never fail to return a favour

प्रथमवयसि दत्तं तोयमल्पं स्मरन्तः
शिरसि निहितभाराः नाळिकेरा नराणां
सलिलममृतकल्पम् दद्युराजीवनान्तं
न हि कृतमुपकारं साधवो विस्मरन्ति
नीतिसारम्   सुभाषितानि
prathamavayasi dattaṁ toyamalpaṁ smarantaḥ
śirasi nihitabhārāḥ nāḻikerā narāṇāṁ
salilamamṛtakalpam dadyurājīvanāntaṁ
na hi kṛtamupakāraṁ sādhavo vismaranti
nītisāram   subhāṣitāni

പ്രഥമവയസിദത്തം തോയമല്പം സ്മരന്തഃ
ശിരസിനിഹിതഭാരാഃ നാളികേരാഃ നരാണാം
സലിലമമൃതകല്പം ദദ്യുരാജീവനാന്തം
ന ഹികൃതമുപകാരം സാധവോ വിസ്മരന്തി

The tall coconut tree is bearing the heavy load of fruits filled with nectarlike drink for the consumption of humans  gratefull remembering the small amount of water these men have poured on their roots while the trees were just saplings.  Noble souls are also like this. They never forget even a little favour done to them by others and are waiting eagerly to be of service to their benefactors at all times.

The idea of gratefulness runs like a golden thread throughout our ancient culture.  Indians always consider themselves as indebted for their lifetimes any favour done to them. Any person who refuses to subscribe to this idea is not worthy to be called a human being at all.  Absence of  gratefulness in listed as one of the greatest sins in all our scriptures.

be bold

त्याज्यं न धैर्यं विधुरेपि काले
धैर्यात् कदाचिद् गतिम् आप्नुयात् सः।
यथा समुद्रेऽपि च पोतभङ्गे
सांयात्रिको वाञ्चति तर्तुम् एव॥३४५॥
पञ्चतन्त्रं
tyājyaṁ na dhairyaṁ vidhurepi kāle
dhairyāt kadācid gatim āpnuyāt saḥ |
yathā samudre'pi ca potabhaṅge
sāṁyātriko vāñcati tartum eva ||345||
pañcatantraṁ

ത്യാജ്യം ന ധൈര്യം വിദുരേപി കാലേ
ധൈര്യാത് കദാചിത് ഗതിമാപ്നുയാത് സഃ
യഥാ സമുദ്രേപി ച പോതഭംഗേ
സാംയാത്രികോ വാഞ്ഛതി തര്ത്തുമേവ

A sensible person should never give up his courage  even on the face of the worst calamities. Because, if one remains bold, it is possible that some means of escape will  ultimately manifest itself.   A sailor negotiating rough seas with his vessel damaged, never gives up, but  he strives  to survive and reach the shore putting to use all his ingenuity.

The greatest support one can derive  is from out of his own self confidence.  Once a person loses his self confidence, he becomes powerless. His body and brain forsakes him. In fact all the human beings in the world are created equal but the difference one makes is to the extent of his courage on the face of adversity. Physical power, wealth, education and all other resources simply fail  to  come to the rescue of a person who lacks faith in himself.

shun these six habits

षड् दोषा: पुरूषेणेह हातव्या भूतिमिच्छता।
निद्रा तन्द्रा भयं क्रोध: आलस्यं दीर्घसूत्रता॥
chanakya
shad doshaah purusheneha haatavyah bhoothimichchathaa
nidhraa tandra bhayam krodah aalasyam deergahsootrataa

ഷഡ് ദോഷാഃ പുരുഷേണേഹ ഹാതവ്യാഃ  ഭൂതിമിച്ഛതാ
നദ്രാ തന്ദ്രാ ഭയം ക്രോധഃ ആലസ്യം ദീര്ഘസൂത്രതാ


Six bad qualities in a person should be nipped in the bud if he were to prosper. 
They are  (1) tendency to sleep long, (2) lethargy (3) unreasonable fear (4) blind anger (5) laziness and (6) tendency to procrastinate.
For some people sleep is the ultimate pleasure. No doubt, a healthy snooze is necessary to recoup the body and the psyche from the effects of hard work. But one has to remember that this life is too short. From sleep we have come into the world, and we are proceeding to the eternal sleep ultimately. If we have to do something worthwhile, why should we emulated Kumbhakarna or Rip Van Winkle?
 One's lethargy, that is tendency to keep awake without doing anything is another curious dampener to progress. One should understand that the food one takes will digest properly only if one is in motion. There is hardly any difference between a non-performer and a dead fellow.  Krishna said in Gita that he had nothing to achieve in life and nothing more to perform, and still he is always engaged in work.
 For some people unfounded fear and anxiety, would block all their welfare.  The worst things that can overtake a person like death, misfortune, diseases etc., are not fully preventable. So what is the use of fearing the uncertainty? 
 The next enemy is excessive anger. For the strong fellow anger comes out of arrogance. For the weak, anger is the result of lack of ability to do anything. But in anger a man loses his sense of balance and  this can lead to his doom. 
One another slow poison inherent in human beings is laziness. Fully knowing that there are many things to be done  before the goal is achieved, if one simply keeps quiet expecting that the rainbow will appear from nothingness, he is pathetically lost. 
The twin brother of laziness is procrastination.  The tendency to postpone every action till the last minute is very dangerous.  One does not know what is going to happen in the next moment.  So why should one keep aside the things to be done expecting to take  up the work  at the last moment? May be procrastination is the worst and deadliest enemy one has to avoid if there is to be some meaning and content to his life.

price of miracle

If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Road Will Take You There....!!!


I'D LIKE THIS BACK IF IT APPLIES



A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet.


She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.


Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment.
Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!


'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of
voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.

'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now So how
much does a miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl.
I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.


'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me ho w much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'

' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'


'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago

'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.

'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. '

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you
need.'

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,
specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.


'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how
much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.


In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.
I know you'll keep the ball moving!

Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you!

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.

Today I pass the friendship ball to you.

Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.

MY OATH TO YOU...

When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.

When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.

When you are worried.....I will give you hope.

When you are confused.....I will help you cope.

And when you are lost...And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon....Shining ever so bright.

This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.

Why you may ask?....Because you're my friend.


Signed: GOD

Fwd: goodbye

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Srinivasan Ravi <sudhaandravi@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 27, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Subject: goodbye
To:

--
S Ravi

faithful servant should be treated with affection.

भक्तं शक्तं कुलीनं च न भृत्यं अवमानयेत्।

पुत्रवल्लालयेन्नित्यं य इच्चेच्च्रियमात्मनाः॥३८२॥

राजा तुष्टोपि भृत्यानाम् अर्थ-मात्रं प्रयच्चति।

ते तु सम्मानितास्तस्य प्राणैरप्युपकुर्वते॥३८३॥

पञ्चतन्त्रम्

bhaktaṁ śaktaṁ kulīnaṁ ca na bhṛtyaṁ avamānayet |

putravallālayennityaṁ ya icceccriyamātmanāḥ ||382||

rājā tuṣṭopi bhṛtyānām artha-mātraṁ prayaccati |

te tu sammānitāstasya prāṇairapyupakurvate ||383||

pañcatantram

One who is desirous of wealth and welfare for himself should never insult of ill-treat  his  servant who is devoted to his master, who is powerful and who is of proper birth.

  Such a servant should be treated with affection as if he were the son of the master.

Even a king who is extremely pleased with his servant will at best present his with a lot of money.

But a noble servant who is honoured by the king will repay his debt with his own life.

A well born person would have taken up the job of a servant only because of personal compulsions. 
Usually what he expects from his master is some affection and understanding.
 The wages would be a lesser priority.
 If the servant is devoted and also powerful (physically, possessing knowledge, intelligence) he is a great asset.  And the employers be it an individual, a corporate entity or the megalith called the government should understand this.
 The servant develops great affection and sense of indebtedness towards the master and is always prepared even to lay down his life for the sake of the master.
Corporate sector all over the world and sensible and noble individuals have always treated their servants well.   And when it comes to government sector, the relationship becomes faceless.
 Maybe, this is the reason why the bureaucrats never give their best to the employer especially when their role is not taken note of.
We have to remember  with gratitude the patriotic soldiers, policemen etc., who have always placed their lives at the disposal of the government, always prepared to  offer the supreme sacrifice.
 If such employees are not treated well, there will not be any progress or welfare for the country as a whole.

all are not equal

दाक्षिण्यं स्वजने दया परिजने शाठ्यं सदा दुर्जने
प्रीतिः साधुजने नयो नृप-जने विद्वज्जने चार्जवम्।
शौर्यं शत्रु-जने क्षमा गुरु-जने कान्ता-जने धृष्टता
ये चैवं पुरुषाः कलासु कुशलास्तेष्वेव लोक-स्थितिः॥२२॥
नीतिशतकम्   भर्त्तृहरिविरचितं

dākṣiṇyaṁ svajane dayā parijane śāṭhyaṁ sadā durjane
prītiaḥ sādhujane nayo nṛpa-jane vidvajjane cārjavam |
śauryaṁ śatru-jane kṣamā guru-jane kāntā-jane dhṛṣṭatā
ye caivaṁ puruṣāaḥ kalāsu kuśalāsteṣveva loka-sthitiaḥ ||22||
nītiśatakam   bharttṛhariviracitaṁ

ദാക്ഷിണ്യം സ്വജനേ ദയാ പരിജനേ ശാഠൃം സദാ ദുര്ജ്ജനേ
പ്രീതിഃ സാധുജനേ നയോ നൃപജനേ വീദ്വജ്ജ ജനേ ചാര്ജവം
ശൌര്യം ശത്രുജനേ ക്ഷമാ ഗൂരുജനേ കന്താജനേ ധൃഷ്ടതാ
 യേചൈവംപുരുഷാഃ കലാസു  കുശലാഃതേഷ്വേവ ലോകസ്ഥിതഃ
 
The destiny of the world depends on great people who are very discernig is their attitude to various types of other people.  They have to be kind and considerate to their own kith and kin. They shoul be compassionate while dealing with the servants.  They should be always tough when it comes to interaction with evil people. They should exhibit a pleasant and satified demeanour to the pious people.  They should be highly diplomatic while attending on the Royal persons.  In confronting the enemies they should show all their valour.  In the company of elders, preceptors and parents they should show utmost courtesy and patience. The womanfolk should be  dealt with with utmost authoritativeness.

Bharthruhari shows his expertise in management of people.  We have very little to add to his advice even after two millenia.  Any paradigm shift away from the above prescription can create utter chaors for a man and the environments.

god alone can protect us

अरक्षितं तिष्ठति देव रक्षितम्
सुरक्षितं देव हतम् विनश्यति
जीवन्त्यनाथोऽपि वने विसर्जितः
कृतप्रयत्नोऽपि गृहे विनश्यति
पञ्चतन्त्रम्
arakṣitaṁ tiṣṭhati deva rakṣitam
surakṣitaṁ deva hatam vinaśyati
jīvantyanātho'pi vane visarjitaḥ
kṛtaprayatno'pi gṛhe vinaśyati
pañcatantram

If a person is protected by gods (fate), he will remain safe without any security arrangements. But if the Gods have decided to destroy him, any amount of human protection will be of no avail and he will perish.  Even the orphan abandoned in the forest will survive with divine protection.  But even in the safety of his own  house with all precautions, one can perish if that be the will of God.

We know  how  Shakunthala who was thrown away in the forest as an infant later became the queen of Dushyantha  and gave birth to the  victor of three worlds, Emperor Bharatha.
At the same time we  know the story of Parikshit  who  hid in a well guarded fortress to escape  the snake bite ordered by way of a curse from a sage,  but  the Serpant Takshaka  entered the presence of the Parikshit in the guise of a worm hiding in a fruit  and  bit him and caused his death..

അരക്ഷിതം തിഷ്ഠതി ദേവരക്ഷിതം
സുരക്ഷിതം ദേവഹതം വിനശ്യതി
ജീവന്ത്യനാഥോപിവനേ വിസര്ജിതഃ
കൃതപ്രയത്നോപി ഗൃഹേ വിനശ്യതി

ദേവന്മാരും  വിധിയും  ഒരു വ്യക്തി  ജീവിചിരിക്കണമെന്നാണ് നിശ്ചയിച്ചുറപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളത് എങ്കില്‍  മറ്റാരുടെയും സഹായം ഒന്നും ഇല്ലെങ്കിലും  അയാള്‍ ജീവിക്കുക തന്നെ ചെയ്യും.   പക്ഷെ  വിധിയും ദൈവവും അയാളുടെ നാശം കുറിച്ചുകഴിഞ്ഞു എന്ന് വരികില്‍ അയാള്‍  തീര്‍ച്ചയായും    നാശത്തെ നേരിടുക തന്നെ ചെയ്യും
ആരോരുമില്ലാതെ കാറ്റില്‍ വലിച്ചെറിയപ്പെട്ട  ആളാണെങ്കില്‍ പോലും  ദൈവം അനുകൂലമായിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ അയാള്‍ രക്ഷപ്പെടും, ജീവിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും
വിധി അയാള്‍ക്ക് എതിരാണെങ്കില്‍  വളരെ പ്രയാസപ്പെട്ടു  സംരക്ഷണവലയം ഒരുക്കി വീട്ടിനകത്ത് കഴിഞ്ഞു കൂടുന്നവനും  മരണത്തെ നേരിടേണ്ടിവരും  രക്ഷപ്പെടാനാവില്ല.

കാറ്റില്‍ ചോരക്കുഞ്ഞായി വലിച്ചെറിയപ്പെട്ട ശകുന്തള  പിന്നീട്  ദുഷ്യന്തന്റെ  പട്ടമഹിഷി ആവുകയും  ലോകജേതവായ  ഭരതചക്രവര്‍ത്തിക്ക് ജന്മം കൊടുക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത കഥ നമുക്കറിയാം
അതേ സമയം   സര്‍പ്പ ദംശനം ഏറ്റു  മരണം സംഭവിക്കുമെന്ന  മുനിശാപം ഏറ്റ പരീക്ഷിത്ത്   എല്ലാ ഭാഗവും അടച്ചുപൂട്ടിയ കോട്ടയ്ക്കുള്ളില്‍  ഒളിഞ്ഞു താമസിച്ചിട്ടും അദ്ദേഹത്തെ  പഴത്തിലെ പുഴുവിന്റെ  രൂപത്തില്‍ ഒളിച്ചുവന്നു  തക്ഷകന്‍ എന്ന സര്‍പ്പരാജാവ്  വധിച്ചതും നമുക്കറിയാം 

Long live Bachelors !!!!

 

Long live Bachelors !!!! Every man should get married some time; after all, happiness is not the only thing in life!! --Anonymous Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others. --Oscar Wilde Don't marry for money; you can borrow it cheaper. --Scottish Proverb I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years. --Sam Kinison Men have a better time than women; for one thing, they marry later; for another thing, they die earlier. --H. L. Mencken When a newly married couple smiles, everyone knows why. When a ten-year married couple smiles, everyone wonders why. Love is blind but marriage is an eye-opener. When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car is new or the wife. I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back to home always. --Anonymous I asked my wife, "Where do you want to go for our anniversary? " She said,"Somewhere I have never been!" I told her, "How about the kitchen?" --Anonymous We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops. My wife was in beauty saloon for two hours. That was only for the estimate. --Anonymous She got a mudpack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off. --Anonymous She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?" Following her down the street I yelled, "No, jump in." --Anonymous Badd Teddy recently explained to me why he refuses to get to married. He says "the wedding rings look like minature handcuffs... .." --Anonymous If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife yelling at the frontdoor, who do you let in first? The Dog of course... at least he'll shut up after u let him in! --Anonymous A man placed some flowers on the grave of his dearly parted mother and started back toward his car when his attention was diverted to another man kneeling at a grave. The man seemed to be praying with profound intensity and kept repeating, 'Why did u have to die? Why did you have to die?" The first man approached him and said, "Sir, I don't wish to interfere with your private grief, but this demonstration of pain in is more than I've ever seen before. For whom do you mourn so? Deeply? A child? A parent?"The mourner took a moment to collect himself, then replied "My wife's first husband." A couple came upon a wishing well. The husband leaned over, made a wish and threw in a coin . The wife decided to make a wish, too. But she leaned over too much, fell into the well, and drowned. The husband was stunned for a while but then smiled "It really works ! "

 

let others know

DEAR ALL,

One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walks into a lawyer's office. Apparently, they are there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story….

This couple had been quarrelling for all their 40 over yrs of marriage nothing ever seems to go right. They hang on because of their children, afraid that it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, all they wanted is to lead their own life free from all these years of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce….
Lawyer was having a hard time trying to get the papers done, because he felt that after 40 yrs of marriage at the age of 70, he couldn't understand why the old couple would still want a divorce..
While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband..
"I really love u, but I really cant carry on anymore, I'm sorry.."
"Its o.k., I understand." said the husband. Looking at this, the lawyer suggested a dinner together, just 3 of them, wife thought, why not, since they are still going to be friends..
At the dining table, there was a silence of awkwardness. The first dish was roasted chicken. Immediately the old man took the drumstick for the old lady." Take this, it's your favourite." Looking at this, the lawyer thought maybe there's still a chance, but the wife was frowning when she answer." This is always the problem, you always think so highly of yourself, never thought about how I feel, and don't you know that I hate drumsticks?"
Little did she know that, over the years, the husband have been trying all ways to please her, little did she know that drumsticks was the husband's favourite. Little did he know that she never thought he understand her at all, little did he know that she hates drumsticks even though all he wants is the best for her.
That night, both of them couldn't sleep, toss and turn, toss and turn…after hours, the old man couldn't take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he cant carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wanted to tell her "I love you".
He picks up the phone, starting dialling her number….ringing never stops. He never stops dialling. On the other side, she was sad, she couldn't understand how come after all these years, he still doesn't understand her at all, she loves him a lot, but she just cant take it anymore….phone's ringing, she refuses to answer knowing that its him." What's the point of talking now that its over…I have ask for it and now I want to keep it this way, if not I will lose face." She thought…still ringing…she has decided to pull out the cord. Little did she remember, he had the heart problems.
The next day, she received news that he had passed away…she rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone…he had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through her phone line. As sad as she could be…she will have to clear his belongings…when she was looking thru the drawers, she saw this insurance policy, dated from the day they got married, with the beneficiary being her… And together in those file, there was this note…
"To my dearest wife, by the time you're reading this, I'm sure I'm no longer around, I bought this policy for you, though the amount is only $100k, I hope it will be able to help me continue my promise that i have made when we got married, I might not be around anymore, I want this amount of money to continue taking care of you, just like the way I will if I could have live longer. I want you to know that I will always be around, by your side… I love you"
Tears flowed like river……
"When you love someone, let them know… You never know what will happen the next minute…. Learn to build a life together. Learn to love each other. For who they are… not what they are…"
God Bless You

am I becoming too pedantic?.

my respected elders and dear friend.. now I am trying to cull out some gems from the vast ocean of Mahabharatam and such texts. This represents the quintessance of our oriental wisdom.  But our old acharyas are too forthright and when quoting and explaining them , I am afraid I may get pedantic often and this may bore you or irritate you.  When I toil and find out some things which I consider gems and dish them out to you, the response need not be as I expected. If my friends expect any change from this trend on my part, I may please be advised. This is a humble request.  with namaskarams to all my friends.  KVA
Because vanity is the hallmark of all humans, and some halfbaked knowledge makes a fellow arrogant, I would hav comitted many howlers.  Thak you for suffering me.

things without which a meaningful life is not possible

यक्ष
धन्यानां उत्तमं किंस्विद् धनानां किंस्विद् उत्तमं
लाभानां उत्तमं किंस्विद् किं सुखानां तथोत्तमं
युधिष्टिर
धन्यानां उत्तमं दाक्ष्यं धनानां उत्तमं श्रुतम्
लाभानम् श्रेष्टं आरोग्यं सुखानां तुष्तिरुत्तमा
महभारतं वनपर्वं यक्षप्रश्नं
yakṣa
dhanyānāṁ uttamaṁ kiṁsvid dhanānāṁ kiṁsvid uttamaṁ
lābhānāṁ uttamaṁ kiṁsvid kiṁ sukhānāṁ tathottamaṁ
yudhiṣṭira
dhanyānāṁ uttamaṁ dākṣyaṁ dhanānāṁ uttamaṁ śrutam
lābhānam śreṣṭaṁ ārogyaṁ sukhānāṁ tuṣtiruttamā
mahabhārataṁ vanaparvaṁ yakṣapraśnaṁ
yakṣa
dhanyānāṁ uttamaṁ kiṁsvid dhanānāṁ kiṁsvid uttamaṁ
lābhānāṁ uttamaṁ kiṁsvid kiṁ sukhānāṁ tathottamaṁ
yudhiṣṭira
dhanyānāṁ uttamaṁ dāksyaṁ dhanānāṁ uttamaṁ śrutam
lābhānam śresṭaṁ ārogyaṁ sukhānāṁ tuṣtiruttamā
mahabhārataṁ vanaparvaṁ yakṣapraśnaṁ

യക്ഷഃ
ധന്യാനാം ഉത്തമം കിംസ്വിദ് ധനാനാം കിംസ്വിദുത്തമം
ലാഭാനാം ഉത്തമം കിംസ്വിദ് കിം സുഖാനാം തഥോത്തമം
യുധിഷ്ഠിരഃ
ധന്യാനാം ഉത്തമം ദാക്ഷ്യം ധനാനാം ഉത്തമംശ്രുതം
ലാഭാനാംശ്രേഷ്ഠമാരോഗ്യം സുഖാനാം തുഷടിരുത്തമാ

The Yaksha asked,--'What is the best of all laudable things? What is the most valuable of all his possessions? What is the best of all gains? And what is the best of all kinds of happiness

' Yudhishthira answered,--"The best of all laudable things is skill; the best of all possessions is knowledge: the best of all gains is health: and contentment is the best of all kinds of happiness.'

This is another sloka from the celebrated  Yaksha Prasnam... the cirucustances leading to the dialogue were explained two days ago. 

Precision and dexterity in one's chosen field of work is the most praiseworthy possession of any person. If one has the efficiency in work, he need not run after others showcasing his virtues but like bees coming in search of flowers with honey, people will queue at his doorsteps to make use of his service. 

The Greatest wealth one can have is the wealth of knowledge.. This wealth can be accumulated without facing competition from others, it does not get diminished ever if one gives away the whole of it to others,  no robber can steal it.  

The ultimate profit one can derive from this life is wholesome health.  Without health all other faculties one possesses could be utilised only to  a limited extent. Once health is lost, knowledge and dexterity also declines.  Kalidasa said, Sareeramaadhyam khalu dharmasaadhanam....the health of the body is the vehicle for attaining the dharma.

And coming to the question of what is real pleasure,  it is none other than the state of happiness and fulfilment one attains after a satisfying pursuit.

Remember Jefferson the great statesman and the third President of USA made a sweeping remark about the human indenpend

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

impediments to success

क्रोधो हर्षश्च दर्पश्च ह्रीस्तम्भो मान्यमानिता

    यं अर्थात् नापकर्षन्ति स वै पण्डित उच्यते

विदुर नीति   महाभारतं उद्योग पर्वं  खण्ड ३३



krodho harṣaśca darpaśca hrīstambho mānyamānitā

     yam arthān nāpakarṣanti sa vai paṇḍita ucyate

vidura nīti   mahābhārataṁ udyoga parvaṁ  khaṇḍa 33

He whom neither anger nor joy, nor pride, nor false modesty, nor stupefaction, nor vanity, can draw away from the high ends of life, is considered as wise.
(translation : Kisari Mohan Ganguly)

comments 

Vidura, the learned younger brother of Dhritarashtra is discussing the righteous way of life for the benefit of his elder brother.  
This treatise has become the ultimate guide in righteous living and many later texts in Sanskrit have drawn inspiration from this incomparable piece of wisdom.

There are many roadblocks even for the most learned, in the course of their jouney towards achievement of  lofty goals they have set unto themselves.  

1 The first drawback is uncontrollable anger.
2 Next comes excessive desire for pleasure.
 In material as well as spiritual pursuits, we attain some minor achievements at first but if we slacken our enthusiasm with a view to enjoy such  minor things forgetting the ultimate goal, we are in for disappointment .
3. Too much of  pride  makes one  arrogant and derails him from the path towards  victory.
4. False Modesty comes in the way of one's achievement because this tendency prevents one from viewing things from the right perspective and approaching the right persons and resources to strengthen his pursuits. 

5. It is the most common human trait to stand aghast  as if hit by an electric shock which condition  renders his incapable of doing anything when temporary even  setbacks are encountered. 

It is for the wise man to realise that such stupefaction will not help him in any way and that going ahead with greatest self control along  the difficult path one has set for himself  alone will enable him to reach the final goal.  

6 Another deterrent in the path of success is vanity.
 Vanity also makes a man arrogant, excessively confident and makes him lose sight of the exalted goal. 

 So Vidura  the wise minister advises that a learned man should steer clear of the above impediments and forge ahead relentlessly towards  lofty goals.

GooD Morning............ Words to Live By...!!

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

heaviest, tallest, fastest and infinite

यक्षः
किम् स्वित् गुरुतरं भूमेः किं स्वित् उच्च्तरम् च खात्
किं स्वित् शीघ्रतरम् वायोः किं स्वित् बहुतरम् तृणात्
युधिष्टिरः
माता गुरुतरा भूमेः पिता उच्चतरश्च खात्
मनो शीघ्रतरम् वायोः चिन्ता बहुतरो तृणात्

yakṣaḥ
kim svit gurutaraṁ bhumeḥ kiṁ svit ucctaram ca khāt
kiṁ svit śīghrataram vāyoḥ kiṁ svit bahutaram tṛṇāt
yudhiṣṭiraḥ
mātā gurutarā bhūmeḥ pitā uccataraśca khāt
mano śīghrataram vāyoḥ cintā bahutaro tṛṇāt

महाभारतम् वनपर्वम्  यक्षप्रश्न  खण्ड २९७
mahābhāratam vanaparvam  yakṣapraśna  khaṇḍa 297

The Yaksha asked, 'What is weightier than the earth itself? What is higher than the heavens?' What is fleeter than the wind? And what is more numerous than grass?' Yudhishthira answered ''The mother is weightier than the earth; the father is higher than the heaven; the mind is fleeter than the wind; and our thoughts are more numerous than grass.
(translation of Kisar Mohan Ganguly) The pandavas are driven to forests by the machinations of the Kauravas and one day yudhistira the eldest Pandava, feeling thirsty, sent his youngest brother Sahadeva to fetch water from a lake which he found during their wanderings.  Sahadeva approached the lake and. a Crane which was sitting nearby. warned that if he were to take water from the lake first he should answer some questions to be put forth by the Crane (This Crane later manifested as a Yaksha, but in fact, it was Lord Yamadharma himself in disguise). Sahadeva ignored the Crane and fell dead on touching the water.  Nakula, Arjuna and Bheemasena were also sent on the same mission and they also ignored the Crane-Yaksha and   met with the same fate.  Finally the King Yudishtira himself approached the lake and was confronted by the Yaksha (Crane). The wise king heeded to the queries of the Yaksha and answered them appropriately. This is the famous Yaksha Prasna part in Vanaparvam of Mahabharatham.  The questions and answers have become eternal landmarks in Indian thought . The above  quotation is of one of the questions of the Yaksha and the answer to it by Yudhistira. Many such questions were answered and the pleased Yaksha finally revealed his identity. He was none other than the Lord of death, Yamadharma himself who has come to test the mettle of his son Yudhistira. The mother is the weightiest object for anyone but it is not the physical weight but the weight of love,  The father is tallest not because of the of the height measured by any rods  but the father stands tall representing the ideal icon for uprightness, greatness and for all that is to be followed by a son.  The human mind simply jumps from one thought to another in the shortest span of time and thus is moving faster than even the wind.  And  human thought are so many, and they are uncountable like leaves of grass  growing on earth.