Reference from Vedas confusion and clarification RIGVEDA

Reference from Vedas confusion and clarification RIGVEDA : Someone wrote to me that a particular number reference can't be traced. You need to first find out how is the translation organized. Rig veda samhita contains 10,170 Riks. These Riks are logically grouped into Suktas. There are total 1028 Suktas. There are two types of references Ashtakas and Mandalas. In RigVeda the number of Suktas is something above a thousand, containing rather more than ten thousand stanzas. They are arranged in two methods. One divides them amongst eight Khandas (portions), or Asthakas (eighths), each of which is, again, subdivided into eight Adhydayas, or lectures. The other plan classes the Suktas under ten Mandalas, or circles, subdivided into rather more than a hundred Anuvakas, or sub-sections. A further subdivision of the Suktas into Vargas, or paragraphs, of about five stanzas each, is common to both classifications. 

1) Western scholars such as Ralph T.H. Griffith translated using the 10 Mandala method. You can see that translation here http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/
2) In Vedic India especially in Southern side of India the Ashtaka method of Rigveda is very popular. This is useful for higher levels of memory retention and recitation. Eleven such ways of reciting the Vedas were designed - Samhita, Pada, Krama, Jata, Maalaa, Sikha, Rekha, Dhwaja, Danda, Rathaa, Ghana, of which Ghana is usually considered the most difficult. You can see the Ashtaka classifications and also listen to Rigveda in the following link: https://vedavichara.com/vedic-chants/rig-veda.html
So you will have to first know the method of classification before going on searching reference. I personally prefer Asthka classification. Don't ask me why ..HAPPY SEARCHING IN THE DIVINE FORREST OF VEDAS.. 

Love and Light, Madhava Turumella

Hindu thought for meditation - with chanting

"Message from the Upanishads" This is my favourite and helps me to meditate...



పరాన్చిఖాని వ్యతృణత్ స్వయంభూః తస్మాత్ పరాన్పశ్యతి నాన్తరాత్మన్ |
కశ్చిద్ధీరాః ప్రత్యగాత్మానమైక్షత్ ఆవృత్త చక్షుః అమృతత్వమిఛ్ఛన్ ||
परान्चिखानि व्यतृणत् स्वयंभूः तस्मात् परान्पश्यति नान्तरात्मन् ।
कश्चिद्धीराः प्रत्यगात्मानमैक्षत् आवृत्त चक्षुः अमृतत्वमिछ्छन् ॥
parAnciKAni vyatRuNat svayaMBUH tasmAt parAnpaSyati nAntarAtman |
kaSciddhIrAH pratyagAtmAnamaikShat AvRutta cakShuH amRutatvamiCCan ||

The original Creator [Supreme Self - svayam bhuh] inflicted the senses to go outwardly, so everyone looks externally. . Therefore, one sees the outer things and not the inner self. A rare, discriminating man desiring immortality, turns his eyes away and sees the indwelling spirit. - Katha Upanishad 2.1.1

 




　




　




　

Hindu marriage tradition - the real meaning of kanyadana

Information: Someone sent me a question regarding Hindu marriage tradition - I thought the answer would be useful to all of you.

Question: After donating the bride (kanyadanam) do parents have any rights and responsibilities towards the girl?! are parents expected to wash off their hands completely after kanyadanam?! Also what advise is there in our scriptures for a happy married life?"


Answer:

In HIndu marriage tradition "kanyaadanam" is misunderstood as "donating a bride". I heard some priests give out a wrong meaning to the word. They wrongly interpret it as "kanya (girl) + daana (donation)".

Kanyadana really means taking / receiving / bringing a bride to home. (आदान = receiving)).

आदान [Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dicionary) [L=23783] receiving , taking for one's self , drawing near to one's self Ragh. iv , 86

In Hindu vivaaha (marriage) the groom sends out a search party to find a suitable bride. He conveys through the priest that for his sake he wants to choose a bride (madardham kanyaam vruneemahe) - this particular usage of word "Vruneemahe" conveys a very reverential meaning. It means he wants to choose a wife with love and respect. A wife who he could treat properly. In our Veda where ever the word "Vruneemahe" is used it is always invoked with respect and reverence. For example see below verse from Rigveda where the invocation says "hotaaram tva vruneemahe".

agne vishvebhir A gahi devebhir havyadAtaye | hotAraM tvA vRuNeemahe || (Rigveda 5.026.04) O Agni, come with all the Gods, come to our sacrificial gift: We choose thee as Invoking Priest.

Hence kanyadana does not mean "donating a bride" it rather means 'the groom is choosing a bride'. Also the groom further gives an explanation why he is choosing a bride. He says that he is choosing a bride "so that he can make the Gods feel happy, so that he can make the society feel happy, so that he can make the bride feel happy, so that he can beget children lawfully (dharma praja)." Interestingly, it appears like there is no personal happiness in such an act (of chosing a bride) for him, at least there is no such thing mentioned in the wedding hymns. It is seen as by getting married the man is fulfilling his grihasta dharma.

Though It is true that bride's parents do give the bride into the hands of groom, they still hold life-long parental bond and parental responsibility towards the bride. It is understood that they are giving their daughter into the hands of an able groom who promised them - 'that he will fulfil his moral obligation towards her as a husband (dharma); that he will provide her financial security (artha); that he will have conjugal relations with her (kama). Therefore it is the responsibility of the husband to make sure that his wife is reasonably happy in his company'.

Hindu marriage is seen as two souls come together in union of love. Both bride and groom are two consenting adults. But the husband has to keep up to his promises. Therefore he has to look after her well, he also should fulfill the wedding promises he made to her parents and also to her!

In Ramayana we all know the story of Kikeyi. She is the wife of Lord Dasaratha. She asked her husband a boon. She wanted to send away Lord Rama to forrests. Lord Dasaratha obliged that. This sounds absurd. Why can't Lord Dasaratha simply overrule his wife?! Sure he can do such a simple thing. Why did he send Lord Rama to forrest when he knows that his wife is asking of him a wrong thing!? Though he chose to disagree with her, plead with her, he obeyed his promise to her. He sent away Lord Rama to forrests! Dasaradha did that because he is honouring his conjugal responsibilities. Same is the case with Seeta. Lord Rama knew how absurd it is to find a golden deer in the forrest, yet when Sita wanted to capture such a deer he obliged! I mentioned these two instances as an example to convey you how how Hindu marriage custom was set. It is plain and simple "A good husband must Honour his wife's wishes"

आत्मा हि दाराः सर्वेषाम् दारसम्ग्रहवर्तिनाम् | A wife is very self to all, who constantly care for their wives. [Vaalmiki Ramayana 2-37-24]

Valmiki Ramayana contains pearls of wisdom towards marriage. Seeta was about to follow her her husband into the forrest. She goes to seek the blessings of her mother-in-law Kausalya. And the words of wisdom Kausalya offers are memorable:

ताम् भुजाभ्याम् परिष्वज्य श्वश्रूर् वचनम् अब्रवीत् |
अनाचरन्तीम् कृपणम् मूध्नि उपाघ्राय मैथिलीम् || २-३९-१९
असत्यः सर्व लोके अस्मिन् सततम् सत्कृताः प्रियैः |
भर्तारम् न अनुमन्यन्ते विनिपात गतम् स्त्रियः || २-३९-२०
एष स्वभावो नारीणामनुभूय पुरा सुखम् |
अल्पामप्यापदम् प्राप्य दुष्यन्ति प्रजहत्यपि || २-३९-२१
असत्यशीला विकृता दुर्र्गाह्याहृदयास्तथा |
युवत्यः पापसम्कल्पाः क्षणमात्राद्विरागिणः || २-३९-२२
न कुलम् न कृतम् विद्या न दत्तम् नापि सम्ग्रहः |
स्त्रीणाम् गृह्णाति हृदयमनित्यहृदया हि ताः || २-३९-२३
साध्वीनाम् हि स्थितानाम् तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे |
स्त्रीणाम् पवित्रम् परमम् पतिरेको विशिष्यते || २-३९-२४

tAm BujAByAm pariShvajya SvaSrUr vacanam abravIt |
anAcarantIm kRupaNam mUdhni upAGrAya maithilIm || 2-39-19
asatyaH sarva loke asmin satatam satkRutAH priyaiH |
BartAram na anumanyante vinipAta gatam striyaH || 2-39-20
eSha svaBAvo nArINAmanuBUya purA suKam |
alpAmapyApadam prApya duShyanti prajahatyapi || 2-39-21
asatyaSIlA vikRutA durrgAhyAhRudayAstathA |
yuvatyaH pApasamkalpAH kShaNamAtrAdvirAgiNaH || 2-39-22
na kulam na kRutam vidyA na dattam nApi samgrahaH |
strINAm gRuhNAti hRudayamanityahRudayA hi tAH || 2-39-23
sAdhvInAm hi sthitAnAm tu SIle satye Srute Same |
strINAm pavitram paramam patireko viSiShyate || 2-39-24

[Valmiki Ramayana 2-39-19:24]

Meaning:
Embracing in her arms that princess of Mithila (Sita), who never behaved in self-pity, and smelling her head(as a token of affection), her mother-in-law(Kausalya) spoke as follows:(19)

"Dishonest women, eventhough adored all the time by their husbands, cease to esteem their husband who has come to pass into evil days, throughout this world."(20) "Having enjoyed happiness in the past, they become spoiled and even desert their husband, on obtaining even the least misfortune: such is the nature of (bad) women."(21) "Young women, who are evil-minded, are untruthful in their disposition, are affected by passion and their essence, incomprehensible. They get aversion within a moment." (22) Neither a noble descent, nor an accomplishment, nor learning, nor a gift nor even entertainment can capture the heart of women. They are unstable of their heart indeed!" (23) "But, for women established in good conduct, truthfulness, sacred learning and mental quietness, their husband alone is the most sacred entity, the best of all." (24)


So you can see from the above pearls of wisdom that "for women established in good conduct, truthfulness, sacred learning and mental quietness, their husband alone is the most sacred entity, the best of all."

Only - in-spite of her genuine efforts, when a housewife finds herself in a situation where she is not happy in her married life then she has every right to do what she wishes! There is scriptural permission for her to do so! She also has every right to break such an unhappy marriage. She can walk away! For example in Vishnu Purana we find a story of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Following a spat with Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi left her heavenly abode and came down to the earth. She walked away from him and settled down in Alimelumangapuram. This is the story of Lord Balaji of Tirupati. Lord Vishnu came down in search of his wife and settled down as Lord Balaji in Tirupati.


As far as I understand, in Hindu tradition a man can not break his marriage no matter how ever much he wishes to do so, but a woman can break her marriage and walk away. A man has to obey the wish of the lady and let her go free! He may try to persuade her but he can't force her!

In Hindu marriage a wife can make or break the marriage. So it is the parents responsibility to educate their daughter towards noble qualities. It is the parents responsibility to teach their son how to be a good husband. It is the responsibility of the wife and husband to live with each other in mutual love and respect.

Such a marriage based on the understanding of our tradition never breaks! But the moderen day living devoid of understanding our scriptures is causing a lot of marital distress. The only way out of this predicament is for the couple to start understanding our Hindu scriptures and traditions. Especially all hindus must read Valmeeki Ramayana and Vyaasa Mahabharata and get proper understanding on our ancient Hindu life and culture.


Om tat sat

-Madhava Turumella, London, UK 21/11/2013 email: madhava@madhava.net

The Story of Swastika BBC Documentary - further information

The Story of the Swastika

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BBC DOCUMENTARY

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03h8rt2/The_Story_of_the_Swastika/

4th November 2013

London, UK

By: Madhava Turumella

email: madhava@madhava.net

Thank you to all those who congratulated me for my appearance in the BBC documentary “The story of Swastika”.  It was a 30 minute documentary hence they could not cover every aspect of Hindu symbol swastika.  Hence I am giving below some further information regarding Swastika which I learned from my great teachers.  Please note that  @20:21 in the BBC Documentary it was said that Swastika can be drawn how ever you may want. This information is not correct hence I felt it is a must to give out the information that I learned from my teachers in Hindu Tantra. Those who are in a hurry can directly visit the section "How to draw a swastika" in this section.

Swastika, a sacred symbol of Hinduism, contains both peaceful and also destructive powers with in it.   It is our Hindu belief that good and bad both are hidden with in the same entity.  One is ghora (terrible) and the other is santa (peaceful).  To put this in context, we need to look at a very confusing yajus in Yajurveda.  "Yate rudra siva tanuh aghora apaapa kaasini - tayanah santamayaa tanuvaa - girisanta abhicakaseehi" (Rudra Namakam Krishna Yajurveda 1.3)  "There are two bodies to Rudra. One is violent and aggressive and the other tranquil that bestow grace and benevolence. Oh! Rudra bless us, that your body will not do any harm."   Here the confusion is that  - a person can have only one body, how could the same being has two bodies?!  Two individuals can share the same name, but can a person be in two bodies at the same time?!    In his commentary to Yajurveda Sri Sayanacharya (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayana)  made an interesting observation to clear out the confusion.   “It is our Hindu belief that good and bad both are hidden with in the same entity.  A knife can be used for peaceful vegetable cutting purpose in a kitchen, but the same knife can be used to mercilessly slit the throat of a living being!  Instrument is the same but purpose is different.  One is ghora (terrible) and the other is santa (peaceful).”  This is what it means by praying “Oh Rudra we want you to bless us with the form which is peaceful”. (tayaanah santamayaa tanuvaa nah abhicaakaseehi).  An atom can be used to produce electricity, and it can also be used to create a bomb.  Both darkness and light are hidden in the symbol.

Also in Hindu occultism Swastika purposefully gets tilted to invoke bad forces.  In ancient times they used to draw tilted reversed swastika's  on the fort walls of enemies. Their belief was that such a thing does black magic.

We are strictly advised to respect our symbols.  Swastika should only be used for peaceful purposes.  It can be compared to the wise advise - that the power of Atom should only be used for peaceful purposes.

Hence it is entirely dependant upon us how we draw swastika and for which purpose.  Swastika drawn properly brings peace and prosperity.But swastika drawn tilted causes immense destruction.

Nazis drawn Swastika in both ways. On their war machinery and on their military uniforms they drawn "Tilted" swastika which, as per ancient Hindu symbolic belief, causes death and destruction.

NAZI SWASTIKA TILTED

Nazis also used Swastika drawn properly on their civil infrastructure building that bring prosperity. Germany no doubt, temporarily prospered under Nazis, but their twisted minds twisted Swastika which brought ultimate distruction. So please beware on how you draw swastika.

The sacred hymn to chant while drawing a Swastika:

स्व॒स्ति न॒ ऽइन्द्रो॑ वृध्दश्र॑वाः

स्व॒स्ति नः॑ पू॒पा विश्ववे॑दाः।

स्व॒स्ति न॒स्ताक्ष्र्यो॒ऽअरि॑ष्टनेमिः

स्व॒स्ति नो॒ बृह॒स्पति॑र्दधातु | - यजु० २२।१६

Swasti na indro vriddha shravaah

swasti nah pooshaa vishwa vedaah.

Swasti nas taark-shyo arista-nemih

swasti no brihas-patir dadhaatu | - yajurveda 22.16

Meaning:  "May Indra (who is) extolled in the scriptures, be auspicious to us; may Pushan, the all-knowing be propitious to us; May Trakshya, who saves from all harm (destroyer of evil), be well disposed towards us; and may Brihaspati (God of learning) ensure our welfare!"

Though many times Swasti (peace) is invoked in our Vedas.  It is this particular Hymn where all four very powerful vedic gods are invoked takes higher importance in regular Hindu Rituals.

THE GODS OF HINDU SWASTIKA

Indra is the king of the gods and ruler of the heavens. Indra is the god of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He leads the Deva (the gods who form and maintain Heaven) and the elements, such as Agni (fire),Varuna (water) and Surya (sun), and constantly wages war against the opponents of the gods, the demon-like asuras.	*
Pushan  (पूषन) Sun god -  He is the god of meeting. Pushan was responsible for marriages, journeys, roads, and the feeding of cattle. He was a psychopomp, guide of souls conducting souls to the other world. He protected travelers from bandits and wild beasts, and protected men from being exploited by other men. He was a supportive guide, a "good" god, leading his adherents towards rich pastures and wealth. He carried a golden lance, a symbol of activity.	*
tarksya - A God who is in the form of a flying horse.  Garuda, the king of birds is also called arishtanemi, meaning the one whose path is unobstructed. He is known for His farsightedness. Being endowed with divine powers, he is capable of flying long distances. Garuda is symbolic of Vedas. He has a great capacity for self-rejuvenation. Just like how an eagle can see harmful serpants and capture them, tarksha  is capable of capturing and removing any inauspicious things in our path.	*
Bruhaspati "lord of prayer or devotion", also known as Deva-guru (guru of the gods), is a Hindu god and a Vedic deity. He is considered the personification of piety and religion, and the chief 'offerer of prayers and sacrifices to the gods' (Sanskrit: Purohita), with whom he intercedes on behalf of humankind.	*

How to draw swastika:

They should not be curved or tilted.   The angles of Swastika, when drawn on walls, the seat of Brihaspati should be  perfectly aligned to the earth (i.e should not be tilted).  When drawn on a flat surface they should perfectly aligned to the four directions.   The right-side of Swastika always points to the East.  Please the below diagram.  Angle 2 (Sun God) of Swastika should always point to the East direction. Any person who is attending the puja ritual should be able to identify the directions by looking at the swastika.  Knowing the directions are very important for performing all Hindu rituals. Particular Gods live in particular directions. For example Lord Siva lives in North direction. Sun God lives in the East direction.  Fire God lives in North-East Direction.  Hence when a priest wants to invoke sacred fire he would turn towards North-East to invite FireGod.  Instead of asking for directions, the priest can look at the Swastika drawn on the floor of the house and get the directions!   Sometimes swastika drawn on the floor can appear tilted because it is drawn aligning to the directions.

Swastika when drawn in a square should always perfectly align its angles. The square should be aligned to the directions.  The seat of learning Brihaspati - angle 4. When you draw Swastika on a wall, you should not tilt it because when tilted Brihapsati gets unseated. It is believed that such a thing can only bring darkness and ignorance.

SWASTIKA USED IN A WEDDING RITUAL

We use swastika in wedding ritual as a seat for Lord Ganesha; as a visual pointer to help the wedding priest to orient himself with the directions.

I hope I made it clear the real meaning and application behind Hindu Swastika.  It is quite sad that Nazis had usurped our sacred symbol and used it for immense death and destruction.  I sincerely pray for the welfare of all those souls who lost their lives in that senseless holocaust.  

Finally I am quite happy with the way BBC made this documentary.  The documentary is quite good.  May the sacred Swastika bless us all.

Om Santih Santih Santih

Om Peace Peace Peace

PRAYERS OF OUR HINDU ANCESTORS [RAIN GOD]

Our ancestors ardently prayed to nature when they were frightened. I thought giving these prayer text to Rain God with their meanings and references would be useful to the believing minds. Even today - these prayers are chanted regularly by traditional Brahmins as a part of their sandhya ritual. I am giving below the full vedic prayer both in Sanskrit and in Telugu. Below that I gave each Rik, Sama and Yajus seperately with their referencce and English meaning. -Madhava Turumella, London 12/10/2013

Full Vedic Prayer chanted together to appease the Rain God 

इमं मे वरुण शृधीहवमध्या च मृडय। त्वामवस्यु राचके। तत्वायामि ब्रह्मणा वंदमानस्तदाशास्ते यजमानो हविर्भिः। अहेडमानो वरुणेहबोध्युरुषं समान आयुः प्रमोषीः। यछ्छिद्धिते विषो यधा प्रदेव वरुण व्रतम्। मिनीमसि द्यविद्यवि। यत्किंचेदं वरुण दैव्ये जनेभिद्रोहं मनुष्यश्चरामसि। अचित्तीयत्तव धर्मा युयोपिम मा नस्तस्मादेनसो देव रीरिषः। कितवासो यद्रिरिपुर्न दीवि यद्वाघ सत्यमुत यन्न विद्म। सर्वा ता विष्य शिथिरेव देवाथा ते स्याम वरुण प्रियसः ।

ఇమం మే వరుణ శృధీహవమధ్యా చ మృడయ| త్వామవస్యు రాచకే| తత్వాయామి బ్రహ్మణా వందమానస్తదాశాస్తే యజమానో హవిర్భిః| అహేడమానో వరుణేహబోధ్యురుషం సమాన ఆయుః ప్రమోషీః| యఛ్ఛిద్ధితే విషో యధా ప్రదేవ వరుణ వ్రతమ్| మినీమసి ద్యవిద్యవి|  యత్కించేదం వరుణ దైవ్యే జనేభిద్రోహం మనుష్యశ్చరామసి| అచిత్తీయత్తవ ధర్మా యుయోపిమ మా నస్తస్మాదేనసో దేవ రీరిషః|  కితవాసో యద్రిరిపుర్న దీవి యద్వాఘ సత్యముత యన్న విద్మ| సర్వా తా విష్య శిథిరేవ దేవాథా తే స్యామ వరుణ ప్రియసః |

इमं मे वरुण शृधीहवमध्या च मृडय। त्वामवस्यु राचके।
ఇమం మే వరుణ శృధీహవమధ్యా చ మృడయ| త్వామవస్యు రాచకే|
Imam me varuna srudhi havam. adya cha mridaya| Tvam avas yurachake|
                                [Rigveda 1.25.19, Samaveda 1585, Shukla Yajurveda (21.1)]

Meaning: O Varuna, please fulfil this prayer of mine and make me happy here and now. I pray for Thy protection.

तत्वायामि ब्रह्मणा वंदमानस्तदाशास्ते यजमानो हविर्भिः। अहेडमानो वरुणेहबोध्युरुषं समान आयुः प्रमोषीः।
తత్వాయామి బ్రహ్మణా వందమానస్తదాశాస్తే యజమానో హవిర్భిః| అహేడమానో వరుణేహబోధ్యురుషం సమాన ఆయుః ప్రమోషీః|
Tattva yami brahmana vandamanastadasaste Yajamano Havirbhih| Ahedamano varuneha bodhyurusam sa Ma na ayuh pramosih|
                                     [Rigveda 1.24.11, Krishna Yujurveda 2.1.11.6, Shukla Yajurveda 18.49 & 21.2]

Meaning: I seek refuge in Thee uttering the Vedic mantras. The sacrificers seek Thee with the ingredients of offering.

यछ्छिद्धिते विषो यधा प्रदेव वरुण व्रतम्। मिनीमसि द्यविद्यवि।
యఛ్ఛిద్ధితే విషో యధా ప్రదేవ వరుణ వ్రతమ్| మినీమసి ద్యవిద్యవి|
Yacchiddhite viso yatha pradeva varuna vratam| Minimasi dyavi dyavi|
                                                                       [Rigveda 1.25.1, Krishna Yajurveda 3.4.11.4]

Meaning: O famous Varuna, please accept my prayer and don't ignore it. Please do not shorten my span of life.


यत्किंचेदं वरुण दैव्ये जनेभिद्रोहं मनुष्यश्चरामसि। अचित्तीयत्तव धर्मा युयोपिम मा नस्तस्मादेनसो देव रीरिषः।
యత్కించేదం వరుణ దైవ్యే జనేభిద్రోహం మనుష్యశ్చరామసి| అచిత్తీయత్తవ ధర్మా యుయోపిమ మా నస్తస్మాదేనసో దేవ రీరిషః|
Yatkinchedam varuna daivye jane abhidroham Manusyascharamasi| Achittiyattava dharma yu yopima Ma nastasmadenaso deva ririsah|
                                            [Rigveda 7.89.5, Atharva veda 6.51.3, Krishna Yajurveda 3.4.11.6]

Meaning: O Lord Varuna, Please protect us without punishing us for sins committed by us in different ways - by omitng to perform daily. Thy worship like the ignorant folk, by committing frauds on the celestials because of human ignorance or by infringing the path of righteousness laid down by you.


कितवासो यद्रिरिपुर्न दीवि यद्वाघ सत्यमुत यन्न विद्म। सर्वा ता विष्य शिथिरेव देवाथा ते स्याम वरुण प्रियसः ।
కితవాసో యద్రిరిపుర్న దీవి యద్వాఘ సత్యముత యన్న విద్మ| సర్వా తా విష్య శిథిరేవ దేవాథా తే స్యామ వరుణ ప్రియసః |
Kitavaso yadriripurna divi yadvagha satyamuta Yanna vidma| Sarva ta visya sithireva devatha te Syama varuna priyasah|
                                                                 [Rigveda 5.85.8, Krishna Yajurveda 3.4.11.6]

Meaning: O Varuna, please expunge the sin like those attributed to me unjustly by wicked people like gamblers who go where the good do not go or the sins committed by me consciously or unconsciously. We must ever remain beloved of you.

Coconut Tree and Good People

प्रधम वयसि पीतम् तॊयमल्पम् स्मरन्तः 

शिरसि निहित भा्रा नारिकॆळा नराणाम् ।

उदक ममृत कल्पम् द्ध्युरा जीवितान्तम् 

नहि कृत मुपकारम् साधवॊ विस्मर्न्ति ॥

नारिकॆळ व्रुक्षः यदा लघु भवति तदा जनाः तस्य किन्चित् किन्चित् जलम् यच्चन्ति । तॆन जनॆन सह नारिकॆळ वृक्षः वर्धति । अनन्तरम् सः नारिकॆळ वृक्षः पूर्व वयसि पीतम् जलम् स्मरन् यावत् जीवितान्तम् जनॆभ्यः अम्रुत समानम् रुचिकरम् जलम् यच्छति । तधैव सज्जनाः अन्यैः कृतम् उपकारम् स्मरन्तः तॆषाम् प्रत्युपकारम् कुर्वन्ति । द्र्जनाः अन्यैः कृतम् उपकारम् सीघ्रमॆव विस्मरन्ति । परन्तु सज्जनानाम् स्वभावः तधानास्ति । आजीवनम् यावत् तॆषाम् उपकाराम् स्मरन्तः जनॆभ्यः उपकारम् कुर्वन्ति । 

pradhama vayasi pItam tOyamalpam smarantaH 

Sirasi nihita BA#094D;rA nArikELA narANAm |

udaka mamRuta kalpam ddhyurA jIvitAntam 

nahi kRuta mupakAram sAdhavO vismarnti ||

nArikELa vrukShaH yadA laGu Bavati tadA janAH tasya kincit kincit jalam yaccanti | tEna janEna saha nArikELa vRukShaH vardhati | anantaram saH nArikELa vRukShaH pUrva vayasi pItam jalam smaran yAvat jIvitAntam janEByaH amruta samAnam rucikaram jalam yacCati | tadhaiva sajjanAH anyaiH kRutam upakAram smarantaH tEShAm pratyupakAram kurvanti | drjanAH anyaiH kRutam upakAram sIGramEva vismaranti | parantu sajjanAnAm svaBAvaH tadhAnAsti | AjIvanam yAvat tEShAm upakArAm smarantaH janEByaH upakAram kurvanti | 

In this words of wisdom (subhaashita) the nature of the "Good People" (saadu janaaH) is explained. 

People offer little water to the coconut tree when it is in plant stage.  It grows big by drinking that little water offered by people. Later days, as long as it lives the coconut tree having remembered the help offered by people, it gives back water tasting as good as nector to people.  "Bad people" easily forget the help offered to them by the people.  But the nature of good people is quite opposite.  They remember even a small help and help out in return as long as they live.

Difference between good and wicked people

विद्या विवादाय धनम् मदाय शक्तिः परॆषां परिपीडनाय ।

खलस्य साधॊरिवपरीतमॆतत् ज्ञानाय दानाय च रक्षणाय ॥

लॊकॆ सज्जनाः विद्यां धनम् शक्तिं संपादयंति । दुर्जनाः अपि विद्यां संपादयंति धनं संपादयंति शक्तिं अपि संपादयंति । किंतु तॆषु कः कस्य निमित्तं तस्य उपयॊगं करॊति ऎतत् चिंतनीयम् । दुर्जनाः विद्या उपयॊगं विवादाय कुर्वंति धनस्य उपयॊगं मदाय कुर्वंति शक्तॆः उपयॊगं अन्यॆषाम् दुर्बलानां पीडनाय कुर्वंति । परंतु सज्जनाः व्यवहारं यॆतत् विपरीतया भवति । तॆषां विद्या ज्ञानाय भवति । तैः संगृहीतं धनम् यदस्ति तद् दानाय उपयुक्तं भवति । ऎवमॆव् तैः संपादिता या शक्तिः अस्ति तस्याः उपयॊगः अन्यॆषां दुर्बलानां रक्षणाय ऎव भवति ।

vidyA vivAdAya dhanam madAya SaktiH parEShAM paripIDanAya |

Kalasya sAdhOrivaparItamEtat j~jAnAya dAnAya ca rakShaNAya ||

lOkE sajjanAH vidyAM dhanam SaktiM saMpAdayaMti | durjanAH api vidyAM saMpAdayaMti dhanaM saMpAdayaMti SaktiM api saMpAdayaMti | kiMtu tEShu kaH kasya nimittaM tasya upayOgaM karOti Etat ciMtanIyam | durjanAH vidyA upayOgaM vivAdAya kurvaMti dhanasya upayOgaM madAya kurvaMti SaktEH upayOgaM anyEShAm durbalAnAM pIDanAya kurvaMti | paraMtu sajjanAH vyavahAraM yEtat viparItayA Bavati | tEShAM vidyA j~jAnAya Bavati | taiH saMgRuhItaM dhanam yadasti tad dAnAya upayuktaM Bavati | EvamEv taiH saMpAditA yA SaktiH asti tasyAH upayOgaH anyEShAM durbalAnAM rakShaNAya Eva Bavati |

Translation:

In this world good people acquire education, money and power.  Wicked People also acquire education, earn money; they also acquire power.  But it is important to know between them who uses these [education, money and power] where!  Wicked people use their education in quarreling with others; they use their money in satisfying their ego; they use their power to trouble the people who are weak and helpless.   But good people do the opposite!  Their education results in knowledge [for the welfare]; they use their money in donation.  Same way, the good peopele use their power to rescue the weak and hapless people who are in trouble.

..........

Apply this context to what is going on in Libya.  Said Gaddafi [the famous second son of the dictator]  got educated in the prestigious London School of Economics [LSE]  but he used his education to plot on how to trouble his own people and how to trouble them.  He used his money to satify his ego in constructing palaces which costs enormous amount of state money [while at the same time his citizens are suffering].  He used his military power to slaughter his own citizens who are weak and helpless.

మంచివారితో స్నేహం - Friendship with good people

दूरी करॊति दुरितम् विमली करॊति 

चॆतश्चिरन्तनमघं चुलिकी करॊति ।

भूतॆषु किन्च करुणां बहुली करॊति 

सत्संगतिः क‍थय किं न करॊति ॥

लॊकॆ सर्वॆषाः स्नॆहिताः भवंति ऎव । किंतु सर्वॆपि उत्तमाः न भवंति । तथा अपि उत्तमानां ऎव सहवासः करणीयः इति वदन् सुभाषितकारः अय्स कारणानि वदति ।  सज्जनानाम् सहवासॆन  दॊषाः गछंति । मनः शुद्धं भवति । अन्यॆषां जंतूनां उपरि प्रीतिः भवति । सज्जनानां सहवासः अस्तिचॆत् किं किं वयं न प्राप्नुमः । अर्थात् सज्जनानां सहवासॆन वयं सर्वं प्राप्नुं शक्नुमः ।

English Transliteration:

dUrI karOti duritam vimalI karOti 

cEtaScirantanamaGaM culikI karOti |

BUtEShu kinca karuNAM bahulI karOti 

satsaMgatiH ka^thaya kiM na karOti ||

lOkE sarvEShAH snEhitAH BavaMti Eva | kiMtu sarvEpi uttamAH na BavaMti | tathA api uttamAnAM Eva sahavAsaH karaNIyaH iti vadan suBAShitakAraH aysa kAraNAni vadati | sajjanAnAm sahavAsEna  dOShAH gaCaMti | manaH SuddhaM Bavati | anyEShAM jaMtUnAM upari prItiH Bavati | sajjanAnAM sahavAsaH asticEt kiM kiM vayaM na prApnumaH | arthAt sajjanAnAM sahavAsEna vayaM sarvaM prApnuM SaknumaH |

Telugu Transliteration

దూరీ కరోతి దురితమ్ విమలీ కరోతి 

చేతశ్చిరన్తనమఘం చులికీ కరోతి |

భూతేషు కిన్చ కరుణాం బహులీ కరోతి 

సత్సంగతిః క‍థయ కిం న కరోతి ||

లోకే సర్వేషాః స్నేహితాః భవంతి ఏవ | కింతు సర్వేపి ఉత్తమాః న భవంతి | తథా అపి ఉత్తమానాం ఏవ సహవాసః కరణీయః ఇతి వదన్ సుభాషితకారః అయ్స కారణాని వదతి | సజ్జనానామ్ సహవాసేన  దోషాః గఛంతి | మనః శుద్ధం భవతి | అన్యేషాం జంతూనాం ఉపరి ప్రీతిః భవతి | సజ్జనానాం సహవాసః అస్తిచేత్ కిం కిం వయం న ప్రాప్నుమః | అర్థాత్ సజ్జనానాం సహవాసేన వయం సర్వం ప్రాప్నుం శక్నుమః |

Meaning in English:

In this world almost everyone will have friends.  But all friends are not of great qualities. Even then we must try to make friendship with people with good qualities.  Saying thus the writer of this words of wisdom giving us the following reasons in support:  Good people's friendship will rid us of our bad qualities.  It cleanses our mind.  It helps us in developing compassion towards other beings.  If we have the company of good people what is that we can not achieve!  To conclude we must all try to make friendship with good people.

 తెలుగులో అర్థం:

లోకంలో అందరికీ స్నేహితులు ఉంటారు.  కానీ వాళ్లందరూ మంచిస్నేహితులే అయి వుండరు.  కానీ మనం అన్ని సమయాలలోనూ మంచి స్నేహితులను పొందడానికి ప్రయత్నం చెయ్యాలి.  ఈ విషయం చెబుతూ సుభాషితకారులు మంచి స్నేహితం చేస్తో వచ్చే ఫలితాలను గురించి చెబుతున్నారు.  మంచి స్నేహితం మనలోని దోషాలను తొలగిస్తుంది.  మన మనసులని నిర్మలం చేస్తుంది.  ఇతర ప్రాణికోటులపైన ప్రేమ దయ కలిగింప జేస్తుంది.  నిజానికి మంచి స్నేహితులు వుంటే మనం ఈ ప్రపంచంలో సాధించలేనిదంటూ ఏముంది?  కాబట్టి మనం ఎల్లప్పుడూ మంచి స్నేహితులను పొందడానికి ప్రయత్నం చేద్దాము..

Importance of Education

विद्यानां नरस्य रूपमधिकं प्रछन्नगुप्तं धनं

विद्या भॊगकरी यशः शुभकरी विद्या गुरूणां गुरुः ।

विद्या बंधुजनॊ विदॆश् गमनॆ विद्या परा दॆवता

विद्या राजसुपूज्यतॆ नतु धनं विद्या विहीनः पशुः ॥

ऎतस्मिन सुभाषितॆ सुभाषितकारः विद्यायाः महत्वं वर्णयति। विद्या मनुष्याय किं किं संविध्यं कल्पयंति इति विषयॆ विस्तरॆण वदति। विद्या नरस्य रूपं ददाति। विद्या यधा रक्षितं धनं आपत्कालॆ मनुष्यं रक्षति तधैव मनुष्यं रक्षति। विद्या भॊगं ददाति। सुखं ददाति। विद्या गुरूणां गुरुः अस्ति। विद्या नरस्त्य विदॆश गमन समयॆ बंधुः इव साहायं करॊति। विद्या श्रॆष्ठा दॆवता अस्ति। धनं अस्तिचॆत् राजास्थानॆ सन्मानं न लभति परंतु विद्या अस्तिचॆह् राजास्थानॆ सन्मानं लभ्यतॆ। ऎवं विद्यावान् समाजॆ शॊभतॆ।  विद्या रहितः कथं भवति इति सुभाषितकारः सम्यक् निंदति विद्या विहीनः पशुः। अतः सर्वैः अपि विद्या संपादनीया।

English Transliteration:

vidyAnAM narasya rUpamadhikaM praCannaguptaM dhanaM

vidyA BOgakarI yaSaH SuBakarI vidyA gurUNAM guruH |

vidyA baMdhujanO vidES gamanE vidyA parA dEvatA

vidyA rAjasupUjyatE natu dhanaM vidyA vihInaH paSuH ||

Etasmina suBAShitE suBAShitakAraH vidyAyAH mahatvaM varNayati| vidyA manuShyAya kiM kiM saMvidhyaM kalpayaMti iti viShayE vistarENa vadati| vidyA narasya rUpaM dadAti| vidyA yadhA rakShitaM dhanaM ApatkAlE manuShyaM rakShati tadhaiva manuShyaM rakShati| vidyA BOgaM dadAti| suKaM dadAti| vidyA gurUNAM guruH asti| vidyA narastya vidESa gamana samayE baMdhuH iva sAhAyaM karOti| vidyA SrEShThA dEvatA asti| dhanaM asticEt rAjAsthAnE sanmAnaM na laBati paraMtu vidyA asticEh rAjAsthAnE sanmAnaM laByatE| EvaM vidyAvAn samAjE SOBatE|  vidyA rahitaH kathaM Bavati iti suBAShitakAraH samyak niMdati vidyA vihInaH paSuH| ataH sarvaiH api vidyA saMpAdanIyA|

English Meaning

In this words of wisdom, the writer is explaining the importance of education.  He says in eloborate terms on what all Education can provide!  Education gives charisma to the person.  Just like how the money saved helps during the times of need, education saves a person in times of need.  Education gives you wealth. It gives you pleasure.  Education is a teacher to the teachers [Only by education they became teachers, so it is higher than them].  When you are abroad Education helps you like a close relative.  Education is best of the Gods.  You may not get honours in the kings court because of your money, but if you are educated then you will get honours.  Thus an educated person shines in the society.  Those who are uneducated are compared to day to day animals who live just to satisfy their instincts [they eat when they are hungry, drink when they are thirsty, etc.,]  Therefore it is paramount to get educated at all costs.