo = child.     na= not.     Paathitah = a literate person.    Shobhante = adorned, distinguished.
Sabhaa = an assembly, society.    Madhye =  amongst.    Hansamadhye =  Hamsa +madhye.
Hamsa = a swan.     Bako = a crane, a stork.      Yathaa = for instance.

i.e.      The parents  of a child are like his enemy and unfriendly towards him, if they do not care to make him a literate person, because illiterate persons are not adorned in  the society or an assembly of learned persons, just like cranes among a flock of swans.  

Today's Subhashita.

आयुः कर्म च वित्तं  च विद्या निधनम् एव च |
पञ्चैतानि  हि  सृज्यन्ते गर्भस्तस्येव  देहिनः ||

अर्थ -     किसी व्यक्ति की आयु, कर्म, वित्तीय  स्थिति ,विद्या तथा मृत्यु के कारण , इन पांचों  विषयों का निर्णय उसके गर्भस्थ होते ही हो जाता है |

(उपर्युक्त श्लोक सनातन हिन्दू धर्म की कर्म और प्रारब्ध की मान्यता को रेखाङ्कित करता है जिस के अनुसार व्यक्ति अपने पूर्व अर्जित कर्मों के फलानुसार  जन्म लेता है और तदनुसार उसके भविष्य का निर्धारण उसके गर्भ धारण के समय ही हो जाता है | इन विषय मे भगवतगीता का यह श्लोक दृष्टव्य है -
     "प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समा: |
       शुचीनां    श्रीमतां गेहे   योगभ्रष्टोभिजायते    ||
अर्थ -  असफ़ल योगी पवित्र आत्माओं के लोकों में अनेक वर्षों तक भोग करने के बाद या तो सदाचारी पुरुषों के परिवार में या कि धनवानों के कुल में जन्म लेते हैं  )

karma cha vittam cha vidyaa nidhanam eva cha,
Panchaitaani hi srujyante garbhastasyeva dehinh .
Aayu = age, duration of life/    Karma = action, various activities during a lifetime    cha = and.
Vittam = wealth.     Vidya= learning.    Nidhanam = deathEva = really.     Panchetaani =  Pancha +etaani.  Pancha = five.    Etaani.     Hi = surely.     Srujyante. =  are created.    Garbhastasyeva = garbha + tasya + iva.     Garbha = womb, conception.   Tasya = his/her.    Iva = almost, nearly/
Dehinah = a living being, a person.

i.e.    The duration of life (longevity) , the future activities, wealth, learning (intelligence),and how one will die, these five attributes in  a person are determined and created during his conception
in the womb.

(The above Subhashita underlines the doctrine of Karma and destiny (called 'Praarabdh'), which
stipulates that if a person leads a pious and righteous lifestyle during his lifetime, he earns certain plus points called 'Punya', which entitles him to be born in an illustrious  and rich household and
is very learned and intelligent.  This is mentioned in  Bhagvadgeetaa as -"शुचीनां  श्रीमतां  गेहे योगभ्रष्टोभिजायते " (Shucheenaam shreematam gehe yogabhrashtobhi jaayate) i.e. If perchance a person  is not able to fulfill all the requisites of  leading a virtuous lifestyle, he is born in his next birth in an illustrious and honourable family.)