Paapa-Punya

पुण्यस्य फलं इच्छन्ति पुण्यं नेच्छन्ति मानवा: |
न पाप फलं इच्छन्ति पापं कुर्वन्ति यत्नत: ||

PuNyasya phalam ichchhanti puNyam nechchhati maanavaa-haa
Na paapa phalam ichchhanti paapam kurvanti yatnata-ha

Meaning: People (maanavaa-haa) desire (ichchhanti) the fruits of virtuous acts or good deeds (punya). But they do not bring themselves to actually do such virtuous deeds.
On the other hand, they do not desire the fruits of their sinful acts. Yet, they knowingly (yatnataha) keep doing (kurvanti) sins (paapa).

Ironical yet true! We all want good to happen to us yet we do not have the time or the inclination to do good. And we do not want bad to happen to us yet we indulge in to sin, knowing very well what we are doing.
We somehow think that the most basic principle of the mortal world doesn't apply to us—Cause and Effect !
(Matrix fans - remember the Merovingian?)

We want everything good to come to us without efforts... for free... but we ourselves do not want to give time to any cause that gives us no material gains. Well, if no one's giving out free stuff, how will we receive it?

Pretty interesting that the most intelligent of all the species is unable to comprehend & act on such a basic logical truth!

Shyness

धन धान्य प्रयोगेषु विद्यासङ्ग्रहणेषु च
आहारे व्यवहारे च त्यक्तलज्जः सुखी भवेत्
- चाणक्य नीति

Dhana dhaanya prayogeShu vidyaasangrahaNeShu cha
aahaare vyavahaare cha tyakta-lajja-ha sukhee bhavet
- Chanakya Neeti

Meaning: In dealing with money and riches (dhana-dhaanya), earning knowledge (vidyaa), eating (aahaare) and in conduct (vyavahaare)—he prospers, who has discarded shyness (tyakta-lajja) or is not shy!

Very Interesting! If you are shy in business, you will never be able to recover your debts, or even sell your stuff. In fact, you can't conduct a profitable business at all, if you are shy.

Whilst gathering knowledge also, you can not afford to be shy. If you do not ask questions when you have doubts, you will be left with half-knowledge. Like they say, 'Ask the question, and you may feel stupid for a moment, but if you don't, then you will remain stupid for ever!' Even Lord Krishna says in the Bhagwad Geeta that the true method of education is Pari-prashnen sevyaa-haa.

Now this is my favorite—when you sit down to eat... never, never, never be shy! You may look awkward, greedy, brash and downright rude sometimes, but its best to get in your plate what you want, and avoid what you don't!

Even in general conduct, if we can not put forth the ideas that we believe in, then we won't be valued in society. Even though opposing, but people who present ideas are more valued, than people who remain silent and confirm to what others are saying. Shyness in all these situations hinders our prosperity and the resulting happiness.

Though not directly written in this subhaashit, I feel this is most applicable to the Soldiers of God. It's almost a prerequisite for being a loved one to God. It doesn't matter whether we are knowledgeable, rich or influential. What matters most is, can we go out and share our love for God?
Society today doesn't need the thoughts of God. The children of God are seemingly happy & contented in their cocooned cells which they call life. If the Soldiers of God are shy, if they are reticent, reserved, timid & bashful, how will they wake up the society from its slumber?
We have to go out, meet them, talk to them... again and again and again and again... and again, whether they want us or not, whether they welcome us or not, for it is not they whom we speak with, it is their Lord within!

So shun your shyness and speak up. There is no substitute to you!

broad-mind​edness

अयं निज: परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् |
उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ||

Ayam nija-ha paro veti gaNanaa laghu-chetasaam
Udaara-charitaanaam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam.

Meaning: Considerations like he's mine (nija) or he is another's (para) occur only to narrow-minded people. To the broad-minded people, the whole world is a family.

God created all humans in His form, and it is we humans who have created these divisions based on caste, creed, color, religion & nation. Sages & Rishis of India have always talked of Vasudhaiva Kutumb. Our culture has accepted each and every person, no matter what profession or religion he follows. That is true broad-mindedness. In fact, that's a trait we will find in holy men from anywhere in the world.

To accept another is different, and to honestly & wholeheartedly welcome and make that person a part of our family is way too different. It takes guts to include someone of a different religion or nation into the folds of our family and make that person feel home. That is a true implementation of the concept of Indwelling God—when you can see your beloved God even in a so-called another. Then, the other doesn't remain an other!

The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumb is not a theoretical or academic notion, but a living reality. The Swadhyay Parivar founded by the revered philosopher-scientist Pandurang Shastri Athavale is a concrete example of such a Divine family. Each and every member of the family looks upon each other as well as all of humanity as their divine brothers and sisters. They try to see not the people, but the God dwelling within them, and thus look upon all of humanity as one big family with God as their divine & common Father. That is the solution to probably any and every problem that humanity faces today. And it's possible, as is being demonstrated very beautifully by the Swadhyay Parivar even today. Our ancient Indian philosophical texts carry all the knowledge humanity needs; the responsibility is ours to open our eyes thereto.

May we all open ourselves to accept every being as our own and grow ourselves into a divine, universal family!

Strength

अश्वं नैव गजं नैव व्याघ्रं नैव च नैव च |
अजापुत्रं बलिं दद्यात् देवो दुर्बलघातक: ||

Ashvam naiva gajam naiva vyaaghram naiva cha naiva cha
Ajaaputram balim dadyaat devo durbala-ghaataka-ha.

Meaning:
Neither horse (ashva), nor elephant (gaja), nor tiger (vyaaghraa), none at all.
Only the baby goat (ajaa-putra) is sacrificed in rituals.
(Thus, even God doesn't protect the weak)

This shloka emphasizes the importance of strength. Be it an individual, a society or a nation, it is always the powerless that are exploited even when they are not at fault. We can not afford to remain weak. 

Indian culture, inspite of being the origin of the finest of philosophies; inspite of a glorious & divine inheritance, is looked down upon today. The only reason—her sons & daughters are spineless weak goats. Simply possessing the best doesn't help; we should be powerful enough a society, for the world to look up to us. Powerful thoughts need powerful heads to hold them, powerful legs to carry them around, and powerful mouths to assert them to one & all.

The use of power is not necessary but the knowledge, to us and to others, that the power exists, and can be used effectively when needed, is definitely a necessity. It's only the powerful who can promote peace. It's only the powerful who can create an environment conducive to growth and development. It's only the powerful who can make a change in this world. And it is the duty of the virtuous to acquire and wield power effectively, so as to make a positive impact on society.

Fame

उत्तमा: आत्मना ख्याता: पितुः ख्याताश्च: मध्यमाः |
अधमा: मातुलात् ख्याता: श्वशुरात् च अधमाधमा: ||

Uttamaa-haa aatmanaa khyaataa-haa 
     Pitu-hu khyaataashcha madhyamaa-haa
Adhamaa-haa maatulaat khyaataa-haa 
     Shvashuraat cha adham-aadhamaa-haa.

Meaning:
Superior (Uttam) are those who are famous on their own merit.
Average (Madhyam) are those who are famous due to their father.
Inferior (Adhama) are those who are famous due to their (maternal) uncle (maatula).
And worst of all (Adhamaadham) are those who are famous due to their father-in-law (shvashura).

This is an interesting subhaashit which tells us in a rather amusing manner, how we should be known in society. In India, we also have this saying that your standing is decided by whether you are known by your forefathers or your forefathers are known by you.

And if we extend this to Indians as a society, then we should be ashamed that we still bank on our historic golden past to sing praises of our culture or our prosperity. Whenever somebody criticizes India or tries to put it down, we start reminding them how we are the most ancient civilization, and how we had great inventors like Aryabhatt & Charaka etc etc. We glorify India only through its past... only through our ancestors. It's a big question whether we can proudly assert Durlabham Bhaarate Janma today!

But even at an individual level, it is important how we are known. The best fame is that which is self-earned—our efforts, our own achievements, howsoever small they might be. That recognition is better than one which has been inherited.

This shloka can also be interpreted in terms of wealth—superior being those who enjoy their own earned wealth and the worst being those who enjoy the wealth given by their father-in-law.

rememberin​g Hanuman dada

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगम्
     जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् |
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यम्
     श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ||

Manojavam maaruta-tulya-vegam
     Jitendriyam buddhimataam variShTham.
Vaataatmajam vaanara-yootha-mukhyam
     Shree Raama-dootaM sharaNam prapadye. 

— Ram Raksha Stotra

Meaning: I prostrate to Lord Hanuman, the son of wind God, who is swift like the mind and wind, mastered the senses, of very high intellect & wisdom, foremost among the Vaanaraas and is a devotee of Lord Rama.

Hanuman Jayanti is coming up pretty soon. We should remember this great personality from Indian history who is a symbol of true bhakti (devotion) and true samarpan (submission). Rev. Pandurang Shastri Athavale says that samarpan can only be done by those who have strength and power. There is no meaning to samarpan by the weak. It's almost akin to the Sanskrit phrase abhaave brahmachaari (अभावे ब्रह्मचारी —a bachelor who is a bachelor because he/she didn't get a spouse).

Hanuman is one of the best examples of intelligent samarpit power. Hanuman was one the most intelligent, dynamic and physically powerful warrior in the army of Sugriva. The very fact that he was chosen to go to Lanka, and his conduct over there, is a testament of his wit & strength. His power was unparalleled, and he knew it, and yet he was completely samarpit to Lord Ram. That is his noblest attribute.
 
May we imbibe these qualities from this great character and become samarpit soldiers of God.

Jay Veer Hanuman ! Jay Bajrang Bali !

India that is Bhaarat

एतद्देश प्रसूतस्य सकाशादग्रजन्मना |
स्वं स्वं चरित्रं शिक्षेरन् पृथिव्यां सर्वमानवा:  ||

Etad-desha prasootasya sakaashaad-agra-janmaa
svam svam charitram shiksheran prutivyaam sarva-maanavaa-haa.

Meaning: All people living on earth (prutivyaam sarva-manvaa-haa) should take lessons about living and building character from the ancestors who took birth in this land and have always lead others by character.

This shloka is in praise of the pious land of Bhaarat which has produced leaders who have led by character. The very name of Bhaarat has been derived from the great Bharat. India or Hindustan has a rich history and heritage of countless countrymen who have led in all fields of life. Even the incarnations of God took place in this holy land. This is the land which is most fertile for experiments in human development. With the rich foundation of its glorious ancient heritage, India has the potential to lead the world in every aspect of life.

But the most important gift it has to offer is 'character'. This is one quality which encompasses all other qualities. Character or शील is the prime quality needed in life. Throughout India's history, it is men and women of great character who have led the people through the example of their own life. From warrior-kings like Shivaji Maharaj & Rana Pratap to great politicians like Chanakya, Vidur & Sardar Patel, heroic women like Rani Laxmibai & Ahalyabai Hokar, freedom fighters like Tilak, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, & Savarkar, scientists like Jagdish Chandra Bose, writers like Ravindranath Tagore, mathematicians like Aryabhatt, physicians like Sushrut & Charak, gramaticians like Panini, emperors like Ashoka & Chandragupta, saints like Dnyaaneshwar, Tukaram, Narsi Mehta & Gandhi, innumerable sages, philosophers like Shankara & Vivekanand, litterateurs like Kalidasa & Bhavabhuti, social reformers like Mahatma Phule, Raja Ram Mohan Roy... I could go on & on in every aspect of human life. But the important point is that the 1 quality which is common in all these above personalities, and the unmentioned, is a pure & virtuous character. The people of India revered them because of who they were on the inside, not what they were.

Rev. Pandurang Shastri Athavale, the most iconic personality of modern India firmly emphasizes that, we can bring about a permanent internal change in other people, only and only by a strong & pure character of our own. India has the potential to lead the world as it did in its glorious past, and it can be realized only from within. Let's be the change we desire.

Jay Hind

Qualities of a Student (Vidyaarthee)

काकचेष्टा बकोध्यानं श्वाननिद्रा तथैव च |
अल्पाहारी ब्रह्मचारी विद्यार्थी पञ्चलक्षणम् ||

Kaaka-cheshTaa bakodhyaanam shvaana-nidraa tathaiva cha
Alpaahaari brahmachaari vidyaarthee pancha-lakshaNam

Meaning: Agility of a crow (kaaka), concentration of a crane (baka), light sleep like a dog (shvaana), light eater (alpaa-haari), brahmachaari—these are the 5 qualities of a vidyaa-arthee.

Basically, this shloka tells us the 5 essential qualities desired out of an ideal student. A student should be very agile, alert & energetic like a crow. At the same time, he should have concentration like a crane. A crane can sit still for hours together waiting & concentrating on his prey. Sleep should be a like a dog. A dog wakes up at the slightest of sounds and is ever alert. 
 
Also very important is the quality of alpaahaari... i.e. light eater. Students should not be stuffing their stomachs to the brim, since it affects their agility & concentration. 

Most importantly, a student should have the virtue of brahmachaari... not just in the sense of being not married but being of a pure, unadulterated mind. Revered Pandurang Shastri Athavale explains a much more wider perspective of brahmachaari as one who walks on the path of Brahma or God. 

Even the concept of vidyaa is a lot more broader than the English term 'education'. Vidyaa connotes an education which teaches why to live, how to live, and which guides you to actually live that life. Ancient Indian literature mention 14 vidyaas, the pursuit of which makes you a Vidyaarthee. The rest (which cover almost all our academics, occupations and professions) are just kalas or arts.

But even for people who are engaged in any form of education—whether life-oriented or bread-oriented—these 5 qualities are a must, to achieve success. This is the mantra for success in any field of life.
 

about Subhaashit

पृथीव्याम त्रीणि  रत्नानि जलम् अन्नम् सुभाषितम् |

मूढैः पाषाणखण्डेषु रत्नसंज्ञा परदीयते ||
 
Pruthivyaam treeNi ratnaani jalam annam subhaashitam
muDhai-hi paaShaaNa-khaNDeshu ratna-sangnyaa paradeeyate

Meaning:
There are 3 jewels on this earth. They are water, food & Subhaashita.
But fools call rocks as jewels.

The author is conveying that most men consider gems as jewels but they are mere stones & rocks. Whereas the real valuables are water, food and good thoughts in that order. Truly speaking, good thoughts and good writings are the most valuable assets but in order for the mind to even think about higher values of life, the basic necessities need to be fulfilled. A famous Marathi saint said, aadi pothobaa, nantar Vithobaa (आदि पोठोबा नंतर विठोबा), which means 'first let me take care of my stomach, then I'll look at God.'

Once the basic needs are fulfilled, we look forward to higher needs. In 1943, Abraham Maslow theorized the hierarchical structure of needs, wherein the final need is 'self-actualization'. It is this need—the need for internal growth & development, the need to become, the need for inner happiness that our subhaashit shlokas cater to. And that is the real and most valuable treasure.

Cheers!