नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 66 to 70

मातेव रक्षति पितेव हिते नियुङ्क्ते 

कान्तेव चाभिरमयत्यपनीय खेदम् ।

लक्ष्मीः तनोति वितनोति च दिक्षु कीर्तिम्

किं किं न साधयति कल्पलतेव विद्या ॥ ६६ ॥  

Education in the right way is like the divine wish-fulfilling tree - it protects like one's mother, leads one in the right path like one's father, delights one like the beloved wife by removing sorrow. Education confers wealth and spreads one's fame far and wide. How to list all the benefits of true education?

मात्रा समं नास्ति शरीरपोषणम् 

चिन्तासमं नास्ति शरीरशोषणम् ।

भार्यासमं नास्ति शरीरतोषणम्

विद्यासमं नास्ति शरीरभूषणम् ॥ ६७ ॥ 

Nothing compares with one's mother for nourishing one's body. Nothing compares with worry for withering one's body. Nothing compares with one's wife for giving bodily pleasures. Finally, nothing compares with true learning as the adornment for one's personality. 

मित्रं स्वच्छतया रिपुं नवबलैर्लुब्धं धनैरीश्वरम्

कार्येण द्विजमादरेण युवतिं प्रेम्णा समैर्बान्धवान् ।

अत्युग्रं स्तुतिभिर्गुरुं प्रणतिभिर्मूर्खं कथाभिर्बुधम् 

विद्याभी रसिकं रसेन सकलं शीलेन कुर्याद्वशम् ॥ ६८ ॥ 

Win over a friend with sincerity, conquer a foe with diplomacy, win over a greedy man with wealth as inducement; win over the master with good work, win a Brahmin over with a true show of respect. Win over a damsel with wooing, win over relatives with composure. Win over the preceptor with devotion and prayer. Win over a fool by telling stories. Win over a scholar with your own learning, and win over an aesthete with evocative art. Finally, win over everything everywhere with the strength of your character! 

मूर्खा यत्र न पूज्यन्ते धान्यं यत्र सुसञ्चितम् ।

दम्पत्योः कलहो नास्ति तत्र श्रीः स्वयमागता ॥ ६९ ॥ 

Where fools are not honoured, foodgrain is stored well, and couples don't fight - there accrues wealth  readily!

मौनान्मूकः प्रवचनपटुशाटुलो जल्पको वा

धृष्टः पार्श्वे वसति च तदा दूरतश्चाप्रगल्भः ।

 क्षान्त्या भीरुर्यदि च सहते प्रायशो नाभिजातः

सेवाधर्मः परमगहनो योगिनामप्यगम्यः ॥ ७० ॥  

What conduct makes a positive impact? Even Yogis are unaware. If one keeps quiet, people take him to be dumb. If he chats a bit, they think he is babbling. If one goes close to someone, they think he lacks civility. If he stays aloof, they think he is insignificant. If he forgives easily, they think he is a coward. If he reacts a bit, they think he is of low birth! Who knows what is the best way to deal with people?!?

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 61 to 65

 

ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं स्तेयं गुर्वङ्गनागमः ।

महान्ति पातकान्याहुः संसर्गश्चापि तैः सह ॥ ६१ ॥

These are deadly sins: killing a holy man, drinking liquor, stealing, and cohabiting with the preceptor's wife. Those who indulge in these, as well as those who keep such persons' company, are both sinning.  

मनस्यन्यत् वचस्यन्यत् कर्मण्यन्यत् दुरात्मनाम् ।

मनस्येकं वचस्येकं कर्मण्येकं महात्मनाम् ॥ ६२ ॥  

Bad men think one thing, speak another thing, and act, again, differently, without consistency. 

But the good men have unity in thought, word and deed. 

मातापितृभ्यां जामीभिर्भ्रात्रा पुत्रेण भार्यया ।

दुहित्रा दासवर्गेण विवादं न समाचरेत् ॥ ६३ ॥ 

It's wise not to argue with one's parents, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, as well as one's wife. Likewise with servants, argue not.

माता यस्य गृहे नास्ति भार्या चाप्रियवादिनी ।

अरण्यं तेन गन्तव्यं यथारण्यं तथा गृहम् ॥ ६४ ॥ 

One whose home is bereft of one's mother, and where one's wife speaks unpleasantly, should better go away to the jungle, for such a home is a jungle indeed. 

मातृवत्परदारेषु परद्रव्येषु लोष्टवत् ।

आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु यः पश्यति स पण्डितः ॥ ६५ ॥

The man who treats other men's wives as his mother, and considers others' wealth as a lump of clay (i.e. without covetousness), and considers all beings as his own self, is truly wise.  

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 56 to 60

पानं दुर्जनसंसर्गः पत्या च विरहोऽटनम् ।

स्वप्नोऽन्यगेहवासश्च नारीणां दूषणाणि षट् ॥ ५६ ॥ 

The six defects in a woman's conduct are drinking (alcohol), evil company, separation from Husband, unnecessary wandering, excessive sleep, and living in someone else's house.

पित्रोर्नित्यं प्रियं कुर्यादाचार्यस्य च सर्वदा ।

तेष्वेव त्रिषु तुष्टेषु तपः सर्वं समाप्यते ॥ ५७ ॥

Mother, father and teacher - do what pleases them always,

for, your actions that bring them joy equal all austerity. 

पुस्तकेषु च या विद्या परहस्तेषु यद्धनम् ।

उत्पन्नेषु च कार्येषु न सा विद्या न तद्धनम् ॥ ५८ ॥ 

That knowledge sitting in books or that money sitting in others' hands

Is as good as not there when you need it most. 

प्रविचार्योत्तरं देयं सहसा न वदेत् क्वचित् ।

शत्रोरपि गुणा ग्राह्या दोषास्त्याज्या गुरोरपि ॥ ५९ ॥ 

Speak your answer after due consideration; never speak in haste.

Emulate virtues seen even in your enemies, eschew vices seen even in your preceptor.

प्रियवाक्यप्रदानेन सर्वे तुष्यन्ति जन्तवः ।

तस्मात्तदेव वक्तव्यं वचने का दरिद्रता ॥ ६० ॥ 

Pleasant words delight everyone, without fail.

Speak, therefore, always what's pleasant, why penury in speech!? 

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 51 to 55

परदारान् परद्रव्यं परीवादं परस्य च ।

परिहासं गुरोः स्थाने चापल्यं च विवर्जयेत् ॥ ५१ ॥  

Rightly, one should abstain from another's wife, another's wealth, and scolding another.

Likewise, one should refrain from ridiculing one's preceptor and falling prey to temptations. 

परोपकरणं येषां जागर्ति हृदये सताम् ।

नश्यन्ति विपदस्तेषां सम्पदः स्युः पदे पदे ॥ ५२ ॥ 

For those good men in whose hearts well up sympathy and helpfulness towards others, 

The dangers of life disappear, and prosperity showers all the time.

परोक्षे कार्यहन्तारं प्रत्यक्षे प्रियवादिनम् ।

वर्जयेत्तादृशं मित्रं विषकुम्भं पयोमुखम् ॥ ५३ ॥ 

That sort of friend who speaks sweetly to your face but harms your interests behind your back -

Give up such a friend at once, he is like the pot of poison frothing with milk in its mouth.

पादपानां भयं वातात् पद्मानां शिशिराद्भयम् ।

पर्वतानां भयं वज्रात् साधूनां दुर्जनाद्भयम् ॥ ५४ ॥ 

Trees fear the wind, lotuses fear wintry rain. 

Mountains fear Indra's lightning strike and good men fear the evil-doers.

पादाभ्यांं न स्पृशेदग्निं गुरुं ब्राह्मणमेव च ।

नैव गां च कुमारीं च न वृद्धं न शिशुं तथा ॥ ५५ ॥

Never let your feet touch the fire, your preceptor or a Brahmin.

Likewise, step not on a cow, a maiden, an old man, nor a baby. 

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 46 to 50

नास्ति स्त्रीणां पृथग्यज्ञो न व्रतं नाप्युपोषणम् ।

पतिं शुश्रूषते येन तेन स्वर्गे महीयते ॥ ४६ ॥

For a woman, no separate Yajña, nor ritual discipline, nor fasting, is needed.

By her loving service to her husband, her place in heaven is assured. 

नित्यं स्नात्वा शुचिः कुर्याद्देवर्षिपितृतर्पणम् ।

देवताभ्यर्चनं चैव समिधाधानमेव च ॥ ४७ ॥ 

Practise these daily: bath, cleansing, libation to deities, sages and forefathers,

Worship of God and the fire ritual.  

पठतो नास्ति मूर्खत्वं जपतो नास्ति पातकम् ।

जाग्रतस्तु भयं नास्ति कलहो नास्ति मौनिनाम् ॥ ४८ ॥ 

There's no stupidity for the learned man, nor is there sin for the one in prayerful chant.

No fear exists for the one awake, nor is there quarrel for the one in silent meditation. 

पण्डिते च गुणास्सर्वे मूर्खे दोषा हि केवलम् ।

तस्मान्मूर्खसहस्रेभ्यः प्राज्ञ एको विशिष्यते ॥ ४९ ॥

Virtues abound in the truly learned, whereas defects are aplenty in the dull-witted.

That's why even in a large crowd of stupid people, the learned man stands out at once.  

पयःपानं भुजङ्गानां केवलं विषवर्धनम् ।

उपदेशो हि मूर्खाणां प्रकोपाय न शान्तये ॥ ५० ॥

All that feeding milk does to a serpent is to increase his venomousness.

Likewise, wise counsel to the dull-witted only provokes anger, not peaceability.

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 41 to 45

धृतिः क्ष्मा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।

धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥  

Fortitude, forgiveness, self-control, non-stealing (honesty), cleanliness, controlling one's senses,

intelligence, learning, truthfulness and absence of anger are the ten signs of Dharma. 

न कश्चित् कस्यचिन्मित्रं न कश्चित्कस्यचिद्रिपुः ।

व्यवहारेण जायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा ॥ 

No one is anyone's natural friend, nor is one naturally someone's enemy.

By their dispositions and actions, friends and enemies are born. 

न च विद्यात्समो बन्धुर्न मुक्तेः परमा गतिः ।

न वैराग्यात्परं भाग्यं नास्ति त्यागसमं सुखम् ॥ 

No friend or blood relative is as valuable as learning. There is no position or status comparable to liberation (Mukti). There is no wealth greater than detachment, and no happiness higher than renunciation.

नापृष्टः कस्यचित् ब्रूयान्न चान्यायेन पृच्छतः ।

जानन्नपि हि मेधावी जडवल्लोक आचरेत् ॥  

Unasked, speak not to anyone; also, when someone coerces you to speak.

The wise one speaks not, albeit knowing the answer, and remains like a blockhead in the world.

नास्ति विद्यासमं चक्षुः नास्ति सत्यसमं तपः ।

नास्ति रागसमं दुःखं नास्ति त्यागसमं सुखम् ॥ 

Eyes do not equal, in value, learning. No austerity equals truthfulness.

No sorrow can equal obsessive infatuation, and no pleasure can equal renunciation. 

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 36-40

देवे तीर्थे द्विजे मन्त्रे देवज्ञे भेषजे गुरौ ।

यादृशी भावना यस्य सिद्धिर्भवति तादृशी ॥

The way one's faith is in Ishwara, Kshetra, Brahmin, Mantra, and 

Jyotishi. Vaidya and Guru,

The same way will be one's life's fulfilment. 

धनधान्यप्रयोगेषु विद्यासङ्ग्रहणेषु च ।

आहारे व्यवहारे च त्यक्तलज्जः सुखी भवेत् ॥

One who is not unnecessarily reserved and diffident in matters of

Acquiring wealth, assets and knowledge, and taking good care of them, 

And in one's habits of diet and activity, shall be successful and happy.  

धनानि जीवितं चैव परार्थे प्राज्ञ उत्सृजेत् ।

सन्निमित्ते वरं त्यागो विनाशे नियते सति ॥

It's wise to devote one's wealth and living to the good of others.

When one's end is near, it is better to relinquish all for a good cause.

धनिकः श्रोत्रियो राजा नदी वैद्यश्च पञ्चमः ।

पञ्च यत्र न विद्यन्ते तत्र वासं न कारयेत् ॥  

Dwell not where there is no rich man, learned man, king, river, nor a doctor.

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।

तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् ॥  

Dharma (Righteousness and good conduct), when forsaken, abandons us to death.

Dharma, when protected, protects us. 

Thus, we should never endanger Dharma, lest it should kill us in turn.

.

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 31 to 35

दानेन पाणिर्न तु कङ्कणेन स्नानेन शुद्धिर्न तु चन्दनेन ।

मानेन तृप्तिर्न तु भोजनेन ज्ञानेन मुक्तिर्न तु मुण्डनेन ॥  

Giving is the ornament for one's hand, not a bracelet.

Bathing purifies the body, not sandal paste.

A good reputation gives satisfaction, not a hearty meal.

Wisdom confers liberation, not ritual tonsure.  

दुर्जनः परिहर्तव्यो विद्ययालङ्कृतोऽपि सन् ।

मणिना भूषितः सर्पः किमसौ न भयङ्करः ॥ 

A bad man's friendship should be given up, even if he is learned.

Just because there is a shining gem in its hood, is a serpent less dangerous?

दुर्जनः प्रियवादी च नैतद्विश्वासकारणम् ।

मधु तिष्ठति जिह्वाग्रे हृदये तु हलाहलम् ॥

A bad man is not trustworthy even if he is sweet-tongued.

His words may be honey on the tongue but inside his heart are they poison. 

दुर्लभं प्राकृतं मित्रं दुर्लभः क्षेमकृत् सुतः ।

दुर्लभा सदृशी भार्या दुर्लभः स्वजनः प्रियः ॥   

Rare is it to find a true friend, rare indeed is a worthy son. 

Rare is a wife good in all aspects, rare again is a relative who is likeable. 

दृष्टिपूतं न्यसेत्पादं वस्त्रपूतं जलं पिबेत् ।

सत्यपूतां वदेद्वाचं मनःपूतं समाचरेत् ॥ 

Before setting foot anywhere, cleanse the path with your look. 

Cleanse water by straining through a cloth before drinking.

Cleanse your words beforehand with truthfulness. Cleanse your actions with due forethought.  

.

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 26 to 30

क्वचिद्रुष्टः क्वचित्तुष्टः रुष्टस्तुष्टः क्षणे क्षणे ।

अव्यवस्थितचित्तस्य प्रसादोऽपि भयङ्करः ॥

Momentarily angry, momentarily again cheerful, 

Alternating between anger and cheer every moment,

In someone of unstable temper, beware of even graciousness ! 

गुणैरुत्तमतां याति नोच्चैरासनसंस्थितः ।

प्रासादशिखरस्थोऽपि काकः किं गरुडायते ॥ 

One rises in greatness not by occupying a high seat, but by one's virtues.

A crow, even if sitting on a palatial tower, cannot hope to become Garuda, the king of birds.

चलन्ति तारा रविचन्द्रमण्डलं चलेच्च मेरुर्विचलेच्च मन्दरः ।

कदापि काले पृथिवी चलेच्च वै चलेन्न धर्मः सुजनस्य वाचिकम् ॥  

The stars move, so do the sun and the moon.

Even the mighty Meru and Mandara peaks move.

At some time, even the earth moves. But constant and firm is

Dharma, and the word spoken by the virtuous man.  

ताराणां भूषणं चन्द्रो नारीणां भूषणं पतिः ।

पृथिव्या भूषणं राजा विद्या सर्वस्य भूषणम् ॥  

For stars, the moon is their adornment. 

For women, their husbands are their ornaments.

The king shines as the earth's decoration,

And learning indeed is everyone's ornament!

त्यज दुर्जनसंसर्गं भज साधुसमागमम् ।

कुरु पुण्यमहोरात्रं स्मर नित्यमनित्यताम् ॥

Give up the company of the wicked, seek the congregation of the holy.

Do good day and night, and constantly meditate on the Eternal Reality.

.

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 21 to 25

एकेनापि सुवृक्षेण पुष्पितेन सुगन्धिना ।
वासितं स्याद्वनं सर्वं सुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा ॥ 

A single tree full of fragrant blossoms fills the entire forest with fragrance.

Likewise, one good son is enough to bring glory to a whole lineage.

कोकिलानां स्वरो रुपं नारीरूपं पतिव्रतम् ।

विद्या रूपं कुरूपाणां क्षमा रूपं तपस्विनाम् ॥ 

His melodious voice makes a cuckoo beautiful.

A lady's beauty lies in her devotion to husband.

Learning beautifies even an ugly man. 

Forbearance and forgiveness beautify ascetics. 

कोऽतिभारः समर्थानां किं दूरं व्यवसायिनाम् ।

को विदेशः सविद्यानां कः परः प्रियवादिनाम् ॥ 

What is too heavy for the adept ones?

What is beyond reach for the assiduous?

Where is a strange, unwelcoming place for the learned?

Who are the enemies for men of cheerful speech?

कोऽर्थः पुत्रेण जातेन यो न विद्वान् न भक्तिमान् ।

काणेन चक्षुषा किं वा चक्षुः पीडैव केवलम् ॥  

Of what benefit is a son born who is neither learned nor devout?

A blind eye is of no use except to bring suffering.

कः कालः कानि मित्राणि को देशः कौ व्ययागमौ ।

कस्याहं का च मे शक्तिरिति चिन्त्यं मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 

Be ever-mindful of these - time, one's allies, place,

Income and expense. Who are my people, and what

Is my strength!? 

.

Post settings Labels Neetichandrika,NC 1-5,Sanskrit, No matching suggestions Published on 30/01/2026 13:05 Links Location Search description Options Post: EditChanges saved

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 16 to 20

आप्तद्वेषाद्भेवेद्मृत्युः परद्वेषाद्धनक्षयः ।

राजद्वेषाद्भवेन्नाशो ब्रह्मद्वेषात्कुलक्षयः ॥   

Hatred towards one's own people spells Death.

Hatred towards others results in monetary loss.

Antipathy to the ruler brings destruction,

Antagonism towards the holy causes familial ruin. 

उदारस्य तृणं वित्तं शूरस्य मरणं तृणम् ।

विरक्तस्य तृणं भार्या निःस्पृहस्य तृणं जगत् ॥

To the generous man, money is like a blade of grass.

To the brave on the battlefield, death is insignificant.

To the dispassionate one, his wife means nothing, and

To the detached, the world is trivial.

उद्योगिनं पुरुषसिंहमुपैति लक्ष्मीः

दैवेन देयमिति कापुरुषा वदन्ति ।

दैवं निहत्य कुरु पौरुषमात्मशक्त्या 

यत्ने कृते यदि न सिद्ध्यति कोऽत्र दोषः ॥ 

Dame Fortune woos the diligent one. 

The worthless ones say, "Luck has showered on him." 

Set aside Luck and strive by your own endeavour.

Is it your fault if you don't succeed even after trying well?

उपकारः परो धर्मः परार्थं कर्मनैपुणम् ।

पात्रे दानं परः कामः परो मोक्षो वितृष्णता ॥
The supreme act is one of helping others. 

Attaining efficiency is true success.

What's most fulfilling is giving to the deserving.

The best expression of liberation is desirelessness.

एकेन शुष्कवृक्षेण दह्यमानेन वह्निना ।

दह्यते हि वनं सर्वं कुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा ॥ 

One dried-up tree catching fire is enough to reduce a whole forest to ashes.

One bad son is enough to bring down the entire lineage.

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 11 to 15

अर्थातुराणां न गुरुर्न बन्धुः कामातुराणां न भयं न लज्जा ।

विद्यातुराणां न सुखं न निद्रा क्षुधातुराणां न रुचिर्न वेला ॥ 

Those driven by material gain see none as their teacher or relative, 

Those driven by lust see no fear nor propriety.

Those striving for learning know no comfort nor rest,

Those driven by hunger consider no taste nor timeliness. 

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।

एवं सामाजिकं धर्मं चातुर्वर्ण्येऽब्रवीन्मनुः ॥

Manu prescribed these for all four Varnas :

Non-violence, Truth, Non-stealing, Cleanliness,

Controlling one's senses and impulses,

As the code of social conduct.

आचारः परमो धर्मः श्रुत्युक्तः स्मार्त एव च ।

तस्मादस्मिन् सदा युक्तो नित्यं स्यादात्मवान् द्विजः ॥   

Right conduct is extolled as the highest pursuit by both the Vedas and the Dharma Shastras.

Therefore, a Brahmin seeking the Highest Truth should adhere to it always. 

आदौ माता गुरोः पत्नी ब्राह्मणी राजपत्निका ।

धेनुर्धात्री तथा पृथ्वी सप्तैता मातरः स्मृताः ॥

Foremost, one's biological mother, then the Teacher's wife, 

Then a Brahmin woman, then the queen.

Then the cow, the provider, and finally, Earth, are revered as seven mothers.

आपदां कथितः पन्था इन्द्रियाणामसंयमः ।

तज्जयः सम्पदां मार्गो येनेष्टं तेन गम्यताम् ॥

The pathway to danger and ruin is the non-mastery of the senses.

Control of senses is the pathway to prosperity.

Clearly, therefore, one can choose one's path between them. 

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 6 to 10

अनित्यानि शरीराणि विभवो नैव शाश्वतः ।

नित्यं सन्निहितो मृत्युः कर्तव्यो धर्मसङ्ग्रहः ॥

Alas, human body is mortal, wealth is not permanent.

Death is ever imminent, so do good always!

अनेकसंशयच्छेदि परोक्षार्थस्य दर्शनम् ।

सर्वस्य लोचनं शास्त्रं यस्य नास्त्यन्ध एव सः ॥

Scriptures answer many questions and make hidden things visible.

They act as everyone's eyes to see Truth. 

The one who sees this not is indeed blind!

अन्नदाता भयत्राता दिद्यादाता तथैव च ।

जनिता चोपनेता च पञ्चैते पितरः स्मृताः ॥ 

These five are all fatherly - the one who provides food,

The one who saves from danger. The one

Who gives education, the biological father,

The one who initiates one into the sacred Gayatri.

अपमानं पुरस्कृत्य मानं कृत्वा तु पृष्ठतः ।

स्वकार्यमुद्धरेत् प्राज्ञः कार्यधव्ंसो हि मूर्खता ॥

Overlooking any insult, leaving behind one's ego,

The intelligent one should accomplish one's objective, as 

Jeopardising own interest is high stupidity.

अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः ।

चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते आयुर्विद्या यशो बलम् ॥ 

For one who habitually shows courtesy and decorum, reveres and

Serves the elderly, four things will accrue well:

Longevity, Education, Fame and Power. 

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 1 to 5

 

अजरामरवत्प्राज्ञः विद्यामर्थञ्च साधयेत् । 
गृहीत इव केशेषु मृत्युना धर्ममाचरेत् ॥

The wise pursue learning and prosperity 

As if there is no old age nor death. 

But hasten to do good as if Death holds them by their locks!

अत्यन्तकोपः कटुका च वाणी दरिद्रता च स्वजनेषु वैरम् ।

नीचप्रसङ्गः कुलहीनसेवा चिह्नानि देहे नरकस्थितानाम् ॥

Untrammelled anger, acidic tongue, wretchedness,

Ill will towards near ones, keeping evil company,

Servitude to the ignoble - these are sure signs of those in hell.

अनभ्यासेन वेदानामाचारस्य च वर्जनात् ।
आलस्यादन्नदोषाच्च मृत्युर्विप्राञ्जिघांसति ॥

For a Brahmin, these spell Death-

Not practising the Vedas, not observing ritual duties;

Being lazy and eating the wrong foods.

अनभ्यासे विषं विद्या अजीर्णे भोजनं विषम् । 

विषं गोष्टी दरिद्रस्य भोजनान्ते जलं विषम् ॥

Knowledge unpractised turns virulent.

Food ingested during indigestion turns poisonous.

The company of the wretched is infectious,

Water drunk just after a meal is toxic.

अनारोग्यमनायुष्यमस्वर्ग्यं चातिभोजनम् ।

अपुण्यं लोकविद्विष्टं तस्मात्तत्परिवर्जयेत् ॥

Eschew excessive eating - it brings ill-health, 

Shortens life, gives no heavenly joy, as it is sinful;

Gluttony implies ill will towards society.

.

Hibiscus - an ancient Indian flower

 

जपाकुसुमसङ्काशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम् ।

तमोऽरिं सर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोऽस्मि दिवाकरम् ॥

I bow down to the Sun God, scion of Sage Kashyapa, possessing great effulgence!

He resembles the sacred hibiscus flower, destroys darkness and removes all sin.

Correct Names of Nakshatras in Sanskrit

 I give below the screenshots from Amarakosha, the authentic book for Sanskrit words, in Kannada script, compiled by Mahamahopadhyaya N. Ranganatha Sharma (Final authority for us, all Sanskrit students).

हरिरेव कर्ता

(story copied from FB.) 

The wooden core of the flagstaff (Dhwajasthambham) at Lord Venkateswara’s temple on the Tirumala hill had completely decayed!

Along with polishing the Ananda Nilayam Vimanam atop the Lord’s temple, we had taken up several repair works.

One day, suddenly, an engineer came running in panic and said: “The flagstaff has decayed.”

When we slowly removed the golden covering, we found that the wooden core inside had rotted all the way through. Then how was it standing? Only because of the support of the golden plates on it.

Service to the Lord with a decayed flagstaff? … It was sacrilege. I was filled with anxiety, restlessness, agitation, fear.

When we checked the records, there was no evidence of when the old wooden core had been installed. In the available records of the past 180–190 years, there was not even a mention of this flagstaff. So how old was it? What should we do now?

We needed to procure and install a teak tree 50–75 feet tall. The tree must:

Have no hollows

Have no branches

Have no cracks

Have no bends — it must be perfectly straight

Hopelessness set in. Was this even possible?

Still, hope did not die. Immediately, I contacted our State Forest Department officials. They said clearly: “It is impossible to find such a teak tree with these characteristics in our state.” They added that it might be found in the Western Ghats forests of Karnataka or Kerala.

Hearing this drained my strength. Meanwhile, media friends began spreading rumors that there was hidden treasure beneath the flagstaff!

A sense of helplessness enveloped me. In that state of utter confusion, I surrendered myself to Lord Srinivasa alone…

That night, around 10:30 PM, just as I was about to leave the temple, a devotee named H. S. R. Iyengar from Bengaluru called me.

Though tired, I answered. He spoke rapidly: “Sir, I heard on the radio that you are planning to replace the flagstaff. For such a flagstaff, you need a teak tree at least 280–300 years old. Such a tree may be found only in the Dandeli forests of Karnataka. The Chief Conservator of Forests there is a close friend of mine. If you permit, I will search the forests with his help and select a suitable tree. Please write a formal letter to him. Leave the rest of the coordination to me.”

Immediately, even while sitting in the temple, I spoke over the phone with the Karnataka Chief Secretary and the Chief Conservator and obtained their assurance. By then, it was past 11 PM.

With Iyengar’s initiative, the Chief Conservator and his staff searched the forests and, after examining nearly 100 trees, identified 16 teak trees in the Dandeli hills as potentially suitable.

Coincidentally, that very week, Karnataka Chief Minister Sri Gundu Rao visited Tirumala with his family. When I explained the issue to him, he immediately declared: “Let Karnataka donate the new flagstaff timber to TTD.”

That weekend, along with our engineers, Iyengar, and the Chief Conservator, we inspected those 16 trees. Only six trees met the required standards. Of those, two were taller than our needs. Keeping TTD’s future requirements in mind, I requested all six trees.

Wonderful! When we met the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary in Bengaluru, they declared that all six trees would be donated.

Tree-felling began — and then another complex problem arose. The forest terrain was so uneven that the main road was several kilometers away. How could such massive logs be transported?

Strangely enough, timber cutters working for Somani Paper Mill in that forest learned about our situation. The mill management and staff came forward and said: “Sir, leave this work to us. Consider this our service to Lord Srinivasa.”

Within a week, the trees were felled and brought to the road using ropes, pulleys, and chains. Iyengar again took initiative and arranged a 16-wheeler long truck.

Within two days, the truck carrying all six logs reached Bengaluru. Near Vidhana Soudha, after a small prayer, the Chief Minister formally handed them over to TTD. As I touched those logs amidst thousands of people, my body thrilled with indescribable joy. (Why was that so?)

The very next day by 4 PM, the truck reached Tirupati. Near the dairy farm outside town, thousands of men and women gathered. They welcomed the logs with lamps, chanting “Govinda, Govinda.”

Within another hour, the truck reached Alipiri, the start of the ghat road.

Until then, it was all joy. The driver got down, looked at the hill road — 18–19 km long, with 7–8 dangerous hairpin bends — and came to me.

“Sir, this is the greatest challenge of my life. I must drive continuously uphill without stopping. Some parapet walls may break. Rocks may fall. It may take any number of hours — but I must do this.”

I assured him: “Even if rocks fall or walls collapse, you are not responsible. We will handle everything.”

Traffic going uphill was diverted to the old ghat road.

As dusk fell, bathed in crimson twilight, the teak logs — destined to become the Lord’s flagstaffs — began their ascent.

Just as feared:

At some bends, the logs hit the mountainside and rocks fell

At others, parapet walls collapsed

At some turns, trailer wheels slipped over the edge

Watching from behind, we trembled with fear. At a couple of bends, half the trailer seemed ready to plunge into the valley.

Minutes felt like hours. “Govinda… Govinda…”

And then — in just 55 minutes, defying all odds, the truck reached Tirumala.

Hundreds of devotees and TTD employees burst into joyous chants of “Govinda–Govinda.” The Tirumala hills echoed.

I could not believe my eyes. Waves of joy surged within me, touching the sky. Tears of devotion flowed from my eyes, and I stood frozen in bliss.

What a wonder! The truck that started from Alipiri at sunset reached the hilltop before the sun fully set behind the Western Ghats.

Even more astonishing — the truck owner, who followed us by car, folded his hands and said: “This is my fortune — to serve the Lord in such a way. I will not take a single paisa as transport charges.”

Iyengar, the truck owner, and the driver were honored with Vedic blessings, special darshan, and the Lord’s sacred garments.

Now came the next question: How do we install the flagstaff?

After endless discussions till midnight, exhausted, we postponed the decision to the next day. Sleep eluded me.

After enduring such hardships to bring the teak logs, why couldn’t we solve this final step?

Then a thought arose: “The same power that accomplished all this — won’t it complete the rest? If it is destined that this flagstaff be installed through me, it will happen. Otherwise, it won’t.”

Peace returned. I slept soundly.

The next morning, someone suggested: “Why not bring the log through the main gateway, lifting the top end high, keeping the base on the ground like a lever, and raise it directly through the pavilion opening? Let us take help from the Papavinasanam Dam engineers and skilled artisans.”

A brilliant idea! Measurements were taken rapidly. Engineers confirmed it was feasible without obstructing pilgrim queues.

Without delay, at an auspicious time, the chosen teak log was brought through the temple streets, the Gollamandapam, and the main gateway. Supports were erected carefully. As artisans slowly pushed the log forward, it rose perfectly and entered the pavilion opening. By evening, without any damage, the Dandeli forest teak tree stood erect as Tirumalesa’s flagstaff.

What a miracle! What compassion of Lord Srinivasa!

One final moment: As per scriptures, nine gems and nine grains were placed beneath the flagstaff. Suddenly, I felt an impulse — I removed the gold chain with Lord Srinivasa’s pendant from my neck and placed it inside. Immediately, priests, donors, VIPs, and devotees followed, filling another box with jewelry.

After sealing them and pouring concrete, the flagstaff was installed exactly at 90 degrees, as prescribed. (The old flagstaff was ceremonially laid to rest at the Papavinasanam Dam.)

Within a month, the platform, gold plating, flag, and sacrificial altar were completed.

On June 10, 1982, amid Vedic chants and blessings, the flagstaff and altar were consecrated. Six days later, on June 16, I handed over charge and was transferred.

As I left that morning, I looked at the teak tree that came from Dandakaranya and became the flagstaff. The bells near the flag fluttered gently, as if greeting me.

An elderly scholar nearby smiled and recited:

“I am not the doer — Hari is the doer. All worship and actions are His. If any good is done through me, It is only by His grace.”

(Source: Former IAS officer P. V. R. K. Prasad — “Nāham Kartā, Hariḥ Kartā”)

Om Namo Venkatesaya!

🙏🙏

Why do we always make the same mistakes?

In the Gita, after Krishna explains to Arjuna the secret of doing every action as one's offering to Existence, Arjuna asks a very interesting question:

Why do we keep making the same mistakes, knowing full well they are wrong and pull us down? 

Krishna gives a most insightful amswer. 

Thw two things that make ua repeat mistakes are:

Lust and Anger. 

They are so powerful that we have to fight them aa our worst enemies. And like the Trojan horse, they are already within us!!! 

Lust is not only about sex but also about all uncontrollable cravings for all sensual and material and even mental stimulations. It can never be satisfied as new cravings spring constantly. Cravings mute or destroy our good sense about what ia right and wrong! 

The only way to deal with Lust is to watch over our mind, nip such cravings in the bud, and humour the mind to develop self-control.

What about Anger? 

Anger is more inflammatory, and generally comes from thwarted expectations. That is really Maya because we expect the world to run according to our beliefs and notions whereas the only thing the world follows is the Eternal Principle of Existence. 

When anger explodes, it is like blowing up a car from within. There is damage all around but the biggest loser is the angry man. He can lose friends, confidence, respect, and even life. The rule to deal with anger is to watch over oneself and take a deep breath before reacting... Often this simple technique puts out such explosions. 

Both lust and anger are our enemies lurking in the basement of our mind. We have to pray to get rid of them! 

हरिः ॐ तत् सत् 

Learn Sanskrit through Shlokas! -12

करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा 

श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम् ।

विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत् क्षमस्व

जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥   

karacaraṇakṛtaṃ vākkāyajaṃ karmajaṃ vā

śravaṇanayanajaṃ vā mānasaṃ vāparādham ।

vihitamavihitaṃ vā sarvametat kṣamasva

jaya jaya karuṇābdhe śrīmahādeva śambho ॥

Oh, the Auspicious Great God Shiva, the Ocean of Mercy, Glory, glory to you! Kindly forgive my wrongs, committed with hands and feet, through words and actions, my misdeeds, transgressions committed by my ears and eyes, even my wrong thoughts, those done deliberately or even inadvertently, all my misdeeds, oh Lord!

karacaraṇakṛtaṃ committed with hands and feet

vāk-kāyajaṃ through words and actions

karmajaṃ vā or misdeeds, transgressions

śravaṇanayanajaṃ committed by my ears and eyes

vā mānasaṃ or my wrong thoughts

vā or

aparādham misdeed

vihitam done deliberately

avihitaṃ inadvertently

vā or

sarvametat all my misdeeds

kṣamasva Kindly forgive

jaya jaya Glory, glory to you!

karuṇābdhe the Ocean of Mercy!

śrīmahādeva śambho Oh, the Auspicious Great God Shiva!

This prayer to Shiva comes in a famous stotra Shiva Manasa Puja composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankara.

 

When something is done, e.g. भुक्तम् bhuktam meaning "eaten", in Sanskrit, we use a form called क्त कृदन्तप्रत्यय kta kṛdantapratyaya. Some examples are used here - कृतम् , विहितम्, kṛtam and vihitam. 

Vande mātaram ! Vande samskṛtam !

Learn Sanskrit through Shlokas! -11

मृत्युञ्जयाय रुद्राय नीलकण्ठाय शम्भवे ।

अमृतेशाय शर्वाय महादेवाय ते नमः ॥ 

mṛtyuñjayāya rudrāya nīlakaṇṭhāya śambhave ।

amṛteśāya śarvāya mahādevāya te namaḥ ॥

Oh Lord Shiva, the Great God, the Destroyer, the Lord of the Immortals, the Auspicious One, the Blue-throated One, the Fierce One, and the one who helps conquer death itself, obeisances to you!

mṛtyuñjayāya The one who helps conquer death itself

rudrāya The Fierce One

nīlakaṇṭhāya The Blue-throated One

śambhave The Auspicious One

amṛteśāya The Lord of the Immortals

śarvāya The Destroyer

mahādevāya The Great God

te to you,

namaḥ Obeisances!

This prayer to Shiva is ancient and lists all the attributes of the God who dwells in 12 sacred places across India in the form of the Jyotirliṅga or the Luminous Lingam.

The word namaḥ has already occurred in many shlokas. It means Obeisances, Prayers, and so on. Interestingly, the Vibhakti used for the person being worshipped is the Fourth Vibhakti, or the Dative Case. All the attributes of Shiva here are in the Dative case. All except śambhave have the form similar to Rāmāya, Ganeśāya, Kṛṣṇāya. That is because the root noun ends in a. śambhu, guru and such words end in u. So we say śambhave, gurave, ... in the Fourth Vibhakti.

Vande mātaram ! Vande samskṛtam !

Learn Sanskrit through Shlokas! -10

आपदां अपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम् । 

लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥

āpadāṃ apahartāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasampadām । 

lokābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham ॥

I bow down repeatedly to Lord Sri Rama, who is the remover of all difficulties ans dangers, the giver of all riches, and the supreme delighter of all creation! 

āpadāṃ of difficulties and dangers

apahartāraṃ the remover 

dātāraṃ the giver

sarvasampadām of all riches

lokābhirāmaṃ the supreme delighter of all creation

śrīrāmaṃ to Lord Sri Rama

bhūyaḥ bhūyaḥ again and again

namāmi aham I bow down.

This verse is recited during every Ekadashi in several prayer meetings. It is a sincere prayer of a devotee who has absolute faith in the godly glory of Sri Rama - omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and supreme in compassion!

The Sanskrit is quite simple, and has Samasa-s to create compound words and compact the verse.

Vande mātaram ! Vande samskṛtam !