January 2012's Subhashits

Kshmaa Shashtram Kare Yasya Durjanahh kim Karishyati
Atrino Patito Vahnihh Swayamewop Shantaye.
क्षमा शस्त्रं करे यस्य दुर्जनः किं करिष्यति
अतृणो पतितो वह्नि: स्वयमेवोपशाम्यते

i.e. If a person possesses Kshma (forgiveness) as a virtue for self defense what harm can a Durjan (evil person) can do to him, just as a fire gets automically extinguished if it falls on an object which is uncombustible ( not like dry grass which is highly combustible)
Vahnihh = Fire .             Atrina = an object which is not like grass (Trina)







स्थान भ्रष्टा  न शोभन्ते दन्ताः केशाः नखाः नराः 
Sthan Bhrashtaa Na Shobhenta Dantah Keshah Nakhah Naraah

i.e. Teeth, hairs,finger nails and persons lose their importance and are neglected once they are dislodged from their position (Sthaan Bhrashta). All the aforesaid four are cared and pampered so long they occupy their position.






प्रिय वाक्य  प्रदानेन सर्वे तुष्यन्ति जन्तव :
तस्मान्तदेव  वक्तव्यं वचने किं दरिद्रता
Priya Vaakya Pradaanena Sarve Tushyanti Jantawahh.
Tasmaan-tadeva Vaktavyam Vachane Ka Daridrata.

i.e. If one is soft spoken, it pleases every one. Then why should one act like a Daridra (poor person) and act miserly in speaking softly with others ?






पुत्र  पौत्र  वधू भृत्यैः संपूर्णमपि सर्वदा 
भार्याहीन  गृहस्थस्य  शून्यमेव गृहं मतम 
Putra Pautra Wadhu Bhryatyeh Sampoorna-mapi Sarvadaa
Bhaaryaa Hean Grahasthyasya Shoonyamewa Graham Matam.

i.e. In spite of having sons,grandsons, daughter-in-law,servants and all other comforts in his house, if a person is a widower,it is certain that all these amenities are of no use to him.
Shoonyamewa =Like a zero 






ऋणकर्ता पिता शत्रुर्माता  च व्यभिचारिणी 
भार्या रूपवती  शत्रुः पुत्रः शत्रुरपण्डितः  


Rinakartaa Pita shatrur-Mata cha Vyabhicharini
Bhaarya Roopwati shatruh Putrahh Shatru-apanditah.

i.e. If ones' father has incurred debts and mother is unfaithful then they are like his enemy. Similarly a very beautiful wife and a foolish son is also like having enemies.

अक्रतोपद्रव: कश्चिन्महानपि  न पूज्यते 
अर्चयन्ति नराः नागं न ताक्ष्यं  न गजादिकं  

Akratopadravah Kaashchin-mahanapi na Poojyate
Archayanti Narahh Naagam na Taarkshyam Na Gajaadikam.

i.e. If a person does not create harm and problems (Upadrava) to others, he is not revered, however great and benevolent he may be. For example people worship serpents (out of fear) and not Elephants (a noble animal).



क्षमा बलमशक्तानं  शक्तानं  भूशणं  क्षमा
क्षमा  वशीकृतिर्लोके  क्षमया किम  न साध्यते


Kshma Bal Ashaktaanam Shaktaanam Bhooshanam Kshma

kshma Vasheekratirlokey Kshmayaa Kim Na Sidhyati.

i.e. Those who are weak, forgiveness is their strength, and similarly for those who are powerful, forgiveness is their virtue. When forgiveness has so much sway over people, then every one should practice forgiveness in his life.

Kshma =to forgive, to pardon, or to cease to feel resentment against a person.

 एकेनाSपि  सुपुत्रेण  विद्या युक्तेन भासते 
कुलं  पुरुष  सिंहेन चन्द्रणेव   हि शर्वरी  

Eikenaapi Suputrean Vidya Yuktean Bhashyate
Kulaam Purush Singhean Chandraneava hi Sharvari.

i.e. Even if a person may have only one son, if he is well educated (VidyaYukta) he brings glory to his family just as a Lion adores a forest and  a shining full moon brightens the night.

मूर्ख शिष्योपदेशेन  दुष्टस्त्री भरणेन च 
द्विषतां सं प्रयोगेण  पण्डितोsप्यवसीदति 

Moorkh Shishyopadeshen Dushtastree Bharanean Cha
Dwishataam Samproyagean Panditopyawaseedati'

i.e. By giving good advice to a foolish disciple and by supporting a cunning and mean wife, in both these cases the scholar (Pandit) gets depressed and regrets his decision.

अहो दुर्जन संसर्गन्मानहानिः पदे पदे
पावको लोह संगेन मुदगरैरभिहन्यते 

Aho Durjan Sansargan-maanhanihh Padey Padey
Pawako Louha Sangean Mudgarai-rabhihanyate.

i.e. Oh ! association with mean and bad persons (Durjan) results in insult (maan hani) at every occasion (padey padey) just like fire in the company of iron (louha) gets beaten repeatedly with hammer (Mudgar). ( Here reference is to the tampering of iron by heating it in burning coal and then beating it with hammer to give shape to the piece of iron)

अपूर्व: कोपि  कोपाSग्निः सज्जनस्य खलस्य च
एकस्य शाम्यति  स्नेहाद्वर्धन्तेSन्यस्य वारितः


Apoorvah Kopi Kopaagnih Sajjnasya Khalasya Cha

Eakasya Shmaayate Snehaad-vardhatenasya Varitahh.

i.e. The anger (fire of anger-Kopagni) of noble persons(Sajjan) and mean and lowly persons(Khala) is unique in many respects. A noble person's anger is controlled by showering of compassion (sneha), whereas in the case of a 'Khala' instead of being controlled it erupts more viciously. ( In a raging fire if water is poured , initially it results in increasing the intensity of the fire and after too much water is poured then only it is extinguished)

दुर्जनेन समं सख्यं प्रीतिं चा पि न  कारयेत
उष्णो दहति चाङ्गारः शीतः कृष्णायते  करम 

Durjanean Samam Sakhyam Preetim Chaapi Na Kaarayeat.
Ooshno Dahti Chaangarah Sheetahh Krishnaayate Karam.

i.e. One should never have friendship or close relationship with mean and lowly persons (Durjan) because they are like a piece of charcoal, which, when it is hot ( in a burning state) burns the hand or blackens the hand (when in it's normal state).

संत्यज्य शूर्पवद्दोशान्गुणान्गृह्णन्ति पण्डितः
दोषग्राही गुणत्यागी पल्ललीव हि दुर्जनाः 

Santyajya Shoorpawad-doshaan-Gunaan-grahnaati Panditahh
Dosha-grahi Guna-tyaagi Pallaliva Hi Durjanahh.

i.e. Wise persons(Pandit) are like a 'soopa' ( a hand held device to separate grain from chafe) and accept the 'Guna' (qualities/virtues) and leave other bad qualities, whereas bad and mean persons are like a "Chhalani" (another hand held device to sort out impurities or screen out materials/mnerals according to size), and they accept only "Dosha' and leave the 'Guna'.

रहस्यभेदो याच्या  च नैष्ठुर्यं  चलचित्तता
क्रोधो निःसत्यता द्यूतमेतन्मित्रस्य दूषणम् 

Rahasya Bheado Yaachyan Cha Naishthuryam Chal Chittata
Krodho Nis-satyata Dyootametan-mitrasya Dushanam.

i.e. Disclosing your secrets, asking for favors very often, short tempered, not truthful and a gambler, if these attributes are in a person ,one should not have friendship with such a person, because these personality traits are negative aspects (Dooshan) of a friend ( and may be harmful).

संतोषस्त्रिषु  कर्तव्व्यः स्वदारे भोजने धने
त्रिषु चैव न कर्तव्यो  दाने  तपसि पाठने 

Santosh-strishu Kartavyahh Swadaare Bhojane Dhane
Trishu Chaiva Na Kartavyo Daane Tapasi Pathane.

i.e. In respect of three things, namely one's wife(Swa-daara), food (bhojan)and money (Dhana) one should be satisfied at whatever he possesses, whereas,one should never be satisfied also in respect of three things, namely giving charities (Daan), self control and penance (Tapasya) and acquiring learning (Paathan)

उद्योगः खलु कर्तव्यः फलम्   मार्जारवद्भवेत्
जन्मप्रभृति गौर्नास्ति पयः पिवति नित्यशः  

Udyogah Khalu Kartavyah Phalam Maarjarwadbhaweat

Janmaprabhratti Gaurnaasti Payahh Piwati Nityashahh.

i.e. It is the duty of every body to always remain active and enterprising (Udyogi) like a cat, which, although does not possess a cow, enjoys drinking milk every day. (A cat always remains alert and never misses an opportunity to stealthily drink milk)

यथा चित्तं तथा वाचो  यथावाचस्तथा क्रिया
चित्ते वाचि क्रियायाञ्च साधूनां एकरूपता 

Yatha Chittam Tatha Wacho Yatha Wachas-tatha Kriya

Chitte Wachi Kriyayan Cha Saadhunaam-eikroopata.

i.e. In general the thoughts of a person affect his speech and depending upon what he says in turn affects his actions. However, in the case of noble and virtuous persons their thoughts, speech an action are always uniform (Eikroop) and there is no duplicity in their thoughts speech and action.

नालिका गतमपि कुटिलं न भवति सरलं शुन्नः पुच्छं
तद्वद्खलजना:  हृदयं बोधितमपि नैव याति माधुर्यं

Nalika- Gatmapi Kutilam Na Bhawati Saralam Shunnah Puchham
Tadwad-khaljana Hradayam Bodhitmapi Naiwa Yaati Madhuryam.

i.e. Just as even being enclosed in a tube for a long time the tail of a Dog(shunnah) does not become straight, similarly in spite of being given sermons repeatedly,one can not bring politeness/courtesy (maadhurya) in the nature of mean and crooked persons (khala).

दुर्जनः प्रथमं वन्दे सज्जनं तदनन्तरम्
मुखप्रक्षालनात्पूर्वं गुदप्रक्षालनं यथा

Durjanam Prathmam Vande Sajjanam Tadanantaram
Mukh Prakshalanat-poorvam Guda Prakshlanam Yatha.

i.e.    One should pay respect to mean persons first and noble persons thereafter,just like before washing the face private parts of the body are washed.

अश्वम् नैव गजं नैव  व्याघ्रं नैव च नैव च
अजापुत्रं बलिं दद्यात्  दैवो दुर्बल घातकः

Ashwam Naiw Gajam Naiw Vyaghram Naiw Cha Naiw Cha
Aja Putram Balim Dadyaat-Devo Durbal Ghatakhh.

i.e.     Neither a horse,nor an elephant or a tiger is used as a sacrificial animal but only the poor goat (Ajaputra) is selected for this purpose thereby implying that even God is the cause of death of the meek(Durbal)

अल्पानामपि वस्तूनां संहतिः कार्यसाधिका
तृणैर्गुणत्वमापन्नैर्बध्यन्ते मत्तदन्तिनः

Alpaana-mapi Vastoonam Sanhatih Kaarya Saadhika
Trineirgunatwa-mapatyer-Vadhyante Matta Dantinahh.

i.e.    Even very ordinary things are instrumental in achieving success in an endeavor (Kaarya Saadhak),for example ordinary grass when converted (value added) into a strong rope is able to tie and control an Elephant .

सरस्वती नमस्तुभ्यं वर दे कामरूपिणी
विश्वरूपि विशालाक्षि विद्यांदेहि नमोस्तुते

Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaamroopini
Vishwa Roopi Vishaalakshi Vidyamdehi Namostute.

i.e.    O Goddess Saraswati ,I bow before you in reverence. Bestow upon me your benevolence. O doe eyed (vishalakshi) and omnipresent (Vishwroopi) Mother,I pray to thee to make me a learned person ( Vidyamdehi).

नारिकेल समाSS कारा  दृशयन्ते  Sपि हि सज्जना:
अन्ये बदरिकाSSकारा वहिरेव मनोहरा :

Naarikela Samaakara Drashyantepi Hi Sajjna
Anye Badarikakaara Bahireawa Manohara.

i.e. Noble and righteous persons(Sajjana) are like a coconut fruit, which, although outwardly very hard is very soft delicious and nourishing inside, whereas others are like 'Badri' fruit (a wild shrub which produces small berries) which are of little use although very attractive looking.

नवे वयसि यः शान्तः स शान्त इति मे मतिः
धातुषु क्षीयमाणेषु शान्तिः कस्य न जायते

Navey Vayasi Yah Shaantahh Sa Shanta Iti Me Matihh
Dhatushu Ksheeyamaaneshu Shantih kasya Na Jaayate.

i.e    If a person is cool headed (Shanta) in the prime of youth then it matters much. But when all faculties of mind and body have deteriorated due to old age (Dhatuhksheenamayashu) then it is not an achievement for a person to be 'Shanta'.

एकं द्रष्ट्वा शतं द्रष्ट्वा द्रष्ट्वा पंचशतानपि
अति लोभो न कर्तव्यस्चक्रं  भ्रमति मस्तके

Eakam Drashtwa Shatam Drashtwa Drashtwa Panch-shataanyapi
Ati Lobho Na Kartavyas-chakrey Bhraamati Mastakah


i.e.     By seeing/getting one thing, there is craving for one hundred and even five hundred such things (the craving for more and more increases endlessly). So one should not be too much greedy,otherwise he will lose the balance of his mind.


(This is what is called in Hindi as 'Ninyanabe ka Pher'  i.e. converting ninety nine into hundred)

M.C.Joshi