Immortal Sayings: From Indian Scriptures and Classics

178 Pages·2012·3.32 MB·English

by  B. R. Suhas

Immortal
Sayings
From Indian Scriptures and Classics
Completed and annotated by
Dr B.R. Suhas
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© Copyright:
ISBN 978-935-05725-7-3
Edition: November 2012

The Copyright of this book, as well as all matter contained herein (including illustrations) rests
with the Publishers. No person shall copy the name of the book, its title design, matter and
illustrations in any form and in any language, totally or partially or in any distorted form.
Anybody doing so shall face legal action and will be responsible for damages.
Dedicated to my Father,
Er. B.G. R .
AMESH
A great writer and an
inspiration for my writing.
Contents
Preface
Invocation
Appraisal of Good Words
Appraisal of Poets and Poetry
Knowledge and. Education
Learning and Earning
Useless Knowledge and. Money
Money
Miser
Generosity and Charity
Useless Charity
Rich and Poor
Arts
Occupation
Endeavour
Enthusiasm
Laziness
Action and Divinity
Evils of Men and Women
Merits and Demerits
Heaven and Hell
Righteousness
Truth
Non-violence
Service
The Art of Speaking
The Intelligent and the Foolish
The Noble and the Wicked
Appraisal of Good Character
Modesty
Friendship
Relatives
Courage
Weakness
Self-respect
Mind
Happiness and Sorrow
Beauty
Desire
Anger
Contentment
Sacrifice
Fame
Foresight
Duty
Precious Jewels
Unity
Kings and Rulers
Master and Servant
Women
Teacher
Rarities
Always Wonderful
Elevation and Downfall
Death
Questions and Answers
Poison
Penance and Renouncement
God and the Soul
Devotion
Words of Wisdom
Preface
anskrit is one of the oldest languages of the world. Its rich heritage
S
includes epics, religious and devotional scriptures, poetic works,
dramas and other literary works. Subhashitas form a special feature of
Sanskrit literature. Subhashitas are equivalent to proverbs and sayings
found in other languages.
Subhashitas means “words of wisdom”. Subhashitas are short verses or
shlokas that convey thoughtful messages through elegant examples. As
dry preaching does not hit the mark, Subhashitas preach through
interesting examples in rhythmic poems. Such preaching is appreciated
just as a sugar-coated bitter medicine is liked. The matter dealt in these
Subhashitas is variegated and include such topics like appraisal of
scholars, value of knowledge, money, good and bad, fools and the
intelligent, moral lessons, courage, fear, self-respect, endeavour,
enthusiasm, love, happiness and sorrow, laziness, truth, righteousness,
friendship, sense control, God, devotion and many more. These
Subhashitas consist of day-to-day experiences that everyone enjoys.
Subhashitas are present in large numbers throughout. Sanskrit literary
works The Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas,
Panchatantra and the celebrated works of poets such as Kalidasa,
Bhavabhuti, Kalhana, Bhartrihari etc are full of Subhashitas. Besides,
there are individual works dedicated to a collection of Subhashitas like
Suktimuktavali, Subhashita Sudhanidhi, Subhashita Ratnabandagara,
Samayochita Padyamalika, Narabharana and many more Scholars are
collecting Subhashitas even today and many such collections like
Subhashita Manjari, Subhashita Ratnavali, Subhashita Samputa, Nitya Neeti
etc are in Kannada and English translations.
In this compilation of Sanskrit Subhashitas, I have made a sincere
effort to convey the meaning of these Subhashitas. The translations are
free and not literal. Short explanations have been added to each verse to
appreciate the meaning and message of the Subhashita. I owe my thanks
to many different sources. I have referred to in preparing this
compilation. I hope readers enjoy this book. I would like to receive
feedback from readers via e-mail at: brs_doc@yahoo co in.
—Dr B.R. Suhas
Invocation
Obeisance unto the Lord, who is not bound by space and time, who is Infnite, whose form is
knowledge personifed, who is effulgent, peaceful, and who can be realised only by one’s own
experience.
—Neeti Shataka - 1
It is always customary to start any work with a prayer to the Almighty
Lord. This shloka appears in a composition called Neetishataka, a
collection of 100 moral sayings composed by King Bhartrihari. In his
prayer, he also describes the nature of God, saying that He is not bound
by time and space. All of us have a limited body that is bound by space
and time. The body is subject to time, and it has a beginning and an end.
But God is Eternal; so also the Atma, but for the illusion. Thus, the body
limits the Jiva. But God is Omnipresent. He is called Vishnu, which
means all-pervading. Therefore, He is unlimited.
God is Omniscient. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, “From all
the Vedas, I am to be known.” He is Sat (Truth), Chit (Knowledge) and
Ananda (Bliss). He is self-effulgent, like the sun. He is peaceful and never
gets afficted by any situation. God can be realised only by one’s own
experience, through devotion and perseverance. It is not possible for
anyone to ‘show’ Him. It is often said that the taste of sugar can be
realised only by tasting it!
Obeisance to the Lord.