January 17, 2011

Sanskrit Wisdom - 96

ipNDo ipNDo maitiBa-Ùaa kuNDo kuNDo navaM pyaÁ a
jaatÝ jaatÝ navaacaaraÁ navaa vaaNaI mauKo mauKo aa

Explanation
Each person (pinda) has an independent aptitude/opinion (no two minds are alike).
  Water in different ponds differs just as different communities have distinct lifestyles (they have their own norms, values, rules etc).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 95

vyaayaamaat\ laBato svaasqyaM dIGa-ayauYyaM balaM sauKma\ a
AaraogyaM prmaM BaagyaM svaasqyaM sava-aqa-saaQanama\ aa

Explanation
One can obtain health, strength, long life, and happiness from physical exercise (vyayama).
Indeed, good health is greatest blessing since health is the means of attaining everything (if you are healthy, nothing is impossible to you).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 94

ivaYaadPyamaRtM ga`a(M baalaadip sauBaaiYatma\ a
Aima~adip saWR%tM AmaoQyaadip kaMcanama\ aa

Explanation
Nectar is still acceptable even if it is found in poison; important insight might be found in child talk. Imbibe therefore good qualities even from a non-friend and accept gold even if it is found in grime.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 93

yasya naaist svayaM p`&a Saa~M tsya kraoit ikma\ a
laaocanaaByaama\ ivahInasya dp-Na: ikM kirYyaisa aa

Explanation
What is use of knowledge to a person who does not have intellectual capacity?
 What is use of mirror to a person who is blind? Here, the subhāşita provides an excellent analogy of the mirror. Knowledge is like mirror, which reflects worlds in it.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 92

]%saahao balavaanaaya- naas%yau%saaha%prM balama\ a
saao%saahsya ca laaokoYau na ikiMcadip dula-Bama\ aa

Explanation
A person with enthusiasm is a powerful person because nothing is mightier than enthusiasm. Nothing is unachievable (durlabha) to a person with commitment. The purport of this subhāşita is, "Where there is will there is way." 

Sanskrit Wisdom - 91

kusaumaM vaNa-saMpnnaMganQahInaM na SaaoBato a
na SaaoBato ik`yaahInaM maQaurM vacanaM tqaa aa

Explanation
A colorful flower without fragrance lacks grace. Similarly without supportive action only embellished talk is empty. The color of the flower is its external beauty while its fragrance is its inherent quality (guna). As Samartha Swami Ramdas observed, 'kriyevina vachalata vyartha ahe' - i.e. without action (kriya) mere talk is worthless.

January 15, 2011

Sanskrit Wisdom - 90

AVaip duina-vaarM stuitknyaa vahit naama kaOmaarma\ a
sad\Byaao na raocato saa Asant: Aip AsyaO na raocanto aa

Explanation
It is very difficult for the unmarried girl called Stuti to get married. The reason is good people (sajjana or sabhya) do not like her [they do not like if anybody praises them] and she herself does not like bad people (durjana) [since nobody praises a bad person].

Sanskrit Wisdom - 89

yastu saHcarto doSaana\ saovato yastu piNDtana\ a
tsya ivastairta bauiwstOlaibanduirvaamBaisa aa

Explanation
Intelligence of a person who travels to different countries and who enjoys the company of sages spreads and expands like the drop of oil on the surface of water.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 88

tyajanti mitraaNi Dhanairviheenam putraashcha daaraashcha sahajjanaashcha |
tamarthavantam punaraashrayanti artho hi loke manushasya banDhuh ||

%yajaint ima~aiNa QanaOiva-hInaM pu~aSca daraSca sa)jjanaaSca a
tmaqa-vantM punaraEayaint Aqaao- ih laaoko manauYasya banQau: aa

Explanation
Friends, sons, wife, and close relatives of leave a person without wealth. However, they all would return to him if gains wealth. Money/wealth, indeed, is man's best friend (refer to subhāşita # 54 which has a similar purport).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 87

naasti vidyaa samam chakshu naasti satya samam tapah |
naasti raaga samam duhkham naasti tyaaga samam sukham ||

naaist ivaVa samaM caxaU naaist sa%ya samaM tp: a
naaist raga samaM du:Kma\ naaist %yaaga samaM sauKma\ aa

Explanation
There is no sight better than knowledge (by knowledge one can see what cannot be seen by a naked eye). Knowledge gives the vision to see beyond some obvious things.
There is no better ardor than truth (satya). There is no greater sorrow than desire, and there is no higher happiness than renunciation (tyaga).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 86

abhimaano DhanyeShaam chirajeevanti te janah |
abhimaanviheenaanam kim Dhanena kimaayushaa ||

AiBamaanaao QanaMyaoYaaM icarjaIvaint to janaaÁ a
AiBamaanaivahInaanaaM ikM Qanaona ikmaayauYaa aa

Explanation
Those who have the wealth of pride and self-esteem live a long life.
  For others who do not have self-esteem, of what use is wealth and long life?

Sanskrit Wisdom - 85

guNavantah klishyante praayeNa Bhavanti nirguNaah sukhinah |
banDhanamaayaanti shukaa yatheshTasanchaariNah kaakaah ||

gauNavant: i@laSyanto p`ayaoNa Bavaint inagau-Naa: sauiKna: a
banQanamaayaaint Sauka yaqaoYTsaMcaairNa: kaka: aa

Explanation
A resourceful (and freedom loving) person more often than not has to work to make a living unlike the more contended one.  A parrot, for instance, may live happily in cage while the crow in the sky has to struggle for food (Sometimes good qualities of a person may land him/her in trouble).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 84

nirvisheNaapi sarpeNa kartavyaa mahati phaNaa |
vishamastu na chaapyastu phaTaaTopo bhayankarah ||

inaiva-YaoNaaip sapo-Na kt-vyaa mahit fNaa a
ivaYamastu na caaPyastu fTaTaopao BayaMkr: aa

Explanation
A non-poisonous snake should imitate the poisonous one and raise its hood as if to bite a potential adversary. Regardless of whether the snake has poison or not, the hissing sound is enough to strike terror in the adversary's mind.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 83

Paropadeshavelaayaam shishTaah sarve bhavanti vai |
Vismaranteeha shishTatvam svakaarye samupasthite ||

praopdoSavaolaayaaM iSaYTa: savao- Bavaint vaO a
ivasmarntIh iSaYT%vaM svakayao- samaupisqato aa

Explanation
Everybody suddenly becomes wise and qualified to tender advice (upadesha) to others when they are in distress.
The same wisdom is however is forgotten when the wise (shishta) find themselves in a similar difficulty.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 82

laukikaanaam hi saadhoonaam artham vaaganurtate |
risheeNaam punaraadayaanaam vaacham arthaanudhaavatee ||

laaOikkanaaM ih saaQaUnaama\ Aqa-M vaaganauvat-to a
?YaINaaM punaradyaanaaM vaacama\ Aqaao-nauQaavatI aa

Explanation
In case of average, ordinary individuals meaning closely follows a word associated with it. In the case of great sages (rishis), however, the meaning precedes the word associated with it.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 81

anaarambho hi kaaryaanaam prathamam buddheelakshaNam |
praarabdhasya antagamanam dwiteeyam buddheelakshaNam ||

AnaarmBaao ih kayaa-NaaM p`qamaM bauwIlaxaNama\ a
p`arbQasya AntgamanaM iWtIyaM bauwIlaxaNama\ aa

Explanation
Not initiating a project which is not in one’s capacity is the first sign of wisdom (buddhi). Leading a project that is already underway to its successful conclusion to its logical conclusion is the second sign of wisdom.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 80

prathame naarjitaa vidhyaa dviteeye naarjitam dhanam |
truteeye naarjitam punyam chaturthe kim karishyati ||

p`qamao naaija-ta ivaVa iWtIyao naaija-tM QanaM a
tRtIyao naaija-tM puNyaM catuqao- ikM kirYyait aa

Explanation
In the tradition of India, the lifespan of one hundred years is ideally divided into four stages (ashramas) of twenty-five years duration each. In the first stage one is expected to learn a
trade, in the second earn money; in the third acquire merit (punya), and release (moksha) in the fourth and final. The subhāşita asks: the one who fails to attain the prescribed goals in the first stages, what can he/she do in the final? 

Sanskrit Wisdom - 79

Pradoshe deepakashchandrah prabhaate deepako ravih |
Trailokye deepako dharmah suputrah kuladeepakah ||

p`daoYao dIpkScaMd`: p`Baato dIpkao riva: a
~Olaao@yao dIpkao Qama-: saupu~: kuladIpk: aa

Explanation
The Moon provides light in the evening as does the Sun in the morning. While dharma serves as lamp in the three worlds (lokas); the worthy son enlightens his entire clan. 

Sanskrit Wisdom - 78

truNaani nonmoolayati prabhanjano mrudooni neechaih praNataani sarvatah |
svabhaava evonnatachetasaamayam mahaanmahatsveva karoti vikamam ||

tRNaaina naaonmaUlayait p`Banjanaao maRdUina naIcaO: p`Nataina sava-t: a
svaBaava evaaonnatcaotsaamayaM mahanmah%svaova kraoit ivak`mama\ aa

Explanation
The hurricane which can easily uproot the toughest and the tallest trees is yet unable to harm the grass growing on the ground (or spares the grass growing on the ground). Likewise, the strong and the mighty do not trouble or bother the weak.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 77

ghaTam bhindhyaat paTam chindhyaat kuryaadraasabharohaNam |
yena kena prakaarena prasiddhah puroosho bhavet ||

GaTM iBanVat\ pTM iCnVat\ kuya-ad`asaBaraohNama\ a
yaona kona p`karoNa p`isaw: puÉYaao Bavaot\ aa

Explanation
This subhāşita describes the various ways some people employ to get (cheap) publicity: breaking pots, tearing off the cloth strips, riding a donkey.
By hook or by crook, they seek to become popular.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 76

ratnaih mahaahaih tutushuh na devaah |
na bhejire bheemavisheNa bheetim ||
amrutam vinaa na prayayuh viraamam |
na nishchidaarthaat viramanti dheeraah ||

r%naOÁ mahahOÁ tutuYauÁ na dovaaÁ È
na Baoijaro BaImaivaYaoNa BaIitma\ ÈÈ
AmaRtM ivanaa na p`yayauÁ ivaramama\ È
na inaiXcadaqaa-t\ ivarmaMit QaIraÁ ÈÈ

Explanation
During the churning of the cosmic ocean (sagarmanthanam) gods did not stop churning even after fourteen precious jewels (ratna) were recovered; nor were they terrorized by the poison. They did not desist from their goal of obtaining the nectar (amrit) until that goal was materialized. Similarly, people with high stamina and patience (dhira) do not rest (stop) until
they attain the set target.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 75

Vikrutim naiva gacchanti sangadosheNa saadhavah |
aaveshTitam mahaasarpaishchandanam na vishaayate ||

ivakRitM naOva gacCint saMgadaoYaoNa saaQava: a
AavaoiYTtM mahasap-OScaMdnaM na ivaYaayato aa

Explanation
Bad company does not induce changes (bad habits) in a good person just as the poisonous snake embracing a sandalwood tree cannot render it poisonous.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 74

Prathamavayasi peetam toyamalpam smarantah
shirasi niheetabhaaraah naareekelaa naraaNaam
dadati jalamanalpaata swaadamaajiveetaantam
nahee krutamupakaaram saadhavo vismaranti

p`qamavayaisa pItM taoyamalpma\ smarnt:
iSarisa inahItBaara: naarIkolaa naraNaama\
ddit jalamanalpat svaadmaaijavaItantma\
nahI kRtmaupkarM saaQavaao ivasmarint

Explanation
The subhāşita refers to the similarity between a coconut tree and a good person. The coconut tree partakes of only a small amount of water during its early stage of growth. It, however, carries a much larger amount of sweet water in the fully developed cocoanut. In the similar way, good people do not forget even a very small favor (upakara) done to them (by others).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 73

vrushchikasya visham prucche makshikaayaah mukhe visham |
takshakasya visham dante sarvaange durjanasya tat ||

vaRicSaksya ivaYaM pRcCo maixakayaa: mauKo ivaYama\ È
txaksya ivaYaM dnto sava-aMgao duja-nasya tt\ ÈÈ

Explanation
The scorpion holds its poison only in the tail; the bee in its mouth; and the snake in its teeth.
Poison, however, pervades the entire body of the wicked.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 72

namanti phalino vrukshaa namanti guNino janaah |
shushkakaashThThashcha moorkhashcha na namanti kadaachana ||

namaint filanaao vaRxaa namaint gauiNanaao janaa: a
SauYkkaY{Sca maUK-Sca na namaint kdacana aa

Explanation
The branches of a tree laden with fruit bend downward just as the highly cultivated persons bow down out of respect to others. The unwise (murkha), however, are like the dry log that never bends.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 71

Darshane sparshaNe vaapi shravaNe bhaashaNepi vaa |
Yatra davatyantaradgam sa sneha iti kathyate ||

dSa-nao spSa-Nao vaaip EavaNao BaaYaNao|ip vaa a
ya~ d`va%yantr=\gaM sa snaoh [it kqyato aa


Explanation
If seeing or touching (somebody); listening to or speaking with (someone) touches your heart, then it is called love or affection (sneha).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 70

moorkhasya pancha chinhaani garvo durvachanam tatha |
krodhashcha drudhvaadashcha paravaakyeshvanaadarah ||

maUK-sya pMca ica*naaina gavaao- duva-canaM tqaa a
ËaoQaSca dRQavaadSca prvaa@yaoYvanaadrÁ aa

Explanation
Five characteristics of a fool are: haughtiness, bad mouthing, uncontrollable anger, strongly held views, and intolerance of opinions held by others.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 69

Annadaanam param daanam vidhyaadaanam atah param |
Annena kshaNikaa truptih yaavajjeevam cha vidhyayaa ||

AnnadanaM prM danaM ivaVadanaM At: prma\ a
Annoana xaiNaka tRiPt: yaavajjaIvaM ca ivaVyaa aa

Explanation
Giving food to the hungry is a pious act of charity (dana); but superior to it is the gift of knowledge (vidyadanam). Because food relieves hunger only temporarily while imparted knowledge lasts lifelong (refer to subhāşita no 51).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 68

saaksharaah vipareetaashchedrakshasaah eva kevalam |
saraso vipareetashchetsarasatvam na mucchati ||

saaxara: ivaprItaScaod`axasaa: eva kovalama\ a
sarsaao ivaprItScao%sarsa%vama\ na mauHcait aa

Explanation
When the word “sakshara” (literate’ learned) is inverted, it becomes "rakshasa" (devil). The word "sarasa" (good), however, evenwhen inverted, remains the same (“sarasa"). The deeper, more important meaning of the subhāşita is as follows: A "sakshara" person may behave like a "rakshasa" in certain situations.  The "sarasa" (cultured, cultivated) person will not, however, abandon this quality under any condition.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 67

shateshu jaayate shoorah sahastreshu cha panDitah |
vaktaa dashasahastreshu daataa bhavati vaa na vaa ||

SatoYau jaayato SaUr: sahs~oYau ca pMiDt: a
va@ta dSasahs~oYau data Bavait vaa na vaa aa

Explanation
Among one hundred persons only one is truly brave; among thousands of them only one may be a sage. A skilled orator is to be found only among the ten thousands. A charitable person (daataa) though may rarely exist; or may not exist at all. 

Sanskrit Wisdom - 66

dharmam yo baadhate dharmo na sa dharmah kudharmakah |
avirodhaattu yo dharmah sa dharmah satyavikrama ||

Qama-M yaÜ baaQato QamaÜ- na sa Qama-Á kuQama-kÁ a
AivarÜQaa%tu yaÜ Qama-Á sa Qama-Á sa%yaivaËma aa

Explanation
This verse from the Mahabhar
ata is addressed to Satyavikrama. Any dharma (way of life, religion) which violates another's dharma is not true dharma. It is, rather, bad dharma (kudharma). That dharma, on the other hand, which flourishes without harming interest of others, is true dharma indeed.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 65

Sangrahaikaparah praayah samudropi rasaatale |
daataaram jaladam pashya garjantam bhuvanoparee ||

saMga`hOkpr: p`aya: samaud`aoip rsaatlao a
datarM jaladM pSya gaja-ntM BauvanaaoprI aa

Explanation
The sea only hoards water which remains useless for the life process. It therefore remains at the level of the ground. In contrast, clouds which shower life sustaining water with a thunder, occupy the position high above. Here the subhāşita wants to emphasize that the person that engages in charity, always achieves a higher station in life than the one who only amasses something for its own sake.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 64

mrugaah mrugaih sangamupajanti gaavashcha gobhisturangaasturangaih |
moorkhaashcha moorkheh sudhayah sudheebhih samaanasheelavyasaneshu sakhyam ||

maRgaa: maRgaO: saMgamaupva`jaint gaavaSca gaaoiBasturMgaasturMgaO: a
maUKa-Sca maUKO-: sauQaya: sauQaIiBa: samaanaSaIlavyasanaoYau sa#yaM aa

Explanation
Good rapport and friendship develops among those who share a similar outlook on life and hobbies. Thus, deer flock with deer, cows with cows, and horses with horses. In the same manner, fools frequent fools and the wise bond with the wise.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 63

yathaa kharah chandanabhaaravaahee bhaarasya vettaa na tu chandanasya |
evam hi shaashtraaNi bahuni adheetya artheshu mooDhaah kharavad vahanti || …Sushruta adhyaay 4

yaqaa Kr: candnaBaarvaahI Baarsya vao%%aa na tu candnasya a
evaM ih Saas~aiNa bahuina AQaI%ya Aqao-Yau maUZa: Krvad\ vahint aa ...sauEaut AQyaaya 4


Explanation
Just as a donkey carrying the stack of sandalwood on its back does not recognize the worth of the sandalwood but only groans under its burden, so do many learned people who have studied the ‘scriptures’ (shastras) do not realize their true purport and simply bear the 'weight' of the outward knowledge.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 62

Murkhaa yatra na poojyate dhaanyam yatra susanchitam |
danpatyo kalahah naasti tatra shreeh swayamaagatah ||

mauKa- ya~ na pUjyato QaanyaM ya~ sausaMicatma\ a
dMp%yaao klah: naaist t~ EaI: svayamaagat: aa

Explanation
Where fools are not honored (i.e. fools are not involved in a decision making process), there are to be found sufficient store of food grains (and other things required in day to day life) and where there is no conflict between the husband and wife, there prosperity (Godess Lakshmi) comes on her own.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 61

om saha naavavatu sahanau bhunaktu | saha veeryam karavaavahai |
tejasvinaavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai |
om shaantih shaantih shaantih |

! sah naavavatu sahnaaO Bauna@tu a sah vaIya-M krvaavahO a
tojaisvanaavaQaItmastu maa ivaiWYaavahO a
! Saaint: Saaint: Saaint: a

Explanation
OM
, let brahman protect us both (teacher and disciple); may brahman nourish us both; may we work in harmony with greater vigor. May our study be illuminating and fruitful; let us not hate each other. Om, peace, peace, peace

Sanskrit Wisdom - 60

eka eva khago maanee chiranjeevatu chaatakam |
miyate vaa pipaasaarto yaachate vaa purandaram ||

ek eva Kgaao maanaI icarMjaIvatu caatkma\ a
ima`yato vaa ippasaata-o yaacato vaa purMdrma\ aa

Explanation
There is no other bird than Chataka with greater self-esteem and pride. Let him live forever. He drinks only rainwater and pleads only with Indra, the god of rain. He will never drink water from any other source like the pond or stored water.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 59

ahanyahani bhootaani gacchanti yamaalayam |
shesham sthaavaramicchanti kimaashcharyamatah param ||

Ahnyahina BaUtaina gacCint yamaalayama\ a
SaoYaa: sqaavarimacCint ikmaaScaya-mat: prma\ aa


Explanation
Even though all creatures reach the abode of death (Yamalayam) eventually, the rest still desire to remain on the earth. What else can be more surprising than this fact? (Yudhishthira utters this verse in reply to the question of Gandharva, “What is the most surprising thing on the earth” (Mahabharata).

Sanskrit Wisdom - 58

sampoorNakumbho na karoti shabdam ardhoGaTo Gashamupaiti noonam |
vidvaan kulaano na karoti garva guNairviheena bahu jalpayanti ||

saMpUNa-kuMBaao na kraotI SabdM AQaao-GaTao GaaoYamaupOit naUnama\ a
ivaWana\ kulaInaao na kraoit gava- gauNaOiva-hInaa bahu jalpyaMit aa

Explanation
A fully filled water pitcher does not make as much noise as a half-filled one. A virtuous and sage person born in a good family is free of pride while those devoid of good qualities keep
babbling like the half filled water pitcher. 

Sanskrit Wisdom - 57

Laalayet pancha varshaaNi dasha varshaNi taaDhayet |
Prapte tu shoDhashe varshe putre mitravadaacharet ||

laalayaot\ pMca vaYaa-iNa dSa vaYaa-iNa taDyaot\ a
p`aPto tu YaaoDSao vaYao- pu~o ima~vadacarot\ aa

Explanation
The son should be pampered until the age of five and may be disciplined by using the rod until the age of ten. Once he reaches the age of sixteen, however, he should be treated like a friend.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 56

sarpah koorah khalah koorah sarpaat kooratarah khalah |
sarpah shaamyati mantraishcha durjanah kena shaamyati ||

sap-: k`Ur: Kla: k`Ur: sapa-t\ k`Urtr: Kla: a
sap-: Saamyait man~OSca duja-na: kona Saamyait aa

Explanation
The snake is cruel and so is the wicked person; the latter is more vicious though, because while the chanting of a mantra can pacify the snake, the wicked can never be subdued.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 55

atiparichayaadavajnyaa santatagamanaat anaadaro bhavati |
malaye bhillaa purandhi chandanatarukaashTham indhanam kurute ||

Aitpircayaadva&a saMttgamanaat\ Anaadrao Bavait a
malayao iBallaa purMQ`aI caMdnatrukaYzma\ iAMQanama\ kuruto aa

Explanation
Familiarity breeds contempt; repeated visits invite disrespect. The tribal women of inhabiting Malaya Mountain, for instance, use sandalwood (which grows in abundance there) as fuel.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 54

alpaanaamapi vastoonam sanhatih karyasaadhikaa |
truNairguNatvamaapannairbadhyante matsantitah ||

Alpanaamaip vastUnaaM saMhit: kaya-saaiQaka a
tRNaOgau-Na%vamaapnnaOba-Qyanto ma<asaintna: aa

Explanation
Great tasks can be accomplished by judicious deployment of small things just as a rope
woven together by using several strands of grass is able to hold in check the mighty intoxicated elephant.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 53

Kaaryaarthi bhajate lokam yaavatkaaryam na siddhati |
uttirNa cha pare paare naukaayaam kim prayojanam ||

kayaa-qaI- Bajato laaokma\ yaava%kaya-M na isad\Qait a
Au%tINao- ca pro paro naaOkayaama\ ikM p`yaaojanama\ aa

Explanation
One who wants to get something done by another pampers him/her only till the work is being done [after the work is done, that person will not be needed] just as you have no use for the boat once you have crossed the river.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 52

Na deva daNDamaadaaya rakshanti pashupaalavat |
Yam tu rakshitumicchanti buddhyaa sanvibhajanti tam ||

na dovaa dNDmaadaya rxaint pSaupalavat\ a
yaM tu rixatuimacCint baud\Qyaa saMivaBajaint tma\ aa

Explanation
Parmeshvara (God) does not himself pick up a staff (danda) to protect us like the shepherd guarding his flock. He gives intelligence (buddhi) to the person whose safety he wishes to assure.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 51

Yathaa hi malinaih vastreh yatra kutra upavishyate |
Vrutatah chalitopi evam shesham vrutam na rakshati ||

yaqaa ih mailanaO: vas~O: ya~ ku~ AupivaYyato a
vaRtt: cailataoip evaM SaoYaM vaRtM na rxait aa

Explanation
Just as a person who does not hesitate to sit anywhere once his/her garment is soiled, so a person, whose character is spoiled, will not hesitate to do any unsavory deeds.

January 14, 2011

Sanskrit Wisdom - 50

Na chorahaaryam na cha raajahaaryam na bhatrubhajyam na cha bhaarakaari |
Vyaye krute vardhata eva nityam vidyaadanam sarvadhanapradhaanam ||

na caaorhaya-M na ca rajahaya-M na Baa`tRBaajyaM na ca Baarkair a
vyayao kRto vaQa-t eva ina%yaM ivaVaQanaM sava-Qanap`QaanaM aa

Explanation
Thieves cannot steal the it; nor can kings usurp it. It cannot be divided among brothers and i
never is burden on your shoulders. When spent this wealth keeps growing. The wealth of knowledge indeed is the most superior wealth of all!

Sanskrit Wisdom - 49

Videsheshu danam vidyaa vyasaneshu danam matih |
Paraloke danam dharmah sheelam sarvatra vai danam ||

ivadoSaoYau QanaM ivaVa vyasanaoYau QanaM mait: a
prlaaoko QanaM Qama-: SaIlaM sava-~ vaO Qanama\ aa

Explanation
Knowledge (vidya) is an asset in a foreign land; wealth comes handy in tough times. Righteousness (dharma) is the only wealth that can secure the other world. Good Conduct (sheela) alone is currency everywhere and at all the times.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 48

Karaagre vasate lakshmi karamadhye saraswati |
Karamoole tu govindah prabhaate karadarshanam ||

kraga`o vasato laxmaI krmaQyao sarsvatI a
krmaUlao tu gaaoivand: p`Baato krdSa-nama\ aa

Explanation
The tip of the hand (fingers), is the abode of Goddess Lakshmi; at the center of the hand (palm) stays Goddess Sarasvati. Govinda (Shri Vishnu) occupies the base of the hand (wrist). Hence, in the morning, one should look at one’s hands first [We gain our livelihood and acquire wealth by using fingers and learn by holding the pen in our fingers and palm. We can do everything else by wielding our wrists]

Sanskrit Wisdom - 47

Varam eko guNee putro na cha moorkhashataanyapi |
ekashchandrastamo hanti na cha taaraagaNopi cha ||

varM ekao gauNaI pu~ao na ca maUK-Satanyaip a
ekSMcad`stmaao hint na ca taragaNaao|ip ca aa

Explanation
It is preferable to have one good (gunvat) son than to have a hundred foolish (murkha) ones. One single moon effectively removes darkness, for instance, which the multitude of stars cannot.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 46

sarpadurjanormadhye varam sarpo na durjanah |
sarpah danshati kaalena durjanastu pade pade ||

sap-duja-naaoma-Qyao varM sapao- na duja-na: a
sap-: dMSatI kalaona duja-nastu pdo pdo aa

Explanation
When it comes to comparison between a serpent and a wicked person, the serpent is the better of the two. Because the serpent bites only rarely while the wicked person stings (causes pain) at every step.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 45

durjanah priyavaadeeti naitad vishwaasakaaraNam |
madhutishThati jivhaagre hrudaye tu halaahalam ||


duja-na: ip`yavaadIit naOtd\ ivaSvaasakarNama\ a
maQauitYzit ijavhaga`o hRdyao tu hlaahlama\ aa

Explanation
Never believe a wicked person even if he/she speaks in (your) favor because there may be honey on his tongue but poison in his heart.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 45

durjanah priyavaadeeti naitad vishwaasakaaraNam |
madhutishThati jivhaagre hrudaye tu halaahalam ||

duja-na: ip`yavaadIit naOtd\ ivaSvaasakarNama\ a
maQauitYzit ijavhaga`o hRdyao tu hlaahlama\ aa

Explanation
Never believe a wicked person even if he/she speaks in (your) favor because there may be honey on his tongue but poison in his heart.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 44

sulabhaah purooshaah rajan satatam priyavaadinah |
apriyasya cha pathyasya vaktaa shrotaa cha durlabhah ||

saulaBaa: pu$Yaa: rajana\ sattM ip`yavaaidna: a
Aip`yasya ca pqyasya va@ta Eaaota ca dula-Ba: aa

Explanation
Sage Vidura advises Dhritarashtra, “Your Majesty, people who engage in pleasantries can be easily found. One speaking bitter [truth] and another who listens to him/her are both difficult to find however.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 43

aham cha tvam cha raajendra lokanaathaavubhaavapi |
bahuveehiraham raajan shashThitatpuroosho bhavaan ||

AhM ca %vaM ca rajaond` laaoknaaqaavauBaavaip a
bahuva`IihrhM rajana\ YaYzI%a%pu$Yaao Bavaana\ aa

Explanation
The beggar declares to the king: “Both of us are Lokanatha. The only difference is that in my case people are my master (when the compound Lokanatha is resolved as “Bahuvrihi”); while the king is the master (ruler) of the people (when the compound is resolved as a 'Shashthitatpurusha).' 

Sanskrit Wisdom - 42

kaakah krushNo pikah krushNo ko bhedo kaakapikayoh |
vasantasamaye prapte kaakah kaakah pikah pikah ||

kak: kRYNaao ipk: kRYNaao kao Baodao kakipkyaao: a
vasaMtsamayao p`aPto kak: kak: ipk: ipk: aa

Explanation
The crow is black, so is the cuckoo bird. Then, what is the difference between the two? It becomes evident with the advent of the spring when the cuckoo bird starts singing in sweet voice, which the crow cannot.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 41

Hamsah shveto bakah shveto ko bhedo bakahamsayoh |
Neeraksheerviveke tu hamsah hamso bako bakah ||

hMsa: Svaotao bak: Svaotao kao Baodao bakhMsayaao: a
naIrxaIrivavaoko tu hMsa: hMsaao bakao bak: aa

Explanation
The swan is white and so is the crane. What is the difference between the two? The swan is able to separate milk even though diluted with water and drink only milk (unlike the crane). The subhāşita stresses the point that it is the inner qualities that make an object not its outer appearance. The wise precisely know what is useful and what is not.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 40

sarvipanishado gaavah dogdhah gopaalanandanah |
paartho vatsah sudeeh bhoktaa dugdham geetamrutam mahat ||

savaa-opinaYadao gaava: daogQaa gaaopalanaMdna: a
paqaao- va%sa: sauQaI: Baao@ta dugQaM gaItamaRtM maht\ aa


Explanation
Upanishads are (like) cows that Krishna milks and intelligent Arjuna feasts on the splendid nectar of the Gita like the calf enjoying the cow’s milk.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 39

Shantitulyam tapo naasti toshaanna paraman sukham |
naasti trushNaaparo vyaadhirna cha dharmo dayaaparah ||

SaainttulyaM tpao naaist taoYaanna prmaM sauKma\ a
naaist tRYNaaprao vyaaiQana- ca Qamaao- dyaapr: aa

Explanation
There is no achievement like peace (the word tapa is probably used here to emphasize hard effort required to keep your mind peaceful). There is no happiness like satisfaction, there is no disease like desire, and there is no
dharma like mercy.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 38

udaye savita rakto raktahshchaastamaye tatha |
sampatto cha vipatto cha mahataamekaroopataa || …Mahaabhaarat

]dyao saivata r@tao r@t:Scaastmayao tqaa a
samp<aaO ca ivap<aaO ca mahtamaok$pta aa  ... mahaBaart

Explanation
The sun looks red both at sunrise and sunset. Great men similarly retain their steadfastness (demeanor) through good and bad times.

Sanskrit Wisdom - 37

sthaanabhrashTaah na shobhate dantaah keshaa nakhaa naraah |
iti vignaaya matimaan swasthaanam na parityajet ||

sqaanaBa`YTa: na SaaoBato dnta: koSaa naKa nara: a
iAit iva&aya maitmaana\ svasqaanaM na pir%yajaot\ aa

Explanation
Teeth, hair, nails, and men do not shine when not in their proper places. Knowing this adage, the wise should not leave their place or location.