12. Lucky Bhaskar & his three Blessings

SriRamaJayam

12. Lucky Bhaskar & his three Blessings

प्रीणाति य: सुचरितै: पितरं स पुत्रो
यद्भर्तुरेव हितमिच्छति तत्कलत्रम्।
तन्मित्रमापदि सुखे च समक्रियं यत् 
एतत्त्रयं जगति पुण्यकृतो लभन्ते। नीतिशतकम् Bhartruhari's shatakas

He, who satisfies his father with his good behavior, is a true son. The woman who is a well-wisher of her husband is a wife in the real sense. A friend who remains alike in times of happiness and misery, is a true friend. Only those who have done good deeds obtain this triad.

Three blessings that make a person lucky !!

• He who brings joy to his father through virtuous conduct is truly a son.
• She who always desires the welfare of her husband is the true wife.
• That friend who remains consistent in both joy and sorrow is the true friend.

These three blessings—a virtuous son, a devoted wife, and a steadfast friend—are granted only to those who have performed righteous deeds in the world.

Who is Lucky Bhashkar? The Three Greatest Blessings !! Sri APN Swami Speaks 230 https://youtube.com/shorts/CuOhhFq-FsM?feature=share

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

11. The Four Steps of Continuous Learning Process

 SriRamaJayam

11. The Four Steps of Continuous Learning

आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया । 
पादं सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादं कालक्रमेण च ॥ (पादं पाठप्रवेचन च) 

आचार्यात् पादं आदत्ते पादं शिष्य स्वमेधया ।

पादं सब्रह्मचारिभिः पादं कालक्रमेण च ॥

"A student acquires a fourth of his knowledge from his teacher, another fourth from his own intelligence, the third quarter from his fellow students, and the rest of his knowledge through experience in due course of time."

Summary:

The learning process is divided into four essential steps, each contributing to the growth of knowledge:

1. From the teacher (आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते) – A student receives one-quarter of their knowledge from their teacher.
2. From one's own intellect (स्वमेधया) – Another quarter is acquired through the student's own intelligence and efforts.
3. From fellow students (सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः) – A third part of knowledge comes from interactions and discussions with fellow students.
4. Through experience (कालक्रमेण) – The remaining quarter is gained through experience over time.

This highlights that learning is a continuous process, growing both through external guidance and personal development. In youth we learn, in age we understand.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

10. The Growth of Wisdom - Learning Process

 SriRamaJayam

10. The Growth of Wisdom - Learning Process

यः पठति लिखति पश्यति परिपृच्छति पण्डितानुपाश्रयति । 

तस्य दिवाकरकिरणैर्नलिनीदलमिव विकास्यते बुद्धिः ॥

"If one reads, writes, observes, questions, and serves the scholars, then his wisdom will grow like the petals of a lotus flower when touched by sun rays."

The process of learning and gaining wisdom is compared to the blooming of a lotus flower under the touch of sunlight. If one engages in reading, writing, observing, questioning, and serving scholars, their intellect will grow and flourish.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

09. The Natural Grace of Kavitha(poetry) and Vanitha(lady)

Sriramajayam

09. The Natural Grace of Kavitha(poetry) and Vanitha(lady)

कविता वनिता चैव सरसा स्वयमागत।
कृष्णदा बलमाणाचेत् बिरसा सरसा यते ||

The essence of both poetry (Kavitha) and a woman (Vanitha) lies in their natural grace and spontaneity. When forced, their beauty fades, and what could have been elegant (sarasa) turns harsh and unappealing (virasa).

Quotation:

"Kavitha and Vanitha/girl need to come on their own. If forced, it becomes harsh and unpleasant, causing sarasa to turn into virasa."

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

08. Dhwani: The Hidden Soul of Poetry

SriRamaJayam

08. Dhwani: The Hidden Soul of Poetry

In Dhvanyaloka by Aanandavardhanan, he says a poet can turn simple things into an interesting Kavyam.

Verse:

यानेव शब्दान् (चार्थान्) वयमालपामः 

यानेव शब्दान् (चार्थान्) वयमुल्लिखामः।

तैरेव विन्यास विशेष भव्यैः 

सम्मोहयन्ते कवयो जगन्ति॥

Yāneva śabdān vayam-ālapāmaḥ 

yāneva cārthān vayam-ullikhāmaḥ |

Taireva vinyāsa viśeṣa bhavyaiḥ 

sammohayante kavayo jaganti ||

In Dhvanyaloka, Anandavardhana discusses the concept of Dhwani (suggestive meaning) in poetry, arguing that poetry's true essence lies in its ability to evoke hidden meanings beyond the literal sense of words. This specific verse reflects how poets, using familiar words and phrases, can create profound, evocative meanings through their skillful arrangement and composition.

As Nilakantha Diksita says:

A poet, gifted with the genius of extraordinary composition (vinyāsa viśeṣa bhavyaiḥ), can transform even commonplace situations into captivating episodes.

Poets use the same words we use, but they use them so effectively that they enchant (mayakkaraan) the audience.

Dhwani – Hidden Meaning. The soul (Aathma) of Kaavyam is Dhwani (suggestive meaning). Finding this Aathma is challenging, as it cannot be directly seen (கண்ணுக்கு தெரியாது), but it can be felt and experienced (அனுபவிக்கத்தக்கது).

Just as a diamond hidden in the earth must be discovered and extracted, the beauty of Dhwani must be unearthed through effort and understanding.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

07. Friendship - Be like evening shadow!!

SriRamaJayam

07. Friendship - Be like evening shadow!! 

आरंभ-गुर्वी क्षयिणी क्रमेण 

लघ्वी पुरा दीर्घमुपैति पश्चात् ।

दिनस्य पूर्वार्ध परार्ध भिन्ना 

छायेवे मौत्री खलसज्जनानाम् ॥ भर्तृहरि (नीति शतक )

This verse uses a metaphor to describe the nature of friendship with wicked people and noble people by comparing it to the movement of shadows during the day.

Meaning: The friendship with wicked people is intense at the beginning but fades over time, like the shadow in the forenoon. In contrast, friendship with noble people may start small but grows strong over time, like the lengthening shadow in the afternoon.

Here's a line-by-line explanation:

आरंभ-गुर्वी क्षयिणी क्रमेण - Arambha gurvee kshayanee kramena -  In the beginning, it is large (like a long shadow), but gradually diminishes.

लघ्वी पुरा दीर्घमुपैति पश्चात् - Laghvee puraa deerghamupaiti pashchaat - It starts short but later becomes long (referring to how the shadow lengthens in the afternoon).

दिनस्य पूर्वार्ध परार्ध भिन्ना - Dinasya poorvaardha-paraardha bhinna - The shadow in the first half of the day (forenoon) is different from the second half (afternoon).

छायेवे मौत्री खलसज्जनानाम्- Chaayeva maitree khala-sajjanaanaam - Just like the shadow, the friendship with a wicked person and a noble person behaves differently.

Keynote : One more interesting thing to derive from "Be like the evening shadow" is that we should approach our work slowly and steadily. There’s no point in starting an activity with high enthusiasm only to gradually lose interest. Instead, we need to begin at a steady pace—whether we’re learning a new skill or taking on new challenges. Like the evening shadow, we should start slow and steady, allowing our progress to gradually become more visible and significant.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

06. It is all in the mind !!

SriRamaJayam

06. It is all in the mind !! 

“Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho.”
“As the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in our own mind.”
मन एव मनुष्याणां कारणं बन्धमोक्षयोः । 
बन्धाय विषयासक्तं मुक्त्यै निर्विषयं स्मृतम् ॥  ब्रह्मबिन्दूपनिषद्
mana eva manushyaanam
kaaranam bandha-mokshayoho
bandhaaya vishayaasaktham (Vishayasango)
muktyai nirvisayam smrutham(manah)

If you feel bound, you are bound. If you feel liberated, you are liberated. Things outside neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that.

“For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation.” (Amrita-bindu Upanishad 2)

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

05. Wife - Better Half & the Best Half

SriRamaJayam

05. Wife - Better Half! & the Best Half 

Shakuntala speaks about the role of a wife when Dushyanta was not ready to accept her. Words of Shakuntala as documented by Vyasa in the Mahabharata as follows.

மனைவி என்பவள் கணவனுக்கு 

• கணவனுக்கு பாதியாக இருப்பவள் 
• கணவனின் இன்ப துன்பங்களையும், எளிமை பெருமைகளை  ஸமமாக பகிர்ந்து கொள்ளும் ஸகாவாக இருப்பவள் 
• கணவனுக்கு அறம் பொருள் இன்பம் மூன்றிற்கும் ஆதாரம்  மனைவி, அறத்தை கடைபிடிக்கச் செய்து, அறத்தின் வழி சென்று பொருள் ஈட்டி, அறவழியில் இன்பம் அளிப்பவள் மனைவி
• கணவனின் மித்ரனாக ஆபத்தில் உதவி செய்பவள்
• கணவனின் யாக யஃஞங்களை கூட இருந்து நடத்தித் தருபவள் 
• கணவனின் இல்லறத்திற்கு துணையாக அவனை கிருஹஸ்தனாக ஆக்குபவள் 
• கணவனின் ஆனந்தத்திற்கு காரணமாக இருப்பவள் 
• கணவனை இவ்வுலக அவ்வுலக செல்வங்களை பெறச் செய்பவள் 

ஆறு குணங்கள் கொண்டவளாம் மனைவி 

कार्येषु दासी, करणेषु मंत्री, रूपेषु लक्ष्मी , क्षमया धरित्री, स्नेहेच  माता, शयनेतु वेश्या:

பொறுமையிலே பூமகளாய், பேரழகில் திருமகளாய், பசியில் அமுதளிக்கும் அன்னையாய், காதல் அரவணைப்பில் கணிகையுமாய்,, ஊழியத்தில் பணிப்பெண்னாய், அறிவினை உரைப்பதிலே அமைச்சனாய் வாழ்கின்ற பெண் எவளோ அவளே வளமான குல மகளாம். 

Another version,

कार्येषु मन्त्री करणेषु दासी भोज्येषु माता शयनेषु रम्भा। 
धर्मानुकूला क्षमया धरित्री भार्या च षाड्गुण्यवतीह दुर्लभा॥

A wife who is like a minister in counsel, like a servant in duties, like a mother in providing food, like Rambha (a celestial nymph) in bed, follows dharma, and is forgiving like the Earth — such a wife with these six qualities is rare to find.

धारा: 

மனைவியை ஸம்ஸ்க்ருதத்தில்  பன்மையில் धारा: அதாவது ஒரு மனைவியை மனைவிகள் என்று கூறுகிறோம். பல ரூபத்தில் கணவனுக்கு துணை நிற்பதால் அவள் பன்மையில் கூறப்படுகிறாள்.  

• இதே வழுக்கு தாயாரை ஸ்ரீதேவிகள், பூதேவிகள் என்றும் ஆசார்யன் பத்தினியை தேவிகள் என்று அழைக்கும் வழக்கு உள்ளது. 
• ஆண்டாளும் திருப்பாவையில் மாமான் மகளே என்று மாமனை ஒருமையில் கூறி, மாமியை மாமீர் அவளை எழுப்பீரோ! என்று மாமியை பன்மையில் பாடியுள்ளாள்.

जाया

மனைவிக்கு ஸம்ஸ்க்ருதத்தில் ஜாயா जाया என்று பெயர். கணவன் மற்றோரு வடிவம் எடுத்து மனைவியின் குழந்தையாக பிறப்பதினால். கணவனுக்கு மறு பிறவி தந்தவள் மனைவி என்பதால் ஜாயா - ஜாயதே புன: -  जायते पुन: அதனால் தான் தாயிக்கு பின் தாரம் என்று மனைவியை அன்னையின் ஸ்தானத்தில் போற்றுகிறோம். 

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

04. Five Attributes of a Jeevan decided during conception in the womb

SriRamaJayam

04. Five Attributes of a Jeevan decided during conception in the womb

आयुः कर्म च वित्तं  च विद्या निधनम् एव च |
पञ्चैतानि  हि  सृज्यन्ते गर्भस्तस्येव  देहिनः || चाणक्य नीति : चौथा अध्याय

The duration of life (longevity-lifespan), the future activities of life, wealth, learning (knowledge/intelligence), and how one will die, these five attributes in a person are determined and created during his conception in the womb.

1. आयुः → length of life.
2. कर्म → what kind of deeds/actions one will do.
3. वित्तं   → wealth one will have.
4. विद्या  → the knowledge one will gain.
5. निधनम्  → the time and manner of death.

This teaching reminds us of that certain aspects of life are beyond our control and are shaped by destiny even before birth. While effort is important, humility comes from knowing that not everything is in our hands—fate and divine order play their role too.

Sarvamsrikrishnarpanam

03. What is Wedding?

SriRamaJayam

03. What is Wedding? திருமணம்

பத்து பொருத்தங்கள் பார்த்து …
ஒன்பது கோள் நிலைகளை அறிந்து …
எட்டு திக்கும் உறவை அழைத்து …
ஏழு அடி எடுத்து வைத்து …
அறு சுவை உணவு படைத்து …
பஞ்ச பூதங்கள் சாட்சியாக …
நான்கு வேதங்கள் முழங்க …
மூன்று முடிச்சுகளால் …
இரு மணங்கள் …
ஒன்று சேரும் …
ஒர் அற்புத பந்தத்தின் உறவே …
திருமணம்

Looking at ten alignments...
Understanding the positions of nine planets...
Calling upon the relatives from eight directions...
Taking seven steps together...
Preparing food with six tastes...
With the five elements as witnesses...
As the four Vedas are recited...
With three knots...
Two hearts...
Becoming one...
In a wonderful bond of unity...
This is marriage.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

02. Outcomes (Results) should speak volumes about Efforts (Actions) - King Dilipan was an example

 Sri:

02. Outcomes (Results) should speak volumes about Efforts (Actions) - King Dilipan was an example

तस्य संवृत-मन्त्रस्य गूढाकारेङ्गितस्य च ।
फलानुमेयाः प्रारम्भाः संस्काराः प्राक्तना इव ॥1.20॥ रघुवंशम् 

पदविभागः

तस्य संवृत-मन्त्रस्य गूढ-आकार-इङ्गितस्य च । 

फल-अनुमेयाः प्रारम्भाः संस्काराः प्राक्तनाः इव ॥

संवृत-मन्त्रस्य - one who keeps counsel or plans secret.

गूढ-आकार-इङ्गित - whose expressions and signs are hidden/controlled.

फल-अनुमेयाः प्रारम्भाः - only by seeing the results, people could guess what actions had been started.

संस्काराः प्राक्तनाः इव - like how one infers past actions from one’s cultivated habits.

Simple Meaning: Just as the actions accumulated in previous births are understood by witnessing their results in this life, similarly, the secretive plan of Raghu Dynasty King Dilipa, based on mantraalochana with his ministers, was inferred by general public only through the visible outcomes. Before the fulfillment of results, no one was capable of understanding the means by which King Dilipa achieved his objectives.

King Dilipa kept his decisions and plans secret. He didn’t show his feelings, like attachment or dislike, through his expressions. Just like the actions from past lives are known through the results in this life, people could only understand the king's work after they saw the results of his efforts.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

01. Ornament is Cultured Speech - Vaak Bhooshanam Bhooshanam

 Sri:

01. Ornament is Cultured Speech - Vaak Bhooshanam Bhooshanam

केयूरा न विभूषयन्ति पुरुषं , हारा न चन्द्रोज्ज्वलाः
न स्नानं न विलोपनं न कुसुमं , न अलङ्कृता मूर्धजाः।
वाण्येका समलङ्करोति पुरुषं , या संस्कृता र्धायते
क्षीयन्ते खलु भूषणानि सततं , वाग्भूषणं भूषणम्॥

• केयूरा न विभूषयन्ति पुरुषं: Bracelets do not adorn a person.
• हारा न चन्द्रोज्ज्वलाः: Neither do necklaces that shine like the moon.
• न स्नानं न विलोपनं न कुसुमं नालङ्कृता मूर्धजाः: Neither do baths, perfumes, flowers, or well-groomed hair.
• वाण्येका समलङ्करोति पुरुषं या संस्कृता र्धायते: Only speech, refined by culture and education, truly adorns a person.
• क्षीयन्ते खलु भूषणानि सततं वाग्भूषणं भूषणम्: All other ornaments are perishable, but the ornament of speech is the real ornament that endures.

Bracelets don’t make a person beautiful. Necklaces that shine like the moon don’t add to their beauty. Neither baths, perfumes, flowers, nor well-groomed hair can truly adorn a person. Only cultured and refined speech can truly enhance a person. All other decorations fade over time, but the beauty of good speech lasts forever.

See you soon!!

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam