Satish Karandikar
भाषासु मुख्या मधुरा दिव्या गीर्वाणभारती ।
तस्माद्धि काव्यं मधुरं तस्मादपि सुभाषितम् ॥
‘Among languages the Sanskrit language – the language of the Gods – is the prominent, melodious and divine one. More melodious than that is Sanskrit poetic composition and even more so is सुभाषितम् (epigram.)’
The above verse itself is an example of a सुभाषितम् which literally means ‘well spoken.’ It stands for an epigram which is a pithy verse expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way. These are the gems of Sanskrit literature. Each is complete in itself and at the same time independent of the context in which it is found. Many of these have also been translated in to the vernacular languages.
We would like to present some of these सुभाषितानि in the परमार्थ-तत्त्वम् with the idea of inculcating a few moral values in an interesting manner and also giving some familiarity with the Sanskrit language.
संसारकटुवृक्षस्य द्वे फले ह्यमृतोपमये ।
सुभाषितरसास्वाद: सङ्गति: सुजने जने ॥
‘The bitter tree of संसार: (the circuit of worldly life) has two nectar-like fruits – tasting flavor of the सुभाषितम् (epigram) and the company of good people.’
Here are some सुभाषितानि on the topic of विद्या (knowledge) –
अपूर्व: कोऽपि कोशोऽयं विद्यते तव भारति ।
व्ययतो वृद्धिमायाति क्षयमायाति सञ्चयात् ॥
‘O Bharati (Goddess of learning)! This indescribable treasure of yours is unique – by expending it grows and by hoarding it diminishes!’
ज्ञातिभिर्वण्ट्यते नैव चोरेणापि न नीयते ।
दाने नैव क्षयं याति विद्यारत्नं महाधनम् ॥
‘The jewel of knowledge is the great wealth which is neither divided among one’s relatives, nor is it taken away by a thief nor does it diminish on being donated.’
Note: वण्ट्यते = विभज्यते।
मातेव रक्षति पितेव हिते नियुङ्क्ते कान्तेव चाभिरमयत्यपनीय खेदम् ।
लक्ष्मीं तनोति वितनोति च दिक्षु कीर्तिं किं किं न साधयति कल्पलतेव विद्या ॥
‘Like a mother it protects, like a father it engages one in that which is beneficial, like a beloved wife it takes away dejection and delights. It increases prosperity and spreads one’s fame in (all) directions. What is it that knowledge – which is like a wish-fulfilling creeper – does not accomplish? (It accomplishes everything.)’
