MYTHICAL BIRDS- CHATAKA AND CHAKRAVAKA

SUBHASHITHAM :089

चातकः स्वानुमानेन जलं प्रार्थयते अम्बुदात् I

स स्वोदरतया सर्वां प्लावयत् अम्बुना महीं II 

Chatakah svaanumaanena jalam praartayate ambudaat I

Sa svodaratayaa sarvaam plaavayat ambunaa maheem II

The chataka bird requests the clouds to provide rain drops , but the clouds by being very liberal inundate the entire earth with water.

रे रे चातक, सावधान मनसा, मित्र क्षणम् श्रूयताम्

अंबोदा: बहवो वसन्ति गगने, सर्वेपि नैतदृशा: I
केचिद् वृष्टिभिरार्द्रयन्ति धरणीम् गर्जन्ति केचिद् वृथा
यं यं पश्यसि तस्य तस्य पुरतो मा ब्रूहि दीनम् वच: II

Re re chataka saavadhana manasaa mitra kshanam shruyataam

Ambodaah bahavo vasanti gagane sarvepi naitadrusah I

Kechid vrushtibhirardrayanti dharaneem garjanti kechit vrutaa

Yam yam pasyasi tasya tasya purato maa bruhi deenam vachah II

Oh! My friend chataka ! listen carefully to me for a moment. There is many a cloud in the sky, but not all are alike. Some will rain and drench the earth, and some will only give forth  peals of thunder. Thus, do not express your woes to every one whom you happen to see. ( Niti satakam )

गर्जसि मेघ न यच्छसि तोयं चातकपक्षी व्याकुलितोऽहम् ।

 दैवादिह यदि दक्षिणवातः क्व त्वं क्वाहं क्व च जलपातः ॥

 O cloud, you roar, but do not give water. I, the chataka bird am thirsty. If fatefully the southern winds blow here, where shall you be , where shall I be and where shall it rain ?

एक एव खगो मानि चिरं जीवतु चातकः I

म्रियते वा पिपासायां याचते वा पुरन्दरं  II 

Oh! Chataka bird ! we wish you a long life. You are the only bird who is so proud and high minded that you implore Indra, the rain god, to provide you with water for quenching your thirst and in absence there of would rather prefer to die.

इन्दुं निन्दति  चक्रवाक  युगलं भासां निधिं कौशिकः 

स्वादु क्षीरमरोचकी सुकृतिनां पापी जडः पण्डितं I

त्यक्तं सर्वजनैः खलः कटु वचाग्राम्यः पुमान नागरं

कः पैतामहगोलकेSत्र निकिलैः संमानितो वर्तते II

The chakravaka birds despise the moon, the owls hate the sun, Sweet milk is disliked by a drunkard, good people are hated by the sinners, the fools nurture ill-will towards scholars . The rogues hate any one and every one, the villagers are critical of the men from the cities. Is there anything in the creation that is not criticized by some one or the other?

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

WHO IS A PANDIT?

SUBHASHITHAM : 088

यस्य कृत्यं न जानन्ति मन्त्रं वा मन्त्रितं परे।

 कृतमेवास्य जानन्ति स वै पण्डित उच्यते ॥
Yasya krutyam na jaananti mantram vaa mantritam pare I
Krutamevaasya jaananti sa vai pandita uchyate II
He,whose proposed action,policy or resolution others do not know of before hand, but only after they are carried out, is verily called a Pandit. 
Vidura niti


यस्य कृत्यं न विघ्नन्ति शीतमुष्णं भयं रतिः ।

 समृद्धिरसमृद्धिर्वा स वै पण्डित उच्यते ॥ Vidura niti

Yasya krutyam na vignanti shitamushnam bhayam ratih I

Samruddhir asamruddhir vaa sa vai pandita uchyate II

He whose action is not impeded either by heat or cold, by fear or love, by prosperity or adversity, is forsooth called a wise man (Pandit ) .

क्षिप्रं विजानाति चिरं शृणोति विज्ञाय चार्थ भजते न कामात्।

 नासम्पृष्टो व्युपयुङ्क्ते परार्थे तत् प्रज्ञानं प्रथमं पण्डितस्य ॥

Kshipram vijaanaati chiram shrunoti vigyaaya chaartham  bhajate na kaamaat I

Naasamprushto vyapayungte paraarthe tat pragyaanam pratamam panditasyaII

That is the foremost characteristic of a wise man that he understands quickly, hears patiently, and grasping the essence applies to it disinterestedly, and that he does not spend his energy in other's affairs unasked.

निश्चित्वा यः प्रक्रमते नान्तर्वसति कर्मणः ।

अवन्ध्यकालो वश्यात्मा स वै पण्डित उच्यते ॥

Nischitvaa ya prakramate naantarvasati karmanah I

Avandyakaalo vashyaatmaa sa vai pantita uchyate

He who undertakes the task after due consideration, who once begun does not stop in the middle, who never wastes his time and who has his mind under control , he is indeed called a Pandit. 

नाप्राप्यमभिवाञ्छन्ति नष्टं नेच्छन्ति शोचितुम् ।

आपत्सु च न मुह्यन्ति नराः पण्डितबुद्धयः ॥

Na apraapyam abhivaanchanti nashtam nechanti shochitum I

Aapatsu cha na muhyanti naraah pandita bhuddhayah II

They that do not aspire for objects unattainable, nor wish to bewail over what is lost, nor are dismayed in adversities, they have the intellect of a 'Man of Wisdom'.

सर्वनाशे समुत्पन्ने ह्यर्धं त्यजति पण्डितः ।

अर्धेन कुरुते कार्यं सर्वनाशः सदुःसहः ॥

sarvanAshe samutpanne hi ardhaM tyajati paNDitaH ।

ardhena kurute kAryaM sarvanAshaH saduH sahaH ॥

When wise men are faced with big trouble (total destruction) then they give up half of their belongings - instead of trying to protect all. They will work with only half and get their work done. It is very difficult to protect your entire wealth in the face of destruction.

लुब्धमर्थन गृह्णीयात् प्रुद्धमञ्जलिकर्मणा ।

मूर्खं छन्दानुवृत्तेन याथातथ्येन पण्डितम् ।।

One should win over a covetous person by wealth, the stubborn by joining hands (by submission) a fool by ministering to his whims, and a learned man by truthfulness.

अनर्घमपि माणिक्यं हेमास्रयं अपेक्षते I

विना आश्रयं न शोभन्ते पण्डिता, वनिता, लता II

Anargamapi maanikyam hemaashrayam apekshate I

Vina aashrayam na shobante Panditaa, vanitaa, lataa.

Even though valueless a gem ( Manikkam ) requires the support of gold. Like wise Pundits, women and creepers cannot become resplendent without a suitable prop. 

चलत् एकेन पादेन तिष्टत् एकेन बुद्धिमान् I 

नासमीक्ष्य परम् स्थानं पूर्वं आयतनं त्यजेत् II 

Chalat ekena paadena tishtat ekena bhuddhimaan I

Na asamikshya param thaanam poorvam aayatanam tyajet II

A Wise man moves with one foot and with other firmly rooted on the ground. Without ensuring a safe place for residence never leave the present. -Hitopadesa

प्रस्तावसदृशं वाक्यं प्रभावसदृशं प्रियम्।

आत्मशक्तिसमं कोपं यो जानाति स पण्डितः  ॥ Chanakya niti

Prastaava sadrusam vaakyam prabhava sadrusam priyam I

Aatma shakti samam kopam yo jaanaati sa panditah II

He who talks with reference in context, who knows how to influence people and express his love or anger according to his capacity is called a pandit.

मक्षिकाः व्रनमिच्छन्ति धनमिच्छन्ति पार्तिवाः I

नीचः कलहमिच्छन्ति संधिमिच्छन्ति पण्डिताः II

The house-flies long for wounds; the kings crave for wealth; evil people look out for quarrels and the wise men try to unite people.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

CONCENTRATION LIKE A CRANE

SUBHASHITHAM: 087

इन्द्रियाणि च संयम्य बकवत् पण्डितो नरः
देशकालबलं ज्ञात्वा सर्वकार्याणि साधयेत्  – चाणक्य नीति
Indriyaani  cha samyamya bakavat pandito narah I
Desa kala balam cha gyaatvaa sarva kaaryani saadayet II

Controlling all your senses like the heron, and after carefully considering the factors of time and place and the capacity of the self, the wise accomplish their work successfully. - Chanakya niti

काक चेष्टा, बको ध्यानं, स्वान निद्रा तथैव च । 
अल्पहारी, गृहत्यागी, विद्यार्थी पंच लक्षणं ।। 

Kaaka cheshta bako dhyanam,  Swana nidra tathaiva cha

Alpahari, grihtyaagi,   Vidyarthi panch lakshnam.

The 5 values of student’s lifeare:

1) Perseverance of a crow,

2) concentration of a swan,

3) light sleeper like a dog,

4) light eater,

5) ready to stay away from home .  One who follows these five  will be a  Perfect Human Being.

न कोकिलानामिव मञ्जु कूजितं   Na kokilaanaamiva manju koojitam
न लब्धलास्यानि गतानि हंसवत् I Na labdalaasyaani gataani hamsavat I
न बहिर्णानामिव चित्र पक्षता        Na bahirnaanaamiva chitra pakshataa
गुनस्तथाप्यस्ति बके बकव्रतं II     Gunastathapyasti bake bakavrataa II
Sweet cooing like cuckoo, graceful gait like a swan, or the colourful  feathers like a peacock - it is true a crane doesn't possess these- but it has patience and concentration.
கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து. Kural-490
As heron stands with folded wing, so wait in waiting hour;
As heron snaps its prey, when fortune smiles, put forth your power.
आत्मनो मुखदोषेण बध्यन्ते शुकसारिकाः ।

बकास्तत्र न बध्यन्ते मौनं सर्वार्थसाधनम् ॥ –पञ्चतन्त्रम् 

The birds like parrots and cuckoos get trapped by fault of their mouths (sweet voice). Cranes do not get trapped because of their silence. Therefore, Silence is an instrument for obtaining all objects. [Applies to certain contexts where one needs to be silent, in things related to secrecy and diplomacy.]

नाद्रव्ये निहिता काचित् क्रिया फलवती भवेत् ।

न व्यापारशतेनापि शुकवत् पाठ्यते बकः ॥

Naa dravye nihitaa kaachit kriyaa phalavatee bhavet I Na vyaapaara satenaapi shukavat paatyate bakah II
Efforts put on useless things or bad pupil will not bear fruits. Hundreds of methods to teach a heron to speak like a parrot will be a futile exercise.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH 

HAMSAH - OM-THE SYMBOL OF ATMAN

SUBHASHITHAM: 086
Hamsa refers to a migratory bird, such as "swan, goose, flamingo", it reflects Om symbol, and symbolizes Atman.

हंसहंसेति सदा ध्यायन्सर्वेषु देहेषु व्याप्य वर्तते ॥

यथा ह्यग्निः काष्ठेषु तिलेषु तैलमिव तं विदित्वा मृत्युमत्येति II HAMSA UPANISAD

At our birth it enters into us, the migratory bird! 

like the fire, invisibly present in the wood,

like the oil hidden in the sesame seed,

it dwells in the deepest depth of us:

to know that (the bird) is to free oneself from death. Translated by Jean Varenne

अनंतपारं किल शब्दशास्त्रं

    स्वल्पं तथायुर्बहवश्च विघ्नाः ।

सारं ततो ग्राह्यमपास्य फल्गु

    हंसैर्यथा क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात् ॥

The vastness of knowledge (written in scriptures) is huge. This life is short and filled with obstacles. Hence it is not possible to read them all. One must attempt to understand the scriptures with most value first and abandon the rest much like how a swan filters milk from water.

काकः पद्मवने रतिं न कुरुते हंसो न कूपोदके ।

मूर्खः पण्डितसङ्गमे न रमते दासो न सिंहासने II

Kaakah padmavane ratim na kurute hamso na kupodake I

Murkhah panditasangame na ramate daaso na simhasane II

The crow is not pleased with a forest of lotus pond, swan doesn’t like to in a house well. A fool dislikes an assembly of wise men, a servant is hesitant to sit on the throne.

यदि नाम दैवगत्या जगदसरोजं कदाचिदपि जातम् ।

अवकरनिकरं विकिरति तत्किं कृकवाकुरिव हंसाः ।।४।।

If by providence the world becomes devoid of any lotuses, will the swans lament in the tone of a cock ?

प्राज्ञोऽपि जल्पतां पुंसां श्रुत्वा वाचः शुभाSशुभाः ।

गुणवद्ववाक्यमादत्ते हंसः क्षीरमिवांभसः ॥

Just like a swan has the ability to separate milk from water, a wise man must pay attention to only those words that matter (truth). There will be gregarious people who will speak a lot about others - some true, but mostly baseless.

नैर्मल्यं वपुषः तवास्ति वसतिः पद्माकरे जायते

मन्दं याहि मनोरमां वद गिरं मौनं च सम्पादय ।

धन्यस्त्वं बक राजहंसपदवीं प्राप्नोषि किं तै र्गुणैः

नीरक्षीरविभागकर्मनिपुणा शक्तिः कथं लभ्यते ॥

Your body is pure and white, you live near a lotus pond, you walk slowly, speak nicely, or remain silent. You crane! You are fortunate! With all these gunas even if you are made a rajahamsaa , is it possible for you to separate water from milk? ( Not possible is implied )

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH 

HAMSAH- NEERA KSHEERA VIVEKA

SUBHASHITHAM:085

हंसः श्वेतः बकः श्वेतः  को भेदो बकहंसयोः ।

 नीर-क्षीर-विवेके तु  हंसो हंसः बको बकः ।।

Hamsah shvetah bakah shvetah  Ko bedo baka hamsayoh I

Neera-ksheera-viveketu hamso hamsah bako bakah II

A swan is white, a crane is white. What (then) is the difference between a swan and a crane? In distinguishing between water and milk a swan is a swan, a crane is a crane.

हंसासर्वङ्ग शुचयः पद्मेभ्यो बहिरासते I

अन्तर्विशन्ति मधुपाःश्रीमतां गतिरिद्रुशी II

Hamsaasarvanga shuchayah padmebhyo bahiraasate I

Antarvishanti madhupaah srimataam gatiridrushee ii

Swans remain always white, Lotus flowers remain bright and clear, Honey bees silently remain engrossed in collecting honey from flowers. Noble persons are of similar nature.

कस्त्वं लोहितलोचनास्यचरणः हंसः कुतो मानसात् ।

 किं तत्रास्ति सुवर्णपङ्कजवनान्यंभः सुधासन्निभम् ।

रत्नानां निचयाः प्रवालमणयो वैदूर्यरोहाः क्वचित् ।

 शम्बूका अपि सन्ति नेति च बकैराकर्ण्य हीहीकृतम् ।।१२।।
The cranes, usually more in number than swans, were bent upon making fun of the swan, out of their jealousy about the grace of a swan. So, they went on asking questions, until they got “No” as the answer. Having got such answer, they chided at the swan.

1. Eh, you red-eyed one, who are you that has no legs ? I am a swan.

2. Where from you have come ? - From the Manasa

3. What is there ? -There is water,which is pure and like nectar. There are hordes of golden lotuses. There are treasurers of jewels, coral beads,as also trees that grow in Vidura mountains.

4.Are there also conch-shells and snails ? - No

On getting' no' as answer cranes chided at the swan ,hey,hey,hey.
(Moral : अलोक सामान्यमचिन्त्यहेतुकं I  द्विषन्ति मन्दास्चरितं महात्मनां II 
Fools deride the character of great souls whose conduct and behaviour are different from those of ordinary mortals who cannot think of possible reasons for such difference. ) 

एकेन राजहंसेन । या शोभा सरसो भवेत् ।

 न सा बकसहस्रेण । परितस्तीरवासिना ।।२।।

Ekena rajahamsena yaa shobhaa saraso bhavet I Na saa baka sahasrena paritasteera vaasinaa II

What beauty a lake will have due to (but) one swan, that beauty the lake will not have even if it is surrounded all-around the perimeter by thousands of cranes.

यत्रापि कुत्रापि भवन्ति हंसाः I हंसा महीमण्डलमण्डलानि ।

 हानिस्तु तेषां हि सरोवराणाम् । येषां मरालैः सह विप्रयोगः ।।७।।

Wherever the swans be, they adorn the place. If any lake is not congenial to swans, it is a loss only to the lake.

अपसरणमेव शरणं मौनं वा तत्र राजहंसस्य ।

 कटु रटति निकटवर्ती वाचाटष्टिट्टिभो यत्र ।।३।।

Apasaranameva sharanam maunam vaa tatra rajahamsasya I

Katu ratati nikatavartee vaachaatashtittibho yatra II

Where a prattling  Tittibha (टिट्टिभ – A kind of bird ) is making bad noise at close quarters, a swan should either draw away from such place or should keep quiet.

(Moral – One should always keep a discretion about the audience whether to speak or not to speak and also keep a discretion whether the environment is congenial to linger or not.)
புல்லவையுள் பொச்சாந்தும் சொல்லற்க நல்லவையுள்
நன்குசெலச் சொல்லு வார்.Kural-719
In councils of the good, who speak good things with penetrating power,
In councils of the mean, let them say nought, e'en in oblivious hour.
माता शत्रुः पिता वैरी बालो येन न पाठितः । 
न शोभते सभा मध्ये हंसमध्ये बको यथा ॥
Maata shatruh pitaa vairee baalo yena na paatitah I
Na shobate sabha madye hamsa madye bako yathaa II

Both the mother and father are enemies of a child if they do not educate him. He will be a misfit in any gathering - like a duck among swans.

 गाङ्गमम्बु सितमम्बु यामुनं  कज्जलाभमुभयत्र मज्जतः ।

 राजहंस तव सैव शुभ्रता  चीयते न च न चापचीयते ।।

Hey swan, whether you may swim in the fresh, clear water of the Ganges or in blackish water of Yamuna, your whiteness neither grows nor does it diminish.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

FOUR VIRTUES ARE INBORN

SUBHASHITHAM: 084

दातृव्यं  प्रियवक्तृत्वं  धीरत्वमुचितज्ञता   |

अभ्यासेन  न  लभ्यन्ते  चत्वारः सहजा गुणाः ||

Daatrutvam, priyavaktrutvam, dheeratvam, uchitagyataa I
 Abhyasena na labyante Chatvaarah sahajaa gunaah II
 Being liberal in giving donations,  soft-spoken, firm and courageous in enduring misfortunes and hardships,  propriety of conduct,  all these four virtues are inborn in men, and cannot be acquired by practice.
अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः ।

चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते आयुर्विद्या यशो बलम् ॥

Abhivaadana shilasya nityam vruddhopasevinah I

Chatvaari tasya vardante Aayur,vidyaa,yasho, balam II

A person who is polite, respects and serves the elders will be benefited in at least these four fields. Longevity, wisdom, fame and strength.  It is always important in any society for the young to respect the elderly.
அழுக்காறு அவாவெகுளி இன்னாச்சொல் நான்கும் 
இழுக்கா இயன்றது அறம். Kural-35

 That conduct is virtue which is free from these four things, viz, malice, desire, anger and bitter speech.

अर्थनाशं मनस्तापं गृहे दुश्चरितानि  च  |

वञ्चनं चापमानं  च मतिमान्न प्रकाशयेत्  || चाणक्य नीति 

 Arthanaasam, Manasthapam,gruheduscharitaani cha I

Vanchanam cha apamanam cha matimaanna prakaasayet I Chanakya niti                              -

Wise men should never disclose to outsiders: 1. The loss of their wealth, 2.their anxiety, 3.wickedness of any member of their family, and 4.about being cheated or insulted by someone.
प्रागुत्थानंच  च  युद्धं  च  संविभागं  च  बन्धुषु  |

स्व्यमाक्र्म्य  भुक्तं च  शिक्षेच्चत्वारि कुक्कुटात् ||Chanakya niti

One ought to learn from a rooster the four virtues of getting up early in the morning, fighting, sharing food with near and dear ones and toiling for one’s livelihood.

प्रथमे नार्हिता विद्या द्वितीये नार्जितं धनम् ।

तृतीये नार्जितं पुण्यं चतुर्थे किं करिष्यते ॥

A man's life has four stages. First stage: education. Second : family. Third : charity Fourth stage: penance. If a man does not what should be done in first three stages, what will he do on the fourth?

गुरु शुश्रूषया विद्या   पुष्कलेन् धनेन वा।

अथ वा विद्यया विद्या   चतुर्थो न उपलभ्यते॥

Knowledge is acquired by serving the master or by giving enough money or in exchange of knowledge. A fourth way is not known.

अधीत्य चतुरो वेदान् व्याकृत्याष्टादश स्मृतीः ।

अहो श्रमस्य वैफल्यं आत्मापि कलितो न चीत् ॥

All effort of understanding the four vedas and studying eighteen puranas are all in vain if one does not understand the self (Atma).

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH