Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
अज्ञानादथवा ज्ञानादुत्तमश्लोकनाम यत् ।
सङ्कीर्तितमघं पुंसो दहेदेधो यथानलः ॥
- भागवत

Transliteration:
aj~naanaadathavaa j~naanaaduttamashlokanaama yat |
sa~nkIrtitamaghaM puMso dahededho yathaanalaH ||
- bhaagavata

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Whether consciously or unawares, uttering the (Lord's) most elevated name, shall burn the sins of the being, just as fuel (when in contact with) fire.
Commentary:
When there is a pile of wood (fuel), whether one strikes a match at it with the intention of lighting a fire; or an innocent child, unawares of the consequence strikes a match..., the end result would be the same!  The wood would be set ablaze!!  So is taking the name of the Lord.  Whether one intentionally prays to Him, or accidentally takes His name, that being is bound to eradicate his baggage of sins.

There are multitudes of examples that show devotion to Him in many forms.  Whether one remembers Him as the Supreme Lord, a friend, a well wisher, a beloved, a parent or ... even as an enemy..., just by remembering the Lord, the sins of that being are burnt to ashes, just as fire would do to firewood!

In such a case, what if one is intentionally and intently remembering Him!!  There is no telling, what amount of bliss he would be attaining!  That surely would surpass all else in this world!

Now, it is entirely up to us whether we - let the Lord keep us from sin, or, let sin, keep us from the Lord!

On this auspicious occasion of 'vijaya naama samvatsara ugaadi', may He make one and all vijayI (victorious) in choosing Him now and always!!

pada vigrahaH:
अज्ञानात् अथवा ज्ञानात् उत्तम-श्लोक-नाम यत् ।
aj~naanaat athavaa j~naanaat uttama-shloka-naama yat |

सङ्कीर्तितम् अघं पुंसः दहेत् एधः यथा अनलः ॥
sa~nkIrtitam aghaM puMsaH dahet edhaH yathaa analaH ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
नास्ति विद्यासमं चक्षुर्नास्ति सत्यसमं तपः ।
नास्ति रागसमं दुःखं नास्ति त्यागसमं सुखम् ॥ 
-महाभारत, शान्ति

Transliteration:
naasti vidyaasamaM chakShurnaasti satyasamaM tapaH |
naasti raagasamaM duHkhaM naasti tyaagasamaM sukham ||
-mahaabhaarata, shaanti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
There is no eye equal to knowledge; there is no penance parallel to truth; there is no pain akin to desire; there is no happiness synonymous to renunciation/sacrifice.
Commentary:
When one reads or acquires a new knowledge, he says, that was an 'eye-opener'!!  And rightfully so!  If one has to know about something, the best way is seeing it.  For, seeing is believing!  To get the full understanding of anything, one has to use his faculty of vision.  It could be the physical vision or the vision of one's mind.  Without that, the awareness stays incomplete.  Hence, the author says - knowledge is the best tool of perusal that gives the best vision!

To do penance, one doesn't have to go to a remote cave in an abandoned hill!  Penance basically is a task carried out on a constant basis; something that takes effort and resolve to keep up with.  To achieve this, if one resolves to always speak the truth and never utter a lie, that would qualify for penance.  To undergo such a vow and keep up with it might be the toughest task on a day to day basis.  But if one keeps it up, then he does not have to do any other penance!!  Then, what to speak about one's quest for the ultimate truth!!  That would be the ultimate kind of penance.

Vehement desire is the root cause for all sorrows.  Who can deny that!  As soon as a desire arises in the mind, it constantly conspires towards making it a reality.  Just as one begins to entertain the thought, it holds a firm grip on all his thoughts and actions there onwards.  Burning with the desire to satisfy his desires, one may undergo many a hardships or compromise many an ideals.  This road can only lead to distress, disappointment and destruction.  Hence, desire is the sole cause for despair.

The best and easiest way to happiness is renunciation.  Renunciation, not in terms of duties, but in terms of expectations and hopes; not in terms of life, but in terms of attachments and bindings.  As soon as one gives up these restrictions, there is only unbound happiness which knows no horizons!  Hence surrender/relinquishment is the best way to happiness.

And, making oneself happy, is certainly in one's own hands!!

Know thy antonyms and keep trouble at bay!

pada vigrahaH:
न अस्ति विद्या-समं चक्षुः न अस्ति सत्य-समं तपः ।
na asti vidyaa-samaM chakShuH na asti satya-samaM tapaH |

न अस्ति राग-समं दुःखं न अस्ति त्याग-समं सुखम् ॥ 
na asti raaga-samaM duHkhaM na asti tyaaga-samaM sukham ||http://sanskritpearls.blogspot.com/

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:

न त्वहं कामये राज्यं न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम् ।
कामये दुःखतप्तानां प्रणिनां आर्तिनाशनम् ॥


Transliteration:

na tvahaM kaamaye raajyaM na swargaM naapunarbhavam |
kaamaye duHkhataptaanaaM praNinaaM aartinaashanam ||


Meaning of the subhAShita:
I certainly am desirous of neither sovereignty nor (want to attain) heaven nor mokSha(salvation).  I yearn for the relinquishment of grief, for all beings afflicted with pain.  
Commentary:

Everyone wants to acquire land; reach heaven on passing; or better yet, attain mokSha.  But then, the author says that he does not wish for any of those!  These may be of primordial importance on the agenda of all beings.  The underlying drive for wanting these is, attaining happiness.  One may acquire land or even want to attain mokSha, so that he can escape the bondage or burden of life.  But then, there is something much more desirable for any existing creature.  It is - freedom from pain!

Pain is a strange thing.  It has a such a tight grip on a being's mind.  From a new born, to a ripe old man, everyone avoids pain!  If the main cause for any kind of fear is death, the true source of that fear is - the pain one might have to go through during death!

Also, the fear of pain - whether emotional, spiritual or physical - is the driving force behind many of the actions a person undertakes.  If one was assured that there would be no pain, no matter what, what a wonderful place the world would be!!

Hence, the author is praying for a very essential ingredient in the life of all being afflicted with pain.  And that, very well encompasses every creature that ever took breath.  What a wonderful prayer this is!!

(In that case, who would want possessions, or dislike being born again and again :).  That would be heaven on earth!)

pada vigrahaH:

न तु अहं कामये राज्यं न स्वर्गं न अपुनः भवम् ।
na tu ahaM kaamaye raajyaM na swargaM na apunaH bhavam |

कामये दुःख-तप्तानां प्रणिनां आर्ति-नाशनम् ॥
kaamaye duHkha-taptaanaaM praNinaaM aarti-naashanam ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सन्तोषः परमो लाभः सत्सङ्गः परमा गतिः।
विचारः परमं ज्ञानं शमो हि परमं सुखम्॥

Transliteration:
santoShaH paramo laabhaH satsa~ngaH paramaa gatiH|
vichaaraH paramaM j~naanaM shamo hi paramaM sukham||

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Contentment is the highest accrual; company of the wise is the best attainment.  Reflection is the paramount form of knowledge; quietude of the mind is the zenith of happiness. 
Commentary:
One may accumulate wealth in many forms and shapes.  He may be the richest person in the entire world.  But then - he is NOT rich who has most, but who needs least.  Without the factor of contentment, any amount of possessions will not make him happy.  Hence, the accrual of contentment is the accrual of the highest order.

People tend to emulate those that are around them.  But then - one can progressively better himself only if he has someone, better than himself to emulate.  That can happen only in the company of the good and wise.  If one attained that company, bettering himself is only a matter of time.  Hence attaining good company is supreme.

Reading, listening, watching, all these are means of learning.  But unless it is reflected upon and inculcated in one's life, he does not have the authority of that knowledge.  Hence reflection is the best form of knowledge.

Some may say, happiness can be found in many things - having big possessions, a fat bank balance or a sleek car.  But then, they are ephemeral.  The possessions can be lost, the bank balance can dwindle, the car can get rusty.  What lasts forever is, the tranquility of the mind.  If one has succeeded at silencing the mind's chatter, he has found the zenith of happiness.

May everyone attain in this new year - contentment, company of the wise, time to reflect & serenity of the mind.  And hence, may the new year be the harbinger of progress, achievement, knowledge & enjoyment!

pada vigrahaH:
सन्तोषः परमः लाभः सत्-सङ्गः परमा गतिः।
santoShaH paramaH laabhaH sat-sa~ggaH paramaa gatiH|

विचारः परमं ज्ञानं शमो हि परमं सुखम्॥
vichaaraH paramaM j~jaanaM shamo hi paramaM sukham||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वागर्थाविव सम्पृक्तौ वागर्थ प्रतिपत्तये ।
जगतः पितरौ वन्दे पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ ॥ 
- रघुवम्श (कालिदास)

Transliteration:
vaagarthaaviva sampRuktau vaagartha pratipattaye |
jagataH pitarau vande paarvatIparameshvarau ||
- raghuvamsha (kaalidaasa)

Meaning of the subhAShita:
(I) pray to the progenitors of the universe, paarvatI and parameshvara, who are interspersed like the speech and meaning (themselves), for the attainment of articulation and understanding.
Commentary:
There can be no meaning without speech and there can be no speech without meaning.  When someone speaks, there is a meaning that accompanies it.  One may talk meaninglessly, but his speech always carries a meaning, whether it makes sense or not :).  That means, speech and its meaning, are inseparable!  There is no existence of one without the other.  Once milk and honey are stirred together, one cannot separated out from the other.  Such is the union, camaraderie of Lord shiva and paarvatI.

The author here (kaalidaasa) is praying to be bestowed such inseparable articulation and understanding in the compositions he is about to compose.  This is a opening verse before he wrote the famous kaavya, raghuvamsha (raama's dynasty).

Good speech, meaningful speech is essential at any place, time or era.  Our art of communication with others, as well as ourselves, ultimately determines the quality of our lives!  So, who wouldn't want to be bestowed the best skills from the best of the bests!!

pada vigrahaH:
वाक्-अर्थौ-इव सम्पृक्तौ वाक्-अर्थ प्रतिपत्तये ।
vaak-arthau-iva sampRuktau vaak-artha pratipattaye |

जगतः पितरौ वन्दे पार्वती-परमेश्वरौ ॥ 
jagataH pitarau vande paarvatI-parameshvarau ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
असतो मा सद्गमय 
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय 
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः॥
- बृहदारण्यक उपनिषत्

Transliteration:
asato maa sadgamaya
tamaso maa jyotirgamaya|
mRutyormaa amRutaM gamaya
oum shaanti shaanti shaantiH||
- bRuhadaaraNyaka upaniShat

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Lead me from unreal to the real; lead me from darkness to light; lead me from mortality to immortality; may there be peace, peace, peace.
Commentary:
This verse is a mantra rather than a shloka.  A mantra is something for a person to contemplate upon and realize its true meaning himself.

Here, the student of vedaanta prays to be led -

• from unreal towards the real.  It is believed that 'brahma satya, jagat mithya' - the Lord alone is  the truth and everything else is untruth.  We the mortals are asking to be untangled from the tangles of the facade of this world.  
• from darkness towards light.  Darkness is equated to ignorance and ego.  Light is what quells darkness, meaning, knowledge and altruism are what defeat ignorance and ego.  'saa vidyaa yaa vimuktaye' - that alone is knowledge which leads to liberation.  
• from mortality to immortality.  Here, mortality isn't only the being in physical existence, but the very indulgence in the unreal.  From there, into realizing the eternal truth - ahaM brahmaasmi - I am that Supreme self.

When this is attained, there is nothing but peace, peace, peace, everywhere!

Where there is light, there can be no darkness.  Where there is knowledge, there can't be ignorance.  Where there is altruism, there can be no egoism.

May this festival of lights quell all the unreal, untrue things of life and make way to the positive light of eternal bliss!  shubha deepaavaLi to one and all.

pada vigrahaH:
अ-सतः मा सत्-गमय 
a-sataH maa sat-gamaya

तमसः मा ज्योतिः-गमय।
tamasaH maa jyotiH-gamaya|

मृत्योः मा अमृतं गमय 
mRutyoH maa amRutaM gamaya

ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः॥
oum shaanti shaanti shaantiH||
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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गगनं गगनाकारं सागरः सागरोपमः ।
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं रामरावणयोरिव ॥ 
- रामायण, युद्धकाण्ड

Transliteration:
gaganaM gaganaakaaraM saagaraH saagaropamaH |
raamaraavaNayoryuddhaM raamaraavaNayoriva ||
- raamaayaNa, yuddhakaaNDa

Meaning of the subhAShita:
The vastness of the sky is equal to (that of) the sky; the ocean is analogous to the ocean; the battle between raama and raavaNa is like the battle between raama and raavaNa!
Commentary:
This verse looks like it is repeating itself!  Is it so?  Not really.  In this verse, the poet is at loss of words to describe or give comparisons.  He says, the best analogy for the vastness of the sky is none other than the sky itself!  Can anything be as deep and vast as an ocean?  The only collation or resemblance one can give for an ocean is - the ocean itself!  Similarly, the one and only correlation one can come up with for the fierce battle between raama and raavaNa is..., the battle between raama and raavaNa!!  They fought with such ferocity and strength that, no comparison could suffice the description.  Finally, the poet just says, it was as unmatched as itself!  Lord raama was of great valor.  But raavaNa could keep up with him.  He was an equal match to raama in his physical strength.  But what brought him down, was his mental weakness, his arrogance.

This very well depicts our inner demons.  The good thoughts are raama, the ignoble ones being raavaNa.  Their internal battle is nothing short of the battle between Lord raama and raavaNa themselves.  Just as there is no simile to the war between raama and raavaNa, nothing can be compared to the inner turmoil each one of us goes through at our own crossroads either.  Brings to mind, the story of the two wolves - the good one and the bad one.  When the grandson asked 'which one wins', the grandfather replied 'which ever you feed'!  It is entirely up to us, who we allow to win.  It sure is not easy to win the evil thoughts, just like raavaNa was invincible... But once the initial bombardment is overcome, the path for the good paves the way itself.  Because, physical strength, ignoble thoughts, and selfish motives can only survive so long.  If the thought that 'only the good and the ethical win eventually' is kept in mind, probably triumph comes sooner.

May this 'vijayadashami' which reminds us of raama's victory over raavaNa, also remind us to fight our inner war with the same tenacity as He did!  May everyone achieve noble merits in all their noble endeavors today and always!

P.S.:  This verse is an extraction from a four line verse, but the subhaaShita aspect is covered in these two lines itself.  Hence the extraction.

pada vigrahaH:
गगनं गगन-आकारं सागरः सागर-उपमः ।
gaganaM gagana-aakaaraM saagaraH saagara-upamaH |

राम-रावणयोः युद्धं राम-रावणयोः इव ॥ 
raama-raavaNayoH yuddhaM raama-raavaNayoH iva ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
दशकूपसमा वापी दशवापीसमो ह्रदः।
दशह्रदसमः पुत्रो दशपुत्र समो दृमः॥ 
- मत्स्य पुराण

Transliteration:
dashakUpasamaa vaapI dashavaapIsamo hradaH|
dashahradasamaH putro dashaputra samo dRumaH||
- matsya puraaNa

Meaning of the subhAShita:
A pond is equal to ten wells.  A dansk of water (reservoir) is worth ten (such) ponds.  (Then again,) ten (such) reservoirs are same as a son (offspring).  (But), a tree is equal to ten (such) sons.
Commentary:
Water is an integral part of life's very existence.  Infact, we have known man to send out space ships to different spacial objects, just to detect the existence of water.  When such is the case, a well obviously is an invaluable asset to living beings.  A well after all, is a small body of water.  Without a doubt, a pond can easily be equated to ten such wells.

The water in ten ponds can be easily contained in a reservoir.  But then, a son (good, cultured, educated one specially), is no match to even ten such reservoirs!   But then, there is something that can even equal ten such sons!!  That is none other than a 'tree'.

Why is that?  How can 1 tree equal 10 sons or 100 reservoirs or 1000 ponds or 10,000 wells?!!!  Well... :), here's the deal.  One tree in it's life time, hold in clouds that can equal all of the above bodies of water.  How about a son.  How can a tree be better than him?  It sure is, because, a person who plants it today will never know how many people shall benefit from that tree.  The many fruit shall satiate the hunger of birds/animal/people.  Many a rain clouds it might bring to the neighborhood and quench the thirst of the needy.  When he plants the sapling, he is actually doing service to many beings without realizing.  Moreover, the tree may live there for generations beyond the planter and his son and still keep serving the people, giving them water, shade and fruit.

Hence a tree is equated to so many things.  Then what does felling a tree mean?  It means we are, with our own bare hands, although theoretically, slaying so many sons and drying up so many water sources!  
It is said that trees are the best antiques and the groves were God's first temples.  Strive and save those antique temples now and always!

pada vigrahaH:
दश-कूप-समा वापी दश-वापी-समो ह्रदः।
dasha-kUpa-samaa vaapI dasha-vaapI-samo hradaH|

दश-ह्रद-समः पुत्रो दश-पुत्र समो दृमः॥ 
dasha-hrada-samaH putro dasha-putra samo dRumaH||http://sanskritpearls.blogspot.com/

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
यदि सत्सङ्गनिरतो भविष्यसि भविष्यसि ।
तथा सज्जनगोष्ठिषु पतिष्यसि पतिष्यसि ॥
- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Transliteration:
yadi satsa~nganirato bhaviShyasi bhaviShyasi |
tathaa sajjanagoShThiShu patiShyasi patiShyasi ||
- hitopadesha, mitralaabha

Meaning of the subhAShita:
If (you) stay in good company, you shall stay.  Similarly, if (you) fall off from good company, (you) shall fall.
Commentary:
One's character is immensely influenced by the company he keeps.  The more one stays in good company, the better he prospers.  That, in turn implies, that when one's company or association is not up to the mark, he shall fall off from this pedestal of character.  The company one keeps speaks volumes about his mettle.  Someone once said, 'tell me thy friends and I shall tell you thy character'!  Such is the profoundness of one's  association.  The more one keeps good company, the more he grows.  The more one moves away  from it, the more he regresses.  One has to be mindful of this always.  It is not a goal to achieve one day and forget all about it!  It is a constant process towards progress.

The beauty of the verse, is also in the play of the words.  The verse at first shot might seem confusing or even wrong!  But punctuation is powerful.  There is a ',' between the two bhaviShyasi-s and the two patiShyasi-s!  The first bhaviShyasi indicates, being in good company.  The second one means, you shall be (as in, survive)!  Similarly, the first patiShyasi means, fall off from good company.  The second one implies, you shall fall (in morality and survival)!!

May each person be good and keep good company, so the entire universe will become a 'company to keep' :).
pada vigrahaH:
यदि सत्-सङ्ग-निरतः भविष्यसि भविष्यसि ।
yadi sat-sa~gga-nirataH bhaviShyasi bhaviShyasi |

तथा सज्जन-गोष्ठिषु पतिष्यसि पतिष्यसि ॥
tathaa sajjana-goShThiShu patiShyasi patiShyasi ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
शमार्थं सर्वशास्त्राणि विहितानि मनीषिभिः ।
स एव सर्वशास्त्रज्ञः यस्य शातं मनः सदा ॥
- महाभारत

Transliteration:
shamaarthaM sarvashaastraaNi vihitaani manIShibhiH |
sa eva sarvashaastraj~naH yasya shaataM manaH sadaa ||
- mahaabhaarata

Meaning of the subhAShita:
The learned contrived all the shaastras (treatises) to quieten the mind.  He alone is cognizant of all shaastraas, whose mind is calm at all times.
Commentary:
It is said that data is not information, information is not knowledge, knowledge is not understanding, understanding is not wisdom.  Gaining that wisdom, is the very purpose of reading treatises.  

The very purport of the contrivers of those treatises, is to teach the reader, how to quieten the mind.  All the shaastras proclaim the same wisdom - quietening of the mind.  It is like the many rivers flowing, with the same purpose of pouring into the mighty ocean.  If one has already reached the ocean, why would he be required to know the flow of the river?  Hence, the poet says, he who already knows how to keep the mind calm and placid, has true cognizance and mastery over all the shaastras!  He does not have to read any shaastras or work towards achieving a goal in life.  Because, he would have already achieved the purpose of any being's reason for existence! 


Each one of us is running in all directions in search of ONE THING and that is tranquility of mind.  The very mind, that is right within ourselves!  He who has won that fort has nothing else to achieve!  May each and every one of us find that inner peace and find it soon.  That shall certainly make the noisy world a much more quieter and serene place to be in!

pada vigrahaH:
शम-अर्थं सर्व-शास्त्राणि विहितानि मनीषिभिः ।
shama-arthaM sarva-shaastraaNi vihitaani manIShibhiH |

स एव सर्व-शास्त्रज्ञः यस्य शातं मनः सदा ॥
sa eva sarva-shaastraj~naH yasya shaataM manaH sadaa ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वृक्षान् छित्वा पशून्हत्वा कृत्वा रुदिरकर्दमम् ।
यद्येवं गम्यते स्वर्गे नरकः केन गम्यते ॥

- पञ्चतन्त्र, काकोलूकीय

Transliteration:
vRukShaan Chitvaa pashUnhatvaa kRutvaa rudirakardamam |
yadyevaM gamyate swarge narakaH kena gamyate ||
- pa~nchatantra, kaakolUkIya

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Tearing down trees, massacring animals, having created a bloody mire - if this is how heaven is attained,  (then) hell is attained by whom?! 
Commentary:
There is a story where a little boy came to a tree.  The tree gave him leaves to play with.  He would climb on the trunk and swing from the branches.  When the boy grew up, the tree provided the man with fruit and wood to build his home.  When the man wanted more, the tree gave more, until only a stump was left.  Even then, when the weary man came by, the stump straightened up and gave him a place to sit on!  Such is the magnanimity of the tree.  But then, in return, man loots and loots, until nothing is left, like there is no tomorrow!  What to say about the massacring of animals?  The millions that are slain in the name of animal farming is appalling.  Does man realize what a bloody quagmire he is creating and letting flow?  Does he understand that he is hurting himself in the long haul? Does he even comprehend that there are repercussions for his actions? 

No one wants to go to hell.  The wish and hope of all beings, is to reach heaven.  With those aspirations in mind, if man's actions are thus, one can only imagine the brutality if the aim was to actually reach hell!!  The poet sarcastically says, if these beings reach the garden of Eden, who else shall make it to Hades?!!

Heaven or hell is not for attaining after life, but to create them here and now!  One can either make earth a green heaven on a bloody hell!  It is all in our own hands.

pada vigrahaH:
वृक्षान् छित्वा पशून् हत्वा कृत्वा रुदिर-कर्दमम् ।
vRukShaan Chitvaa pashUn hatvaa kRutvaa rudira-kardamam |

यदि एवं गम्यते स्वर्गे नरकः केन गम्यते ॥
yadi evaM gamyate swarge narakaH kena gamyate ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वनस्पतिरपक्वानि फलानि प्रचिनोति यः ।
स नाप्नोति रसं तेभ्यो बीजं चास्य विनश्यति ॥

- विदुरनीति

Transliteration:
vanaspatirapakvaani phalaani prachinoti yaH |
sa naapnoti rasaM tebhyo bIjaM chaasya vinashyati ||
- viduranIti

Meaning of the subhAShita:
He who plucks the unripe fruit from the trees, not only doesn't he acquire their juices, but spoils its seed as well. 
Commentary:
When a fruit is not ripe, it is not ready for plucking.  Nature has designed things so perfectly, that, when a fruit is ripe, just a small touch is enough for it to detach itself from the tree and fall into one's hand!  Not only that, the peel separates from the fruit easily and so does the seed (if it is inside)!  There is not much effort needed.  When such a perfect design is tampered, it is quite natural that the result is tampered as well.  If the fruit is plucked when it is unripe, all its juices wouldn't have reached their peak.  Their flavors would not have developed to their entirety.  The seed inside, wouldn't have reached its fullest potential either!  All these would not be available to their fullest potential for enjoyment.  Why risk so many losses?!  
Keeping the patience till the fruit is ready for harvest, reaps far many more benefits to the person than to one that loses his patience.  Hurrying up nature won't work.  The tree will not ripen the fruit as per the onlooker's schedule after all!  Only time can fill in the right juices in the right proportions. 

Similarly, in all walks of life, one has to do the right things. at the right time, at the right place.  The same action done in an untimely manner will most certainly turn out wasteful.  One can not say, 'but I put in a lot of effort'!!  For, it is not the effort alone that yields results, it is the perfect timing as well.  Just like a player can not hit a goal even before the game starts and expect to score, one has to put in his efforts in the right direction at all times.

After all, doing what's right, the right way at the right time, is the key to success in all walks of life! 

pada vigrahaH:
वनस्पतिः अ-पक्वानि फलानि प्रचिनोति यः ।
vanaspatiH a-pakvaani phalaani prachinoti yaH |

स न आप्नोति रसं तेभ्यः बीजं च अस्य विनश्यति ॥
sa na aapnoti rasaM tebhyaH bIjaM cha asya vinashyati ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
सदा वक्रस्सदारुष्टो सदापूजामपेक्षते ।
कन्याराशिस्थितो नित्यं जामाता दशमो ग्रहः ॥

Transliteration:
sadaa vakrassadaaruShTo sadaapUjaamapekShate |
kanyaaraashisthito nityaM jaamaataa dashamo grahaH ||

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Always crooked, always angry, always expecting veneration - put up in the 'kanyaa raashi' (sun sign virgo, also implying the daughter) eternally, son-in-law is the tenth planet.
Commentary:
It is a norm amongst some, that a son-in-law should be given special care and treatment  by the in-laws.  Such a son-in-law is known to be ever angry and always finding faults with anything that is done.  The in-laws are constantly anxious about providing the best possible care and attention.  They are weary tending to him all the time.  This seems to be a verse emerging out of the plight of such parents who have given their daughter in marriage to a very demanding man.  Hence, they are expressing their plight in a satirical way, comparing the son-in-law to be the tenth planet, sitting in the 'kanyaa raashi' (kanyaa happens to be one of the 'zodiac signs' (virgo) and also means 'daughter') eternally.

Not necessarily all son-in-laws have this attitude, but some of them that do have, bring out the poet in a person to say such a verse.  More than what this stands for, this one is shared for its sense of humor, in which a given scenario is presented in the language.  How even a mundane issue is addressed humorously and satirically!

May not any parents-in-law feel this pain nor a son-in-law get this name....

pada vigrahaH:
सदा वक्रः सदा रुष्टः सदा पूजाम् अपेक्षते ।
sadaa vakraH sadaa ruShTaH sadaa pUjaam apekShate |

कन्या-राशि-स्थितो नित्यं जामाता दशमः ग्रहः ॥
kanyaa-raashi-sthito nityaM jaamaataa dashamaH grahaH ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
वलीभिर्मुखमाक्रान्तं पलितैरङ्कितं शिरः ।
गात्राणि शिथिलायन्ते तृष्णैका तरुणायते ॥
- वैराग्यशतक

Transliteration:
valIbhirmukhamaakraantaM palitaira~nkitaM shiraH |
gaatraaNi shithilaayante tRuShNaikaa taruNaayate ||
- vairaagyashataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Face encroached in wrinkles; head marked by grays; limbs frail/feeble; appetence alone is young!
Commentary:
Gray hair, wrinkled face and feeble limbs are all signs of impending old age.  The organs lax and become fragile and incoherent because they have grown, matured, enjoyed being their best during youth and ripened due to time and usage.  But then, there is one very powerful trait of the being that doesn't undergo this cycle of growing, maturing, enjoying at its best and then... ripening!  It for sure undergoes the first three stages.  But on reaching its pinnacle it just remains there and keeps growing wider and deeper!  It is insatiable and infinitely growing as well!!  'Appetence', 'thirst', 'intense craving', 'strong desire'....  Many are its names, but effects all the same.  It is insatiable at any age!  A new craving, a new thirst, a new desire.... once that is satisfied, there is some other craving, thirst or desire, ready to take over....  This seems to have no end at any stage of life.  The poet observes that thirst is the only attribute of the being, that gets stuck in its youth and never outgrows that stage! The rest of the organs show clear signs of dilapidation! 

The thirst of desire can never be fulfilled nor fully quenched.  If drinking salt water, you drink and the thirst increases.  Desire is just the same!  The more it is fed, the more it increases.  Nipping it in the bud is the easiest way of conquering it, they say.

pada vigrahaH:
वलीभिः मुखम् आक्रान्तं पलितैः अङ्कितं शिरः ।
valIbhiH mukham aakraantaM palitaiH a~nkitaM shiraH |

गात्राणि शिथिलायन्ते तृष्णा एका तरुणायते ॥
gaatraaNi shithilaayante tRuShNaa ekaa taruNaayate ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
गृहं गृहमटन् भिक्षुः शिक्षते न तु याचते ।
अदत्वा मादृशो मा भूः दत्वा त्वं त्वादृशो भव ॥
- अज्ञात

Transliteration:
gRuhaM gRuhamaTan bhikShuH shikShate na tu yaachate |
adatvaa maadRusho maa bhUH datvaa tvaM tvaadRusho bhava ||
- aj~naata

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Roaming from home to home, the cadger is not begging but teaching - do not become like myself, by not giving, but remain like yourself, by giving.
Commentary:
Why does a beggar go from house to house, begging for alms?  Is it because he does not have enough so he goes begging?  The poet says, 'not really'!!  The poet opines that the cadger goes from home to home, in order to teach the dwellers a very important moral.  He wants to teach them, remain like yourself by giving alms, do not become like me by being close-fisted!  How does he justify that?  Hands that give shall also receive.  To lead a comfortable life in the society, the inhabitant of the home sure has received many a blessings and favors to lead the kind of life he does.  By giving to those in need, he will only better his chances of receiving generously further in his own life.  Without giving, he is certain to run out of credits in his account of good deeds and land up on the streets like the cadger himself!!  So the cadger is walking around, as if, warning the avaricious that, without giving, the same shall be their fate, sooner or later.

By giving, one only makes his own life better. In giving, the bigger beneficiary is the giver really!  For, the contentment that comes in giving, is far less than the satisfaction of receiving.  Give with all your heart.

pada vigrahaH:
गृहं गृहम् अटन् भिक्षुः शिक्षते न तु याचते ।
gRuhaM gRuham aTan bhikShuH shikShate na tu yaachate |

अदत्वा मादृशः मा भूः दत्वा त्वं त्वादृशः भव ॥
adatvaa maadRushaH maa bhUH datvaa tvaM tvaadRushaH bhava ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
इदमेव हि पाण्डित्यं चातुर्यमिदमेव हि ।
इदमेव सुबुद्धित्वमायादल्पतरो व्ययः ॥

- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

Transliteration:
idameva hi paaNDityaM chaaturyamidameva hi |
idameva subuddhitvamaayaadalpataro vyayaH ||
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

Meaning of the subhAShita:
This alone is erudition, this alone is dexterity, this alone is good intellect - expense less than revenue.
Commentary:
Not stretching beyond means!

What one possesses, only that he can expend.  What one owns, only that he can give.  What one earns, only that he can spend.  Isn't this a straight forward philosophy?  The poet opines that this alone is erudition, dexterity and good intellect.  Although all these, are different facets of decision making, the emphasis here is 'all these have to give the same end result'.  There is no choice about it.  For, owing to someone is a burden of the heaviest kind.   Even enslaving someone may be a better choice, for only the person is pawned for that.  But to a debtor, the heaviest interest one pays is his dignity and self-respect!

The most sensible way to avoid getting into this scenario is, living within one's means.  Not stretching beyond what one can afford.  Always having some stored for a rainy day.  Even ants do that!  Shouldn't humans do it more ardently :). 

Spending is quick, earning is slow.  Beware!  Earn slowly, spend more slowly :). 

pada vigrahaH:
इदम् एव हि पाण्डित्यं चातुर्यम् इदम् एव हि ।
idam eva hi paaNDityaM chaaturyam idam eva hi |

इदम् एव सु-बुद्धित्वम् आयात् अल्पतरः व्ययः ॥
idam eva su-buddhitvam aayaat alpataraH vyayaH ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
घटं भिद्यात् पटं छिन्द्यात् कुर्यात् रासभरोहणम् ।
येन केनाप्युपायेन प्रसिद्धः पुरुषो भवेत् ॥
- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

Transliteration:
ghaTaM bhidyaat paTaM Chindyaat kuryaat raasabharohaNam |
yena kenaapyupaayena prasiddhaH puruSho bhavet ||
- samayochitapadyamaalikaa

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Destroy a pot, tear up a cloth, (or) ride a donkey (too)!  By one means or another, become a famous man!!
Commentary:
By hook or crook, achieve thy goal.  This seems to be the tag line some people ardently believe in!  
The poet sarcastically says, to become famous, some will resort to any means.  That could be breaking things and making noise, tearing stuff and attracting attention, or even riding a donkey to make a statement!  
This is appalling to some, but comes naturally to few others.  They create all kinds of drama around themselves get the spot light onto themselves.  It is like they say, people whose pictures are published in the news paper are famous. So, to become famous (and be on the news paper), one can either be a good cop or a great thief. Pictures of both the people shall be published!­! It is upto oneself to choose his route of becoming famous :).
It is said that fame is the advantage of being known to people you don't know nor care to know about!  It is all ephemeral, the fame as well as the famous.  Why run behind something so tentative and unreal, trading at the price of truth, honesty and morale?! 

Make thy pick...

pada vigrahaH:
घटं भिद्यात् पटं छिन्द्यात् कुर्यात् रासभ रोहणम् ।
ghaTaM bhidyaat paTaM Chindyaat kuryaat raasabha rohaNam |

येन केनापि उपायेन प्रसिद्धः पुरुषः भवेत् ॥
yena kenaapi upaayena prasiddhaH puruShaH bhavet ||

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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
उपकर्तुं यथा स्वल्पः समर्थो न तथा महान् ।
प्रायः कूपस्तृषां हन्ति न कदापि तु वारिधिः ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

Transliteration:
upakartuM yathaa svalpaH samartho na tathaa mahaan |
praayaH kUpastRuShaaM hanti na kadaapi tu vaaridhiH ||
- subhaaShitaratnasamuchchaya

Meaning of the subhAShita:
In the way a trifle can be of assistance, the great may not be able to.  Probably a well can quench the thirst, but never the (mighty) ocean.
Commentary:
Each in its own space and time.  The purpose of one can not be served by the other.  An ocean may be all mighty and magnificent.  But when a thirsty man comes to it, he will look for a different source of drinking water.  Although the ocean is a store house of the most percentage of water available on earth, although torrential rains are an ounce in the face of its capacity, not a drop of it is useful in quenching the thirst of a weary traveler!  But then, a well, which is a minuscule speck in comparison to the ocean, may very well be a heavenly sight to the parched throat of a tired hiker.

Same holds good in all aspects of life.  Each person can not be the leader of the world!  If that is true, then who will they lead?!  As much as leaders are required, people that need to be lead are essential as well.  Every man can't be an architect, there needs to be someone to build the structure as well.  That means, the builder can not become the architect either.  One person's shoe can not fit another. At the same time, the existence of each and every being is very important.

For that matter, the existence of every grain of sand and blade of grass is crucial.  If it wasn't required to be there, He would have already made sure that it was not there!  If it is there, it already is important and essential.  So are beings.  If they weren't special and essential, the Lord wouldn't have made them!! 

Never disrespect anything or anyone based on their pervasiveness.  All are indispensable in their own unique ways!  Value for what they essentially are.  A great man once said, 'Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.'!!  What a profound statement that is!

pada vigrahaH: 
उपकर्तुं यथा स्वल्पः समर्थः न तथा महान् ।
upakartuM yathaa svalpaH samarthaH na tathaa mahaan |


प्रायः कूपः तृषां हन्ति न कदा अपि तु वारिधिः ॥
praayaH kUpaH tRuShaaM hanti na kadaa api tu vaaridhiH ||


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Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
रात्रिर्गमिष्यति भविष्यति सुप्रभातम्
भास्वानुदेष्यति हसिष्यति पङ्कजश्रीः ।
इत्थं विचिन्तयति कोशगते द्विरेफे
हा हन्त हन्त नलिनीं गज उज्जहार ॥ 
- कुवलयानन्द

Transliteration:
raatrirgamiShyati bhaviShyati suprabhaatam
bhaaswaanudeShyati hasiShyati pa~gkajashrIH |
itthaM vichintayati koshagate dvirephe
haa hanta hanta nalinIM gaja ujjahaara ||
- kuvalayaananda

Meaning of the subhAShita:
"The night shall pass, dawn shall arrive, sun shall rise and the lotus shall bloom" - even as the bee, stuck in the lotus bud, was thinking; alas, alas, an elephant uprooted the lotus!!
Commentary:
Timing is everything... or... destiny has the final say!  This is the story of a busy little bee, who, was anxious to get the last sip of nectar before the fall of the day.  He hovered over a lotus and settled down for the sip.  But since it was almost dusk, the lotus closed its petals to rest for the day!  The bee got stuck inside the petals.  There was no way it could get out from the grasp of the tender petals of the closed lotus!  So, the bee consoled itself thus, "the night shall pass, daybreak shall arrive, the sun shall rise and the lotus shall bloom...", so that when the flower opened the petals, it could fly away.  But alas, what luck!  Even as the bee was thinking thus, a rut elephant uprooted the closed lotus bud!!  Now that it wasn't rooted anymore, neither the sun rise nor the midday sun can make a difference.  The bud shall never every open again, hence trapping the bee inside, to draw its last breath :(.

Like they say, 'it is in your moments of decision, your destiny is shaped'!  Perhaps, the outcome would have been different if the bee had judged the time of the day better.  Perhaps, the bee would have been spared if he wasn't greedy for a one more sip.  Perhaps the consequence would have been different if the bee was swift enough when the bud was closing up.... perhaps... perhaps... But these can only be speculations.

Many a times in life, one would never know what would have happened  if only he made his choices differently.  Or perhaps, it is the choices, not chances, that determine one's destiny?!!  It is probably for oneself to decide...

pada vigrahaH:
रात्रिः गमिष्यति भविष्यति सुप्रभातम्

raatriH gamiShyati bhaviShyati suprabhaatam


भास्वान् उदेष्यति हसिष्यति पङ्कजश्रीः ।
bhaaswaan udeShyati hasiShyati pa~gkajashrIH |

इत्थं विचिन्तयति कोश-गते द्विरेफेitthaM vichintayati kosha-gate dvirephe

हा हन्त हन्त नलिनीं गज उज्जहार ॥
haa hanta hanta nalinIM gaja ujjahaara || http://sanskritpearls.blogspot.com/

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः
नवाम्बुभिर्दूरविलम्बिनो घनाः ।
अनुद्धताः सत्पुरुषाः समृद्धिभिः
स्वभाव एवैष परोपकारिणाम् ॥
- नीतिशतक

Transliteration:
bhavanti namraastraravaH phalodgamaiH
navaambubhirdUravilambino ghanaaH |
anuddhataaH satpuruShaaH samRuddhibhiH
svabhaava evaiSha paropakaariNaam ||
- nItishataka

Meaning of the subhAShita:
Trees bow down when fruit are shooting forth; clouds when carrying water, hang far down; in opulence,  the noble become humble - this is the very nature of the benevolent.
Commentary:
"If you wish to have peace provide peace for others" - this probably is the motivation for the trees, clouds and the noble!  They attain their internal peace by their act of benevolence to others.  Not just being affable, they are humble too.  Humility is their prime attribute.

When a tree is full of fruit, it does not stretch itself straight up in arrogance, arrogance that it is providing fruit to everyone.  It bends down in humility, as if to make it easier for others to access its fruit! 

When clouds are overborne with water, they hang low as if in diffidence, so they could shower their cool waters at the earliest!

The noble when bestowed with opulence, they display utmost humility.  They do not have even an ounce of arrogance about any of their resources or boons.  They display utmost modesty and believe that humility is a life long lesson.  There is no time they relax from being humble!  It is a natural trait that comes spontaneously to them at all times.  Their clear stance is that 'humility is the cornerstone for all other virtues'.  Hence they never take respite from their wonderful attribute.

Those that do good to others never take pride in themselves.  Pride makes us artificial, humility makes us real.  Let's be real!

pada vigrahaH:
भवन्ति नम्राः तरवः फल उद्गमैःbhavanti namraaH taravaH phala udgamaiH

नव-अम्बुभिः दूरविलम्बिनः घनाः ।nava-ambubhiH dUravilambinaH ghanaaH |

अनुद्धताः सत्-पुरुषाः समृद्धिभिः
anuddhataaH sat-puruShaaH samRuddhibhiH

स्वभाव एव एष पर उपकारिणाम् ॥
svabhaava eva eSha para upakaariNaam ||



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