Subhashita-kaustubha of Venkatadhvari

 SUBHASHITHANI:531

Venkatadhvari, is well known by his work, “Viswagunadarsacampu”. He lived in the 17th century in a hamlet near Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu. Another work of his which gained recognition is “Lakshmisahasram”, a hymn to Goddess Lakshmi. Also, he wrote the famous Raghava Yadaveeyam. “Subhashitakaustubha” is a minor work of the author, wherein the poet has composed 101 verses of wise sayings. We will see some of the verses from his work in this blog.

विदग्धव्याहारैर्न जडमतिरानन्दति मनाक्
 अनालापज्ञानां न च वचनतः खेदमयते ।
न विन्दत्यानन्दं जरठवृषभश्चन्दनरसैः
असौ पङ्कालेपैरपि विषादं न जुषते ॥ ४ ॥

The dull headed does not enjoy even a little of the utterances of intellectuals. He neither feels depressed by the words of those who are ignorant of good conversation. The old bull does not feel happy by the application of sandal wood juice, nor does it feel depressed by the application of slough. 

अज्ञस्त्वां यदुपेक्ष्य मन्दमतिभिर्धन्यं सदा मन्यते
शोको मास्तु ततस्सुधीजनसभाशोभाकृतस्ते कवे ।
खद्योतं निदधातु भास्करतया नीडे निजे टिट्टिभो
दीपः क्ष्मापतिकेलिसौधमहितः किं तावता हीयते ॥ १३ ॥
O poet, if an ignoramus considers himself blessed surrounding himself with dull headed persons, let it not be a cause for grief for you who can adorn the assembly of the learned. If the Tittibha bird keeps a firefly in its nest it is no disgrace to the lamp which is honoured in the recreation-palace of the king.

मन्दप्रज्ञाध्यापनं क्षुद्रमैत्री
नीरूपस्त्रीसंगतिर्नीचसेवा ।
सारासारज्ञानहीनानुसारः
केषां न स्यात् खेदसम्पादनाय ॥ १७ ॥
Who are not led to sorrow by these? Teaching the dull-headed, Friendship with the small-minded, Union with an ugly woman, Serving the worthless, Following one who does not know what is essential and what is not. 

सूर्यालोकदशासु हर्षमयसे दोषाकरालोकने
सङ्कोचं भजसि श्रितालिषु मुहुर्दत्से परं जीवनम् ।
पङ्कं शश्वदधः करोषि वहसे नालीकशब्दं च तत्
विद्मः पद्म तनोति सन्निधिमसौ युक्ते त्वयि श्रीरिति ॥ ३८ ॥
In the presence of the Sun (सूर्य) you are happy. In the presence of the Moon (दोषाकर) you shrink. You often provide sustenance to the bees who seek shelter in you. You permanently lower the slush (on which you grow). You are called “naaleeka”. O Lotus, we know that Goddess Lakshmi has made her abode in you rightly.

प्रायः खलाः क्व नु न सन्ति परस्थितिघ्नाः
प्राज्ञो जनस्तु विरलोऽत्र परोपकारी ।
सर्वत्र सन्ति दृषदः चरणक्षतार्थाः
चिन्तामणिश्चिरतरं विचितोऽप्यलभ्यः ॥ ५१ ॥
Where can you not find the wicked who destroy others’ living? It is only the wise men that help others who are rare. Stones that hurt the feet are everywhere. It is only chintaamani, the wish-fulfilling stone that cannot be obtained even if searched for.  [ चिन्तामणि is a mythical wish-fulfilling stone.]

आगच्छन्ति यदृच्छयैव खलसंसर्गाः सदानर्थदाः
भूय़िष्ठैर्यतनैरपि प्रियतमस्सत्सङ्गमो दुर्लभः ।
यत्नं कर्मकृतोऽनपेक्ष्य यवसोद्भेदा भवन्ति क्षितौ
आयासाः कति वा न सन्ति कृषतां सस्याङ्कुरस्यागमे ॥ ५४ ॥
Association with the wicked which leads to harm happens of its own accord. Even with great effort, company of the virtuous, which is most pleasant is difficult to attain. Without any effort on the part of the farmer weeds grow in the field. How much of farmers’ labour is required for sprouting of the (desired) grain?

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

Ps: All the above are excerpts from translations by Sri GSSMurthy.