Subhashitani (सुभाषितानि)

September 2005

2011-01-05T20:32:00.000+05:30

01-09-2005
स्वभावो नोपदेशेन शक्यते कर्तुमन्यथा ।
सुतप्तमपि पानीयं पुनर्गच्छति शीतताम् ॥
It is not possible to change a persons habits by advising him.
Just like water becomes hot when you heat it... But always
turns cold (normal behaviour) in time.

02-09-2005
यस्मिन् जीवति जीवन्ति बहवः स तु जीवति ।
काकोपि किं न कुरुते चञ्च्वा स्वोदरपूर्णम् ॥
You lived your life when in your life, many others find their lives (you help others make a living). Otherwise you are no better than a crow that fills its own stomach with its beaks.

03-09-2005
दनेन तुल्यो विधिरास्ति नान्यो
    लोभोच नान्योस्ति रिपुः पृथिव्या ।
विभूषणं शीलसमं च नान्यत्
    सन्तोषतुल्यं धनमस्ति नान्यत् ॥
No ritual as sacred as sacrifice (charity). No enemy like greed. No ornament like chastity. No wealth like happiness.

04-09-2005
संरोहति अग्निना दग्धं वनं परशुना हतं ।
वाचा दुरुक्तं बीभत्सं न संरोहति वाक् क्षतम् ॥
A forest burnt down by fire, or cut down by axe will eventually grow back. But wounds caused by harsh, inappropriate words will never heal.

05-09-2005
अहो दुर्जनसंसर्गात् मानहानिः पदे पदे ।
पावको लोहसंगेन मुद्रगरैरभिताद्यते ॥
When you are with the unworthy, you get humiliated often. Just like even a peice of gold gets beaten again and again if it with an iron piece.

06-09-2005
द्वौ अम्भसि निवेष्टव्यौ गले बद्ध्वा दृढां शिलाम् ।
धनवन्तम् अदातारम् दरिद्रं च अतपस्विनम् ॥
There are two kinds of people that deserve to be pushed into deep seas with a heavy stone tied to them - the wealthy who do not do charity, and the poor who do not work hard.

07-09-2005
चिता चिंतासमा हि उक्ता बिन्दुमात्रविशेषतः ।
सजीवं दहते चिंता निर्जीवं दहते चिता ॥
In sanskrit, worry and funeral pyre are almost identically spelled (the difference being just a "."). While the funeral pyre burns the dead, worry burns the living.

08-09-2005
अङ्गणवेदी वसुधा कुल्या जलधिः स्थली च पातालम् ।
वाल्मिकः च सुमेरुः कृतप्रतिज्ञस्य धीरस्य ॥
For a brave person with conviction, the world looks like a small ground, voilent rivers become mere canals, the violent under ground (patala) is just like a park, the mighty Mt. Meru is nothing more than an ant hill...

09-09-2005
येषां न विद्या न तपो न दानं
   ज्ञानं न शीलं न गुणो न धर्मः ।
ते मर्त्यलोके भुविभारभूता
    मनुष्यरूपेण मृगाश्चरन्ति ॥
Those without education, no hardwork, no charity, no knowledge, no virtues, and no code (dharma) - they are animals walking on earth in human form.

11-09-2005
माता मित्रं पिता चेति स्वभावात् त्रतयं हितम् ।
कार्यकारणतश्चान्ये भवन्ति हितबुद्धयः ॥
Mother, Friend and Father - these three always do good to you. Any body else being nice to you is always for their own benefit.

12-09-2005
वदनं प्रसादसदनं सदयं हृदयं सुधामुचो वाचः ।
करणं परोपकरणं येषां केषां न ते वन्द्याः ॥
Who will not honor such a person - who keeps a smile on his face always, has compassion in his heart, whose speech is controlled, and always helps others.

13-09-2005
अनाहूतः प्रविशति अपृष्टो बहु भाषते ।
अविश्वस्ते विश्वसिति मूढचेता नराधमः ॥
Going to places un-invited, taking too much when not asked, trusting the unworthy are the qualities of a foolish bad people.

14-09-2005
गर्वाय परपीडायै दुर्जनस्य धनं बलम् ।
सज्जनस्य तु दानाय रक्षणाय च ते सदा ॥
A wicked person uses his money to show-off and strength to hurt others. A good person uses them for charity and to protect the weak respectively.

15-09-2005
यथा चित्तं तथा वाचो यथा वाचस्तथा क्रियाः ।
चित्ते वाचि क्रियायांच साधुनामेक्रूपता ॥
Your thought become your words, your words become your actions. One who is clean in his thoughts, words, and action - all of them - he is called a "Sadhu".

16-09-2005
सत्यं वद धर्मं चर स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः ।
आचारस्य प्रियं धनमाहृत्य प्रजातन्तुं मा व्यवच्छेत्सीः ॥
A lesson to students graduating from the gurukul. Always speak the truth, Live by the code (Dharma), Never stop to self learning, Pay appropriate fees to the teacher and do not abstain from the next phase of life (which involves setting up a family and sustaining the race)

17-09-2005
विवेकः सह संपत्या विनयो विद्यया सह ।
प्रभुत्वं प्रश्रयोपेतं चिन्हमेतन्महात्मनाम् ॥
It has been a hallmark of great people to have both wealth and intellect together. Knowledge and humility together. Power and modesty together.

18-09-2005
वज्रादपि कठोरापि मृदूनि कुसुमादपि ।
लोकोत्तराणां चेतांसि को हि विज्ञातुमर्हति ॥
Sometimes it is harder than diamond. Somtimes it is softer than a flower. Such is the mind of the great people changing according to need. Who can decipher it?

19-09-2005
संसारविषवृक्षस्य द्वे एव मधुरे फले ।
सुभाषितं च सुस्वादु सद्भिश्च सह संगमः ॥
In this poisonous tree called materialistic world, there are only two sweet fruits - good words of subhashita and company of the virtuous people.

20-09-2005
धृतिः क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।
धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥
Resolve, forgiveness, controlled mind, never stealing, cleanliness, control over senses, intellect, education, honesty and never getting angry are the ten facets of Dharma (the code of righteous living)

21-09-2005
मितं च सारं च वाचो हि वाग्मिता ॥
Words and meaning must as consise as possible.

22-09-2005
श्रेयश्च प्रेयश्च मनुष्यमेतः
    तौ सम्परीत्य विविनक्ति धीरः ।
श्रेयो हि धीरोभिप्रेयसो वृणीते
    प्रेयो मन्दो षोगक्षेमाद् वृणीते ॥
Every man is faced with both choices. The good, and pleasant (tempting... but not ethical). A wise man takes his time, thinks and chooses the good even though it is not pleasant. A foolish man chooses the pleasant with only the short term gains in mind.

23-09-2005
मित्रस्य मा चक्षुषा सर्वाणि भूतानि समीक्षन्ताम् ।
मित्रस्याहं चक्षुषा सर्वाणि भूतानि समीक्षे
मित्रस्य चक्षुषा समीक्षामहे ॥
Let me see every creature in this world with a friendly eye. Let the world see me with the same. Let every body in the world see eachother likewise.

24-09-2005
श्रुयताम् धर्मसर्वस्वं श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यताम् ।
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् ॥
Listen to the jist of the Code of Life. Once listened, never foget it. Never impose anything on others that you would not like to go through.

25-09-2005
आदित्यचन्द्रावनिलोऽनलश्चद्यौर्भूमिरापो हृदयं यमश्च ।
अहश्च रात्रिश्च उभे च सन्ध्ये धर्मेऽपि जानाति नरस्य वृत्तम् ॥
The Sun, Moon, Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Conscience, Death, Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk and the moral code of life stand witness to a man's actions.

26-09-2005
पूर्वजन्मकृतं कर्म तद् दैवमिति कथ्यते ।
तस्मात् पुरुषकारेण यत्नं कुर्यादतन्द्रितः ॥
The karma for previous life is carried on in this too and is called "daiva" (fate). Hence one should never giveup his efforts and work harder.

27-09-2005
षड् दोषाः पुरुषेणेह हातव्या भूतिमिच्छता ।
निद्रा तद्रा भयं क्रोधः आलस्यं दीर्घसूत्रता ॥
पञ्चतंत्र
An ambitious man should distance himself from these 6 vices - Sleep, Lethargy, Fear, Anger, Laziness and Procrastination

28-09-2005
ये केचिद् दुःखिता लोके सर्वे ते स्वमुखेच्छया ।
ये केचिद् सुखिता लोके सर्वे तेऽन्यसुखेच्छया ॥
Some people are unhappy becuase they long for something they do not have. Those who are luck to get what they long for are still unhappy becuase now they long for what others have.

29-09-2005
अभ्दिः गात्राणि शुध्यन्ति मनः सत्येन् शुध्यति ।
विद्यातपोभ्यां भूतात्मा बुद्धिर्ज्ञानेन शुध्यति ॥
मनुस्मृति
You can clean your body with water. Your conscience is cleaned by the truth. Your soul is controlled by education (about soul itself, famous by Nachiketa's Atmavidya). Your intellect is cleaned by knowledge.
-Manusmriti

30-09-2005
अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः ।
चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते आयुर्विद्या यशो बलम् ॥
A person who is polite, respects and serves the elders will be benefited in at least these four fields. Longevity, wisdom, fame and strength. It is always important in any society for the young to respect the elderly.

August 2005

2011-01-05T19:47:00.000+05:30

01-08-2005
अभिमानो धनंयेषां चिरजीवन्ति ते जनाः ।
अभिमानविहीनानां किं धनेन किमायुषा ॥
Those with lot of self respect and wealth naturally live longer. But without self-respect, what is the use of wealth or longevity?

02-08-2005
नास्ति विद्या समं चक्षु नास्ति सत्य समं तपः ।
नास्ति राग समं दुःखम् नास्ति त्याग समं सुखम् ॥
There is no (power of) vision like education.
There is no penance as the the owe of truth.
There is no pain as that caused by desire.
There is no act that gives more happiness than sacrifice.

03-08-2005
त्यजन्ति मित्राणि धनैर्विहीनं
पुत्राश्च दाराश्च सहृज्जनाश्च ।
तमर्थवन्तं पुनराश्रयन्ति
अर्थो हि लोके मनुष्यस्य बन्धुः ॥
Friends, children, wife and all (so called) well wishers abandon a person with out money. They all come back to him once he becomes wealthy again.

04-08-2005
यस्तु सञ्चरते देशान् सेवते यस्तु पण्डितान् ।
तस्य विस्तारिता बुद्धिस्तैलबिन्दुरिवाम्भसि ॥
If a person travels different countries and serves (works under one as an apprentice) scholars, then his intellect will expand just like a oil drop on a watery surface.

06-08-2005
कुसुमं वर्णसंपन्नगन्धहीनं न शोभते ।
न शोभते क्रियाहीनं मधुरं वचनं तथा ॥
It is not of much use if a colourful flower does not have any scent. Similarly, it is not much use if you do not execute any plans and just talk about them.

07-08-2005
उत्साहो बलवानार्य नास्त्युत्साहात्परं बलम् ।
सोत्साहस्य च लोकेषु न किंचिदपि दुर्लभम् ॥
Person with enthusiasm is a powerful one. There is no power equal to will power. For a man with enthusiasm and will power there is nothing that is difficult.

08-08-2005
यस्य नास्ति स्वयं प्रज्ञा शात्र तस्य करोति किम् ।
लोचनाभ्यां विहीनस्य दर्पणः किं करिष्यसि ॥
What good is lot of education for a person can not think himself (one who does not have independant thought). Just like what good is a mirror for a person without eyes.

09-08-2005
विषादप्यमृतं ग्राह्यं बालादपि सुभाशितं ।
अमित्रादपि सद्दृत्तं अमेध्यादपि काञ्चनम् ॥
We should we ready to accept good things no matter where they come from. Nectar from poison, a wise saying froma little boy, a good quality from an enemy or gold from garbage.

10-08-2005
व्यायामात् लभते स्वास्थ्यं दीर्घायुष्यं बलं सुखम् ।
आरोग्यं परमं भाग्यं स्वास्थ्यं सर्वार्थसाधनम् ॥
Regular exercise gives you good health, longevity, strength and happiness. Health is the biggest wealth. It is the key to every success.

11-08-2005
पिण्डे पिण्डे मतिर्भिन्ना कुण्डे कुण्डे नवं पयः ।
जातौ जातौ नवाचाराः नव वानी मुखे मुखे ॥
Every body is Unique. No two people have the same mind. Water from no two ponds taste alike. No two cultures have same customs. No two people speak (accent) alike. Once you realise this, you shall be more tolerable to opinions that differ from yours.

12-08-2005
नरस्य आभरणं रूपं रूपस्य आभरणं गुणः ।
गुणस्य आभरणं ज्ञानं ज्ञानस्य आभरणं क्षमा ॥
Good looks decorate any body. One with good looks can be further decorated (bettered) with good qualities (virtue). A virtuous person can be decorated with knowledge. A person that has all of them can still better himself by learning to forgive.

13-08-2005
अपूर्वः कोपि कोशोयं विद्यते तव भरति ।
व्ययतो वृद्धिम् आयति क्षयम् आयति संचयात् ॥
Treasure of knowledge a person is very unlike other treasures. This increases when spent (given to others) and decreases when protected (held to oneself).

14-08-2005
एकं सद् विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ।
अग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानं आहुः ॥
There is ONE truth about GOD that is told by sages in different ways. Some call it fire, or death or wind...

15-08-2005
चन्दनं शीतलं लोके चन्दनादपि चन्द्रमाः ।
चन्द्रचन्दनयोर्मध्ये शीतला साधुसंगतः ॥
No doubt sandal wood paste is pleasant. But more pleasant is the moonlight. But association with a virtuous person is more pleasant than both of them.

16-08-2005
कर्तव्यं आचरं कामम् अकर्तव्यं अनाचरम् ।
तिष्ठति प्राकृताचारो य सः आर्य इति स्मृतः ॥
He who does things according to custom as laid out by the "many", he who does not do anything that should not be done, He who stands by the natural customs is known as a "Arya".

17-08-2005
परो अपि हितवान् बन्धुः बन्धुः अपि अहितः परः ।
अहितः देहजः व्याधिः हितम् आरण्यं औषधम् ॥
A stranger who helps is to be treated like family. A family member who hurts is to be considered a stranger. Just like a disease inside a body hurts but a medicinal herb grown in a forest soothes the pain.

18-08-2005
परस्परविरोधे तु वयं पञ्चश्चते शतम् ।
परैस्तु विग्रहे प्राप्ते वयं पञ्चाधिकं शतम् ॥
-धर्मराजः
When there is fighting among ourselves, we are five (pandavas) and they are a hundred (kauravas). But when the threat comes from outside, we are hundred and five all on one side.
-Yudhistira

19-08-2005
व्यसने मित्रपरीक्षा शूरपरीक्षा रणाङ्गणे भवति ।
विनये भृत्यपरीक्षा दानपरीक्षाच दुर्भिक्षे ॥
A friend is tested in bad times, a warrior in the battle field. A butler is tested by his humility and pleasantness. The best test of charity is when it is done during famine.

20-08-2005
राजा राष्ट्रकृतं पापं राज्ञः पापं पुरोहितः ।
भर्ता च स्त्रीकृतं पापं शिष्यपापं गुरुः तथा ॥
A king is culpable for sins committed by the nation. The adviser to the king is culpable of sins committed by the king. Husband is responsible for his wife's sins. A teacher is responsible for the sins of the pupil.

21-08-2005
पुस्तकस्था तु या विद्या परहस्तगतं धनम् ।
कार्यकाले समुत्पन्ने न सा विद्या न तद् धनम् ॥
Knowledge locked up in a book, and money lent to others are both useless because they can not be summoned when they the need arises.

22-08-2005
अधमाः धनमिच्छन्ति धनं मानं च मध्यमाः ।
उत्तमाः मानमिच्छन्ति मानो हि महताम् धनम् ॥
Rogues crave only for money, not honour. An average man makes effort to get money and some honour. But the virtuous people always try to earn honour, not money. Honour is much more important than money.

23-08-2005
ये च मूढतमाः लोके ये च बुद्धेः परं गताः ।
ते एव सुखम् एधन्ते मध्यमः क्लिश्यते जनः ॥
People who are dumb and those who are extremely intelligent are the only two kinds of people that are happy in this world. The dumb are ignorant of the problems they face, and the intelligent know how to get out of the troubles... the people in between suffer from by cognizance of the problem and not knowing the solution.

24-08-2005
अतितृष्णा न कर्तव्या तृष्णाम् नैव परित्यजेत् ।
शनैः शनैश्च भोक्तव्यं स्वयं वित्तमुपार्जितम् ॥
Extreme indulgence should be avoided. Similarly extreme austerity too. Self earned wealth should be spent slowly and judiciously.

25-08-2005
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तेषु भोजनम्।
वृथा दानं धनाद्येषु वृथा दीपो दिवापि च ॥
Rain on the seas, food given to the satisfied, charity given to the rich and lamp lighted in the day are all waste.

26-08-2005
पिबन्ति नद्यः स्वयम् एव न अम्भः
स्वयं न खादन्ति फलानि वृक्षाः ।
न अदन्ति स्वयम् खलु वारिवाहा
परोपकाराय सतां विभूतयः ॥
River never drinks its own water. A tree does not eat its own fruits. Coulds do not consume the crops on which they shower. Good people always use their power to help others.

27-08-2005
क्रोधो वैवस्वतो राजा तृष्णा वैतराणी नदी ।
विद्या कामदुधा धेनुः सन्तोषो नन्दनं वनम् ॥
Anger is the king of the kingdom of death. Desire reigns in hell. Knowledge is like the divine cow that gives you everything. To be happy is to be in paradise.

28-08-2005
लोभमूलनि पापानि संकटानि तथैव च ।
लोभात्प्रवर्तते वैरं अतिलोभात्विनश्यति ॥
Greed breeds all sin, all calamities (man-made). Greed creates enemies. Excessive greed completely destroys.

29-08-2005
धैर्य यस्य पिता क्षमा च जननी शान्तिः चिरं गेहिणी
सत्यं सूनुः अयं दया च भागिनी भ्राता मनःसंयमः ।
शय्या भूमितलं दिशः अपि वसनं ज्ञानामृतं भोजनम्
एते यस्य कुटिम्बिनः वद् सखे कस्माद् भयं योगिनः ॥
Whose father is Courage, forgiveness is the mother, peace being the wife, truth being the son, compassion being sister, balance of mind being the brother - He who sleeps on the ground (does not crave for luxury), he for whom the directions are the clothes (does not care for attire), he who has the best knowledge for food - He who has the above for friend and family, why should he worry about problems ?

30-08-2005
महाजनस्य संसर्गः कस्य नोन्नतिकारकः ।
पद्मपत्रस्तिथं तोयं धृते मुक्ताफलश्रियम् ॥
Being associated with great people does better everybody. Just like how a mere drop of water when on a lotus-leaf assumes the appearance that of a pearl.

31-08-2005
मूर्खो न हि ददाति अर्थ नरो दारिद्रयशङ्कया ।
प्राज्ञाः तु वितरति अर्थ नरो दारिद्रयशङ्कया ॥
- भोजप्रबंध
A fool does not do charity for the fear of himself becoming poor(by losing the wealth). A wise man does charity exactly for the same fear that he may become poor if he did not do charity now.
- Bhojaprabandha

July - 2005

2011-01-05T11:34:00.001+05:30

01-07-2005
विदेशेषु धनं विद्या व्यसनेषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोके धनं धर्मः शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनं ॥
In a foreign land, you can use your education to get around. In tough times your intellect will be of help. When we cross over to other world, Dharma follwed here will help (in deciding whether we go to hell or heaven). Virtue (good conduct) will be of help every where.

02-07-2005
कार्यार्थी भजते लोकं यावत्कार्य न सिद्धति ।
उत्तीर्णे च परे पारे नौकायां किं प्रयोजनम् ॥
As long as the work is not done, people praise others - Only to get work done. As soon as crossing the river to the other side what is the use of the boat?

03-07-2005
अल्पानामपि वस्तूनां संहितः कार्यसाधिका ।
तृणैर्गुणत्वापनैर्बध्यन्ते मत्तहस्तिनः ॥
Great things can be achieved by putting small things together. Just like a rope made up of grass (still made in India using Jute) can be used to tie down a massive mad elephant.

04-07-2005
अतिपरिचयादवज्~झा संततगमनात् अनादरो भवति ।
मलये भिल्ला पुरंध्री चन्दनतरुकाष्ठं इंधनं कुरुते ॥
When some body very close (like family) advises, it is ignored.
Anything available in abundance is mostly abused. Just like sandal wood being used for fuel by a Bhilla woman. Bhilla is a tribe living on the Vindhya mountains where sandal wood is in aboundance.

05-07-2005
सर्पः क्रूरः खलः क्रूरः सर्पात् क्रूरतरः खलः ।
सर्पः शाम्यति मन्त्रैश्च दुर्जनः केन शाम्यति ॥
Snake is cruel, so is a wicked person. But among them the cruelty of a wicked man surpasses that of a snake. A snake's cruelty can be abated (by snake charmers). But what do we do for the wicked man?

06-07-2005
लालयेत् पञ्च वर्षाणि दश वर्षाणि ताडयेत् ।
प्राप्ते तु षोडशे वर्षे पुत्रे मित्रवदाचरेत् ॥
A 5 year old is to be pampered/loved. A 10 year old should be taught by punishment. Whe your child is 16 years of age, he must be dealt with like a friend.

07-07-2005
सम्पूर्णकुंभो न करोति शब्दं
     अर्धोघटो घोषमुपैति नूनम् ।
विद्वान् कुलिनो न करोति गर्व
    गुणैर्विहीना बहु जल्पयन्ति ॥
A full pot does not make noise while a partially filled one makes a lot of noise - showing off its imperfection. A real scholar and virtuous people, do not talk mush. Those who lack virtue talk too much.

08-07-2005
अहन्यहनि भूतानि गच्छन्ति यमालयम् ।
शेषाः स्थावरमिच्छन्ति किमाश्चर्यमतः परम् ॥
Day by day, all beings (animals and humans alike) perish and go to Yamalaya (house of Lord of Death - Yama). Why do those who are left, still wish to live for eternity? This is most surprising.
- Dharmaraja answering the Yaksha (mahabharatha)

09-07-2005
एक एव खगो मानी चिरंजीवतु चातकम् ।
म्रियते वा पिपासार्थो याचते वा पुरंदरम् ॥
There is one bird - chataka, which embodies self-esteem. Long live such a bird. It prefers dieing of thirst to drinking water (pollutes) water from a pond. It directly requests the rain God to water drinks directly from rain. The moral is that we should not ask for help from any one less than GOD. Only GOD does help and does not put us in a obligatory situation. Every other helper does.

10-07-2005
मूर्खा यत्र न पूज्यते धान्यं यत्र सुसंचितम् ।
दंपत्यो कलहं नास्ति तत्र श्रीः स्वयमागतः ॥
Where the fools are not honoured, where food is well kept, where there is no tension between spouses - Prosperity comes naturally to such houses. Obviously.

11-07-2005
यथा खरः चन्दनभारवाहि
     भारस्य वेत्ता न तु चन्दनस्य ।
एवं हि शास्त्राणि बहुनि अधीत्य
    अर्थेषु मूढाः खरवद् वहन्ति ॥
A donkey carrying bunch of sandalwood realises only the weight but not smell (importance). Just like that there are scholars who are only burdened by a lot of shastras (knowledge books) but do not understand them completely.

12-07-2005
मृगाः मृगैः संगमुपव्रजन्ति
     गावश्च गोभिस्तुरगास्तुरगैः ।
मूर्खश्च मूर्खैः सुधयः सुधीभिः
    समानशीलव्यसनेषु सख्यं ॥
In this world friendship awlays work well among equals and like minded. Deers with deers, cows with cows, horses with horses, fools with fools, wise with wise and so on...

13-07-2005
संग्रहैकपरः प्रायः समुद्रोपि रसातले ।
दातारं जलधं पश्य गर्जन्तं भुवनोपरि ॥
A collector (hoarder) is always at a lower level than the one who "gives". Just like the sea that just collects (whose water is of no use), and the cloud that only gives.

14-07-2005
धर्म यो बाधते धर्मा न स धर्मः कुधर्मकः ।
अविरोधात्तु यो धर्मः स धर्मः सत्यविक्रम ॥
That faith (dharma) which opposes another faith is not a real faith. Its fake. That faith (hinduism) which believes in univeral tolerance is the real faith.

15-07-2005
शतेषु जायते शूरः सहस्रेषु च पण्डितः ।
वक्ता दशसहस्रेषु दाता भवति वा न वा ॥
One in hundred born will be brave. One in thousand will be a schoalar. A good orator is even rare - one in ten thousand. A good benefactor is much more rare.

16-07-2005
साक्षराः विपरीताश्चेद्राक्षसाः एव केवलम् ।
सरसो विपरीताश्चेत्सरसत्वं न मुञते ॥
Even by playing with words the meaning comes out. If a person is just a literate [sa-ksha-ra] (scholar, but nogood manners) he is turned into a demon [ra-ksha-sa] in extreme circumstances (reversing). But a good natured person [sa-ra-sa], does not leave his character in any circumstances.

17-07-2005
अन्नदानं परं दानं विद्यादानं अतः परम् ।
अन्नेन क्षणिका तृप्तिः यावज्जीवं च विद्यया ॥
True. Giving food in charity is a noble thing. But, giving education in charity is nobler. For the satisfaction that food gives is transient. Education is for life.

18-07-2005
मूर्खस्य पञ्च चिह्नानि गर्वो दुर्वचनं तथा ।
क्रोधश्च दृधवादश्च परवाक्येष्वनादरः ॥
Five characteristics of fools: unjustified pride, bad mouth (language), anger, taking sides during arguments (not looking at merits of the issue) and total dis-respect to other people's words.

19-07-2005
दर्शने स्पर्शणे वापि श्रवणे भाषणेऽपि वा ।
यत्र द्रवत्यन्तरङ्गं स स्नेह इति कथ्यते ॥
It is called friendship, when seeing some one, or touching them, or hearing them, or talking to them, touches your heart. Other wise it is just an acquintance...

20-07-2005
नमन्ति फलिनो वृक्षा नमन्ति गुणिनो जनाः ।
शुष्ककाष्ठश्च मूर्खश्च न नमन्ति कदाचन ॥
A branch of a tree with lot of fruits bends to wards the earth. A virtuous person will always be down to earth. But, a dry twig never bends down... neither does a fool who does not respect others.

21-07-2005
प्रथमवयसि पीतं तोयमल्पम् स्मरन्तः
     शिरसि निहीतभाराः नारिकेला नराणाम् ।
ददति जलमनल्पात स्वादमाजीवितान्तम्
     नहि कृतमुपकारं साधवो विस्मरन्ति ॥
A coconut tree needs to be watered only when it is young. It remembers that favour it received from men early in its life even when it is old and keeps on giving them sweet, tasty coconut water all its life. Good people never forget the favours they received.

22-07-2005
वृश्चिकस्य विषं पृच्छे मक्षिकायाः मुखे विषम् ।
तक्षकस्य विषं दन्ते सर्वांगे दुर्जनस्य तत् ॥
A scorpion has poison in its tail. A bee has it in its mouth. A snake has it in its fangs. A rogue person has poison in his entire body.

23-07-2005
विकृतिं नैव गच्छन्ति संगदोषेण साधवः ।
आवेष्टितं महासर्पैश्चंदन न विशायते ॥
Bad company can not corrupt a really good person. Just like a sandal wood tree does not become poisonous if a huge snake wraps around it.

24-07-2005
घटं भिन्धात् पटं छिन्धात् कुर्याद्रासभरोहणम् ।
येन केन प्रकारेण प्रसिद्धः पुरुषो भवेत् ॥
People do all sorts of things to become famous. break pots (vandalism), tear of clothes (WWF), making a total fool of themselves by riding a donkey.

25-07-2005
तृणानि नोन्मूलयति प्रभञ्जनो
    मृदूनि नीचैः प्रणतानि सर्वतः ।
स्वभाव एवोन्नतचेतसामयं
    महान्महत्स्वेव करोति विक्रमम् ॥
Strong wind bends big trees, But does no harm to tender, small grass. Just like that, strong and powerful should show off their prowess against only worthy opponents.

26-07-2005
प्रदोषे दीपकश्चंद्रः प्रभाते दीपको रविः ।
त्रैलोक्ये दीपको धर्मः सुपुत्रः कुलदीपकः ॥
At night, the moon shows us the light. In the day we have the sun. Dharma (the ideal code of conduct) shows us the light in all three worlds. A good son is shows light for the entire family.

27-07-2005
प्रथमे नार्हिता विद्या द्वितीये नार्जितं धनम् ।
तृतीये नार्जितं पुण्यं चतुर्थे किं करिष्यते ॥
A man's life has four stages. First stage: education. Second stage: family. Third stage: charity Fourth stage: penance. If a man does not what should be done in first three stages, what will he do on the fourth?

28-07-2005
अनारम्भो हि कार्याणां प्रथमं बुद्धिलक्षणं ।
प्रारम्भस्य अन्तगमनं द्वितीयं बुद्धिलक्षणं ॥
Not starting over ambitious projects is the first sign of intelligence. But once started, sustaining interest till it is completed is the second sign.

29-07-2005
लौकिकानाम् हि साधूनाम् अर्थ वागनुवर्तते ।
ऋषीणाम् पुनरादयानां वाचम् अर्थोनुधावति ॥
When normal speak, meaning follows the speech. People speak and then have to explain temselves since not much thinking was given earlier. But when Rhishis (ancient wise men) speak the meaning comes out even before the speech since they have done lot of thinking.

30-07-2005
परोपदेशवेलायां शिष्टाः सर्वे भवन्ति वै ।
विस्मरन्तीह शिश्टत्वं स्वकार्ये समुपस्थिते ॥
Any body can give advice to somebody in distress. But forget all those advices when they themselves are in trouble.

31-07-2005
निर्विषेणापि सर्पेण कर्तव्या महति फणा ।
विषमस्तु न चाप्यस्तु फटाटोपो भयंकरः ॥
Even a non-poisonous snake must open its hood and hiss. Irrespective of the poison, the antics (hissing and opening the hood) is scary.

June - 2005

2011-01-04T11:58:00.002+05:30

01-06-2005
नाक्षरं मंत्ररहितम् न मूलं नौषधिम्।
अयोग्य पुरुषं नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः॥
There is no letter in sanskrit that does not appear in a hymn. No root of a plant that can not be used as medicine. Likewise, there is no useless person. There are only no managers who can use them efficiently.

02-06-2005
आहारनिद्राभयमैथुनं च
सामान्यमेतत् पशुभिर्नराणाम् ।
धर्मो हि तेषाम् अधिकोविशेषो
धर्मेण हीनाः पशुभिः समानाः ॥
Food, sleep, fear and reproduction is what is common among animals and humans. It is "Dharma" [code of living] that separates us from animals. Without Dharma men
as same as animals.

03-06-2005
सत्यस्य वचनं श्रेयः सत्यादपि हितंवदेत् ।
यद् भूतहितमत्यन्तं एतत् सत्यम् मतं मम ॥
-नारद मुनिः
Telling truth is the noble thing. It is also more important to be nice to people. According to me, that which pleases the most is the truth.
-Saint Narada

04-06-2005
न राज्यं न राजोऽसीत् न दण्डयो न दण्डिकः ।
धर्मेणैव प्रजास्सर्वा रक्षन्ति स्म परस्परम् ॥
-भीष्माचार्य
No state, No King, No Judge and No criminal would exist(none would be required) if every body lived by Dharma [ideal code of living ]. People would protect each other.
-Bheeshmaachaarya

05-06-2005
अपि स्वर्णमयी लंका न मे शोचति लक्ष्मण ।
जननीः जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरियसि ॥
- श्री राम
Even though Lanka is the golden land, it does not allure me. Being close to mother and motherland is better than heaven.
- Sri Rama, after killing Ravana in the battle.

06-06-2005
मरणान्तानि वैराणि निवृत्तं नः प्रयोजनम् ।
क्रीयतामस्य संस्कारो ममापेष्य यथा तव ॥
- श्री राम
With death ends the enmity. There is no use perusing it. Please do the funeral arrangements for him (Ravana) as if he was our close relative.
- Sri Rama, after killing Ravana in the battle.

07-06-2005
काव्यशास्त्रविनोदेन कालो गच्छति धीमताम् ।
व्यसनेन च मूर्खाणां निद्राय कलहेन वा ॥
A wise man spends his time in studying literature and philosophy and in being happy. In comparison a fool spends his time in sleep, fights and in some form of evil passion.

08-06-2005
तैलाद् रक्षेत् जलाद् रक्षेत् रक्षेत् शिथिल बंधनात् ।
मूर्खस्य हस्ते न दातव्यं एवं वदति पुस्तकम् ॥
A book requests to protect it from oil, water and loose binding. It also pleads not to hand it over a fool!

09-06-2005
श्रोत्रं श्रुतेनैव न कुण्डलेन दानेन पाणिर्न तु कंकणेन ।
विभाति कायः करुणापराणां परोपकारैन तु चन्दनेन ॥
A ear assumes importance by hearing not by earrings, hand by donation not by bangles. Likewise, the body gets its importance only when used for helping others and compassion towards others - not by applying sandal paste.

10-06-2005
उदारस्य तृणं वित्तं शूरस्य मरणं तृणं ।
विरक्तस्य तृणं भार्या निस्पृहस्य तृणं जगत् ॥
A generous person does not worry about losing wealth. A brave (soldier) does not worry about dying. A person who accepts "sanyas" does not bother about family (wife). A detached person does not worry about the world. It is this detached state of mind that is referred to as "NIRVANA"

11-06-2005
विद्वत्वं च नृपत्वं च नैव तुल्यं कदाचन ।
स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा विद्वान् सर्वत्र पूज्यते ॥
There is no comparison between being a scholar or being a king. King is respected in his state. While a scholar is respected world wide.

12-06-2005
दुर्जनेन समं सख्यं प्रीतिं चापि न कारयेत् ।
उष्णो दहति चाङ्गारः शीतः कृष्णायते करम् ॥
Love and friendship with wicked people must be avoided always. When hot, it will burn you like coal and when cold it will blacken the hand (frost bite).

13-06-2005
चिन्तनीया हि विपदां आदावेव प्रतिक्रिया ।
न कूपखननं युक्तं प्रदीप्ते वह्निना गृहे ॥
We must be prepared for calamities always an be ready with solutions. It is not wise to start digging the well when the house is on fire.

14-06-2005
एकं विषरसं हन्ति शस्त्रेणैकश्च वध्यते ।
सराष्ट्रं सप्रजं हन्ति राजानं मंत्रविप्लवः ॥
By poison or by a weapon you can kill only one. But when a king handles matter chaotically the kingdom along with the people die.

15-06-2005
आदित्यस्य नमस्कारं ये कुर्वन्ति दिने दिने ।
जन्मान्तरसहस्त्रेषु दारिद्रयं नोपजायते ॥
Those who do "Suryanamaskara" exercise every day, day after day, there can not be poverty in their life for ever. The importance of waking up early and not wasting time sleeping is being explained in a theological sense.

16-06-2005
ज्येष्ठत्वं जन्मना नैव गुणैर्ज्येष्ठत्वमुचते ।
गुणात् गुरुत्वमायाति दुग्धं दधि घृतम् क्रमात् ॥
Importance (seniority) comes not by age but by good qualities. Just like ghee is better than curds which is better than milk even though milk came first.

17-06-2005
उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति कार्याणि न मनोरथैः ।
न हि सुप्तस्य सिंहस्य प्रविशन्ति मुखे मृगाः ॥
A job gets done only by hard-work not by wishing. Even the Lion has to hunt for food... The prey will not enter the mouth of a sleeping lion.

18-06-2005
स्थानभ्रष्टाः न शोभते दन्ताः केशा नखा नराः ।
इति विज्ञाय मतिमान् स्वस्थानं न परित्यजेत् ॥
If you mis-place teeth, hair or nails form one part of the body to another, the body does not look good (hedious indeed). Similar is the case with society. Those wise men who know this stick to their role and never leave it. This was the idea with the original "chaturvarna" 4 caste system where each person did what was his role (best suited) in the society. Problem came when this role was assigned to him based on birth and not ability.

19-06-2005
उदये सविता रक्तो रक्तश्चास्तमये तथा ।
सम्पत्तो च विपत्तो च महतामेकरूपता ॥
The Sun looks alike while rising and setting - blood red. Great people maintain their composure both when among riches or in poverty.

20-06-2005
शान्तितुल्यं तपो नास्ति तेषान्न परमं सुखम् ।
नास्ति तृष्णापरो व्याधिर्न च धर्मो दयापरः ॥
There is no better penance than to attain inner peace. There is no better satisfaction when you attain (inner peace). There is no disease than greed and no "Dharma" than to forgive and be merciful. Dharma is the moral code of life.

21-06-2005
सर्वोपनिषदो गावः दोग्धा गोपालनंदनः ।
पार्थो वत्सः सुधीः भोक्ता दुग्धं गीतामृतं महत् ॥
All Upanishads (holy ancient, prehistoric sacred hindu writings) are like cows that are milked by Lord Sri Krishna. Arjuna is like a little intelligent boy who drinks the milk given by Krishna in the form of Geeta (The Bhagavatgeeta). It is believed that the concise Geetha contains all the wisdon in all Upanishads.

22-06-2005
हंसः श्वेतो बकः श्वेतो को भेदो बकहंसयोः ।
नीरक्षीरविवेके हंसः हंसः बकः बकः ॥
Swan is white. So is a Crane. A swan is known for its grace, intelligence and ability to separate milk from water (good from the sinister). External appearance may be same. But what differentiates them is that unique talent.

23-06-2005
अहं च त्वं च राजेन्द्र लोकनाथोवुभावपि ॥
बहुर्व्रीहिरहं राजन् षष्ठीतत्पुरुषो भवान् ॥
Me and you (the king) can both be called Lokanatha. I am the one whose guardian are the people and hence a Lokanatha. On the other hand, you are the guardian of the people and hence Lokanatha.
In Bahurvrihi samasa : लोकः यस्य नाथः स लोकनाथः
In ShashTitatpuruSha rule: यो लोकस्य नाथः स लोकनाथः

24-06-2005
सुलभाः पुरुषाः राजन् सततं प्रियवादिनः ।
अप्रियस्य च पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः ॥
It is very easy to find a person who always talks sweet and pleasant. It is very hard to find one who can speak tough (truth) and salty (not sweet but truth). It is equally hard to find a person that listens to one too.

25-06-2005
दुर्जनः प्रियवादीति नैतद् विश्वासकारणम् ।
मधुतिष्टति जिह्वाग्रे हृदये तु हालाहलम् ॥
A wicked man speaking sweetly is never worthy of trust. There is honey on the tip of the tongue (in the way he speaks). But there is poison in his heart (in the way he thinks).

26-06-2005
सर्पदुर्जनोर्मध्ये वरं सर्पो न दुर्जनः ।
सर्पः दंशति कालेन दुर्जनस्तु पदे पदे ॥
Between a wicked man and a venomous snake, the
snake is better. Since a snake bites occasionally while
a wicked man inflicts pain at every step.

27-06-2005
वरं एको गुणी पुत्रो न च मूर्खशतान्यपि ।
एकश्चंद्रस्तमो हन्ति न च तारागणोपि च ॥
It is better to have one son with all good qualities than have a hundred of them who are stupid. Just like it is one moon that lights up the night and not the entire constellations of stars put together.

28-06-2005
न चोरहार्य न राजहार्य न भ्रतृभाज्यं न च भारकारि ।
व्यये कृते वर्धति एव नित्यं विद्याधनं सर्वधनप्रधानम् ॥
The wealth of knowledge can not be stolen by thieves, nor can be confiscated by a king, need not be split among brothers (unlike the fathers material wealth). Neither is it a burden. It increases when spent daily. Hence the wealth of knowledge is the best wealth of all.

29-06-2005
यथा हि मलिनैः वस्त्रैः यत्र कुत्र उपविष्यते ।
वृततः चलितोपि एवं शेषं वृतं न रक्षति ॥
Just like a person with soiled clothes does not mind sitting anywhere, a person who has lost his virtue (for the first time) does not mind to protect what ever virtue that is left.

30-06-2005
न देवा दण्डमादाय रक्षन्ति पषुपालवत् ।
यं तु रक्षितुमिच्छन्ति बुद्ध्या संविभजन्ति तम् ॥
Lord Shiva's (Pashupala) style is not to take weapon into his own hand to protect his worshipers. He simple gives enough intellect to those he wishes to protect.

आत्मार्थे पृथिवीम् त्यजेत्

2008-05-31T21:32:00.001+05:30

कुलस्यार्थे त्यजेदेकम् ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलम् त्यजेत् ।

ग्रामम् जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीम् त्यजेत्॥

For the sake of the family, we may have to sacrifice one person. Sacrifice a family to save a village. Sacrifice a village to save a state. But to save one-self, sacrifice the entire world.

क्षुध्र तृट् आशाः कुटुम्बिन्य

2008-05-30T21:26:00.001+05:30

क्षुध्र तृट् आशाः कुटुम्बिन्य

मयि जीवति न अन्यगाः।

तस्मात् आशा महासाध्वी

कदाचित् मां न मुञ्चति ॥

Hunger, thirst and desire are like a man's wives. They do not desert a man through out his life. Of them, desire is the most faithful. Others leave at least temporarily after eating and drinking.

वसुधैव कुटुंबकम्

2008-05-29T21:25:00.000+05:30

अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् ।

उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुंबकम् ॥

This person is one of us, that one is not... So think only thesmall minded people. For the liberals, the world

itself is one big family.

क्षणे नष्टे कुतो विद्या

2008-05-28T20:57:00.001+05:30

क्षणशः कणश्चैव विद्याम् अर्थ च साध्येत् ।

क्षणे नष्टे कुतो विद्या कणे नष्टे कुतो धनम् ॥

One must give a lot of importance to every second (with respect to time) and every grain of cereals. If you lose seconds how will one get educated. If you lose grains, how will you gain wealth.

पापाय परपीडनम्

2008-05-27T20:53:00.002+05:30

अष्टादशपुराणां सारं व्यासेन कीर्तितम् ।

परोपकारः पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम् ॥

In eighteen lenthy episodes of puranas Vyasa (author of the epic Mahabharatha which has 18 episodes named puranas) has described one thing. Helping others is vitue - troubling others is sin. Show me one religious book that deals with something different.

दुर्बलस्य बलं राजा

2008-05-26T20:48:00.001+05:30

दुर्बलस्य बलं राजा बालानां रोदनं बलम् ।

बलं मूर्खस्य मौनित्वं चौराणामनृतम् बलम् ॥

A king is the strength of the weak. He protects them. Ability to cry is the strength of a baby. Ability to stay silent is the strength of a fool. Likewise, a theif finds his strength in his ability to lie.

देवो दुर्बलघातकः

2008-05-25T20:47:00.000+05:30

अश्वं नैव गजं नैव व्याघ्रं नैव च ।

अजापुत्रं बलिं दधात् देवो दुर्बलघातकः ॥

Not a horse, neither elephant, nor a tiger - it is a goat that is offered as a sacrifice. Seems like even god does not spare the weak.

खल - साधु भेदः

2008-05-24T21:57:00.001+05:30

विद्या विवादाय धनं मदाय

शक्तिः परेषां परिपीडनाय ।

खलस्यः साधोः विपरीतं

एतद् ज्ञानाय दानाय च रक्षणाय ॥

A wicked man uses his education for needless argument, money to indulge and strength to hurt others. In contrast a virtuous person uses them for aquiring new knowledge, charity and protecting the weak reaspectively.

घातयितुमेव नीचः परकार्यं

2008-05-23T21:55:00.002+05:30

घातयितुमेव नीचः परकार्यं वेति न प्रसाधयितुम् ।

पातयितुमस्ति शक्तिर्वायोः वृक्षं न चोन्नमितुम् ॥

-पञ्चतंत्र

A wicked person only knows to destroy other people's work, not to help them. Wind can uproot a tree, not to help it grow.

-Panchatantra

कस्यास्ति सहृदम्

2008-05-22T20:41:00.003+05:30

वनानि दहतो वह्ने सखा भवति मारुतः ।

स एव दीप नाशय कृशे कस्यास्ति सहृदम् ॥

Fire that burns down the forest finds a friend in the wind. The same wind kills a small lamp. There is no body who supports the weak.

शेषं न कारयेत्

2008-05-21T20:24:00.001+05:30

अग्नि शेषं ऋणः शेषं शत्रुः शेषं तथैव च ।

पुनः पुनः प्रवर्धेत तस्मात् शेषं न कारयेत् ॥

Fire, loan, enemy - should never be left remaining. Even small trace will grow back into a monster size.

को भेदः पिककाकयोः

2008-05-20T20:20:00.001+05:30

काकः कृष्णः पिकः कृष्णः को भेदः पिककाकयोः ।

वसन्तसमये प्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकः ॥

The crow is black. The nightingale is also black. Who can tell the differnce between them both? But when it is spring time, it becomes very clear that a crow is a crow and the nightingale is a nightingale.

न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम्

2008-05-19T20:11:00.001+05:30

सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात् न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम्।

प्रियञ्च नानृतम् ब्रूयात् एष धर्म सनातनः ॥

You should always tell the truth. You should also be pleasant. So, if the hard truth hurts, you should tell it pleasantly as long as you are not lying. This is the age old rule of virtue.

विक्रमार्जित

2008-05-18T20:09:00.001+05:30

न अभिषेको न संस्कारः सिंहस्य क्रियते वने ।

विक्रमार्जित सत्वस्य स्वयमेव मृगेंद्रता ॥

There is no coronation or other ceremonies to declare the Lion as the "King of the forest". Real winners do not need any such ceremonies.

सूत्रम् शिरसि धार्यथे

2008-05-17T20:07:00.001+05:30

गुणवज्जनसंसर्गात् याति नीचोपि गौरवम् ।

पुष्पमालाप्रसङ्गेन सूत्रम् शिरसि धार्यते ॥

When found among virtuous people, even the wicked get lot of respect. Just like a simple thread gets worn on the head when it is found with in the chain of flowers.

2008-05-16T20:04:00.001+05:30

आरंभ गुर्वी क्षयिणी क्रमेण

लुब्ध्वि पुर्व वृद्धिमति च पश्चात् ।

दिनस्य पुर्वार्ध परार्ध बिन्न

छायैव मैत्रि खलु सज्जनानम् ॥

A wicked person's friendship is too huge at start and

slowly shrinks. But a good person's friendship is small

to start and grows with time. Their difference is just

like shadows at morning and evening times.

प्रिय वचः

2008-05-15T20:02:00.001+05:30

कोऽन्धो योऽकार्यरतः

को बधिरो यो हितानि न श्रुणोति ।

को मूको यः काले

प्रियाणि वक्तुं न जानाति ॥

He is blind who is busy in wrong deeds. He is deaf who does not heed to good advice. He is dumb who does not know to tell good words at the right time.

परवर्णग्रहणेष्वसाधवः

2008-05-14T19:59:00.001+05:30

सहजान्धदृशः स्वदुर्नये परदोषेक्षणदिव्यचक्षुषः ।

स्वगुणोच्चगिरो मुनिव्रत्ताः परवर्णग्रहणेष्वसाधवः ॥

-शिशुपालवध

Blind to short-comings in self. Extremely good sight while finding fault in others. Loud voice when talking about self and a saint like silence when praising others. Such is the nature of bad people.

- Shishupaalavadha

खलानां वाचः

2008-05-13T19:56:00.001+05:30

नन्वाश्रयस्थिरियं तव कालकूट

केनोत्तरोत्तरविशिष्टपदोपदिष्टा ।

प्रागर्णवस्य हृदये वृषलक्ष्मणोऽथ

कण्टेऽधुना वससि वाचि पुनः खलानाम् ॥

- कुवलयानन्द

Indeed you find varied hosts at different times, Oh deadly poison Kalakuta. Wonder on whose command do you act? Earlier you were hidden in the heart of the ocean, then in the throat of Lord Shiva. Now you reside in the speech of the wicked.

-Kuvalayaananda

सज्जन - दुर्जन

2008-05-12T19:39:00.001+05:30

लोकनन्दन चन्दनद्रुम सखे नास्मिन् वने स्थीययतां

दुर्वंशैः पुरुषैरसारहृदयैराक्रान्तमेतद्वनम् ।

तेऽप्यन्योन्यनिघर्षनातदहनज्वालावलीव्याकुलाः

न स्वान्येव कुलानि केवकममी सर्वं दहेयुर्वनम् ॥

- कुवलयानन्द

A sandalwood tree can not exist peacefully in a forest full of hard useless trees. Similarly a virtous people can not co-exist with hard hearted rough rogues. The fire started by their mutual hatred will not only burn them, but also burn the good trees (virtuous people).

मनुस्मृति - अर्थशौचं परं

2008-05-11T19:32:00.002+05:30

सर्वेषामेव शौचानाम् अर्थशौचं परं स्मृतम् ।

योऽर्थे शुचिर्हि स शुचिर्न मृद्वारिशुचिः शुचिः ॥

- मनुस्मृतिः

Among all types of cleanliness, being clean in finance is the cleanest. The one who is clean in finance is the cleanest not the one who is clean with respect to all other 9 forms of cleanliness that include body, clothes and so on.

-Manu smriti.

सहृच्च विद्वानपि दुर्लभ

2008-05-10T22:10:00.002+05:30

मनीषिणाः सन्ति न ते हितैषिणः

हितैषिणः सन्ति न ते मनीषिणाः ।

सहृच्च विद्वानपि दुर्लभो नृणां

यथौषधं स्वादु हितञ्च दुर्लभम् ॥

-सुभाषितरत्नभण्डागारम्

There are intellectuals but they are not well-wishers. There are well wishers but they are not intellectual. It is hard to find a kind hearted person who is also intelligent - just like it is hard to find medicine that also tastes well.

-Subhashitaratnabhandagara

दैवं विधानमनुगच्छति कार्यसिध्दिः

2008-05-09T22:08:00.001+05:30

यत्ने कृते यदि न सिद्ध्यति कोऽत्र दोषः

को वा न सिद्ध्यति ममेति करोति कर्मः ।

यत्नैः शुभैः पुरुषता भवतीह नृणां

दैवं विधानमनुगच्छति कार्यसिध्दिः ॥

-अविमारकम्

If you are trying and still not accomplishing, who is to blame? Who does work, not to accomplish? People become heroes even when they try to accomplish something noble. It is up to GOD whether those attempts success

-Avimaarakam by Bhaasa

र्विद्याविवेकचतुरा विबुधा

2008-05-08T22:04:00.006+05:30

जानाति मन्दरगिरिर्जलधेर्महत्वं

लङ्केश्वरोऽपि गुरुतां रजताचलस्य ।

विद्वज्जनस्य वचसो महिमानमुच्चै

र्विद्याविवेकचतुरा विबुधा (विदन्ति) ॥

-सुभाषितसुरद्रुमः

The mandara mountain alone knows the power of the sea. So does only Ravana knows the weight of Kailasa. Similarly, when the learned speak, only a person with good education and intelligence can comprehend them entirely.

- Subhashitasuradruma

संसर्गतो जायते

2008-05-07T21:57:00.003+05:30

सन्तप्तायसि संस्थितस्य पयसो नामापि न श्रूयते

मुक्ताकारतया तदेव नळिनीपत्रस्थितं दृश्यते ।

स्वात्यां सागरशुक्तिमध्यपतितं तन्मौक्तिकं जायते

प्रायेणाधममध्यमोत्तमगुणः संसर्गतो जायते ॥

-नीतिशतक

A drop of water on a hot iron plate immediately looses existence. The same drop takes up the shape of a pearl when dropped on a lotus leaf. But, even in the middle of the ocean, a drop of water that enters the oyster achieves its destiny by turning into a real pearl. In time, a person becoming a wretched one, an average one or an extra-ordinary one depends on the company he keeps.

-Neetishataka

परतापा द्द्रवते सतां पुनः

2008-05-06T21:47:00.001+05:30

मृदुलं नवनीतमीरितं नवनीतादपि सज्जनस्य हृत् ।

तदिदं द्रवति स्वतापनात् परतापा द्द्रवते सतां पुनः ॥

-सुभाषितसुरद्रुमः

Butter is soft - so people say.Softer that that is the heart of the virtuous. Because, butter melts when it is heated. The other (heart of the virtuous)melts even when some one else is heated.

-Subhashitasuradrumaha

खलानामतीवनिपुणा धीः

2008-05-04T21:42:00.004+05:30

अतिमलिने कर्त्व्ये भवति

खलानामतीवनिपुणा धीः ।

तिमरे हि कौशिकानां रूपं

प्रतिपाद्यते दृष्टिः ॥

-वासवदत्ता

Rogues have the keenest intelligence while commiting henious deeds. Just like the owl can make out objects visually only at night.

-Vasavadatta

सुभाषितसुरद्रुमः - दानाय लक्ष्मि

2008-05-04T18:26:00.000+05:30

दानाय लक्ष्मिस्सुकृताय विद्या

चिन्ता परब्रह्मविनिश्चयाय ।

परोपकाराय वचांसि यस्य

वन्द्यस्त्रिलोकी तिलकस्य एव ॥

- सुभाषितसुरद्रुमः

He - whose wealth is for charity whose education is for doing good deeds whose thoughts are always about GOD. He is respected like the best in all three worlds.

-Subhashitasuradrumaha

सङ्गः सतां किमु मङ्गलमातनोति

2008-05-03T18:53:00.000+05:30

दूरीकरोति कुमतिं विमलीकरोति

चेतश्चिरन्तनमघं चुलुकीकरोति ।

भूतेषु किञ्च करुणां बहुलीकरोति

सङ्गः सतां किमु मङ्गलमातनोति ॥

Company of virtuous people will have the following effect on you: drives away rogue thoughts, cleanses the mind, engulfs the sins, amplifies the compassion. Their company will be beneficial for every one.

त्रीणि रत्नानि जलमन्नंसुभाषितम्

2008-05-02T18:48:00.000+05:30

पृथिव्यां त्रीणि रत्नानि जलमन्नंसुभाषितम् ।

मूढैः पाषाणखण्डेषुरत्नसंज्ञा विधीयते ॥

In this world there are three gems - water, food and wise sayings. Idiots are those who search for gems among stones.

Quality

2007-01-23T12:10:00.000+05:30

ಆಜನ್ಮ ಮರಣಾಂತಂಚ ಗಂಗಾದಿ ತಟಿನೀಸ್ಥಿತಃ
ಕೂಪ ಮಂಡೂಕ ಪ್ರಮುಖಾಃ ಯೋಗಿನಸ್ತೇ ಭವಂತಿ ಕಿಂ ?

आजन्म मरणांतंच गंगादि तटिनीस्थितः ।
कूप मंडूक प्रमुखाः यॊगिनस्तॆ भवंति किं ?॥

Frogs and fishes will be there in Ganga river from their birth till they die. Will they become yogis ?.

Education

2007-01-17T08:44:00.000+05:30

ವಿದ್ಯಾ ದದಾತಿ ವಿನಯಂ ವಿನಯಾತ್ ಯಾತಿ ಪಾತ್ರತಾಂ
ಪಾತ್ರತ್ವಾತ್ ಧನಮಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಧನಾತ್ ಧರ್ಮ ತಥಃ ಸುಖಂ
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयात् याति पात्रतां ।
पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नॊति धनात् धर्म तथाः सुखं ॥
Education gives modesty. Modesty gives recognition. Recognition gives money and by money you will get happiness by following "Dharma".

Noble persons Behaviour

2007-01-08T11:40:00.000+05:30

ಯದ್ಯದಾಚರತಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟಸ್ತತ್ತದೇವೇತರೋ ಜನಃ
ಸ ಯತ್ಪ್ರಮಾಣಂ ಕುರುತೇ ಲೋಕಸ್ತದನುವರ್ತತೇ
यद्यदाचरति श्रॆष्टस्तत्तदॆवॆतरॊ जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुतॆ लॊकस्तदनुवर्ततॆ ॥
Whatever noble/great persons do, others will follow that.Whatever standard they set up, the world follows. So they should be care ful in their deeds. This shloka is from Shrimad Bhagavad Gita(3-21).

Dharma

2006-12-15T09:25:00.000+05:30

चला लक्ष्मिश्चलाः प्राणाश्चलॆ जीवितमंदिरॆ ।
चला चलॆच संसारॆ धर्म ऎकॊहि निष्चलं ॥
ಚಲಾ ಲಕ್ಶ್ಮಿಶ್ಚಲಾಃ ಪ್ರಾಣಾಶ್ಚಲೇ ಜೀವಿತಮಂದಿರೇ
ಚಲಾ ಚಲೇಚ ಸಂಸಾರೇ ಧರ್ಮ ಏಕೋಹಿ ನಿಶ್ಚಲಂ
Wealth is not permanent so as life. Even house and temple is not permanent. The world itself is not permanent. Only dharma is permanent.

Five Mothers of Man

2006-12-14T11:43:00.000+05:30

राजपत्नी गुरोः पत्नी भ्रातृपत्नी तथैव च।
पत्नीमाता स्वमाता च पञ्चैते मातरः स्मृताः॥
ರಾಜಪತ್ನಿ ಗುರೋಃ ಪತ್ನೀ ಭಾತೃಪತ್ನೀ ತಥೈವ ಚ
ಪತ್ನೀಮಾತಾ ಸ್ವಮಾತಾ ಚ ಪಂಚೈತೇ ಮಾತರಃ ಸ್ಮೃತಾಃ
Wife of King, wife of teacher, wife of brother, mother of wife and own mother should be treated as "mother" by a man.

Good Listener

2006-12-08T09:12:00.000+05:30

शतॆशु जायते शूरः सहस्रॆशुच पंडित: ।
वक्ता दशसहस्रॆशु श्रॊता भवति वा न वा ॥
ಶತೇಶು ಜಾಯತೇ ಶೂರಃ ಸಹಸ್ರೇಶುಚ ಪಂಡಿತಃ
ವಕ್ತಾದಶಸಹಸ್ರೇಶು ಶ್ರೋತಾ ಭವತಿ ವಾ ನ ವಾ
There will be one valiant among hundred people. One learned person among thousand. There will be one orator among ten thousand. But it is not sure if a good listener is there or not.

Knowledge

2006-12-05T17:52:00.000+05:30

न चॊरहार्यं नच राजहार्यं न भ्रातृ भाज्यं न च भारकारि ।
व्ययॆ कृतॆ वर्धत ऎव नित्यं विद्याधनं सर्वधनप्रधानं ॥
ನ ಚೋರಹಾರ್ಯಂ ನಚ ರಾಜಹಾರ್ಯಂ ನ ಭ್ರಾತೃ ಭಾಜ್ಯಂ ನ ಚ ಭಾರಕಾರಿ
ವ್ಯಯೇ ಕೃತೇ ವರ್ಧತ ಏವ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ವಿದ್ಯಾಧನಂ ಸರ್ವಧನಪ್ರಧಾನಂ
Among all the wealth, wealth of knowledge(education) is most important. This wealth cannot be stolen by thief, cannot be ceased by King, need not be shared among brothers. It will increase as much as you distribute that.

2006-12-04T18:50:00.000+05:30

अग्रत:चतुरॊ वेद: पृष्टत: सशर: धनुः ।
उभाभ्यांच समर्थॊ हं शापादपि शरादपि ॥
ಅಗ್ರತಃ ಚತುರೋ ವೇದ: ಪೃಷ್ಟತಃ ಸಶರಃ ಧನುಃ
ಉಭಾಭ್ಯಾಂಚ ಸಮರ್ಥೋ ಹಂ ಶಾಪಾದಪಿ ಶರಾದಪಿ

Helping bad people

2006-12-01T18:28:00.000+05:30

उपकारॊपि नीचानां अपकारॊपकल्पतॆ ।
पयः पानं भुज़ंगानां कॆवलं विषवर्धनं ॥
ಉಪಕಾರೋಪಿ ನೀಚಾನಾಂ ಅಪಕಾರೋಪಿಕಲ್ಪತೇ
ಪಯಃ ಪಾನಂ ಭುಜಂಗಾನಾಂ ಕೇವಲಂ ವಿಷವರ್ಧನಂ
This is from Panchatantra. The meaning goes like this. If you help a bad person, there is no use. It will lead to bad results only. Even if you feed milk to a snake, it will end up in increasing the venom.

2006-11-30T18:41:00.000+05:30

अलब्धं वांछतॆ वित्तं लब्धंच परिरक्शणं ।
नश्टं च शॊचतां नित्यं कदा दुखं निवर्ततॆ ॥
ಅಲಬ್ಧಂ ವಾಂಛತೇ ವಿತ್ತಂ ಲಬ್ಧಂಚ ಪರಿರಕ್ಶಣಂ
ನಷ್ಟಂ ಚ ಶೋಚತಾಂ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಕದಾ ದುಖಂ ನಿವರ್ತತೇ?

Persons who does not have money will have the worry of making money. Once they get money they will have the worry of keeping that. If it is lost, they will have the worry about loosing the money. When are they happy ?

2006-11-30T15:19:00.000+05:30

विदेशेषु धनं विद्या व्य्सनॆषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोकॆ धनं धर्मः शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनं ॥
ವಿದೇಶೇಷು ಧನಂ ವಿದ್ಯಾ ವ್ಯಸನೇಷು ಧನಂ ಮತಿ:
ಪರಲೋಕೇ ಧನಂ ಧರ್ಮ: ಶೀಲಂ ಸರ್ವತ್ರ ವೈ ಧನಂ ॥
When you are in different country, your knowledge is your wealth. When you are in trouble, intelligence is your wealth. After death, when you are in Heaven your "Dharma" is your wealth. But good character is always a wealth.

2006-11-29T09:01:00.000+05:30

उत्साहो बलवानार्य नात्स्युत्साहापरंबलं ।
सॊत्साहस्य लॊकेशु नकिंचिदपि दुर्लभं ॥
ಉತ್ಸಾಹೋ ಬಲವಾನಾರ್ಯ ನಾತ್ಸ್ಯುತ್ಸಾಹಾಪರಂಬಲಂ
ಸೋತ್ಸಾಹಸ್ಯ ಲೋಕೇಶು ನಕಿಂಚಿದಪಿ ದುರ್ಲಭಂ

A person with enthusiasm is the powerful person. There is nothing as powerful as enthusiasm.
Nothing is impossible for enthusiastic person.

2006-11-27T17:13:00.000+05:30

नीपाणामिव मंडूकाः शरद्पूर्णमिव अंडजाः ।
स्वॊद्यॊगीनाम् नरं यांति विवशः सर्व संपदः ॥
ನೀಪಾಣಮಿವ ಮಂಡೂಕಾಃ ಶರದ್ ಪೂರ್ಣಮಿವ ಅಂಡಜಾಃ
ಸ್ವೋದ್ಯೋಗೀನಾಂ ನರಂ ಯಾಂತಿ ವಿವಶಃ ಸರ್ವ ಸಂಪದಃ

Like the frogs and birds come near the water resource, all the wealth will come to the person who is working.

2006-11-27T12:15:00.000+05:30

नाभिषिक्तॊ नसंस्कारॊ सिम्हस्य क्रियतॆ वनॆ ।
विक्रमार्जित सत्वस्य स्वयमॆव मृगेंद्रता ॥
ನಾಭಿಷಿಕ್ತೋ ನ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರೋ ಸಿಂಹಸ್ಯ ಕ್ರಿಯತೇ ವನೇ
ವಿಕ್ರಮಾರ್ಜಿತ ಸತ್ತ್ವಸ್ಯ ಸ್ವಯಮೇವ ಮೃಗೇಂದ್ರತಾ

Nobody has appointed Lion as the king of animals. Nobody enthroned it. It is being called as the King by the virtue of its royalty and power.

2006-11-24T08:17:00.000+05:30

गौरवं प्राप्यते दानत् नहि वित्तस्य संचयात् ।
स्थितिरुच्चैः पयॊदानां पय़ोधीनां अधः स्थितिः ॥
ಗೌರವಂ ಪ್ರಾಪ್ಯತೇ ದಾನಾತ್ ನಹಿ ವಿತ್ತಸ್ಯ ಸಂಚಯಾತ್
ಸ್ಥಿತಿರುಚ್ಛೈಹಿ ಪಯೋದಾನಾಂ ಪಯೋಧೀನಾಂ ಅಧ: ಸ್ಥಿತಿಃ
Respect comes when you do "Dana" (donations). Not by accumilating the money. The cloud, which gives whate is far higher than the sea, which keeps on collecting the water.

2006-11-23T18:43:00.000+05:30

एक एव खगॊ मानि वनॆ वसति चातकः ।
पिपसितॊ मृयतॆ वा यचतॆव पुरंदरं ॥
ಏಕ ಏವ ಖಗೋ ಮಾನಿ ವನೀ ವಸಿತಿ ಚಾತಕ:
ಪಿಪಸಿತೋ ಮೃಯತೇ ವಾ ಯಚತೇವಾ ಪುರಂದರಃ

There is a fable that "Chataka" bird (Crane) drinks only the rain water. Here there is a comparison that one should be like this bird. "Chataka", if it is begs will beg only the rain god for water. Otherwise it will die by thirst, but will not beg anybody else for whater.

2006-11-23T18:34:00.000+05:30

सिम्ह शिशुरपि निपतति मदजल मलिन कपोल गजेंद्रस्य ।
प्रक्रूतिर्यं सत्ववतां न् खलु वयसि दशतेशु ॥

ಸಿಂಹ ಶಿಶುರಪಿ ನಿಪತತಿ ಮದಜಲ ಮಲಿನ ಕಪೋಲ ಗಜೇಂದ್ರಸ್ಯ
ಪ್ರಕೃತಿರ್ಯಂ ಸತ್ವವತಾಂ ನ ಖಲು ವಯಸಿ ದಶತೇಶು
Even if the lion is smaller, it will attack only Elephant's head. Similarly we should not judge great people by their looks.

2006-11-23T11:50:00.000+05:30

A nice shloka, not a subhashita though. It is the worship of Lord Shiva. But if you remove first letter from every word, it will be worship of Vishnu.
Courtesy: "Bharata Darshana". Series of lectures by Shri Vidyananda Shenoy.
पायत् कुमारजनक: शशिखंड मौलिः शंखप्रभश्च निधनश्च गवीशयानः ।
गंगांच पन्नगधरश्च उमाविलासः आद्यक्शरॆन सहितो रहितॊपि देवः ॥
ಪಾಯತ್ ಕುಮಾರಜನಕಃ ಶಶಿಖಂಡಮೌಳಿಃ ಶಂಖಪ್ರಭಶ್ಚ ನಿಧನಶ್ಚ ಗವೀಶಯಾನಃ
ಗಂಗಾಂಚ ಪನ್ನಗಧರಶ್ಚ ಉಮಾವಿಲಾಸಃ ಆದ್ಯಕ್ಶರೇಣ ಸಹಿತೋ ರಹಿತೋಪಿ ದೇವಃ

2006-11-23T11:45:00.000+05:30

अयं निजॊ परॊवॆत्ति गणना लघुचेतसां ।
उदार चरितानांतु वसुधैव कुटुंबकं ॥
ಅಯಂ ನಿಜೋ ಪರೋವೇತ್ತಿ ಗಣನಾ ಲಘುಚೆತಸಾಂ
ಉದಾರ ಚರಿತಾನಂತು ವಸುಧೈವ ಕುಟುಂಬಕಂ

Thinking "this is mine", "that is yours" is the habit of narrowminded people. For broadminded people, whole world is the family.

2006-11-22T09:32:00.000+05:30

सुजनॊ न य़ाति विक्रतिं विनाशकालेपि ।
छेदेपि चंदनतरुः सुरभयति मुखं कुटारस्य ॥
ಸುಜನೋ ನ ಯಾತಿ ವಿಕೃತಿಂ ವಿನಾಶಕಾಲೇಪಿ
ಛೇದೇಪಿ ಚಂದನತರು: ಸುರಭಯತಿ ಮುಖಂ ಕುಠಾರಸ್ಯ
Even at the time of death, good people will not think bad. Sandalwood, even when getting cut by axe, will make axe smell sweet.

2006-11-22T09:25:00.000+05:30

उद्यमेनहि सिध्यांति कार्याणिन मनॊरथैः ।
नहि सुप्तस्य सिम्हस्य मुखं प्रविशंति जंतवः ॥
ಉದ್ಯಮೇನಹಿ ಸಿಧ್ಯಾಂತಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಣಿನ ಮನೋರಥೈಃ
ನಹಿ ಸುಪ್ತಸ್ಯ ಸಿಂಹಸ್ಯ ಮುಖಂ ಪ್ರವಿಶಂತಿ ಜಂತವಹ :
One cannot achive anything just by thinking about that. If the lion lies down, no animal will come and enter its mouth !!!.

2006-11-21T18:32:00.000+05:30

अनित्यानि शरीरानि विभवॊ नैव शाश्वता ।
नित्यं सन्निहितॊ म्रूत्युः कर्तव्यॊ धर्मसंग्रहः ॥
ಅನಿತ್ಯಾನಿ ಶರೀರಾನಿ ವಿಭವೋ ನೈವ ಶಾಶ್ವತ:
ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಸನ್ನಿಹಿತೋ ಮೃತ್ಯುಃ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯೋ ಧರ್ಮಸಂಗ್ರಹ:

This body is not permanent, nor the money and other luxuries we have. The death is coming near us every day, so our duty should be to go in the path of "Dharma".

2006-11-21T18:25:00.000+05:30

नात्युच्छ शिखरॊ मेरुः नातिनीचम् रसातलं ।
व्यवसायाद्वितीयं नाप्यपारॊ महादधिः ॥

ನಾತ್ಯುಚ್ಛ ಶಿಖರೋ ಮೇರುಃ ನಾತಿನೀಚಂ ರಸಾತಲಂ
ವ್ಯವಸಾಯಾದ್ವಿತೀಯಂ ನಾಪ್ಯಪಾರೋ ಮಹಾದಧಿಃ

For the person who does hard work, (or may be best worker ?) mount Meru is not very high. For him the abyss is not very deep. He can even cross the Oceans. The idea here is anything is possible if a person does hard work.

2006-11-21T16:33:00.000+05:30

प्रथम वयसि पीतम् तॊयमल्पम् स्मरंति शिरसि निहित भारः नारिकॆलं नराणां ।
उदकमम्रतकल्पं दद्युराजीवनान्तं नहिक्रुतमुपकारं साधवॊ विस्मरंति ॥
ಪ್ರಥಮ ವಯಸಿ ಪೀತಂ ತೋಯಮಲ್ಪಮ್ ಸ್ಮರಂತಿ ಶಿರಸಿ ನಿಹಿತ ಭಾರಃ ನಾರಿಕೇಳಂ ನರಾಣಾಂ
ಉದಕಮಮೃತಕಲ್ಪಂ ದದ್ಯುರಾಜೀವನಾಂತಂ ನಹಿಕೃತಮುಪಕಾರಂ ಸಾಧವೋ ವಿಸ್ಮರಂತಿ
If you feed water to a Coconut plant for the first year. It will give you the coconuts with juice comparable to heavanly nectar for whole of its life. Similarly if you help good people, they will remember that for whole of their life.

Samskrit Subhashitas

2006-11-21T16:27:00.000+05:30

Namaskara,
I keep posting some samskrit subhashitas here (mainly collected by my father) whenever I find time.
The source of subhasitas are not exactly known to me. They are collected by my father from different sources. These are NOT copyrighted, please feel free to use these. (GPL !!).
I try to write the meaning in English. That may not be the perfect, still can give some idea about these subhashitas.

Shubham,
Keshava Murali