उष्ट्राणं च विवाहेषु गीतं गायन्ति गर्दभाः |
परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति अहो रूपम् अहो ध्वनिः ||
UShtraaNai cha vivaaheShu geetang gaayanti gardabhaa-haa
parasparam prashaun-santi aho roopam aho dhvani-hi
Meaning: In the wedding (vivaha) of camels (uShtra), donkeys (gardabha) sing songs (geet). They praise (prashansaa) each other (paraspara), 'what a (beautiful) form!', 'what a (sweet) voice!'
I really enjoyed this one. Camels are not particularly known for their beauty; similarly, donkeys are not known to have a melodious voice. It sounds quite funny when they would praise each other for such qualities. You must have surely laughed upon reading this subhaashit. But ironically, the situation is not very different in the human world. Amongst ourselves also, we usually praise others for qualities or assets that they do not possess, generally with a selfish motive. If we genuinely believe a non-existent quality to be present, then we are fools, and if we knowingly praise that which is not, then we are hypocrites. Either way, it's not a very desirable trait.
Most of the time, when our tongues are uttering sweet words of appreciation & praise, our minds are spitting the venom of jealousy and hate. Very rarely do we genuinely appreciate. And it is the lack of this genuine-ness and transparency that makes us tired. We do not get tired of hard work, but of remembering what to say when, where, and to whom... of keeping & maintaining our false identities. Instead of trying to look good on the outside, it would be a lot more easier just to be really good from the inside. We would be much more energetic and lively that way.
So we should be avoiding any kind of false praise, and also beware of people who try to fool us with false praise. When we are praised, we should check who is praising. Praise is significant only if it coming from someone worthy, or someone who doesn't want anything from you, or someone who genuinely values you. So next time when someone praises you, do check whether it's a donkey, or a camel, or a true well-wisher.
But at the same time, praise can be false yet genuine. If the praise is filled with a genuine sense of hope and good wishes, then even false praise becomes true. When you praise a person for qualities he or she doesn't possess, but has the potential to possess, then your intent is noble and virtuous. That praise is filled with positive hope and genuine love for that person... just as mothers always say that their child is not naughty even though he or she is the biggest problem-kid in the whole neighbourhood. Such praise pushes a person to become! But the intent should be pure, genuine and developmental.
परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति अहो रूपम् अहो ध्वनिः ||
UShtraaNai cha vivaaheShu geetang gaayanti gardabhaa-haa
parasparam prashaun-santi aho roopam aho dhvani-hi
Meaning: In the wedding (vivaha) of camels (uShtra), donkeys (gardabha) sing songs (geet). They praise (prashansaa) each other (paraspara), 'what a (beautiful) form!', 'what a (sweet) voice!'
I really enjoyed this one. Camels are not particularly known for their beauty; similarly, donkeys are not known to have a melodious voice. It sounds quite funny when they would praise each other for such qualities. You must have surely laughed upon reading this subhaashit. But ironically, the situation is not very different in the human world. Amongst ourselves also, we usually praise others for qualities or assets that they do not possess, generally with a selfish motive. If we genuinely believe a non-existent quality to be present, then we are fools, and if we knowingly praise that which is not, then we are hypocrites. Either way, it's not a very desirable trait.
Most of the time, when our tongues are uttering sweet words of appreciation & praise, our minds are spitting the venom of jealousy and hate. Very rarely do we genuinely appreciate. And it is the lack of this genuine-ness and transparency that makes us tired. We do not get tired of hard work, but of remembering what to say when, where, and to whom... of keeping & maintaining our false identities. Instead of trying to look good on the outside, it would be a lot more easier just to be really good from the inside. We would be much more energetic and lively that way.
So we should be avoiding any kind of false praise, and also beware of people who try to fool us with false praise. When we are praised, we should check who is praising. Praise is significant only if it coming from someone worthy, or someone who doesn't want anything from you, or someone who genuinely values you. So next time when someone praises you, do check whether it's a donkey, or a camel, or a true well-wisher.
But at the same time, praise can be false yet genuine. If the praise is filled with a genuine sense of hope and good wishes, then even false praise becomes true. When you praise a person for qualities he or she doesn't possess, but has the potential to possess, then your intent is noble and virtuous. That praise is filled with positive hope and genuine love for that person... just as mothers always say that their child is not naughty even though he or she is the biggest problem-kid in the whole neighbourhood. Such praise pushes a person to become! But the intent should be pure, genuine and developmental.
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