Subhashitmala
Subhashitmala
Sanskrit is the
oldest language on the earth. It was invented and spoken by the ancient
Indians. And even now, the importance of Sanskrit is rising not only in India
but also in rest of the world. It is a fact that the person who learns
Sanskrit, can learn any other language very easily. This is because, the
pronunciations, the words in Sanskrit are such that they clear your speech.
A 'Su-bha-shit' is a small
poem or saying which explains a very deep meaning. Sanskrit literature has a
huge treasure of such Subhashits. These verses tell you about how to make
life meaningful, what to do and what not to do. They inculcate good habits in people.
As I did in Arz Kiya Hai, I will
give meaning of each Subhashit below it so that everyone can read and
understand the meaning of it. I hope you all will like it.
1) 
Literal Meaning: We
are our own preceptors, especially in case of humans. We have to excel by
learning from our own experiences and thinking.
Explanation:
Mentor just guides you. It is for you to follow the path shown by your mentor.
Further, you should find your way by watching and thinking. Hence this verse
says that we are our own preceptors.
2) 
Literal meaning : A
teacher, teaches the same thing to a scholar as well as to a dumb student. It
is not that he increases the knowledge of the scholar and decreases the
knowledge of the dumb. But we see the difference in the grasping of both
students. As we can see our reflection in a polished gem but not in the dry
sand.
Explanation : A
teacher is never partial. He treats all his students equally. The one who
takes interest in studying, learns faster. Everyone has a different taste, a
different aptitude. All students cannot draw good pictures or sing good songs.
Everyone has to find his own interest; his own way.
3) 
Meaning : What's
on our mind, is reflected in our speech. Our acts depend upon our
speech. Mind, Speech and Acts are balanced in case of wise men.
4)
Meaning : Your
wishes are fulfilled only by taking efforts and doing the things required.
Mere dreaming of them is of no value. Deers never enter into the Lion's mouth
by themselves.
Explanation : As
said by Saint Ramdas, Hardwork is god. Lion is said to be the King of the
Jungle, and the strongest animal. But even he has to work hard and hunt to be
able to live. Hence, nothing is achieved by just thinking and dreaming big. Hard work, is the key.
5)
Meaning : Laziness
is the biggest enemy of a man. The best way to deal with it is to work. If a
person keeps himself busy in work, he never feels lazy. Hard work is the key.
6)
Meaning :
There is no donor like a miser.
It is because, after his death, he gives away all his accumulated wealth
without even touching it.
7)
Meaning: Who
doesn't have problems in his family? Is anyone there who has never been ill
and never faced a disease? Who has never had difficulties? And who is the
one having all sorts of happiness all the times?
Explanation: There
is no one, who has never faced problems, diseases, difficulties in life.
Everyone has problems. No one stays happy forever. The one who fights these
ever rising problems with confidence, finds happiness.
8)
Meaning : A
fool gets respect only in his house. A rich is known and respected only in
his town. Kings get respect throughout their territories. Whereas Genius
people (wise men) are respected in entire world (wherever they go).
9)
Meaning: The
man who wants to accomplish certain objective, takes care of other
people till the time, his objective is accomplished. He keeps on talking
nice and sweet to people and makes them happy. Before going to the other
side of the river, the man waits for a boat eagerly. But, what
is the use of a boat for the man who has reached the other side of
the river?
Essence: People
forget you as soon as their goal is achieved. This universal rule is
stated beautifully in this Subhaashit.
10)
Meaning
: 'Hope'
is such a thing which is different, bigger and stronger than an
iron chain. As metal catches rust after certain period. But a person,
who is trapped in the shackles of hope can never escape. He gets more
and more into it.
Explanation
: The poet suggests here, that 'hope',
can never diminish. It is like an addiction. So it is better to stay
away from it and be in the present.
11)
Meaning :
A Generous person would prefer death. But he will not tolerate
trifling. Fire may get extinguished. But it shall never accept to be
cool.
Explanation:
A generous person is never ready to lose his reputation as a
generous person. He is ready to sacrifice all other things for that.
The word 'Manasvi' has another meaning
and that is 'a self esteemed person'. Such persons do not do
anything which would shake their esteem. Hence the poet has given an
illustration of fire. The fire would get extinguished but it shall
never accept the coolness of ice.
12)
Meaning:
Talent
can be recognized only in the company of learned people. In a
company of fools, it proves to be a fault. River water is sweet.
People are always looking to taste it. But it does not remain
sweet when those rivers meet the oceans.
Explanation :
If you want your merits and talents to be praised, you should
find a good company. Ignorant people cannot recognize good talent. In fact, a good quality can turn out be a
bad quality in their company. When river water is mixed with sea
water, it does not remain sweet. It becomes inconsumable.
13)
Meaning
: Talking nice
things pleases all the people. Hence one should talk just
like that. Why to act miserly while talking?
14)
Meaning :
There is no penance like calm nature. There is no bigger
happiness than content. No disease is as vital as greediness.
And there is no greater religion than Compassion.
15)
Meaning
: Knowledge is acquired by learning from every
moment. Wealth is built up by saving every penny. If moments
are wasted, how knowledge can be acquired? If every penny is
not saved, how can wealth be built up?
Moral:
It is said that 'A penny saved is a penny earned.' We should
utilize every single moment of our life. He who wants to
have knowledge and money, must save every moment and every
penny.
16)
Meaning : How
can knowledge be acquired by a person without any inborn talent?
As, mirror is of no use to a blind.
Explanation : One
who is habituated of drinking water from other persons' hands, can
never quench his thirst. It is impossible to live with the aid of
others' knowledge. Hence, one's own intelligence has got a
different meaning; a different importance. To make use of the
available information, intelligence is a must.
Our professor
once told us, 'Information
when digested, becomes knowledge. Knowledge, when it is put to
use, becomes wisdom.'
17)
Meaning:
Who does not benefit from
Wise men's company? Even a drop of water on the leaf of a Lotus,
looks like a Pearl.
Moral:
Being in a company of wise, learned
men, is always beneficial to us. If water falls on the leaf of
great flower such as Lotus, it glows like a Pearl. It is the
greatness of wise men's company.
18)
Meaning
: The
Sun looks read at the sunrise as well as at the sunset.
Similarly, in good times (prosperity, glory) as well as during
bad times (Crisis) of their lives, broad-minded people do
not change their nature; their attitude.
Moral
: Broad-Minded people
never get carried away by glory and never get depressed during
bad times.
19)
Meaning
: A friend is tested during crisis. A warrior is
tested on the battlefield. Good behaviour is a test of one's
family. And One's character is tested when in debt.
Explanation
: Crisis or Problematic situation is the best test
for friendship. Warrior's courage is best tested on the
battlefield. A man's character is tested during
financial difficulties/crisis.
20)
Meaning : Though there are
thousands of stars in the sky, they cannot overcome
darkness. But only the moon can shine through the night.
Similarly, one brilliant son born in a family is better than
hundred dumb children.
21)
Meaning:
Being in company of noble ones, having friendship
with learned people, and good behaviour with relatives and
friends. Such type of nature is never harmful.
22)
Meaning : Even if no one
talks about one's qualities, they reveal themselves by
way of behaviour. A blossomed flower plant, even if
it is hidden, will spread its scent all over.
23)
Meaning
: Beginning a task which is out of our reach,
is one of the signs of intelligence. And completing the
task undertaken is the other sign of intelligence.
24)
Meaning:
Yogurt is sweet, Honey is sweet. Grapes taste sweet,
Nectar also tastes sweet. He whose heart is involved
in a thing, finds that thing sweet.
Moral:
You can enjoy a thing if you do it with all your
heart.
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