18. The Four Types of People - From Nobility to Cruelty

SriRamaJayam

एते सत्पुरुषा: परार्थघटका: स्वार्थं परित्यज्य ये

सामान्यास्तु परार्थमुद्यमभृतः स्वार्थाविरोधेन ये।

तेऽमी मानुषराक्षसा: परहितं स्वार्थाय निघ्नन्ति ये

ये तु घ्नन्ति निरर्थकं परहितं ते के न जानीमहे॥ नीतिशतकम्

This verse beautifully classifies people into four categories based on their approach to self-interest and the welfare of others:

1. Satpurushas (Noble people) – Those who completely renounce self-interest and dedicate themselves entirely to the well-being of others.
2. Saamaanya (Ordinary people) – Those who help others, provided it does not conflict with their own interests.
3. Maanusharaaksasaah (Human demons) – Those who harm others to fulfill their own self-interest.
4. The worst of all – Those who harm others without any purpose or personal gain—their actions are beyond comprehension.

Those who sacrifice their self-interest to serve others are the noblest. Those who help others while ensuring their own interests remain unharmed are ordinary. Those who harm others for personal gain are demons in human form. But as for those who harm others without any reason—who can even comprehend their nature?

SarvamSrikrishnarpanam

16. Don't Back Out – Keep Going Until the Goal is Reached

 Sriramajayam

16. Don't Back Out – Keep Going Until the Goal is Reached

रत्नैर्महार्हैस्तुतुषुर्न देवाः न भेजिरे भीमविषेण भीतिम् ।
सुधां विना न प्रययुर्विरामम् न निश्चितार्थाद्विरमन्ति धीराः – Neeti Shatakam

Ratnair mahaarhaih stutushur na devaah, na bhejire bheema-vishena bheetim,
Sudhaam vinaa na prayayur viraamam, na nishchitaarthaat viramanti dheeraha.

The Devas were not satisfied with the precious gems obtained from the churning of the milky ocean. They did not fear the deadly poison. They did not rest until they obtained the nectar of immortality. In fact, the steadfast never relax without accomplishing their determined goal.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

15. The Mark of Greatness – Never Give Up! - Three Types of People

Sriramajayam

The Mark of Greatness – Never Give Up!

प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्न-भयेन नीचैः

प्रारभ्य विघ्न-विहता विरमन्ति मध्याः |
विघ्नैः पुनः पुनरपि प्रतिहन्यमानाः  (विघ्नैः सहस्र-गुणितैर: अपि हन्यमानाः)
प्रारब्धम् उत्तम-गुणा न परित्यजन्ति || (प्रारब्धम् उत्तम-जना न परित्यजन्ति ॥)

नीतिशतकम् 

Inferior men do not start (any endeavor) with the fear of obstructions. Average men, stop an endeavor when they are faced with problems. However. even though they are struck again and again by disaster, superior men never give up an endeavor that they have undertaken.

• Low-minded people do not even begin a task due to fear of obstacles.
• Mediocre people start but give up when faced with difficulties.
• Great people never abandon their efforts, even when confronted with countless challenges.

Fear, Failure, and Fortitude – Three Kinds of People

Starting is Easy, Finishing Takes Courage. 

True Strength Lies in Persistence

The common ones won't start a venture;

They fear a hard and tough adventure.

The mediocre start but see

A sign of trouble, stop and flee.

The best are those who start and then,

When hardship strikes, and strikes again,

And a thousand hurts and hurdles hit,

Will never waver, never quit.

It highlights the unwavering determination of truly great individuals who persist despite all difficulties.

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

14. Impact of being in company of good people - SathSangam

 Sriramajayam

14. Impact of being in company of good people - SathSangam 

Sri APN Swami quoted a Neethi Slokam by Bhartruhari on the impact of SathSangam & Acharya

जाड्यं धियो हरति सिञ्चति वाचि सत्यं ।
मानोन्नतिं दिशति पापम् अपाकरोति।
चेतः प्रसादयति दिक्षु तनोति कीर्तिः
सत्सङ्गतिः कथय किं न करोति पुंसाम्॥ — Bhartruhari in Neeti Shatakam

This verse shows how being with wise and virtuous people can transform our lives. It removes ignorance, encourages honesty, brings dignity, clears sins, gives peace of mind, and spreads our reputation. In short, good company can positively change every part of our life.

जाड्यं धियो हरति सिञ्चति वाचि सत्यं।
"It removes the dullness of the intellect and instills truthfulness in speech."
मानोन्नतिं दिशति पापम् अपाकरोति।
"It bestows dignity and removes sin."
चेतः प्रसादयति दिक्षु तनोति कीर्तिम्।
"It brings peace to the mind and spreads one's fame in all directions."
सत्सङ्गतिः कथय किं न करोति पुंसाम्॥
"Tell me, what does the company of the good not accomplish for a person?"

Foolishness goes away, we learn to speak the truth, our fame grows, sins are removed, the mind becomes pure, and our good name spreads everywhere. All this happens through Satsangam—being in the company of good people.

Link to Ramanuja Nootrandhadhi 32 on what all acharya kadaksham can get. 

பொருந்தியதேசும் பொறையும்திறலும்புகழும் * நல்ல

திருந்தியஞானமும் செல்வமும்சேரும் * செறுகலியால்

வருந்தியஞாலத்தைவண்மையினால் வந்தெடுத்தளித்த

அருந்தவன் * எங்களிராமானுசனையடைபவர்க்கே. 32, இராமாநுச நூற்றந்தாதி

SarvamSriKrishnarpanam

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

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