Even ordinary dumb persons like me can write something on their own, at least once in a while

 

Some people have some strange notion that only whatever  is quoted in some text or by some published work is worth reading.

Today I circulated an article written by me a few years ago, on Indian Foods etc.

A rejoinder came from a reader stating that it was a nice Subhashitam.. and the reader wanted to know the source from which the Subhashitam was taken.

Basically it is an article .. not a Subhashitam.

And I had collected the material  the material  from various standard sources, and I have analyzed   the citations and the contents  and had  commented on them and compiled the data as a write up.

The reader seems to have a notion that write ups which are copied from some other sources alone are authentic and worth reading.

That is simply a wrong notion, and it is an  also an insult to me.. a slap on my face for all the labour I have undertaken  in compiling such an article.

Such comments pour cold water on my face. In fact, I withdrew from social medial because of similar funny rejoinders.

Unfortunately, even in my privacy, some friend tries to give a slap on my face. It is indeed sad.

It is even worse than simply ignoring my message.

My reply to that friend is reproduced below.

"It is an article written by me and published in many periodicals..

I do not understand the meaning or the context of your question as to the source of the Subhashitam.

It is not a single subhashitam, it is an article prepared after going through many texts and as a result of prolonged study of many issues.

The present source I can cite is " myself".

And wherever I have quoted slokams in the article, I have indicated the source for the slokams if they are available.

Some slokas are just in circulation for centuries or even millenniums as wise sayings, or gnomic literature, that could be seen in any major compilation of subhashitams.

However, such compilations are not the primary source for the slokams.

The only source that can be cited without hesitation or equivocation is " ancient Indian Wisdom."

Is there any rule that I should not write something myself or that all that is prepared as messages should be from some source ?"

Even ordinary dumb persons like me can write something on their own, at least once in a while.

halfbaked outpour

 

अल्पश्रुतलव एव प्रायः प्रकटयति वाग्विभवमुच्चैः।

सर्वत्र कुनटः एव हि नाटकमधिकं विडंबयति॥

रविगुप्तस्य वल्लभदेवसुभाषिते॥ Mahasubhashita Samgraha 3195

alpaśrutalava eva prāyaḥ prakaṭayati vāgvibhavamuccaiḥ|

sarvatra kunaṭaḥ eva hi nāṭakamadhikaṁ viḍaṁbayati||

raviguptasya vallabhadevasubhāṣite||

Usually, it is the silly idiotic person with little or inadequate knowledge (but perhaps having an illusion that he is very learned ) who shows off playing in words in public using loud, artificially flowery expressions. In a drama, it is the actor with very little or no talent in the field of acting who exhibits a lot of pomp and show and makes himself and the whole play too as laughing stock in the eyes of the audience.

प्रायः usually अल्प silly person श्रुत लवः with little or no knowledge and expertise एव alone वाग्विलासं the strength of dishing out words उच्चैः aloud प्रकटयति shows . सर्वत्रः every where कुनटः the bad actor, the actor with no histrionic talents एव हि alone नाटकं the drama अधिकं excessively विडम्बयति show off and become butt of jokes, make the situation look silly and absurd

 

അല്പശ്രുതലവ ഏവ പ്രായഃ പ്രകടയതി വാഗ്വിഭവമുച്ചൈഃ।

സര്‍വത്ര കുനടഃ ഏവ ഹി നാടകമധികം വിഡംബയതി॥

രവിഗുപ്തസ്യ വല്ലഭദേവസുഭാഷിതേ॥

സാധാരണഗതിയില്‍ ഏറെ വിവരമോ അറിവോ ഇല്ലെങ്കിലും സ്വയം ജ്ഞാനിയാണെന്ന് ധരിച്ചു വച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന വിഡ്ഢിയാണ് പലപ്പോഴും പൊതു സ്ഥലങ്ങളിലും വേദികളിലും ഉച്ചത്തില്‍ വാച്ചകക്കസര്‍ത്ത് നടത്തത്തില്‍ ആളാവാന്‍ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നത്.

അഭിനയശേഷി തൊട്ടു തീണ്ടാത്ത നടന്‍ ആണല്ലോ പലപ്പോഴും കോമാളിക്കൂത്തുകളും അനാവശ്യമായ ചേഷ്ടകളും പ്രകടിപ്പിച്ച് നാടകത്തെയും തന്നെത്തന്നെയും പരിഹാസപാത്രങ്ങള്‍ ആക്കുന്നത്.

 

water meant for sugarcane nourishes the grass underneath too

 

यथेक्षुहेतोरिह सेचितं पयः तृणानि वल्लीमपि सम्प्रसिञ्चति ।

तथा नरो धर्मपथेन सञ्चरन् वाचांसि कामानि वसूनि चाश्नुते ॥२०॥

सारसमुच्चये

yathekṣuhetoriha secitaṃ payaḥ tṛṇāni vallīmapi samprasiñcati ।

tathā naro dharmapathena sañcaran vācāṃsi kāmāni vasūni cāśnute ॥20॥

sarasamucchayam

A field where sugarcane is grown, the water used for irrigagion is intended for the main crop, but then lot of grass, plants and creepers too grow incidentally. In the same way, if a person is regulating his life strictly in the path of virtue or dharma, fame, prosperity, and fulfilment of coveted desires too follow spontaneously.

यथा in what way नरेण by man इह here इक्षुहेतोः for the sake of growing sugarcane सेचितं irrigated, supplied पयः water तृणानि grasses वल्लीं creepers अपि too संप्रसिञ्चति irrigate, give water additionally

तथा in the same way नरःman धर्म पथेन in the path of righteousness संचरन् by travelling, by arranging his affairs वचांसि great fame, gread words in praise कामानि all that is fondly desired वसूनि prosperity च अश्नुते. Too enjoy, is supplied with for enjoyment.

യഥേക്ഷുഹേതോരിഹ സേചിതം പയഃ തൃണാനി വല്ലീമപി സമ്പ്രസിഞ്ചതി ।

തഥാ നരോ ധര്‍മ്മപഥേന സഞ്ചരന്‍ വാചാംസി കാമാനി വസൂനി ചാശ്നുതേ ॥൨൦॥ സാര സമുച്ചയം

ഒരു കര്‍ഷകന്‍ കൃഷി ചെയ്യുന്ന വയല്‍ ധാരാളം കരിമ്പ് വളരാന്‍ വേണ്ടി വെള്ളം കൊണ്ട് നിറയ്ക്കുന്നു. പക്ഷെ ആരും ആവശ്യപ്പെടാതെ തന്നെയും ആരുടെ സഹായവും കൂടാതെയും അതെ വെള്ളം ഉപയോഗിച്ച് ആ വയലില്‍ പുല്ലും വള്ളികളും ധാരാല്‍ വളരുന്നു.

അതുപോലെ ഒരു മനുഷ്യന്‍ ധര്‍മ്മവും ന്യായവും മാത്രം മുന്നില്‍ കണ്ടു ആ പാതയില്‍ മുന്നോട്ടു പോകുമ്പോള്‍ ആരും പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് ഒന്നും ആവശ്യപ്പെടാതെ തന്നെ അയാള്‍ക്ക് പേരും പുകഴും (വാക്കുകള്‍ കൊണ്ടുള്ള പ്രശംസ) ധാരാളം ലഭിക്കുന്നു. അയാള്‍ മനസ്സില്‍ ആശിക്കുന്ന നല്ലതായ എല്ലാം അയാള്‍ക്ക് കിട്ടുന്നു. സ്വത്തും സമ്പന്നതയും അയാളെ തേടിയെത്തുന്നു.

Then alone we would touch the "pass" grade.. say thirty five to forty percent.

 

Life is a funny mix. 

Administration is even more complicated. 

In every establishment, whether run by the State or by private stakeholders there would be a core of most efficient operatives and there would be

 a hefty coating of indifferent workers and another layer of destructive elements too.

 Somehow, the system manages to iron out an equilibrium and it runs adequately well striking some balance among all these.

When we frame rules and legislations, we set the most ideal targets, give leeway through exemptions and condonations, and build punitive and repellent rules to ensure reasonably fair implementation of the laws and rules.

The ideal is always tall.

 And we can congratulate ourselves even if we score at least  the pass grades..

Human nature is so unstable and fickle. 

We have to set for ourselves the cent percent achievement as the target.

 Then alone we would touch the "pass" grade.. say thirty five to forty percent.

We humans often try to tumble the applecart

 

It is true that since we are human beings, very selfish by nature, we can see the whole universe as a place created for our own comfort and enjoyment.

But we have to admit that it is the same God, if there is one, or whatever the force that might be, which has created all that is found here..

Of course, many objects, when put together, often clash with one another, and usually a golden balance is reached.

We humans often try to tumble the applecart by putting blocks in the even flow crafted by nature. We pose as if we are demi gods

But the universal controller is far too strong, and our attempts to cause obstruction can only be temporary. He will manage things in His own way.

choice according to basic nature

 

गुणदोषयोर् अकस्मात् पतति यथाभ्यासं एव लोकोऽयम्।

निपतन्ति गृद्ध्रहंसाः श्मशान सरसोः प्रकृत्येव॥

guṇadoṣayor akasmāt patati yathābhyāsaṁ eva loko'yam|

nipatanti gṛddhrahaṁsāḥ śmaśāna sarasoḥ prakṛtyeva||

People usually and even accidentally turn towards and follow virtues and vices according to the ways they have been practicing for long period.

The vulture, by instinct, flies high and lands on burial ground where corpses are placed for burial, because they are interested in flesh. The swans land up in beautiful lakes because, by nature they enjoy the company of beautiful lotuses.

 अकस्माद् even accidentally or by chance, by instinct गुण virtue दोषयोः vices यथा in which manner अभ्यासं usual practice, usual habit अयं लोकः this world पतति falls, falls in consonance

गृद्ध्र vultures हंसाः svans प्रकृत्या by their spontaneous nature एव slone श्मशान burial ground सरसोः lakes निपतन्ति fall, land up

ഗുണദോഷയോര്‍ അകസ്മാത് പതതി യഥാഭ്യാസം ഏവ ലോകോഽയം |

നിപതന്തി ഗൃദ്ധ്രഹംസാഃ ശ്മശാന സരസോഃ പ്രകൃത്യേവ||

മനുഷ്യര്‍ സാധാരണയായും ആകസ്മികമായി പോലും തങ്ങള്‍ ഇപ്പോഴും ശീലിച്ചു പോരുന്ന നന്മയ്ക്കോ തിന്മയ്ക്കോ അനുസരിച്ച് സ്വന്തം ജീവിത സാഹചര്യങ്ങള്‍ തിട്ടപ്പെടുത്താനും അതിനനുസരിച്ചു ജീവിക്കാനും ശ്രമിക്കുന്നു,

ഒരു കഴുകന്‍ ശ്മശാനത്തില്‍ പറന്നിറങ്ങാന്‍ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നും അതിനു അവിടെ കിടക്കുന്ന ശവങ്ങള്‍ കൊത്തിതിന്നുന്നതിനാണ് ഇഷ്ടം . അതെ സമയം ഒരു അരയന്നം പൂക്കള്‍ വിടര്‍ന്നു നില്‍ക്കുന്ന തടാകത്തില്‍ നീന്തിക്കളിക്കുന്നു. മലര്‍ന്നു നില്‍ക്കുന്ന താമരകളോതാണ് അരയന്നത്തിനു താല്പര്യം

never utter words or make speeches which are scandalous in open asseblies

 

परपरिवादः परिषदि कथंचन पण्डितेन न कर्तव्यः।

सत्यमपि तन्न वाच्यं यदुक्तमसुखावहं भवति॥

नीतिद्विषष्ठिका

paraparivādaḥ pariṣadi kathaṃcana paṇḍitena na kartavyaḥ।

satyamapi tanna vācyaṃ yaduktamasukhāvahaṃ bhavati॥

nītidviṣaṣṭhikā

A man of learning and wisdom should never utter words or make speeches which are scandalous and causing damages to other, in public or in popular assemblies Even if such speeches or utterances are based on facts and convey truth, they should be avoided since such words cause discomfort and pain to all.

Many eyebrows will be raised when this is read. In the present era of trolls and excessive media activism, whistleblowing is the sureshot way to popularity.

 पण्डितेन by a man of learning कथंचन on any occasion परिषदि in an assembly (of respectable persons ) परपरिवादः talks belittling, point out the defects in others, न कर्तव्यः should never be done . यद् उक्तं what is spoken असुखावाहं unpleasant, causing distress भवति is सत्यमपि even it is truth, even it is based on facts तद् that न वाच्य should not be spoken

പരപരിവാദഃ പരിഷദി കഥംചന പണ്ഡിതേന ന കര്‍തവ്യഃ।സത്യമപി തന്ന വാച്യം യദുക്തമസുഖാവഹം ഭവതി॥

നീതിദ്വിഷഷ്ഠികാ

വിവരവും വിവേകവും ഉള്ള ഒരു മനുഷ്യന്‍ ഒരിക്കലും ഒരു സഭയിലോ സമിതിയിലോ അതുപോലുള്ള പൊതു വേദികളിലോ മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ കുറ്റങ്ങളും കുറവുകളും വിളിച്ചു പറയുന്ന വാക്കുകള്‍ പരസ്യമായി ഉപയോഗിക്കരുത്. ഒരുപക്ഷെ അത്തരം കുറ്റപ്പെടുത്തലുകളും വിമര്‍ശനങ്ങളും എല്ലാം മതിയായ തെളിവോടെയും യാഥാര്‍ഥ്യ ത്തില്‍ അധിഷ്ടിതങ്ങളും ആയിരിക്കാം. എങ്കിലും അത്തരം വാക്കുകള്‍ എല്ലാവര്‍ക്കും വിഷമവും പ്രയാസങ്ങളും ഉണ്ടാക്കും.

ഇന്നത്തെ ട്രോളുകളുടെയും മാധ്യമങ്ങളുടെ അളവറ്റ വാര്‍ത്താ ദാഹത്തിന്റെയും കാലഘട്ടത്തില്‍ ഇത് വായിക്കുന്നവര്‍ ഇതിനെ എതിര്‍ക്കാം. പരിഹസിക്കാം.

മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ തെറ്റുകളും കുറ്റങ്ങളും വിളിച്ചു പറയുക എന്നതാണ് പലരും വിജയത്തിലേക്കുള്ള വഴിയായി ഇപ്പോഴൊക്കെ മുന്നില്‍ കാണുന്നത്.

I have talked too much, have written more that what is necessary for me.

When looking back I am rather relieved to realize that I have not done many things which later stare at me and make me ashamed and guilty.

But the better sense in me tells me I could have avoided giving many views and opinions either in spoken words or words written or even applying my mind and spirit on things totally of no use to me..

It is especially true about thousands of posts I made in social media..

There are no real friends or well wishers in Social media.. 

But there are some enemies, and one or two who started as very close friends acquired from social media .. and the friendship actually grew even outside social media, actually turned out to be very bad and even toxic...

With one exception.. Snakes spew their venom and inject that on others when provoked or in self defence.. 

But these persons were just spewing venom (or are) for ever.. 

I just left them because as a sensitive human being, their presence anywhere in my range of vision would make me uneasy.. and spiteful.. 

It was a waste of time in my life to have had such friends..

I have talked too much, have written more that what is necessary for me..

 And somehow the keyboard is still an addiction..

It is not that I am eager about acceptance and a stickler to social niceties.. 

In fact I pick up quarrels even for silly reasons..

But to argue with, debate, praise or berate person for whom I am a non entity, and who are similar non entities to me except some pictures and words in social media --all wearing masks-- was indeed very silly..

Anyway  it is a challenge to me.. 

My incisive mind can tell me the facts on my face.. 

Then the emotional part of the same mind prompts me to write and fight day and night with no purpose in sight

Caught in the horns of a dilemma..

Dharma sammooda chetaah.. as Arjuna stood before the blessed lord.. With a mind clouded about realisation of right and wrong..

Do I have a Guru or Saviour in you lovely Krishna?

Are there any such binding rules for such a person?

 

शब्दातीतं त्रिगुणरहितं प्राप्य तत्त्वावबोधं

निस्त्रैगुण्ये पथि विचरतां को विधिः को निषेधः॥

सुभाषितरत्नमाला ५  शुकाष्टकम्

bhedābhedau sapadi galitau puṇyapāpe viśīrṇe

māyāmohau kṣayamupagatau naṣṭasandehavṛtteḥ|

śabdātītaṁ triguṇarahitaṁ prāpya tattvāvabodhaṁ

nistraiguṇye pathi vicaratāṁ ko vidhiḥ ko niṣedhaḥ||

subhāṣitaratnamālā 5 shukashtakam

What exactly is the rule of conducts for a person, what are the things he should do, what are the things he is not supposed to do.. according to the rules of propriety or dharma ? Are there any such binding rules for a person:

In whose case both sense of unity among things, and sense of clearcut separation among objects are abandoned without hesitation

From whom the eagerness to do only virtuous things or Punya and the apprehension against being sinful have both been driven away

Who is in a state of equanimity and neutrality where all his illusions and delusions are dispelled

And 

Having abandoned the path of hesitation and nagging suspicion, he is forging ahead in life in a path where his journey proceeds without getting affected by the three human qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas ( Softness, Intensity and Toughness ), a journey towards something which is attained through the ultimate knowledge and which is beyond words, towards a goal devoid again of Sattva, Rajas or Tamas

This is from Shukastakam in Srimad Bhagavatham. Sri Suka has was born to Sage Vyasa. The child wanted to become a recluse immediately on being born. He was such an enlightened soul. His kinsmen and relativies are trying to bring him back to the way of worldly life, but in this sloka he is telling them that the rules of normal life are not applicatble for persons who seek beyond the worldy things.

This should not be read as a licence to do anything. Rules and regulations just become empty beyond a stage of realization. That is all.

भेद difference, schism अभेदौ unity oneness सपदि quicky, without any hesitation गलितौ fallen down पुण्य sense of doing virtuous things पापौ sense of sin, apprehension about sins विशीर्णे scattered, dispersed माया illusions मोहौ delusionsक्षयं weakness उपगतौ attained नष्ट संदेह वृत्तेः being relieved of habitual doubtfulness शब्दातीतं valuable beyond mere words त्रिगुण रहितं devoid of the three qualities of Satva Raja and Tama तत्त्वावबोधं understanding of the ultimate truth in absoluted terms प्राप्य having reached निस्त्रैगुण्ये पथि in a path unaffected by the three gunas.. sattva, rajas and tamas विचरतां moving नराणां people को विधिः what is the prescribed path को निषेधः what is the probibited path ?