Words Well Worth 25: If Not With A Pleasant Face

Giving in charity, Fighting for the country, Or learning and study, If ye feel not so fine From without as within, O vain is your giving, Vain your valour, vying, And vain is all learning. __________________________________________________ Vain are these three things if not done with a pleasant demeanour: charity, fighting a battle, and learning/study, the verse says. Transliteration of the subhāśhita along with the meanings of Sanskrit words is given as under: dadatah yudhya-mānasyah paţhatah na chet pulakah | ātmanah cha para eśhām cha dhik tyāgam pauruśham shrutam || dadatah: while giving (in charity): yudhya-mānasyah: when engaging in a battle (for the sake of one's country): paţhatah: while reading/studying; na chet pulakah: if (you are)not joyful, happy, pleased; ātmanah: within your self; cha para: and from outside; eśhām cha: (and)in these (things): dhik: hell be, vain (is your): tyāgam: (your)charity, generosity, magnanimity; pauruśham: (your)valour/bravery; shrutam: learning, study. Topic: pink, pleasant, smiling